So I bought Mass Effect 2...

i reaaaally want to play this game... i just can't afford to give up a solid week of deep space addiction right now.

OK, fist off I need to correct this statement....

sygnus21 said:

In ME1, if you walked up to a wall/object and continued pressing "W" it would automatically put your back to the wall, thus allowing you to take cover and fire around the wall/object without fully exposing yourself. While you can take cover in ME2, it’s not this sophisticated (you can’t walk up to a wall/object and have it done automatically), and you’re in a crouched position. In ME1 you can do this standing or crouched, depending on the object.

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Actually it does work like it did in ME1, just different. If you walk/run up to a wall or object and hit the spacebar, your back will indeed be put up against the wall, standing or crouched, depending on the object.

In ME1, this maneuver was accomplished with the "W" key, In ME2, it's the spacebar. Phew, that’s helps a lot!

@ Wishmaster,

I obviously agree with you on DRM. Also I’ve never had issues with it; therefore I’ve never let it deter me from purchasing games. “Nuff said about that.

Judging from you post, I’m guessing you’re playing the game as well? How far are you? Have you finished assembling your team yet? I’m still in the process of doing so. I just got the doctor, so…, but like I said before, I like doing all the side missions and exploring so my gaming tends to move at a slow pace.

As far as graphics, I really can’t say they look that much better than ME1, but they are good, and I have no complaints yet

As for micro-stuttering, it can happen in single card configurations as well, but it is mostly associated with dual card configurations.

Happy gaming

Im still working on my team ... I take my time .. scan planets for materials and explore everything on my way lol .. im in no hurry
Really loving it so far tho, except ...
I want to recruit Tali and havent figured out where,when or if I can yet.

So far i got the Doc, Jack, and 1 other one ...

Wishmaster said:

I want to recruit Tali and havent figured out where,when or if I can yet.

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Either I'm not understanding your question, or you missed the Freedom Colony mission where you wind up meeting Talia? At this point you can ask her to join you or not.

If you didn't ask her to join you, like me, maybe you'll meet again, if she's crucial. Don't know though since we both haven't gotten too far into the game yet.

Wishmaster said:

So far i got the Doc, Jack, and 1 other one ...

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Yeah, I got Zaeed first, the Archangel, the Professor, and then Jack. I also just finished Zaeed's side mission.

Still no issues.

Oh...as for the DLC content, once downloaded, it's available immediately. I'm currently using the weapons and armor, and also completed the Normandy Crash site, and Zaeed's side mission.

Good game thus far...

I hope I didnt handle the meeting with Tali wrong. I met her yes, but like you, left there without her.

Maybe later.

We def. need a ME2 section here for tips and such w/out story line spoilers
The official forums seem to be all spoliers or threads like ...
<<WTF ME2 SUXurZ why wont my AppleII run it.>>

:-/

Perhaps im just spolied with Sevens community

From what I've seen here thus far, this is the only thread here that's discussing a game’s play progress. Usually this forum is for discussing game problems/issues so it’s nice to have a thread like this.

Normally I would be over here Mass Effect 2 Discussion - Rage3D Discussion Area discussing the game, I'm registered, but sometimes they can get a little out of hand.

I did find a few irritations (for me) with ME2 though....

The new navigation map for space travel is horrendous; and now you have to purchase fuel! WTH??? Kind of kills/hinders the exploration experience, and searching for raw materials?

The new hacking system - It's a real pain to get use to compared to the one used in ME1. And it definitely takes some patience.

Hate the way the area map works now - you have to hit the Esc key to get to, making it completely unintuitive to use! Same with the map pointer, you have to hit the "M" to show it, but once the key is release, goodbye goes the pointer... again, making the whole map thing unintuitive.

The new bypass thing is cool though, I like the way that works.

At any rate, I'm at least hoping a patch can/will fix/change the area map system as I think it’s completely horrendous and unintuitive.

And again, no performance issues have popped up yet. Overall I'm really enjoying it though.

As for Talia… Nuff said

So I loaded up the new ATI Catalyst 10.1 drivers, both actually, 10.1 and the 10.1 Mass Effect 2 Hotfix drivers. I then played about 5 hours of Mass Effect 2 and hadn't had one issue. On the other side of that coin, I didn’t notice any increase in performance either, but that's just on this game, so...

As for the hotfix drivers, they're supposed to fix a problem where AA (Anti-Aliasing) isn'tworking in the game on crossfire configurations.

I’m using a single 4890 and hadn’t notice AA not working with this configuration but I installed the hotfix anyway. Again, no performance difference was noticed, especially compared to the standard 10.1 drivers, but that's just this one game so...

And please, for those wishing to discuss the driver outside of this Mass Effect 2 thread, visit here - http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/1810-latest-ati-catalyst-driver-windows-7-a.html

As for benchmarks, I don’t have any since I don’t do them anymore. All I do is install the driver, play a game and note any issues that might popup pertaining to the game(s) I'm currently playing. If I experience any issues, I voice them, if not, I’m happy. I’m happy. That’s all I can say for now. Sorry.

Now back to ME2…

This game is getting better and better all the time. A lot of action, cool missions, and some nice twists and turns.

For anyone thinking about getting this game, I would HIGHLY suggest you play ME1 first, then this one. They’ve done a really good job of carrying the story over from ME1 to 2, even the seemingly insignificant characters and missions from ME1 have meaning here. Now this is what a sequel should be about! Well done thus far.

OK, Outside of questions or something I think of importance, I think my next review will be after I finish the game. Any further "mini" reviews will be spoiler material, and I don't want to do that

For those playing, enjoy, for those not, get it

That's it for now.

Peace

I agree, playing through ME1 will def. make Me2 much better experience

Great story so far IMO

Ill update my 10.1 issue over there .

