Why I Didn't Like Mass Effect 2

[Irony's Acolyte]

Well I liked both of them for what they are. The atmospheres in both are different, but appropriate. ME1 had that feeling of wonder and excitement throughout. In it you fly around the galaxy to different worlds and see many interesting things. Shepard, while still formidable, isn't quite the "epic hero" yet. He's learning his way around and you see as he becomes more than just some human soldier. You're finding out about this dangerous force that is a mystery to most and slowly unraveling Saren's plan. ME2 on the other hand is quite different. Shepard is already a hero and a legend. He knows that the Reapers are coming and that its going to be a hard fight. Now he's just getting ready. He's assembling a team of the galaxy's finest to help combat this threat. This is why in ME1 most of the missions where story-driven while in ME2 the mission where mainly character-driven. The brighter, more optimistic atmosphere works for ME1 and the darker, more grim atmosphere works for ME2. I can see why someone wouldn't quite like ME2 as much as ME1, but try to understand why there is that difference. I'm sure that ME3 will have yet another unique atmosphere (my bet is on a mix between hopeful as you fight off the Reapers and desperation as you take losses from the brutal war).

As for the gameplay elements that were changed I'm a bit iffy on them. There were several annoying elements from ME1 that Bioware tried to deal with, which was nice. The only problem was that they didn't do a very good job of dealing with them. Annoying large inventory? Give them only two of every gun now. Long elevator rides? Replace them with long boring loading screens. Clumsy planet exploration? Have them just scan the planet's surface. Overwhelming upgrade choices? Now everyone has only 3 abilities. In the end I think they did too much. I hope that in ME3 Bioware manages to find that happy medium between the two. Decent sized inventories that aren't annoying to look through, shorter elevator rides, interesting planet exploration (similar to the Hammerhead, that was actually interesting), and a good number of upgradable skills.

As for Jacob, I never really understood why all the dislike for him. Sure he's not the most interesting, but I never found any reason to dislike him. He came across as a trustworthy guy who I'd want at my back.

 

[Super Toast]

To each his own. I preferred ME2 for two reasons; I thought the characters were more interesting, and the gameplay was ten million times better. I did prefer the story in the first one though. I'm not sure why.

Probably because all the exposition happened in the first one. Learning all about the science and politics of the ME Universe was totally fascinating and in ME2 it was just... already there.

Me1 had that 'wow' factor of showing you this entire new universe, while in ME2 they focused more on bringing drama to it.

That said, I loved both stories equally and see them as one as opposed to separate parts.

Not only that, but I think everything packed more of a punch. The only time in ME2 where the game really got to you was at the end if your team died. The first game had a far greater (ahem) effect on the player. Shooting Wrex, leaving Kaiden/Ashley to die and Saren's suicide are just three examples.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Both games had their pluses and minuses. The story in Mass Effect was better, felt grander and more epic. The side quests however, unless involving a team member, were a let down. I was looking forward to confronting that final member of the League of One.
Mass Effect 2 had all the pluses of being a continuation of the story. You got to see what all the old characters were up to and my squad was more combat effective. Side quests, for the most part, were fixed. However, they made it so I could only use ONE power at a time and got rid of the countless weapon and armor choice, something I didn't like. Also, the overall story was sorely lacking.

 

[Nifarious]

me.

you/quote]
Many games give the option to allow your characters to die at any given moment, be they Fallout or a primitive tactics game where lost party members equals experience lost. But these unscripted deaths do little to grip the player. The character personal missions, though varying in quality, are there to tell the character. Yes, getting 'loyalty' from Garrus is asinine, but at least a significant number of characters grow much richer through these missions.
As for character deaths, the effectively random ways they do die are devoid of all point other than the mission. It is simply that these characters (some more than others) are so well told that their deaths are quite meaningful to the player who is drawn in by the game. You could deride any story-based RPG as do X in game to get Y ending, but it's the effectiveness of the game's immersive storytelling that determines its worth.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Not only that, but I think everything packed more of a punch. The only time in ME2 where the game really got to you was at the end if your team died. The first game had a far greater (ahem) effect on the player. Shooting Wrex, leaving Kaiden/Ashley to die and Saren's suicide are just three examples.

They were all great. And the Sovereign battle was, at the time, my favorite moment in a game ever. But ME2 also had plenty of those moments for me....

Spoiler

playing Joker as the Normandy gets invaded, the intro sequence, finding Miranda's sister, helping Thane with his estranged son, choosing between Samara and Morinth, saving the civilians or getting revenge for Zaeed, the entire Omega 3 relay section, the final cut-scene, Mordin's side-quest, Grunt's arena battles, getting Tali and Legion to have a friendly moment, going back to the citadel in hearing all the little self-referencial jokes...

man that game has so much cool shit in it.


And that's before we mention the numerous awesome set-pieces in Shadow Broker!

 

[Irridium]

Not only that, but I think everything packed more of a punch. The only time in ME2 where the game really got to you was at the end if your team died. The first game had a far greater (ahem) effect on the player. Shooting Wrex, leaving Kaiden/Ashley to die and Saren's suicide are just three examples.

