I'm a huge BW fan. I was hooked since NWN. I have played both DA games almost religiously, going for 100% Achievement completion in both. That said, I always told myself I would get into Mass Effect at some point, but never had the time... until now.
I'm starting with Mass Effect 1 even though it's already dated. From what it seems, most people who love ME only talk about 2 and 3. So I'm wondering if I should bother with putting too much time into ME1, or should I just run through it so I get the gist of the story and move on to ME2?
Also, will playing Dragon Age put any unfulfillable expectations on ME?
Any suggestions on what class, play style, things I should go for?
About to start Mass Effect for the first time
Débuté par
Fardreamer
, oct. 22 2013 03:50
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#2
Posté 22 octobre 2013 - 06:58
cap and gown
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The more you do in ME1, the more references to it you will find in ME2 and ME3.
Generally, I dislike ME1. The gameplay and mechanics are just not up to ME2 and especially ME3 levels. But I will still play it to set up my Shepard for the later games. I tried to get around playing ME1 by buying ME: Genesis, but I found it did a poor job of setting up the later games. Too many decisions were left out meaning you got results you didn't want in the later games.
OTOH, a lot of people love the game. Maybe you will too. Regardless, I would advise playing through it rather than skipping it and I would advise do everything there is to do. Do note that some quests/NPC interactions are kind of hidden away so I would advise going and looking for them. You may even wish to consult the wiki to make sure you get all the little quests you might otherwise miss.
Generally, I dislike ME1. The gameplay and mechanics are just not up to ME2 and especially ME3 levels. But I will still play it to set up my Shepard for the later games. I tried to get around playing ME1 by buying ME: Genesis, but I found it did a poor job of setting up the later games. Too many decisions were left out meaning you got results you didn't want in the later games.
OTOH, a lot of people love the game. Maybe you will too. Regardless, I would advise playing through it rather than skipping it and I would advise do everything there is to do. Do note that some quests/NPC interactions are kind of hidden away so I would advise going and looking for them. You may even wish to consult the wiki to make sure you get all the little quests you might otherwise miss.
#3
Posté 22 octobre 2013 - 07:16
Ribosome
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I only managed to play ME1 once because I was borrowing both it and the console from someone else at the time, but it's an extremely fun playthrough if you take your time through it and allow yourself to become immersed within the game world. I remember being at the Citadel for the first time and talking to the different ambassadors for the various races to learn about them and it was the coolest feeling ever.
I didn't "rush" through the game, per se. I'm not very fast when it comes to playing through something for the first time, but I didn't exactly know about very many of the sidequests besides the ones I was able to pick up while playing through the main story. I wouldn't say they are vital to the overall enjoyment of the game, it just depends on how much of an eye you'd like to keep out for the finer details in the later games.
Heck, I didn't even know there were other classes outside of the basic soldier class because I was overwhelmed at the time and skipped right past those details. If it were currently feasible for me, I'd buy the PC version for myself in a heartbeat to experience some of the stuff that my bad attention span caused me to miss. I didn't really mind the gameplay, honestly, but I can't say trying the higher difficulties in that particular entry of the series is something that would appeal to me.
I didn't "rush" through the game, per se. I'm not very fast when it comes to playing through something for the first time, but I didn't exactly know about very many of the sidequests besides the ones I was able to pick up while playing through the main story. I wouldn't say they are vital to the overall enjoyment of the game, it just depends on how much of an eye you'd like to keep out for the finer details in the later games.
Heck, I didn't even know there were other classes outside of the basic soldier class because I was overwhelmed at the time and skipped right past those details. If it were currently feasible for me, I'd buy the PC version for myself in a heartbeat to experience some of the stuff that my bad attention span caused me to miss. I didn't really mind the gameplay, honestly, but I can't say trying the higher difficulties in that particular entry of the series is something that would appeal to me.
Modifié par ViaNegativia, 22 octobre 2013 - 07:18 .
#4
Posté 22 octobre 2013 - 09:11
Straken-SWE
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You should absolutely try it out if you haven't, but as stated it's problably really dated.
