Should i get the mass effect series

[Rock-nerd]

I have been a gamer my whole life, but the one series i have heavily overlooked (among others) Is Mass Effect. None of my friends played it, i didn't look into the series when it came out. It just never sparked my interest. The first time i got a taste for how popular it was was when it got Game Of the Year 2009, which was surprising to me. And how lately EVERYONE is hating on the endings which i have yet to understand (i know what happens in the end but i don't know how to feel about)

So anyway, is it too late to start from scratch? anything you can tell me about it? how long it is etc? thanks

Also i only have a ps3 so i can only play ME2 and 3, which is fine with me since i hear 2 is the best one.

 

[dyre]

I was also a latecomer to Mass Effect; I started about a month before Mass Effect 2 came out, I think. It didn't seem that interesting to me either, though at the time all I knew about it was its cover art.

It's probably worth starting from scratch. The gameplay in ME1 isn't great, but there's a good deal of exploration and the main plot is quite excellent, a lot less about action and a lot more about discovering answers to, well, the most important mystery in the history of the universe.

I haven't played Mass Effect 3 yet; I decided to wait for player response, and then the ending shitstorm happened. I hear they're going to fix the ending and will do so by summer, so that's when I'll get ME3. But I'd definitely recommend at least Mass Effect 1. It could almost be a standalone game, and it's really very epic and quite excellent.

Oh, crap, just finished typing this and I saw this line
"Also i only have a ps3 so i can only play ME2 and 3, which is fine with me since i hear 2 is the best one."

Um...well, ME2 has good gameplay. It's a solid action game. I'm sorry to hear that your Mass Effect experience will be without Mass Effect 1 though. It's really a wonderful game. :/

 

[Dendio]

Don't listen to the Nay sayers OP. Go play mass effect 2 and then get mass effect 3. Its one of the best series ive ever played and really launched some breakthroughs. The characters are the most organic ive encountered in a game. Mass effect 2 is a great game, and I hear the ps3 version has some extra bits in there to summerize me1.

I was skeptical about an rpg shooter, but trust me the series is well worth playing. And if you are going to play the series play mass effect 2 and keep in mind that what you do will hugely affect your experience in the third game.

Don't buy in to the qq. The reason people complain so hard is because the series is that damn good and people care that much about it.

O and avoid spoilers for the best experience. People are so selfish sometimes. They enjoy a blind run, then want to spew their reactions all over those who haven't had a chance to judge for themselves. Im so happy avoided the internet when Me3 first came out. It really makes a difference coming to your own judgements without the influence of others.

So yes Go get the mass effect series and also go get witcher 2 if you ever become able.

 

[thememan]

I would wait until ME3 drops in price really. It really doesn't feel like you're getting a $60 game worth of material.

Being realistic, you could probably finish the entire series in about 40-50 ish hours while still being relatively completionist (In the sense that you may miss a few meaningless number bumping things, but you will have pretty much played all the material available). Right now you could probably find ME1 for less than $10, and ME2 for around 15. I'd say wait until ME3 hits the $30 or so range before even contemplating it. Otherwise you will likely be rather disappointed by the limited content and re-playability of the third game.

 

[Rude as HECK]

No.

Wait. Wait until the inevitable 30.0000.00000.000000000000000000 DLC packs for Mass Effect 3 are released in one GOTY edition, and then maybe get all 3 games, depending on how much closure the new ending DLC provides.

If the new ending DLC is shit, just dont bother at all.

EDIT: Also, playing them without playing ME1? Meeeeehhhhhhh yeah no. The only thing Mass Effect has going for it is the world, and you are missing out on one third of the world by not playing the first one.

This guy is a) smart and b) not dumb. Take his advice.

 

[Dendio]

I would wait until ME3 drops in price really. It really doesn't feel like you're getting a $60 game worth of material.

Being realistic, you could probably finish the entire series in about 40-50 ish hours while still being relatively completionist (In the sense that you may miss a few meaningless number bumping things, but you will have pretty much played all the material available). Right now you could probably find ME1 for less than $10, and ME2 for around 15. I'd say wait until ME3 hits the $30 or so range before even contemplating it. Otherwise you will likely be rather disappointed by the limited content and re-playability of the third game.

Play an imported run from me2 and then go back and do a fresh me3 run with no saves. The game turns on its head. Different characters, different outcomes, different love interest opportunities. Theres replay value for those who want it. Also the multiplayer is addictive fun that adds to the value.

Edit:
I have yet to meet someone who honestly wishes they never played the series.
Its just one of those things you are better for going through...like the kotor series.

