Poll: Mass Effect 2: Fixing stuff by making it worse?

[RatRace123]

Only problem I really had with it was, I just felt so underwhelmed by it, the first game was awesome, nothing short of perfect (despite its flaws, it still ranks as my favorite game evar!!!). I felt a tinge of disappointment with the second game, it's still completely awesome, but for some reason... just doesn't beat the first game in my eyes.

 

[Knight Templar]

You make good points and I disagree with your conclusion, however I do not agree that the skills were dumbed down in any way.
You need ten points to fully level up a skill's four levels and you only get one point per level. You can pick a extra skill as well as a extra weapon and the ablity to re-spend skill points, these need a point in the game to be reached. Additionaly each level needs points equal to it, level three needs three points so you need to spend points wisely. So those four levels are bigger than they seem particularly when you remember that the fourth level can evolve into one of two types of the skill.

ME1 had 12 skill levels but each level only cost one point and the cost never changes. However there are about 12 or so skills some of which are unlocked by leveling up.

The speech is done poorly, on that I agree. Seriouly, why give some real gray choices and them turn them black and white? Renegade and Paragon are not even consistant anymore! Not to imply the specch skill in ME1 was good, it was just detached from my dialog choices to a greater degree.

Now you've got me thnking.

In ME1 you felt alone and in the middle of nowhere, and thats was their intent. It fitted with the tone wonderfuly, nobodys coming to help because you're in the middle of nowhere and are the help.
In ME2 the lack of support doesn't make as much sense.

 

[Casual Shinji]

The only problem I had with ME 2 was the Paragon/Renagade system. That, in my opinion, was the only thing they did better in in the first game.

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

Only problem I really had with it was, I just felt so underwhelmed by it, the first game was awesome, nothing short of perfect (despite its flaws, it still ranks as my favorite game evar!!!). I felt a tinge of disappointment with the second game, it's still completely awesome, but for some reason... just doesn't beat the first game in my eyes.

^That, exactly that.^ I remember my first playthrough of Mass Effect. After Eden Prime, the first time I saw the Citadel, I knew Mass Effect was going to be awesome. I just got this feeling of... it's so hard to describe, I just knew I would love the game and never get tired of playing it. I haven't had that feeling with ME2 yet. I love both games and I love the differences in gameplay of both, but the first has that mysterious X-Factor that just makes it better then the second one.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

All I can say re: the guns, ammo and transport is; it's a big universe, there is different types of everything out there. Vehicles and weapons may differ from from terminus to citadel systems, from Cerberus to Alliance issue, just because these things are gone or changed doesn't necessarily me its retconned out of existence

 

[TPiddy]

1. I prefer ammo to overheating primarily due to the overload issue in ME 1. ME 2 wins here.

2. I would have to say that I do like the new upgrade and weapon finding system over the old system because there were too many guns to buy, upgrade and keep track of. In the time period they're talking about gun replication would easily be possible so if you had one really good gun why couldn't you make copies of it and give it to the rest of your squad members?

Finding a bunch of useless guns and having to sell them is a system for loot-based games like Borderlands and just doesn't work in ME.

3. The skills were certainly more varied in ME 1, but at least now you don't have to spend points on charm / intimidate, you can just act how you want. You can also respec your character at any time. ME 2 wins here as well. (Also, love the new biotic power combos, Adept is the best class to play, bar none!).

4. I will agree with your points here... the mini games in ME 1 were better and at least skippable.

5. While I had no problem with the elevator rides and loading, the new system breaks immersion too much. Especially the mission summary screen. ME 1 wins here as well.

6. Driving the mako around looking for shit on planet surfaces was really only hampered by the rough terrain on planets and having to fight in the mako. I spent so much omni-gel fixing the damn thing. I'm glad they got rid of that part. I like the unique landscapes presented in ME 2, even if it doesn't feel as much like exploring and more like new levels.

7. I liked the exploring in ME 2 and it had a purpose. Finding the signals on planets and investigating not only opens up other planets and options but it also earns you experience. ME 2 wins here big time, though I do wish there were at least something to collect for the completionists out there. Investigating the crash of the original Normandy just wasn't enough for me.

Overall, I think ME 2 is better than ME 1, but there are things from ME 1 they definitely should have kept in .

 

[Centurion85]

I was pretty peeved to find the inventory system stripped down to the minimum in ME2. I'd have preferred it if they'd made it somewhat similar to DA: Origins inventory. Another thing I miss is the cool suits of armour you could find for your squad mates as well as yourself (well..not so much for Tali).Turian/Krogan armour does look very cool .The alternate appearances DLC is cool, but I'd prefer to tinker with my squad's appearance myself thanks.
Vehicle-wise I think if they'd upgraded the Mako for ME2 it could've been fun. The Hammerhead is like tissue paper in ME2!Although the flying around has its perks. Have to sit back a mile to snipe Geth though because their Colossi/infantry slaughter you in close quarters..that is..if you play it on the harder difficulties.

The side missions in ME2 were too short for my liking (with the exception of loyalty missions). Although I certainly don't miss the tiresome treks across barren/mountainous planets just to find a probe!