I started the series out not that long ago (6 months maybe) but I'm playing them backwards, and now when I'm at my second ME2 playtrough, I'm still not completely used to the combat system, it's good, but there's a big difference between me3 and 2, it's harder because the combat system is not as good, not because the enemies or anything like that is harder imo.
With that being said, you should try out ME1, I will not, because I know what I get in the later games, but if you haven't played any of them yet give it a try.
If you find it too dated, just move on, there's lot of chanches catching up on the events of ME1 anyway.
If you plan to start on normal difficulty, you can problably pick and choose as you want, try different classes, find out what you like. Have a hard time imagining it will come down to anything else than your skills at that difficulty, so just have fun
If anything soldier is fun as hell in 2 and 3, but vanguard is not a bad choice either.
Explore, talk to characters, take your time. Really nice people in the ME universe
I started the series out not that long ago (6 months maybe) but I'm playing them backwards, and now when I'm at my second ME2 playtrough, I'm still not completely used to the combat system, it's good, but there's a big difference between me3 and 2, it's harder because the combat system is not as good, not because the enemies or anything like that is harder imo.
With that being said, you should try out ME1, I will not, because I know what I get in the later games, but if you haven't played any of them yet give it a try.
If you find it too dated, just move on, there's lot of chanches catching up on the events of ME1 anyway.
If you plan to start on normal difficulty, you can problably pick and choose as you want, try different classes, find out what you like. Have a hard time imagining it will come down to anything else than your skills at that difficulty, so just have fun
If anything soldier is fun as hell in 2 and 3, but vanguard is not a bad choice either.
Explore, talk to characters, take your time. Really nice people in the ME universe
#5
Posté 22 octobre 2013 - 09:43
pablosplinter
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Fardreamer wrote...
I'm starting with Mass Effect 1 even though it's already dated. From what it seems, most people who love ME only talk about 2 and 3. So I'm wondering if I should bother with putting too much time into ME1, or should I just run through it so I get the gist of the story and move on to ME2?
Eh?....almost everyone I speak to still finds the first game the best of the series!...and I don't find it dated at all tbh. Sure the combat mechanics might be a little awkward, but once you get used to them they are fine.
I can't give much advice on classes, as I almost exclusively play engineer tbh.
Modifié par pablosplinter, 22 octobre 2013 - 09:43 .
#6
Posté 22 octobre 2013 - 10:24
brad2240
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ME 1 has arguably the best story of the three games and is still a lot of fun to play, even though the combat now feels a bit clunky. There's a lot to do here so plan on spending some time with it. If you find you're not enjoying it, you can skip the sidequests and just focus on the main story missions. It'll only change a few lines of dialogue in the later games.
Don't skip on talking to your squadmates, though. Get to know them, they'll be important to you throughout the series and they're all well-written characters, IMO.
As for class, Soldier is always a solid choice for a new player. It's easy and straight-forward and becomes nearly unkillable thanks to the Immunity power.
Whatever class you play, make sure to have a balanced team on all missions. You want a tech user to open crates and boxes for you, a biotic for their supreme crowd control and a combat person for damage output.
Don't skip on talking to your squadmates, though. Get to know them, they'll be important to you throughout the series and they're all well-written characters, IMO.
As for class, Soldier is always a solid choice for a new player. It's easy and straight-forward and becomes nearly unkillable thanks to the Immunity power.
Whatever class you play, make sure to have a balanced team on all missions. You want a tech user to open crates and boxes for you, a biotic for their supreme crowd control and a combat person for damage output.
#7
Posté 22 octobre 2013 - 11:38
capn233
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I recommend playing it. I tend to be completionist on it though, which greatly extends the time it takes to finish the campaign in that game (due to driving all over the place). But at least doing most if not all the side quests is worthwhile, IMO.
Now the big questions left are whether or not it is worthwhile to get all the achievements, which means getting to Level 60 and playing on Insanity. This means at least 3 runs, but is also hard to pull off in only 3 without planning or sticking to a guide.
Now the big questions left are whether or not it is worthwhile to get all the achievements, which means getting to Level 60 and playing on Insanity. This means at least 3 runs, but is also hard to pull off in only 3 without planning or sticking to a guide.
