Mass Effect

[thedinobot]

I have finished Mass Effect 3! I was entirely satisfied with my ending, I had the extended cut installed beforehand. I'll put all of my decisions/consequences from every game in a spoiler tab.

 

Mass Effect 1

 

Rachni Queen: Allowed to Live

Balak and Hostages: Killed

Wrex: Alive

Virmire: Ashley lived, Kaiden died

Council: Saved

Romance: None

 

Mass Effect 2

 

Loyalty: All squad members

Ship Upgrades: All

Specialists Chosen: Legion for vents, Garrus for First Fireteam, Samara for Biotic Specialist, Jacob for Second Fireteam, Zaeed for Escort

Crew Survived: All

Collector Base: Destroyed

Romance: None

 

Mass Effect 3

 

Rachni Queen: Left to Die

Kelly Chambers: Dead (I didn't know I could talk to her at the Citadel)

Grunt: Alive

Samara: Alive

Mordin: Dead

Wrex: Alive

Legion: Dead

Tali: Alive

Romance: None

 

Final Ending: Synthesis

Total Playtime: 70 hours (Funny enough, exactly as much as it is advertised)

 

I would have romanced Miranda, but I played as a female Shepard. I didn't really care for the options available, so I just didn't go for anyone. I'll be playing through on the higher difficulties later, so I will likely try more romance partners as I go through. What DLC should I get for the series? I want to have as much content available as I can for when I go through the games again.

 

I absolutely LOVED this entire series, they are now some

of my favorite games of all time. Thanks to all of you for helping me start out!

 

This is the DLC that I personally liked and would recommend (of course I'd recommend all of them lol, but in preference order). Not sure which you want the DLC for, but I'll give you the best, imo, from each (not counting the free ones).  

 

Mass Effect: Bring Down the Sky

 

Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker (Arrival and Kasumi DLC are both good, but unsure of how much money you're wanting to spend so just putting this one).

 

 

Mass Effect: 3 (definitely get these three)

 

From the Ashes (I personally liked Javik and you get him pretty early in the game so I put this one first)

 

Leviathan (won't give anything away here, but this one gives you a lot of information on how it all started)

 

Citadel (this one was the most fun in my opinion and was just really good over all. However, I liked to do this towards the end of the game so I put this one at the bottom of the list.)

[Undead]

You're welcome.

Unfortunately, I don't think so. I've heard that the DLC itself is incredible however, so this playthrough I'll be sure to download it once we make it to 3. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this)

I agree that the selection of squad members is vastly superior in ME2. 

 

I would say that From Ashes is definitely worth it.  Unlike Citadel, you can bring that squad member with you through the whole game. and he's pretty interesting.

 

 

From Ashes is the only one I don't have, I think. Just downloaded Omega but yes, Citadel is easily the best DLC yet. Mainly for the humor but basically, almost everyone you've met that's still kicking makes an appearance. And for some friendly advice, to have the *best* outcome on the Citadel DLC, don't start the questline for it till the assault on the Cerberus HQ mission is the next priority quest. Otherwise some characters may or may not be there.

 

I have finished Mass Effect 3! I was entirely satisfied with my ending, I had the extended cut installed beforehand. I'll put all of my decisions/consequences from every game in a spoiler tab.

 

Mass Effect 1

 

Rachni Queen: Allowed to Live

Balak and Hostages: Killed

Wrex: Alive

Virmire: Ashley lived, Kaiden died

Council: Saved

Romance: None

 

Mass Effect 2

 

Loyalty: All squad members

Ship Upgrades: All

Specialists Chosen: Legion for vents, Garrus for First Fireteam, Samara for Biotic Specialist, Jacob for Second Fireteam, Zaeed for Escort

Crew Survived: All

Collector Base: Destroyed

Romance: None

 

Mass Effect 3

 

Rachni Queen: Left to Die

Kelly Chambers: Dead (I didn't know I could talk to her at the Citadel)

Grunt: Alive

Samara: Alive

Mordin: Dead

Wrex: Alive

Legion: Dead

Tali: Alive

Romance: None

 

Final Ending: Synthesis

Total Playtime: 70 hours (Funny enough, exactly as much as it is advertised)

 

I would have romanced Miranda, but I played as a female Shepard. I didn't really care for the options available, so I just didn't go for anyone. I'll be playing through on the higher difficulties later, so I will likely try more romance partners as I go through. What DLC should I get for the series? I want to have as much content available as I can for when I go through the games again.