I definitely love what they've done with the biotics abilities -directing them behind cover= genius
Vanguard charge attack is huge fun (more so when it's fully upgraded)
In fact,it's fair to say all the classes in ME2 have had some wonderful improvements.

 

[FallenJellyDoughnut]

I hate the Moral choice system, its bullshit! If I want to go all Dirty Harry on thier ass for the greater good, it shouldn't make me the bad guy! I want to be like Garrus, the renegade cop who removes scum from the earth because he knows that justice only comes one way: Through a bullet! Whereas I tried that and I turned into Ming the Merciless! Its poo I tells ya!

 

[SmugFrog]

You have some good points about all of that - but I still loved the game. I think they improved on a lot from the first one, but I wish they had just "perfected" some of the things from the first one rather than eliminated a lot of things.

Seriously Bioware - get Popcap games to do Mass Effect 3's minigames. I'd love to see a minigame that you look forward to and can't stop playing IN the game. Some games have had battle systems, card systems, things that the player can do that are basically pointless but are fun and take up time. Take a cue from that!

 

[Trotgar]

I agree with the whole original post.

I think they should've made the aspects better rather than just removed them.

The inventory system would've needed only some improving, the planets' surfaces should've been flatter and the side quests needed variety.

And you can't have Wrex as a teammate in ME 2. That seriously sucks.

 

[Avatar Roku]

Cleavage.

Sure, barely a hint of it, but it still makes no sense compared to Tali's airtight space-suit. In ME1 everyone's armor would make a viable space-suit if they had the helmet on, but in ME2 all the ladies show at least some skin, no matter what the environment.

Also, during Miranda's loyalty quest one of the mercs even mentions something about waiting for her to get dressed properly. .

Well, she is wearing a onesie. Calling what she shows cleavage is being extremely generous. Sure, they were a bit lazy in not designing space suits for everyone, but you should have said that instead of complaining about my Mirandas clothes. She gets enough shit as it is, the poor thing.

For me, it was less the cleavage and more the fact that she's showing skin at all, particularly on her head. Do you have any idea what would happen if you went out into a vaccum without a completely pressurized suit? It's not just the lack of air in space that's a problem, it's the lack of heat and pressure as well.

 

[Avatar Roku]

I hate the Moral choice system, its bullshit! If I want to go all Dirty Harry on thier ass for the greater good, it shouldn't make me the bad guy! I want to be like Garrus, the renegade cop who removes scum from the earth because he knows that justice only comes one way: Through a bullet! Whereas I tried that and I turned into Ming the Merciless! Its poo I tells ya!

That's exactly what Renegade is. You notice that both Shepards are working for the greater good, Paragon and Renegade simply denote their methods. Think of it less as "Good vs Evil" and more "Idealistic vs Cynical". For the record, Dirty Harry would have a very high renegade score.

 

[Henrik Persson]

Cleavage.

Sure, barely a hint of it, but it still makes no sense compared to Tali's airtight space-suit. In ME1 everyone's armor would make a viable space-suit if they had the helmet on, but in ME2 all the ladies show at least some skin, no matter what the environment.

Also, during Miranda's loyalty quest one of the mercs even mentions something about waiting for her to get dressed properly. .

Well, she is wearing a onesie. Calling what she shows cleavage is being extremely generous. Sure, they were a bit lazy in not designing space suits for everyone, but you should have said that instead of complaining about my Mirandas clothes. She gets enough shit as it is, the poor thing.

For me, it was less the cleavage and more the fact that she's showing skin at all, particularly on her head. Do you have any idea what would happen if you went out into a vaccum without a completely pressurized suit? It's not just the lack of air in space that's a problem, it's the lack of heat and pressure as well.

I'm pretty sure there's a difference between me going out into a vacuum and a biotic doing the same.

 

[Avatar Roku]

Cleavage.

Sure, barely a hint of it, but it still makes no sense compared to Tali's airtight space-suit. In ME1 everyone's armor would make a viable space-suit if they had the helmet on, but in ME2 all the ladies show at least some skin, no matter what the environment.

Also, during Miranda's loyalty quest one of the mercs even mentions something about waiting for her to get dressed properly. .

Well, she is wearing a onesie. Calling what she shows cleavage is being extremely generous. Sure, they were a bit lazy in not designing space suits for everyone, but you should have said that instead of complaining about my Mirandas clothes. She gets enough shit as it is, the poor thing.

For me, it was less the cleavage and more the fact that she's showing skin at all, particularly on her head. Do you have any idea what would happen if you went out into a vaccum without a completely pressurized suit? It's not just the lack of air in space that's a problem, it's the lack of heat and pressure as well.

I'm pretty sure there's a difference between me going out into a vacuum and a biotic doing the same.

Fair point, but what about Mordin? He does that too.

 

[XT inc]

I don't believe in the dumbing down of games. Learn to play with the intricacies or buy a wii. When I play a RPG its my aim to tweak every little thing I can. All they needed to do was install a recycling system and rarity system like in the terrible game Too Human. Any item below a certain rank got auto converted into cash.

You would still get cool new rare weapon mods and not have to weed out all of the lowbie junk. I just feel alot of stuff could be put in ME2 maybe we'll get lucky and they will pull a DAO dlc and give us a ton of new abilities and weapons.