Mass Effect

BlueMak · Nov 30, 2007, 02:57 PM

I hope I haven't missed a thread about it here.

I managed to find a copy (limited collectors' edition) and I should have it by Monday.
I am very worried about playing a real time third person shooter rpg, on a console too.

I find myself not very lucky in believe the hype or admiration of certain xbox 360 games. I never managed to like Gears of War for example.

Now everybody says ME is a great rpg. I hope I haven't made the same mistake again.

I do generaly prefer my rpgs with turn based combat, so that is a potential minus too.

Do you have the game, do you like it?

Markius · Dec 3, 2007, 12:23 AM

imo, its a great game. if you liked baldurs gate, knights of the old republic or jade empire i cant see why you wouldnt like this.

BlueMak · Dec 3, 2007, 11:05 AM

I never liked BG, I never played more than a couple of hours of Knights and Jade Empire I never tried.

Mass Effect arrived earlier today. Also my ordered CD version of winSPMBT so I have a lots to do these days

I will let you know what I think of Mass Effect.

Dyre Straits · Dec 3, 2007, 11:16 AM

Both my son and daughter-in-law are encouraging me to play it. It'll keep me away from my PC, though, but, they're insisting.

BlueMak · Dec 3, 2007, 12:56 PM

Well I Can tell you one thing so far, the manual though nothing big and mainly on how to do things, is very well written. Clear and helpful. I haven't seen such a nice little manual for a Xbox 360 or PC game (other than good strategy games) for a while!

I will try the game in about an hour, perhaps less. I am eager but I feel very tired for some reason.

Pluvious · Dec 7, 2007, 07:27 PM

HOLD down the right shoulder button to engage turn base attacks. Otherwise its real time. Your vehicle can fire rockets with right shoulder as well. You can zoom with he left trigger and you can REALLY zoom by clicking down on the right stick while zoomed. These are not clear in the manual.

I suggest you do the side missions before jumping into the main story missions to build up your character a bit.

BlueMak · Dec 7, 2007, 08:28 PM

The right shoulder button just brings up the menu for special abilities, or is there something else there?

Pluvious · Dec 8, 2007, 01:07 AM

Yes, it also pauses the action and acts as a 'turn base' attack method. Your first post mentioned you liked turn based games.

Just finished my first go through today. Ended up level 43 or so with this guy:

I just restarted a new game with a female. Going for more 'evil' side this time which will make her a bit bitch like I guess. I think she turned out pretty good considering I tried to make her look like Elisha Cuthbert:

BlueMak · Dec 20, 2007, 04:21 AM

I am 20 hours in. Doing sidequests mostly. I started the Novara? main mission about 1 hour ago. I get humans only on my team, I have a fighter-bio character. I am neither good or bad, I let my character be a humans first and try to do the good thing unless there is no profict in it, hero.
I guess I play slowly and explore the world etc, so perhaps I have at least another 20 hours in.
The game is so addictive! I already have plans to play the game again with different characters. One to be a very nice guy, by the book and very "UFP" like officer. Or/and a slightly nicer guy than Darth Vader.

I haven't had this much fun with an RPG since Arcanum.

Sandok · Dec 20, 2007, 01:26 PM

I bought it gonna try it tonight... Mmmmmm

BlueMak · Dec 20, 2007, 03:58 PM

Sandok, if you have problems with aiming, what I did was to put the assisted aiming at the lowest level and increase the combat controls to 100% and exploration to 70%.

Also, I highly suggest to have your AI team mates to have an active freedom to use their powers instead of defensive or manual for you. The game flows so much better and they don't do a bad job at all.

BlueMak · Dec 23, 2007, 09:11 AM

I just finished the game. About 40 hours. The game is amazing. This is why I bought my Xbox 360.
Regarding the issues that most reviews talk about now. The loading of graphics after you load a "level" is apparent, but, not as important as some people have made it to be, even reducing score from the game. You just have to wait 2-3 seconds after a level is loaded to have the full details, BIG DEAL!!! I don't see where the problem is.
Also the threshers, I don't know why people find them annoying or a problem. I met them oh about 6 times, killed them 3 times and the rest just ignored them. Barely noticed them the whole game.
I had a problem with "geometry" once, when I was stuck in a mountain, which is not bad considering 40 hours playing this game without any other problems. Apart from Rainbow Six Vegas, this game is a game of the year winner for me. Oh, in case you don't have the game and wondering if the battle system is good or not (if you are a turn based guy like me), I had no problem with the battles after the first 2-3 battles when I got used to the system. Just make sure you increase the controls' sensitivity to 100% (as I ended up doing).
Spoilers following so don't read more if you haven't finished the game yet.
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I had a ~2:1 Paragon Renegade balance. Interesting. I went for focusing on the Reaper and abandoning the counsil. Then went for having Captain Anderson as the head of the new one.
Apart from 2 missions and the missions when I had to give one human up, all the other missions I had the other 2 humans on my team. Still for some reason I did not get the have alliance sentinel on my team for 75% of the missions, which unless I have to be the sentinel, is complete BS.
I never managed to find the 21st keeper, annoying.
I now plan on starting on the Hardcore difficulty level and going for a more UFP style approach. Not sure though as what type of specialization. Suggestions?
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BlueMak · Dec 23, 2007, 09:30 AM

Heh, it looks like I will play with the same character and try to level him up to the max that is unlocked. I am currently level 46.
I will play on Veteral level. See how it goes.

