Poll: Bioshock, Mass Effect or DLC?

[Soviet Heavy]

I've got 30$ to spend on Steam. Should I get Bioshock, Mass Effect, or DLC?

Games that have DLC I own are, Dragon Age1 and 2, Mass Effect 2, or Empire Total War.

I want a good lenghty singleplayer FPS.

I also want the first Mass Effect so i can make my perfect playthrough for ME2.

What should I do?

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Pfft. Just save it. Wait for sales to crop up.

 

[MBurner 93]

Kasumi and Zaeed both have pretty fun missions, and the lair of the shadow broker DLC is great. Problem is, most of the humor and character development from LotSB would go over the head of anyone who never played Mass Effect 1. I'd say get Mass Effect. There are a lot of choices to be made that you don't get to decide on, like the survival of Wrex and the Council, unless you play the first Mass Effect. Get the original, and try to get the dlc later on. The experience of ME 2 is multitudes better if you play the first one.

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.....Mass Effect. But seriously, play Bioshock at some point.

 

[DustyDrB]

If you have 30 dollars, can't you get both Mass Effect and a DLc? If it has to be either/or, then go with Mass Effect. I still not tired of that game after a dozen playthroughs.

 

[fierydemise]

ME1 is above average but not really outstanding. The combat is pretty poor and the plot despite trying really really hard is never as emotionally of philosophically compelling as it wants to be. The best part of ME1 is a really well conceived space opera universe if you are willing to go through the entire codex. The narrative isn't terrible but its nothing special but the voice acting is pretty solid.

Bioshock is a very atmospheric well conceived world that while it never gets too far into Objectivism explores it enough to make you think if you haven't read Atlas Shrugged and has significantly more restraint then the literally 90 page speech of John Galt. There are some niggling issues with Bioshock but overall its one of the best examples of games as a narrative and philosophical vehicle ever.

I'd say go Bioshock and if you are still jonesing for a Bioware RPG after that play KOTOR 1, its a better game then ME1 or ME2 and cheaper too.

EDIT: Missed that you mentioned ME2. ME1 is both better and worse then ME2, ME2 is more streamlined with things like the MAKO and inventory system removed and the combat is a ton better then ME1 but the story is much much worse, being entirely nonsensical in places.

 

[Zakarath]

The customization, variation, and story in ME1 makes it a far better game than ME2, even if the gameplay is a little less polished. I recommend it.

Also: If you want something lengthy, I'd say ME is (going from memory here) about a 40 hour playthrough (or more), while Bioshock is maybe 10.

 

[Light 086]

I would go with a game because dlc's are short add-ons witch never change the game, so they can wait.

Mass Effect is a great game, and one of my favourites. I would go with that one because even if you just want to play it to effect ME2s and later ME3s outcomes, the gameplay and story alone is worth it. If you liked ME2, then you'll also like this game.

 

[Goofguy]

ME all the way. I've played ME2 both with the default profile and with my imported Shepard from ME and the latter was a much more thorough and enjoyable experience.

 

[mikev7.0]

Honestly from what you have to select from get the first Mass Effect. If you can get DLC then get the DLC for Mass Effect as well, the game really IS that good. I agree with the other poster here that in my opinion it's better than 2 or Dragon Age 2. I also happen to think it's even better than Dragon Age 1. I've been playing Origins since Feburary of last year but it only took me four months to beat Mass Effect as it was almost the only game I played while I was into it because the story just sucks you in. It makes you care about what happens to these characters. Certainly well worth 30 bucks.

 

[Radeonx]

Bioshock was a gigantic pile of average, and aside from Awakening the Dragon Age DLC is pretty bad.
I'd say Mass Effect just because it was a pretty good RPG.

 

[Sarge034]

Bioshock and ME1 are both must have games. It comes down to; do you want a philosophical FPS or a semi-RPG with a good story?

Good luck in choosing.

 

[cowsvils]

Bioshock is still the only game which I have cried playing. Combine that with some good FPS gameplay and plenty of variety and it looks like your clear choice here.

Mass Effect 1 didn't have the best gunplay but it is a fair bit longer. Then again, a lot of that time can be spent driving around in the Mako exploring barren worlds.

Overall, go Bioshock, you won't be disappointed

 

[Soviet Heavy]

So consensus seems to be Mass Effect, except some say Bioshock. Gah, this is hard.

 

[NetherianShrina]

Dude it really comes down to you, do you want an RPG or do you want an FPS? Cause ME1 is really an RPG with FPS elements, and Bioshock is an FPS with RPG elements. Both are brilliant games though. I would seriously reccomend getting the one you don't choose as soon as you can. Either way, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Dude it really comes down to you, do you want an RPG or do you want an FPS? Cause ME1 is really an RPG with FPS elements, and Bioshock is an FPS with RPG elements. Both are brilliant games though. I would seriously reccomend getting the one you don't choose as soon as you can. Either way, you won't be disappointed.

Problem is I've got limited cash at the moment, and it is impossible to find either games in stores anymore, at leas the PC versions.

 

[NetherianShrina]

That sucks man, there's an abundant amount where I am. Well all I can offer is my hope you find them eventually, your life will be enriched by them

 

[Arkley]

The original Mass Effect will be pretty painful to play if you've already played ME2. I was given that very advice by many, many people, and I disregarded it. I thought it'd just be different, maybe even not as good - but that simply wasn't true. The plot is stronger (it has the advantage of being the first of a trilogy) and it's better paced once you clear the gelatinously slow first quarter of the game, but that's it.

Virtually every aspect of the gameplay screams "unrefined" in comparison with its sequel. Core shooting and cover mechanics are unpolished, the inventory is an impenetrable mess and even basic movement feels pretty bad.

That being said, it's still an above average game and Mass Effect 2 is a much more interesting game to play with an imported file. Plus, with ME3 on the horizon, having a file that has been carried through both previous games to import will no doubt be an improved experience.

As for Bioshock, it's a great game and unique experience, but like the original Mass Effect, its mechanics and design are beginning to show their age. Since everyone and their mother already knows the big plot twist, it might not be worth the cash any more. If you have a console and you're curious to see what all the fuss is about, I'd say pick it up pre-owned for a console instead. Not because it's a better experience on a console or anything, it's just not particularly worse and will be much cheaper.

When it comes to DLC, you'll get the best deal (in terms of play time offered) from DA:O:Awakening, though it doesn't do much different from the main game and the other DA:O DLC is pretty weak. Mass Effect 2 DLC is a blast to play, especially LotSB and Kazumi's loyalty mission, but they're pretty low on content for the price. In fact, you could probably finish both additional characters' loyalty missions along with LotSB and Project Overlord in a single sitting if you have a day to waste.

All in all, I'd say if you plan on picking up ME3 without a doubt, then get ME1 and scrape together the extra cash for ME2's DLC. If you don't care much about ME3 but you felt like DA:O needed to be 20+ hours longer, get Awakening. Otherwise, Bioshock it is.

 

[Screamarie]

I say Mass Effect, to make the experience of playing ME2 better and eventually ME3. I also say take the other 10 bucks that you would save and keep it till you've got enough for the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC for ME2. It's totally awesome.