#8
Posté 23 octobre 2013 - 12:05
Fardreamer
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Thanks for the advice. Another question I remembered when someone mentioned squad mates, how do they carry over to the other games? I know you can romance some people in ME1 and completely different people in ME2, but you still play as Shepherd. Could someone explain that without spoilers?
#9
Posté 23 octobre 2013 - 12:19
RedCaesar97
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The game keeps a record of most of the choices you made, including romance partners.Fardreamer wrote...
Thanks for the advice. Another question I remembered when someone mentioned squad mates, how do they carry over to the other games? I know you can romance some people in ME1 and completely different people in ME2, but you still play as Shepherd. Could someone explain that without spoilers?
The squadmates you can romance in ME1 make only a brief appearance in ME2, but can return in ME3 as squadmates. You can continue the romance.
Some ME2 romance options can return in ME3 as squadmates. Some ME2 romance options will be delegated to cameos, but you can still continue the romance.
If you cheat on your ME1 romance in ME2 by romancing someone else, your ME1 romance will likely mention it in ME3.
That was as spoiler-free as I could make it.
#10
Posté 23 octobre 2013 - 07:00
CDR David Shepard
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Every single time I have played through the Mass Effect series...I started from ME1.
Playing through all 3 simply make the Mass Effect series what it is.
ME2 is better because you have played through ME1 with your character.
ME3 is better because you have played through ME1 and ME2 with your character.
To me...it's all "one" long game.
Playing through all 3 simply make the Mass Effect series what it is.
ME2 is better because you have played through ME1 with your character.
ME3 is better because you have played through ME1 and ME2 with your character.
To me...it's all "one" long game.
#11
Posté 24 octobre 2013 - 02:30
Fardreamer
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I started playing. I decided to go with an Infiltrator, but probably should have done a Soldier. I don't really understand enough yet to really play to the class' strengths. I gotta say, I'm already hooked on the story, but the combat/gameplay is a real drag. I'm playing on the PC, and it feels like a game that was designed to be played on consoles.
#13
Posté 24 octobre 2013 - 03:01
brad2240
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Fardreamer wrote...
I started playing. I decided to go with an Infiltrator, but probably should have done a Soldier. I don't really understand enough yet to really play to the class' strengths. I gotta say, I'm already hooked on the story, but the combat/gameplay is a real drag. I'm playing on the PC, and it feels like a game that was designed to be played on consoles.
Infiltrator isn't much more complicated than the Soldier. You'll do fine with it.
Make sure to take Decryption and Electronics to Master level, which is 9 points in them. Master level will let you open any lock in the game, so there's no real reason to max these skills out. The remaining 3 points in each have little effect and are best spent elsewhere. Having these skills at Master means you won't be forced to take another tech teammate if you don't want to.
In combat your key powers will be Marksman, Immunity and Sabotage. Marksman because Pistols are the highest DPS weapons in the game with Master Marksman running; Immunity because it will drastically cut down the amount of damage you take; and Sabotage to overheat enemy weapons to keep them from firing at you or your team. Spam these as much as cooldowns allow.
Secondary to those, you'll use Overload to damage enemy shields (most enemies have shields) and Assassinate when you use the Sniper Rifle. Focus on these powers and you won't have any trouble getting through the game.
#14
Posté 24 octobre 2013 - 03:15
MegaIllusiveMan
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cap and gown wrote...
The more you do in ME1, the more references to it you will find in ME2 and ME3.
Generally, I dislike ME1. The gameplay and mechanics are just not up to ME2 and especially ME3 levels. But I will still play it to set up my Shepard for the later games. I tried to get around playing ME1 by buying ME: Genesis, but I found it did a poor job of setting up the later games. Too many decisions were left out meaning you got results you didn't want in the later games.
OTOH, a lot of people love the game. Maybe you will too. Regardless, I would advise playing through it rather than skipping it and I would advise do everything there is to do. Do note that some quests/NPC interactions are kind of hidden away so I would advise going and looking for them. You may even wish to consult the wiki to make sure you get all the little quests you might otherwise miss.
Ya. I often missed some of the quests on my first game. Also, I dislike ME too(only the mechanics and gameplay, cause hell, comparing to ME3 or ME2 it beats the hell out of it.). But come on, back in the days, that gameplay was amazing. The story is amazing, and OP, you should definetly play the whole trilogy.