Sandok · Dec 23, 2007, 09:34 AM

First of all, I hate the fact that the game is in FRENCH where I bought it... Usually they don't translate games but for once they did and no way am I flying to the UK or ordering on from the UK just to play (Taxes + Game = 50% more expensive).

At least the French voice acting is top notch!

So far I'm 7 hours into the game and I'm addicted to the side quests... My god is this game EPIC!!!

The only bad thing so far are the long elevator rides (I know its to load scenery but still

)

BlueMak · Dec 23, 2007, 10:59 AM

I don't know, I found the elevetor rides, very...integral.

So, I started my new game, with my level 46 vanguard at veteral level. With my previous weapons and armour and bios. Died in 5 min. This will require a different approach.

Tril · Dec 23, 2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandok

First of all, I hate the fact that the game is in FRENCH where I bought it... Usually they don't translate games but for once they did and no way am I flying to the UK or ordering on from the UK just to play (Taxes + Game = 50% more expensive).

Sandok, I thought all xbox games with more than one languages had them all on the disk and I thought the game language was decided by the language you chose in the configuration of the xbox 360. I never knew you were french speaking.

Pluvious · Dec 23, 2007, 08:47 PM

The keepers are somewhat hard to find. You probably missed the one on the docking bay.

Check out the map here:
GameFAQs: Mass Effect (X360) Citadel Map by Fungah

I restarted my game with a Tech this time on Hard and its pretty hard. Can't imagine vet mode.

Sandok · Dec 23, 2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tril

Sandok, I thought all xbox games with more than one languages had them all on the disk and I thought the game language was decided by the language you chose in the configuration of the xbox 360. I never knew you were french speaking.

Depends on the game... Mass Effect has so much text they didn't bother putting the original voices which is quite annoying. Usually they never translate the voices in large games like this, given its expensive and all but for once they did.

I've grown used to the voices and they aren't bad (sometimes from En to Fr it goes horribly wrong

)

My Xbox is configured in English but that didn't help for Mass Effect

Oh well, I'm a perfect bilingual, I can put up with it

Nov 30, 2007, 02:57 PM	#1
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,247 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	Mass Effect I hope I haven't missed a thread about it here. I managed to find a copy (limited collectors' edition) and I should have it by Monday. I am very worried about playing a real time third person shooter rpg, on a console too. I find myself not very lucky in believe the hype or admiration of certain xbox 360 games. I never managed to like Gears of War for example. Now everybody says ME is a great rpg. I hope I haven't made the same mistake again. I do generaly prefer my rpgs with turn based combat, so that is a potential minus too. Do you have the game, do you like it? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Dec 3, 2007, 12:23 AM	#2
Markius DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 2,350 Rep Power: 0	imo, its a great game. if you liked baldurs gate, knights of the old republic or jade empire i cant see why you wouldnt like this. __________________ DriverHeavens Aussie... "Lifes tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late"

Dec 3, 2007, 11:05 AM	Thread Starter #3
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,247 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	I never liked BG, I never played more than a couple of hours of Knights and Jade Empire I never tried. Mass Effect arrived earlier today. Also my ordered CD version of winSPMBT so I have a lots to do these days I will let you know what I think of Mass Effect. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Dec 3, 2007, 12:56 PM	Thread Starter #5
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,247 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	Well I Can tell you one thing so far, the manual though nothing big and mainly on how to do things, is very well written. Clear and helpful. I haven't seen such a nice little manual for a Xbox 360 or PC game (other than good strategy games) for a while! I will try the game in about an hour, perhaps less. I am eager but I feel very tired for some reason. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Dec 7, 2007, 07:27 PM	#6
Pluvious Elisha = hottie Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: USA CA. SF Bay Area Posts: 1,318 Rep Power: 56	HOLD down the right shoulder button to engage turn base attacks. Otherwise its real time. Your vehicle can fire rockets with right shoulder as well. You can zoom with he left trigger and you can REALLY zoom by clicking down on the right stick while zoomed. These are not clear in the manual. I suggest you do the side missions before jumping into the main story missions to build up your character a bit. __________________

