Should i play mass effect before mass effect two?

[octafish]

ME1 is in my opinion a much better game. It certainly has a better story, stronger character development, better aesthetics, a stronger narrative drive, a deeper powers/skill system, and a more immersive presentation. It is part of a planned trilogy that is meant to be played in order. Given how cheap ME1 now is you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't play them in order, unless you only have a PS3 in which case, avoid the series or upgrade your PC.

 

[Zantos]

Although I think ME1 was a more tedious game, with it's bulky inventory and skills it seemed to want you to pick before you had any idea what they would do, it's definitely still a brilliant game. One of two games I've bought twice, the other being ME2. So yeah, you don't need to, in the same way you don't need to do many things in life, it's just better if you do.