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

I started Mass Effect pretty late too.
Played the first one little after the second game came out. Got it more on a whim than anything. Knew next to nothing about the games, just heard everyone raving about it.
I suggest you also go in knowing very little plot-wise, as you'll be really blown away (or at least I was).
The ending to the third game sucked, but by no means do I regret playing any of the games.

People on the Escapist seem to think otherwise, but I thought 2 was way superior to the first one. Three was better than both of them, even with the crummy ending (though I wish old characters popped up more often). It is a little sad you'll only have an interactive comic to make up for the original though, because it was a great game with just a lot of faults.

Anyway, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of ME2.

 

[thememan]

I would wait until ME3 drops in price really. It really doesn't feel like you're getting a $60 game worth of material.

Being realistic, you could probably finish the entire series in about 40-50 ish hours while still being relatively completionist (In the sense that you may miss a few meaningless number bumping things, but you will have pretty much played all the material available). Right now you could probably find ME1 for less than $10, and ME2 for around 15. I'd say wait until ME3 hits the $30 or so range before even contemplating it. Otherwise you will likely be rather disappointed by the limited content and re-playability of the third game.

Play an imported run from me2 and then go back and do a fresh me3 run with no saves. The game turns on its head. Different characters, different outcomes, different love interest opportunities. Theres replay value for those who want it. Also the multiplayer is addictive fun that adds to the value.

Meh, I would if I actually owned the series. I was smart and rented. But let's break it down really. The replayability is limited largely due to the gameplay. Even still, there isn't a remarkable degree of variety in the story or progression that really makes replayability much of an option. Essentially you are either a Dick, and your Dickishness has no real effect on much of anything other than a handful of scenes, or your are a Prude and your prudishness doesn't have much of an effect except for the opposite of those scenes. Further, the whole love-angle schtick is rather shallow in the entirety of the series, something I was rather dissappointed with as they never developed the actual content within the three games. It's effectively the same shpeel through out the three games without much of a major impact or depth to it. You get a very short run through of dialogue and with most character a fade-to-black scene that are interchangeable. Wooooooooooo. Sense my excitement there. Further, there is a dearth of actually interesting missions in ME3, with many of them being either following the Wave format or "Clear identical Room 138-B" sorts. Follow this up with a rather remarkable lack of side-missions and a completely arbitrary and pointless fetch quest system.

And following Yahtzee, I couldn't care less about the multiplayer. Or more precisely, the multiplayer shouldn't really be a major portion of a game that is directed at a single player experience. Adding to this that the entire thing is incredibly pointless, boring, and flavorless and it's just not a major selling point.

That said, it's worth playing, but not worth paying full price for. That's my point. It's a $30 buy in my mind at best. It just failed to impress on many levels.

 

[DoPo]

I have yet to meet someone who honestly wishes they never played the series.
Its just one of those things you are better for going through...like the kotor series.

Well, I might not wish I never played it[footnote]there is only one game I wish I never played. Even then, I'm glad I know how much it sucks first hand[/footnote], I'll say I'd be perfectly fine without playing it. I only picked the games because they were dead cheap and popular. My opinion was "Well, it's OK" - it did cover the £2.50 I paid for ME1.

But overall, now that I have played itI can honestly say that had I not played ME, I wouldn't miss it.

 

[thememan]

Don't buy in to the qq. The reason people complain so hard is because the series is that damn good and people care that much about it.

Makes perfect sense.

(Not.)

No.

Wait. Wait until the inevitable 30.0000.00000.000000000000000000 DLC packs for Mass Effect 3 are released in one GOTY edition, and then maybe get all 3 games, depending on how much closure the new ending DLC provides.

If the new ending DLC is shit, just dont bother at all.

EDIT: Also, playing them without playing ME1? Meeeeehhhhhhh yeah no. The only thing Mass Effect has going for it is the world, and you are missing out on one third of the world by not playing the first one.

This guy is a) smart and b) not dumb. Take his advice.

Thanks, although I would almost go back on the ME1 thing. Maybe they are worth playing without ME1.

But yeah, wait and see OP.

My viewpoint towards getting ME1 is rather simple. It's ridiculously cheap to buy these days, and it's not a bad game at all (If a bit dated). I'd say it's pretty well worth what you can usually pick it up for.

 

[putowtin]

Short answer,
yes

long answer,
yyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss!

(play them, play them now!)

 

[Rock-nerd]

This is by far the best reply i have ever recieved on this website. Thanks for your insight.