A question... Do you have a limit to spend on games or you don't spend money at all? Because you will surely miss a hell of content(IMO) if you don't play DLCs(minus Pinnacle Station: Sorry, not gonna get into details, since it's a no spoiler... But I'm saving you, what 10 bucks?... Anyway, post in my profile page(if you want) when you reach ME2 so that I'll give you some ideas on DLCs to buy.
Also, you're on PC?
Oh, I play as a Soldier since I like soldiers
Really, the soldiers beat the hell out of the other classes(For me anyway)... At least on ME(1).
Edit: Ah, yes... You're on PC... Make sure you download Bring Down the Sky. It's free.
Modifié par MegaIllusiveMan, 24 octobre 2013 - 03:17 .
#15
Posté 24 octobre 2013 - 08:20
Endurium
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Glad you're playing ME, it's a fine game based on an old favorite of mine called Starflight. I play on PC so that might color my impression, but I rather enjoyed the combat and controls. The inventory UI is a bit tedious and the Mako handling is laughable, but otherwise I enjoy doing everything in each playthrough. Also nice having a Shepard to import into ME2 that has an actual history that I got to experience.
Game looks great at 1920x1200 though next time I play I'll have the improve textures and possibly enb that are in the fan creations thread for this game.
Game looks great at 1920x1200 though next time I play I'll have the improve textures and possibly enb that are in the fan creations thread for this game.
#16
Posté 24 octobre 2013 - 10:13
Straken-SWE
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Oh, I play as a Soldier since I like soldiers
Really, the soldiers beat the hell out of the other classes(For me anyway)... At least on ME(1).
It's true for 2 and 3 too, really. People find ways to make the other classes more powerfull, but with the soldier you need no brain to do it, burning amunition and AR is more logic than some smart way to make it work.
Really looking forward to OP giving us a comparisson between me1 and 2
hope you do.. you must! 
#17
Posté 26 octobre 2013 - 02:59
Fardreamer
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Yeah, I've picked up the combat a lot more, but I've found it's still a terribly designed system. The amount of times I've been fighting enemies at close range and have gotten stuck on cover or had my squad mates get in the way is way too high.
I also hate the decryption system. It should be a simple and easy way to go about unlocking things, but just the slightest lag or hiccup in the game means you fail. Since it only lets you try it once before requiring an override with omni-gel, it's much more frustrating.
But overall, I really enjoy it. After I recruited Liara, I've just been flying around the galaxy exploring the systems and landing on what ever worlds I could. There's some great gaming moments that are completely optional. I really enjoying finding a drifting freighter and boarding it only to find it was completely empty. Wrex comments that we're not alone, and discovering what happened was quite exciting.
My favorite squad mates so far are Wrex and Tali. Wrex has got to have one of the most unique designs I've seen in awhile. And Tali is very cute and mysterious. I just wish I could romance her instead of Liara.
I also hate the decryption system. It should be a simple and easy way to go about unlocking things, but just the slightest lag or hiccup in the game means you fail. Since it only lets you try it once before requiring an override with omni-gel, it's much more frustrating.
But overall, I really enjoy it. After I recruited Liara, I've just been flying around the galaxy exploring the systems and landing on what ever worlds I could. There's some great gaming moments that are completely optional. I really enjoying finding a drifting freighter and boarding it only to find it was completely empty. Wrex comments that we're not alone, and discovering what happened was quite exciting.
My favorite squad mates so far are Wrex and Tali. Wrex has got to have one of the most unique designs I've seen in awhile. And Tali is very cute and mysterious. I just wish I could romance her instead of Liara.
#18
Posté 26 octobre 2013 - 03:15
Bullets McDeath
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Tali does become a romance option starting in ME2. So you have that to look forward to.
I would basically echo what most people have said here; the game is a bit dated, and the graphics and gameplay improve drastically in the sequels BUT ME1 is totally worth playing, and playing to the hilt; I still find it to be the most immersive of the series and for me, ME2 and ME3 are far more satisfying with an ME1 import. The opening of ME2 in particular has a much greater impact if you spent 25-30 hours really getting to know ME1 and the Normandy SR1. There are lot of callbacks and references throughout the series.