 

I absolutely LOVED this entire series, they are now some of my favorite games of all time. Thanks to all of you for helping me start out!

 

Dammit, I must still be skipping ahead too much without taking care of enough side-quests. I've played through the game 3 times, still no option for Synthesis ending for me. What was your total readiness score?

 

Also, the choice is yours obviously, but if you plan on having any romancing through your second playthrough, I'd recommend someone who makes an appearance in all three. Makes it a lot more interesting, I think. 

 

As far as DLC goes, I haven't downloaded one I don't like and they all add to the game in their own way. Although, I'd say the most critical ones are definitely "Lair of the Shadow Broker" (ME 2) "Citadel" (ME 3) and "Leviathan" (ME 3) Still haven't played Omega or From Ashes yet, but I'd assume they are good as well. Kasumi is pretty cool as well, not really a loss without her, but its one more squad member + a new casual outfit.

[thedinobot]

 

You're welcome.

Unfortunately, I don't think so. I've heard that the DLC itself is incredible however, so this playthrough I'll be sure to download it once we make it to 3. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this)

I agree that the selection of squad members is vastly superior in ME2. 

 

I would say that From Ashes is definitely worth it.  Unlike Citadel, you can bring that squad member with you through the whole game. and he's pretty interesting.

 

 

From Ashes is the only one I don't have, I think. Just downloaded Omega but yes, Citadel is easily the best DLC yet. Mainly for the humor but basically, almost everyone you've met that's still kicking makes an appearance. And for some friendly advice, to have the *best* outcome on the Citadel DLC, don't start the questline for it till the assault on the Cerberus HQ mission is the next priority quest. Otherwise some characters may or may not be there.

 

I have finished Mass Effect 3! I was entirely satisfied with my ending, I had the extended cut installed beforehand. I'll put all of my decisions/consequences from every game in a spoiler tab.

 

Mass Effect 1

 

Rachni Queen: Allowed to Live

Balak and Hostages: Killed

Wrex: Alive

Virmire: Ashley lived, Kaiden died

Council: Saved

Romance: None

 

Mass Effect 2

 

Loyalty: All squad members

Ship Upgrades: All

Specialists Chosen: Legion for vents, Garrus for First Fireteam, Samara for Biotic Specialist, Jacob for Second Fireteam, Zaeed for Escort

Crew Survived: All

Collector Base: Destroyed

Romance: None

 

Mass Effect 3

 

Rachni Queen: Left to Die

Kelly Chambers: Dead (I didn't know I could talk to her at the Citadel)

Grunt: Alive

Samara: Alive

Mordin: Dead

Wrex: Alive

Legion: Dead

Tali: Alive

Romance: None

 

Final Ending: Synthesis

Total Playtime: 70 hours (Funny enough, exactly as much as it is advertised)

 

I would have romanced Miranda, but I played as a female Shepard. I didn't really care for the options available, so I just didn't go for anyone. I'll be playing through on the higher difficulties later, so I will likely try more romance partners as I go through. What DLC should I get for the series? I want to have as much content available as I can for when I go through the games again.

 

I absolutely LOVED this entire series, they are now some of my favorite games of all time. Thanks to all of you for helping me start out!

 

Dammit, I must still be skipping ahead too much without taking care of enough side-quests. I've played through the game 3 times, still no option for Synthesis ending for me. What was your total readiness score?

 

Also, the choice is yours obviously, but if you plan on having any romancing through your second playthrough, I'd recommend someone who makes an appearance in all three. Makes it a lot more interesting, I think. 