 

[Rock-nerd]

Don't listen to the Nay sayers OP. Go play mass effect 2 and then get mass effect 3. Its one of the best series ive ever played and really launched some breakthroughs. The characters are the most organic ive encountered in a game. Mass effect 2 is a great game, and I hear the ps3 version has some extra bits in there to summerize me1.

I was skeptical about an rpg shooter, but trust me the series is well worth playing. And if you are going to play the series play mass effect 2 and keep in mind that what you do will hugely affect your experience in the third game.

Don't buy in to the qq. The reason people complain so hard is because the series is that damn good and people care that much about it.

O and avoid spoilers for the best experience. People are so selfish sometimes. They enjoy a blind run, then want to spew their reactions all over those who haven't had a chance to judge for themselves. Im so happy avoided the internet when Me3 first came out. It really makes a difference coming to your own judgements without the influence of others.

So yes Go get the mass effect series and also go get witcher 2 if you ever become able.

This is by far the best reply i have ever recieved on this website. Thanks for your insight.

 

[Chester Rabbit]

To keep it short and sweet. YES! go get it now. start from 1, it will take a little to get going but once you do wow what a ride and then you are set! And you will have quite the experience I promise.

 

[applesandoranges]

edit

 

[Eddie the head]

Short answer,
yes

long answer,
yyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss!

(play them, play them now!)

Aww. Ninja'ed.

Anyway, you definitely should. It's even easy, because ME2 is for sale in Target right now. And I'd recommend downloading the first one onto your computer. It's like 12 dollars.

I got the first two on my computer for like 10 bucks on amazon.

 

[thememan]

Don't listen to the Nay sayers OP. Go play mass effect 2 and then get mass effect 3. Its one of the best series ive ever played and really launched some breakthroughs. The characters are the most organic ive encountered in a game. Mass effect 2 is a great game, and I hear the ps3 version has some extra bits in there to summerize me1.

I was skeptical about an rpg shooter, but trust me the series is well worth playing. And if you are going to play the series play mass effect 2 and keep in mind that what you do will hugely affect your experience in the third game.

Don't buy in to the qq. The reason people complain so hard is because the series is that damn good and people care that much about it.

O and avoid spoilers for the best experience. People are so selfish sometimes. They enjoy a blind run, then want to spew their reactions all over those who haven't had a chance to judge for themselves. Im so happy avoided the internet when Me3 first came out. It really makes a difference coming to your own judgements without the influence of others.

So yes Go get the mass effect series and also go get witcher 2 if you ever become able.

This is by far the best reply i have ever recieved on this website. Thanks for your insight.

I would hesitate by him, however. It seems that you have never played any of the ME games as of yet, and so getting ME3 at near full price may prove to be disappointing for you. ME2 is a no-brainer largely due to it's markedly reduced price. You can pick it up for about $15-20 used, and about $30 new. However, ME3 is a bit more of a problem. I'll be honest with you, I was less than impressed with ME3. It was much shorter than the previous game, and the replayability for the third game especially is rather shallow. As I said, it's worth playing but you being someone who has never played the series before it may not be worth paying full price (or near full price) for. I am by no means much of a fan of the series (I only recently played through the entire series at the berating of my brother), and coming from a purely outsider's viewpoint it's not really worth buying right now as the game was "above-Meh" on a scale of "Good god the meh-ness of the game is astoundingly meh" to "Way above the meh-verage". For somebody who isn't a fan of the series, it's just not that terribly engaging. Wait a few months for the price to go down and then check it out, you've waited this long anyway. No point in spending more money on a slightly above average game than you have to.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Also i only have a ps3 so i can only play ME2 and 3, which is fine with me since i hear 2 is the best one.

A pity, as I think you get more out of it if you play all three games. Well, you do get more out of it. More quests, more characters, and just fun little stuff.

BUT I have a PS3 as well, and picked up Mass Effect 2 and 3 for it. (I already have all three for my 360, but I wanted my trophies too!) The series is pretty good. And boy is it fun to see how your choices affect little things in the next game. There are also moments of pure writing dialogue genius in both games, as well as parts in the third game that will make you tear up a bit (or you have no soul). Gameplay is mostly solid in both titles too, and since you won't have a chance to play the third one, you probably won't be upset about the 'streamlining' that they did in the second game.
I say pick them up. The ending to 3 does leave a sour taste in my mouth, but I have taken my own way to fix that so the taste is now gone. If you do somehow pick up a 360, play the games again on that system--all three of them. There are enough differences that it's worth it, but it's nothing crucial.