I'm doing a trilogy playthrough right now and am currently in ME1 for what is probably the 25th time in all honesty. I'm still having a blast with it. If you can overlook it's flaws (Mako, recycled environments in the sidequests, some clunky combat) ME1, more than any other game in the series, is more than the sum of its parts.
I would also say definitely get Bring Down The Sky DLC and definitely skip Pinnacle Station DLC.
I would basically echo what most people have said here; the game is a bit dated, and the graphics and gameplay improve drastically in the sequels BUT ME1 is totally worth playing, and playing to the hilt; I still find it to be the most immersive of the series and for me, ME2 and ME3 are far more satisfying with an ME1 import. The opening of ME2 in particular has a much greater impact if you spent 25-30 hours really getting to know ME1 and the Normandy SR1. There are lot of callbacks and references throughout the series.
I'm doing a trilogy playthrough right now and am currently in ME1 for what is probably the 25th time in all honesty. I'm still having a blast with it. If you can overlook it's flaws (Mako, recycled environments in the sidequests, some clunky combat) ME1, more than any other game in the series, is more than the sum of its parts.
I would also say definitely get Bring Down The Sky DLC and definitely skip Pinnacle Station DLC.
Modifié par outlaworacle, 26 octobre 2013 - 03:16 .
#19
Posté 26 octobre 2013 - 03:19
0zerocypher0
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CDR David Shepard wrote...
Every single time I have played through the Mass Effect series...I started from ME1.
Playing through all 3 simply make the Mass Effect series what it is.
ME2 is better because you have played through ME1 with your character.
ME3 is better because you have played through ME1 and ME2 with your character.
To me...it's all "one" long game.
Same here ! I bought the trilogy for PS3 and each game got better...
#20
Posté 28 octobre 2013 - 03:19
Fardreamer
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I think I'm about half-way though the game now.... I've done all the side quests and explored all the optional systems in the galaxy. I've done my crew's missions. And I really do enjoy this game.
There seems to come a point that the combat just suddenly gets easier. I don't know if it's due to getting more powerful gear/abilities or just getting used to it. I'll have to do another play through to see.
I've already decided that I will do another play-through after I finish. I'm curious to see a Renegade side of things.
There seems to come a point that the combat just suddenly gets easier. I don't know if it's due to getting more powerful gear/abilities or just getting used to it. I'll have to do another play through to see.
I've already decided that I will do another play-through after I finish. I'm curious to see a Renegade side of things.
#21
Posté 28 octobre 2013 - 06:04
capn233
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When you unlock the higher tier weapons and amps / omni-tools and armor, the game does get a lot easier.
#22
Posté 02 novembre 2013 - 07:54
Fardreamer
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And it's finished... I stayed up till 3 AM to finish it once I got to Ilos. I had chills at the ending. Simply epic. Great game, and great story.
I can't wait to play ME2. But I may have to wait on that, if the Digital Version is country locked I'll have wait a few months.
I can't wait to play ME2. But I may have to wait on that, if the Digital Version is country locked I'll have wait a few months.
#23
Posté 04 novembre 2013 - 03:54
Teothehun
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Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. When I went and bought ME1, it felt so clunky, but the more I got to do involving talking to the different characters, the more hooked I got. By the end, I had acclimatized to the funky gameplay and was hooked on the story. By the end of that game, any frustration I had was gone - all I could feel was satisfaction.
ME2 will require some getting used to. They switched up the look of the UI, and removed the idea of a giant central hub. There will be things in ME2 which you think are awesome (like improved, distinct abilities), and there are other changes where you are going to wonder why they got altered. And then ME3 will do it AGAIN.
That's the one thing about ME. The story is clean, consistent, and intriguing across all 3 games, but the gameplay (sometimes the environments too) is inconsistent and takes readjustment between each game. Nevertheless, ME was one of my favorite games of all time.
...