 

As far as DLC goes, I haven't downloaded one I don't like and they all add to the game in their own way. Although, I'd say the most critical ones are definitely "Lair of the Shadow Broker" (ME 2) "Citadel" (ME 3) and "Leviathan" (ME 3) Still haven't played Omega or From Ashes yet, but I'd assume they are good as well. Kasumi is pretty cool as well, not really a loss without her, but its one more squad member + a new casual outfit.

 

 

Forgot all about Omega, damn. That one was definitely good as well. Lots to do there.

 

For the Synthesis outcome, I just checked for you and you need at least 2800 for it to be available. 

[Undead]

And are we talking like personal readiness or galactic readiness? Like, what really effects that? I just still dont see how that really works.

 

Also, boredom at its finest:

 

http://imgur.com/6DzOTzW

[MegaAfroMan]

Galactic. It is basically affected by how much you play the multiplayer although you can boost it via an onlime "game" on bioware's website.

You CAN get the option for the most "demanding" ending without ever touching either, but it requires you to make practically all the most militarilly optimal choices towards gaining support.

[Undead]

That would explain a lot. Basically, I should just actually try Multiplayer for once. I thought having all the DLC would help. Nope.

 

Here's a question for you guys;

 

Which of the endings to you consider the right one?

[Slade]

- Minor ME3 Spoilers to Follow - 

I'm really tired so excuse me if some things don't make sense:

 

Your Galactic Readiness (GR) is a percentage used to measure how much of the total resources Commander Shepard has acquired will in the end be put to good use.

You can increase your GR by playing Multiplayer, playing ME: Infiltrator and using the ME3: Datapad app.

 

War Assets are those resources. They include armies, fleets and the MP Soldiers you sent to the front.

 

If you combine your GR and your War Assets, you'll get your Effective Military Strength (EMS) rating. 

 

What's most important here is your Galactic Readiness. In short it tells you how much of all the resources you've gathered will be put to good use in the end.

So if you have 100 war assets, and 50% Readiness (the lowest it can be). The EMS rating will only take into account 100 * 0.5 = 50 assets.

[Slade]

In short short; GR is a multiplier for your assets.

The higher your GR, the fewer assets you need to get the best EMS rating.

 

You can also increase GR by completing side missions. 

[JakeDuck]

I've heard that is is a possibility that Bioware will make a next-gen remake for the Mass Effect series. I was wondering what you guys would want from it. Would you guys want them to bring features from Mass Effect 3 and bring them to the older games? I would love it if they redid the gameplay mechanics of Mass Effect 1 and 2. For example, removing the ten point system from Mass Effect 1 and instead using the six level perk system from Mass Effect 3. Combat no doubt got better over time, so it would be cool to see what the games would look and play like on the newer generation.

 

Expanding on that, would you be fine if they adjusted the Mass Effect even more? Allowing more romance options, squad mates, endings, etc? I would really love it if I could play Mass Effect 1 while feeling like I'm playing 3, but that's just me. (Maybe from being new to the series, I don't know if nostalgia would play a part in this)

 

So what do you all think? If a remake of the trilogy was made, would you want it to be exactly the same, have just a few tweaks, or undergo a full overhaul?

[Slade]

I prefer ME1's 10 points system. 

 

I would love to see them removing the limitations on the order in which you're recruiting your squad in ME2.

Originally, you were given all the dossiers from the Illusive Man right off the bat. Meaning you could for instance recruit Legion before Tali. Resulting in this scene.  

Unfortunately because of the limited disc space on consoles, TIM only gives you three/four dossiers to start with. 

[JakeDuck]

I prefer ME1's 10 points system. 

 

I would love to see them removing the limitations on the order in which you're recruiting your squad in ME2.

Originally, you were given all the dossiers from the Illusive Man right off the bat. Meaning you could for instance recruit Legion before Tali. Resulting in this scene.  

Unfortunately because of the limited disc space on consoles, TIM only gives you three/four dossiers to start with. 

 

I like that, it would be fun to shape your own path through the game. I don't like the 10 point system from ME1, small percentage bonuses have always annoyed me. I like ME2 and ME3's style of leveling.