They were all great. And the Sovereign battle was, at the time, my favorite moment in a game ever. But ME2 also had plenty of those moments for me....

Spoiler

playing Joker as the Normandy gets invaded, the intro sequence, finding Miranda's sister, helping Thane with his estranged son, choosing between Samara and Morinth, saving the civilians or getting revenge for Zaeed, the entire Omega 3 relay section, the final cut-scene, Mordin's side-quest, Grunt's arena battles, getting Tali and Legion to have a friendly moment, going back to the citadel in hearing all the little self-referencial jokes...

man that game has so much cool shit in it.


And that's before we mention the numerous awesome set-pieces in Shadow Broker!

And Mordin singing. Which is the best moment in the game ever. I also love Thane's and Samara's loyalty missions.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

And Mordin singing. Which is the best moment in the game ever. I also love Thane's and Samara's loyalty missions.

After Mordin did his little song, I just sat there silently for a whole minute just trying to process the awesomeness of what I had just watched.

Me2 did that to me a few times, actually.

 

[Irridium]

And Mordin singing. Which is the best moment in the game ever. I also love Thane's and Samara's loyalty missions.

After Mordin did his little song, I just sat there silently for a whole minute just trying to process the awesomeness of what I had just watched.

Me2 did that to me a few times, actually.

And it wasn't always awesomeness. I remember just sitting, staring after seeing Shepard dance. It was just... awful.

 

[Alanosborn1991]

I didn't really like Mass Effect at all, however I did enjoy how sexy my Femshep was.

Fem Shep can get pretty sexy, too bad you have to crack some codes and unlocks just to use sexy hair and stuff

 

[Omnific One]

I agree with everything you said to some degree, and still it's my second favorite game of all time. There is just so much good there.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

And it wasn't always awesomeness. I remember just sitting, staring after seeing Shepard dance. It was just... awful.

Just for you.

My God that person has made one ugly bastard of his Shepard.

 

[Alanosborn1991]

I know right Mark Meer who does Sheploo sounds so wooden and flat.

Yet the talented Jennifer Hale who has done MGS Naomi, Spy Chicks, etc sounds super hot and makes listening to her voice a space age fairytale.

 

[Dwarfman]

Herrissy! - And I've just discovered I can't spell heresy!

Nup. Sorry. Loved both games. Sure they have their faults but if you try to achieve ultimate perfection you wind up with nothing, because nothing is the ultimate perfection.

Each had something that truly sucked; For MEI it was the Inventory system and way to many spiky hills whilst navigating in the Mako; For MEII it was the fact that you had to chug around space, strip mining whole worlds just to arm up one little frigate and your squad of dirty dozen pycho-killers. You also couldn't crouch anymore, only hide behind shit, which is fair enough but I want a nice stable shot with my sniper rifle without having to crouch behind a crate all the damn time!

It is true that Jacob's character could have had a bit more depth, however I enjoyed his loyalty mission and the fact you couldn't get much out of his shows his personality as an introverted and cagey individual. Let's face it not everyone wants to have a pleasant conversation all the time and out of all the characters in the ME universe he seems to be the only two dimensional character simply because he has that kind of personality.

The only other thing that MEII truly needed was more reactions from past actions. Sure you meet Conrad Vernor and Gianni Parassini, and the Rachni get a mention and few other characters you either meet in passing or receive E-Mails from, but I would have liked to have seen more side quests arcs, based off your previous decisions from the earlier game. That being said I liked most of the side quests, especially the ones with a bit of a story arc to them that made you jump around two or three systems.

Anyways, sad to hear you didn't like MEII. As for me I'm addicted to both games and am waiting with breathless anticipation for MEIII.

 

[LebbyLegs]

Im waiting in anticipation too I know the finale will be one hell of a showstopper

 

[kunklebunkle]

You left out the fact the biotics got nerfed is ME2

 

[Zechnophobe]

I just hated the removal of equipment. Yes they all had TWO they could chose from, but I really missed specing out my team.

The inventory system in ME1 is one of the greatest atrocities visited upon mankind though. I mean seriously, comparing and upgrading to better items sent you sludging through so many Menus it was ridiculous. I would have liked a good user interface and some amount of equipment, but I would much prefer having a few upgradable items via a streamlined, and fairly shallow system, then one that was as agonizing as they origindally had.

 

[voetballeeuw]

Congratulations for having a different opinion?

 

[Asuka Soryu]

Trust me when I say it's all a matter of opinion. "Different strokes for different folks"

I heard God of War 1 and 2 were the best PS2 games and I played 1, I enjoyed it up till the damn temple wore out its welcome 1/2 way in.

Then the second one, I didn't bother to compleate 'cause there was a part I couldn't see myself getting past. Both games just started to tick me off, especialy Hadese spiked rotating wall climb.

Truely, I see that God of War is a good game, but I'll never like it. Since it's always the same thing. Kratos kills some creatures, enters a temple with 10000 puzzles then fights a god(s), dies and crawls his way out of Hell then finishes the final boss.

Though, I will be the first to admit that God of War Chains of Olympus is my favourite PSP game so far.