Dec 7, 2007, 08:28 PM	Thread Starter #7
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,247 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	The right shoulder button just brings up the menu for special abilities, or is there something else there? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Dec 8, 2007, 01:07 AM	#8
Pluvious Elisha = hottie Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: USA CA. SF Bay Area Posts: 1,318 Rep Power: 56	Yes, it also pauses the action and acts as a 'turn base' attack method. Your first post mentioned you liked turn based games. Just finished my first go through today. Ended up level 43 or so with this guy: I just restarted a new game with a female. Going for more 'evil' side this time which will make her a bit bitch like I guess. I think she turned out pretty good considering I tried to make her look like Elisha Cuthbert: __________________

Dec 20, 2007, 04:21 AM	Thread Starter #9
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,247 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	I am 20 hours in. Doing sidequests mostly. I started the Novara? main mission about 1 hour ago. I get humans only on my team, I have a fighter-bio character. I am neither good or bad, I let my character be a humans first and try to do the good thing unless there is no profict in it, hero. I guess I play slowly and explore the world etc, so perhaps I have at least another 20 hours in. The game is so addictive! I already have plans to play the game again with different characters. One to be a very nice guy, by the book and very "UFP" like officer. Or/and a slightly nicer guy than Darth Vader. I haven't had this much fun with an RPG since Arcanum. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Dec 20, 2007, 01:26 PM	#10
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 66	I bought it gonna try it tonight... Mmmmmm

Dec 20, 2007, 03:58 PM	Thread Starter #11
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,247 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	Sandok, if you have problems with aiming, what I did was to put the assisted aiming at the lowest level and increase the combat controls to 100% and exploration to 70%. Also, I highly suggest to have your AI team mates to have an active freedom to use their powers instead of defensive or manual for you. The game flows so much better and they don't do a bad job at all. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Dec 23, 2007, 09:11 AM	Thread Starter #12
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,247 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	I just finished the game. About 40 hours. The game is amazing. This is why I bought my Xbox 360. Regarding the issues that most reviews talk about now. The loading of graphics after you load a "level" is apparent, but, not as important as some people have made it to be, even reducing score from the game. You just have to wait 2-3 seconds after a level is loaded to have the full details, BIG DEAL!!! I don't see where the problem is. Also the threshers, I don't know why people find them annoying or a problem. I met them oh about 6 times, killed them 3 times and the rest just ignored them. Barely noticed them the whole game. I had a problem with "geometry" once, when I was stuck in a mountain, which is not bad considering 40 hours playing this game without any other problems. Apart from Rainbow Six Vegas, this game is a game of the year winner for me. Oh, in case you don't have the game and wondering if the battle system is good or not (if you are a turn based guy like me), I had no problem with the battles after the first 2-3 battles when I got used to the system. Just make sure you increase the controls' sensitivity to 100% (as I ended up doing). Spoilers following so don't read more if you haven't finished the game yet. . . . . . . . . . . . . I had a ~2:1 Paragon Renegade balance. Interesting. I went for focusing on the Reaper and abandoning the counsil. Then went for having Captain Anderson as the head of the new one. Apart from 2 missions and the missions when I had to give one human up, all the other missions I had the other 2 humans on my team. Still for some reason I did not get the have alliance sentinel on my team for 75% of the missions, which unless I have to be the sentinel, is complete BS. I never managed to find the 21st keeper, annoying. I now plan on starting on the Hardcore difficulty level and going for a more UFP style approach. Not sure though as what type of specialization. Suggestions? . . . . . . . . . __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Dec 23, 2007, 09:30 AM	Thread Starter #13
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,247 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	Heh, it looks like I will play with the same character and try to level him up to the max that is unlocked. I am currently level 46. I will play on Veteral level. See how it goes. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Dec 23, 2007, 09:34 AM	#14
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 66	First of all, I hate the fact that the game is in FRENCH where I bought it... Usually they don't translate games but for once they did and no way am I flying to the UK or ordering on from the UK just to play (Taxes + Game = 50% more expensive). At least the French voice acting is top notch! So far I'm 7 hours into the game and I'm addicted to the side quests... My god is this game EPIC!!! The only bad thing so far are the long elevator rides (I know its to load scenery but still )

Dec 23, 2007, 10:59 AM	Thread Starter #15
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,247 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	I don't know, I found the elevetor rides, very...integral. So, I started my new game, with my level 46 vanguard at veteral level. With my previous weapons and armour and bios. Died in 5 min. This will require a different approach. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Dec 23, 2007, 08:47 PM	#17
Pluvious Elisha = hottie Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: USA CA. SF Bay Area Posts: 1,318 Rep Power: 56	The keepers are somewhat hard to find. You probably missed the one on the docking bay. Check out the map here: GameFAQs: Mass Effect (X360) Citadel Map by Fungah I restarted my game with a Tech this time on Hard and its pretty hard. Can't imagine vet mode. __________________