[Undead]

Honestly, they all had there ups and downs for me as far as how things worked. If they were to remake the series and incorporate the best in all three, for me that would be the vast personalization of weapon setup and points/perks system they had in ME 1. (I quite liked finding all these different types of upgrades, armor, ammo types, etc.) That, as well as the freedom to explore planets, but with a little more to offer and reward than they did in ME 1. 

 

However, I didn't like the restriction to your specialty class of choice, so I like how in ME 2 and 3, you weren't "untrained" in certain weapons and armor. BUT, I feel that whole point  of class specialization was obsolete and meant nothing in the last two games. It would have been nice if your choice of specialization had its handy uses other than just unique power abilites in the development of choices made. For example, they DID make it in ME 3 how your charged melee is based off your specialization, that's a nice touch. Now incorporate that to have it's advantages over particular situations or conversations.

 

And I absoultely loved the whole "cover hopping" dodging and rolling ability in ME 3, I would kill to have that in the previous two.

[Slade]

I agree, Undad. Cover hopping ftw.

Also that grab-your-enemy-from-behind-cover-then-execute move never gets old.

Really hoping they improve the cover system in general big time. In ME3 it's pretty good, but it should be near pefection a la Gears of War.

 

The Multiplayer in 3 is also really good. I'm really hoping they'll improve and expand upon it next time around. 

 

One of the things that really annoys me however is how little variety there is in your squadmates' (and especially your enemies') dialogue on the battlefield in all three games. 

I dare you to take a shot everytime you hear "Enemies everywhere!" in 1 or "Weakening their integrity!" in 2. "Gravity's one mean mother, huh?!"

 

The absolute worst offender of this are the Cerberus troops in Multiplayer. During those 10 rounds all you're hear is:

"Squad, keep moving! Objective cloaked!" "TAKING CASAULTIES!" every 5 seconds it's insane.

 

 

 

[thedinobot]

One of the things that really annoys me however is how little variety there is in your squadmates' (and especially your enemies') dialogue on the battlefield in all three games. 

I dare you to take a shot everytime you hear "Enemies everywhere!" in 1 or "Weakening their integrity!" in 2. "Gravity's one mean mother, huh?!"

 

The absolute worst offender of this are the Cerberus troops in Multiplayer. During those 10 rounds all you're hear is:

"Squad, keep moving! Objective cloaked!" "TAKING CASAULTIES!" every 5 seconds it's insane.

YES, I hated that. Definitely more dialogue.

For multiplayer or story mode, which class do you like to use best? For me it's either Vanguard or Adept. Vanguard is particularly fun in multiplayer for me.

[Slade]

Good question. 

For multiplayer, it's either Vanguard Human or Sentinel N7 Paladin. 

 

Vanguard (Human) rules when you make the correct perk choices. (100% barriers after each charge is what makes this character godlike)

The N7 Paladin with his shield is also one of my favorite characters to use. 

 

Adept kicks ass too, especially once you unlock the Awakened Collector. 

 

For singleplayer, never can go wrong with vanguard or soldier.

[thedinobot]

Good question. 

For multiplayer, it's either Vanguard Human or Sentinel N7 Paladin. 

 

Vanguard (Human) rules when you make the correct perk choices. (100% barriers after each charge is what makes this character godlike)

The N7 Paladin with his shield is also one of my favorite characters to use. 

 

Adept kicks ass too, especially once you unlock the Awakened Collector. 

 

For singleplayer, never can go wrong with vanguard or soldier.

 

I want the Awakened Collector, that and the Geth Jugg. I need to play more multiplayer. Made the mistake of promoting all six classes at the same time so will take a while to get more credits. Awakened Collector is one I've wanted though.I'll have to keep trying for it. 

[Slade]

Current problem I have is that from the start I bought a lot of arsenal packs.

So now I have let's say 2 uncommon weapons and like 15 rare weapons.

So if I want my guns to level up, I have to buy arsenal packs because if I buy spectre packs, all I'll get are new uncommon weapons which do zero damage on Gold. 

[nayrcraig]

Just finished ME1 finally and I have to say some of the twists at the end were fantastic, the story of the game was the highlight for me without a doubt. I didn't really like the gameplay at the start but I started to enjoy it near the end.