...I kind of want to start again now, but I'm waiting for the day the DLC doesn't cost me an arm and a leg, hah! Especially since I already know the main story, seems odd to spend so much on... lesse, we've got Shadow Broker and then there's Stolen Memory for ME2 which do affect some things in ME3, and then you've got $50 in DLC for ME3.
I've got to say though, even without DLC, ME is one of the greatest games I've ever played, and it's certainly the most fleshed out trilogy I've ever seen. Just the fact that what you do feels like it has an impact in the next gives you a game you can just get lost in, overcoming any stunt of gameplay.
ME2 will require some getting used to. They switched up the look of the UI, and removed the idea of a giant central hub. There will be things in ME2 which you think are awesome (like improved, distinct abilities), and there are other changes where you are going to wonder why they got altered. And then ME3 will do it AGAIN.
That's the one thing about ME. The story is clean, consistent, and intriguing across all 3 games, but the gameplay (sometimes the environments too) is inconsistent and takes readjustment between each game. Nevertheless, ME was one of my favorite games of all time.
...
...I kind of want to start again now, but I'm waiting for the day the DLC doesn't cost me an arm and a leg, hah! Especially since I already know the main story, seems odd to spend so much on... lesse, we've got Shadow Broker and then there's Stolen Memory for ME2 which do affect some things in ME3, and then you've got $50 in DLC for ME3.
I've got to say though, even without DLC, ME is one of the greatest games I've ever played, and it's certainly the most fleshed out trilogy I've ever seen. Just the fact that what you do feels like it has an impact in the next gives you a game you can just get lost in, overcoming any stunt of gameplay.
#24
Posté 06 novembre 2013 - 11:23
sheppard7
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cap and gown wrote...
The more you do in ME1, the more references to it you will find in ME2 and ME3.
Generally, I dislike ME1. The gameplay and mechanics are just not up to ME2 and especially ME3 levels. But I will still play it to set up my Shepard for the later games. I tried to get around playing ME1 by buying ME: Genesis, but I found it did a poor job of setting up the later games. Too many decisions were left out meaning you got results you didn't want in the later games.
OTOH, a lot of people love the game. Maybe you will too. Regardless, I would advise playing through it rather than skipping it and I would advise do everything there is to do. Do note that some quests/NPC interactions are kind of hidden away so I would advise going and looking for them. You may even wish to consult the wiki to make sure you get all the little quests you might otherwise miss.
Gibbed does a better job of having a way to setup up ME2 and ME3 than Genesis did. And masseffectsaves.com also has save files (for PC) that you can use Gibbed on to tweak to your liking if the save file isn't good enough for you.
#25
Posté 09 novembre 2013 - 06:37
crooked
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Had to dig up my password to reply here, but couldn't help myself. Unlike you, I always noticed a lot of people being quite vocal when it comes to supporting ME1. I think that just a lot of people didn't play ME1 and the more action oriented packaged of ME2 lured in people who would otherwise avoid "RPG's".
ME1 it's combat, like you mentioned, isn't as streamlined as ME2 or ME3. It's mostly at the start though, it's really not that bad once you get used to it and once you get a few levels in the weapons you use. It's mostly really bad the first few hours in my opinion. But looks like you probably already noticed that since you finished your playthrough
Good to see you enjoyed the game, the last few hours of Mass Effect are still one of the best moments in any game I've played. Was like an epic interactive story. Everything leading up to Ilos and then the citadel is just awesome. I find that the atmosphere and story, more than in ME2 or ME3, are so fresh and inspired that they would captivated anyone who can motivate himself to play the game (even those who usually don't play games).
ME1 it's combat, like you mentioned, isn't as streamlined as ME2 or ME3. It's mostly at the start though, it's really not that bad once you get used to it and once you get a few levels in the weapons you use. It's mostly really bad the first few hours in my opinion. But looks like you probably already noticed that since you finished your playthrough
Good to see you enjoyed the game, the last few hours of Mass Effect are still one of the best moments in any game I've played. Was like an epic interactive story. Everything leading up to Ilos and then the citadel is just awesome. I find that the atmosphere and story, more than in ME2 or ME3, are so fresh and inspired that they would captivated anyone who can motivate himself to play the game (even those who usually don't play games).
Modifié par crooked, 09 novembre 2013 - 06:38 .