I really enjoyed the combat at the end when I was fighting on the citadel against the Geth

 

Creating my own character really helped me feel attached and responsible for the choices I was making and that added a lot for me.

 

The amount of dept and detail in the story was amazing, I loved learning about the wars from the past, humanities journey to space, the history of the council and the cultures and way of life for each alien race.

 

The scene when they relieved that Sarens ship was a reaper was one of the greats moments of the game for me, I had been really interested in the "indoctrination" effect the ship had leading up to that point and it was a great revelation. In the end I really didn't see saren as a bad guys, just someone being controlled by the reapers and I really saw the developers encouraging that train of though when I talked him down in the final fight, one of my favorite moments in terms of the dialog.

 

The revelation about the keepers and the purpose of the citadel also felt great as I had spent some time scanning them hoping it would reveal some information at the end, sadly the mission didn't but I was fascinated by their role in the reapers plans.

 

There were so many great moments that I could go on forever but I am going to start ME2 tonight and I hope it is as good

[thedinobot]

Just finished ME1 finally and I have to say some of the twists at the end were fantastic, the story of the game was the highlight for me without a doubt. I didn't really like the gameplay at the start but I started to enjoy it near the end.

I really enjoyed the combat at the end when I was fighting on the citadel against the Geth

 

Creating my own character really helped me feel attached and responsible for the choices I was making and that added a lot for me.

 

The amount of dept and detail in the story was amazing, I loved learning about the wars from the past, humanities journey to space, the history of the council and the cultures and way of life for each alien race.

 

The scene when they relieved that Sarens ship was a reaper was one of the greats moments of the game for me, I had been really interested in the "indoctrination" effect the ship had leading up to that point and it was a great revelation. In the end I really didn't see saren as a bad guys, just someone being controlled by the reapers and I really saw the developers encouraging that train of though when I talked him down in the final fight, one of my favorite moments in terms of the dialog.

 

The revelation about the keepers and the purpose of the citadel also felt great as I had spent some time scanning them hoping it would reveal some information at the end, sadly the mission didn't but I was fascinated by their role in the reapers plans.

 

There were so many great moments that I could go on forever but I am going to start ME2 tonight and I hope it is as good

 

ME2 is so much better man, you'll like it!

[Slade]

The combat in ME1 wasn't great.

Like dino said, if you liked the first, you'll love the second and third one.

 

In my opinion, the already incredible writing gets even better in 2 and is phenomenal in 3,

[JakeDuck]

Moving from Mass Effect 1 to 2 was awesome, you immediately see the upgrade in graphics and quality. My best advice for you in ME2 is to think very carefully about your choices at the end. Also, work on mastering your favorite combos. Pull is a good setup for just about any biotic explosion by following it with Warp, Biotic Charge, Throw, or Shockwave.

What other combos do you all use? I mainly go for biotic explosions, but I've heard you can do more with tech and elemental skills.

[Slade]

Yes, like Jake said - if you use two of the same types of powers in succession. (biotics and tech) on an enemy, it'll create a devastating combo explosion. 

Like first lifting up an enemy, then using throw on him will send him literally flying.

 

Also Jake I'm sorry for not having added you yet. 

[Undead]

Just made it to ME 3 again with my femshep, plan to actually play some multiplayer this time before getting too far in in hopes of actually getting the Synthesis ending this time. 

 

Also, talk about some drama buildup, I romanced with Kaidan in ME 1, then Garrus in 2. Needless to say, with Kaidan back in 3, I'm curious to see what happens, if anything.

 

P.S. Anyone ever use the Slam power on the enemies on the outside of the Shadow Broker's ship? Best. Kills. Ever.

[thedinobot]

 

P.S. Anyone ever use the Slam power on the enemies on the outside of the Shadow Broker's ship? Best. Kills. Ever.

Haha, yeah! I remember doing this. Which character do you guys like best from the series? I've always liked Garrus' character.

[JakeDuck]

It's impossible to say which characters I like best, they are all very well made. I love half the characters in the game. Even if I don't take a squad member with me often, I still like their story and personality. For example, I rarely used Mordin, but he is simply awesome in dialogue.