Ok, so a little easter egg ... non-story spoiler that i got a laugh out of, thought Id share.

Mass Relay to the local Cluster
Take orbit around Uranus
Start a scan and launch at least 2 probes ... listen to EDI's comments

Hmmm...I was just there, looking for Element Zero. EDI didn't speak. I'll give it another go.

Thanks.

Man, I am so eager to get this game but for now I have to wait.

to make this post windows 7 centric... mass effect 2 works well on my pute w/ windows 7 at highest everything settings(EDIT: except filtering on default) (specs are on my profile)


OMG such a really good game... there are SO MANY great things about this game that i'm too lazy to type it all... so instead i'll go for the short list of the my knit picking:

-the first mass effect had kind of crappy character development and ME2 improves a lot... but still not enough for me and really still less than what i expect from a bioware game. the characters are deeper than ME1 but still too thin for my liking
- bioware has streamlined mass effect so much (which for the most part is a good thing) that at some points i was thinking this the only difference between this and gears of war is the dialogue and slight character customization available. if the trend stays the same i expect ME3 just to be an fps with a better than average plot with no RPG in sight
- too short. i guess in the age of dlc it is profitable to make a decent, but short, game to sucker people into buying dlc content... but short and RPG really don't go together.




if you are picking this game up to play and you have the reasoning and eye hand coordination of a 11+ year old... then don't do this game on normal mode... i played the first few quests on normal mode and then swtiched up because there just isn't any suspense with how easy the fights are.

manchot said:

to make this post windows 7 centric... mass effect 2 works well on my pute w/ windows 7 at highest everything settings (specs are on my profile)


OMG such a really good game... there are SO MANY great things about this game that i'm too lazy to type it all... so instead i'll go for the short list of the my knit picking:

-the first mass effect had kind of crappy character development and ME2 improves a lot... but still not enough for me and really still less than what i expect from a bioware game. the characters are deeper than ME1 but still too thin for my liking
- bioware has streamlined mass effect so much (which for the most part is a good thing) that at some points i was thinking this the only difference between this and gears of war is the dialogue and slight character customization available. if the trend stays the same i expect ME3 just to be an fps with a better than average plot with no RPG in sight
- too short. i guess in the age of dlc it is profitable to make a decent, but short, game to sucker people into buying dlc content... but short and RPG really don't go together.




if you are picking this game up to play and you have the reasoning and eye hand coordination of a 11+ year old... then don't do this game on normal mode... i played the first few quests on normal mode and then swtiched up because there just isn't any suspense with how easy the fights are.

Click to expand...

Too short? Did you bother to make the crew members loyal? I've clocked up close to 20hrs and am still going - that 4850 will also choke if you up the filtering.

Frostmourne said:

Too short? Did you bother to make the crew members loyal? I've clocked up close to 20hrs and am still going - that 4850 will also choke if you up the filtering.

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Agreed.

@ manchot,

While I can appreciate some of your point, too short isn't one of them. And that statement can only lead to these questions....

What about building up strength and resources? What about side missions, not to mention the team members missions?

Yeah, too short.... If you don't do any of the things mention above, which in turn says you didn't play the game the way it was meant to be played

I started this thread about a week ago and have been playing like 3-4 hours a day and am just now getting to the main objective!

This is a game that invites exploration. Short isn't a word I would use here!

And for what it's worh, these are games I consider "short"

FEAR 2
Crysis
Crysis Warhead

Now back to ME2...

Here is an update:

http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/46227-excellent-gaming-performance-7-a.html

Crashed once on me (well twice in one go) will update once I investigate further. That being said, 12GB of code can't always be expected to work smoothly, unpatched for now. Only recommended if you have the first. Anyway, have put in 25hrs, made all crew members except Miranda loyal (her choice), still have one empty crew slot and am now looking for the Friend/Foe drive to enter the Omega 4 relay.

Theres a lot of little jokes here and there to.
The one think I do miss however, is the party banter while running around.
Such as in the elevator rides etc ...

With the exception of a few parts, but you must have the right party members w/you in the right place at the right time.

Not like it was in the ME1 though.... Kinda added more immersion I thought.
Then again, many more team mates in ME2 so likely why they done away with it. to many combinations.

BTW, Frostmourne, if you figure out what caused it let us know please.
im starting on my second play through today, and through all of the time spent on the first, mine crashed one time with the :
((Mass Effect has stopped working))
I never did track down what caused it, but it happened during load screen going from Krogan Homeworld ---> back to Normandy.

My 1st playhrough was around 28-29ish .. but I also missed a few sidequests. No clu how many. Did all the loyalty ones though.

If not mistaken, I read somewhere one of the devs saying it was around 36-40Hrs if you find & do everything.

Im planning to get the game today but I dont think the collectors edition has enough for me to warrant the extra cash.

The Reg. edition still gives the Cerebus Network code (even though it appears its a collectors ed. item only on descriptions) FYI. If you go by the description its a bit decieving as it only mentions this on Collectors Editions
The free DLC:
Normandy Crash Site, & Zaeed
Was also Inferno Armor (But possibly may have been a Pre-Order bonus only) & the Blood Armor (may have to have Dragon Age for this one) Sorry i can't remember :-/

With Collectors Edition youll get:
All of the above +
Comic Book
48 Page hard cover Art book
Collector Assault Rifle for in Game

Personally, i didnt think the Collectors edition was worth. But to each thier own.

hmm not really interested in the comic or the art book.

You do get the rifle and armor ... But TBH, Im unsure if the armor is the same inferno that you ghet w/basic edition or not (And that w/the basic may have been a pre-order bonus)

Either way you, ME2 is a really good game IMO. Especially if you played ME1. import old character and some of your decisions show up in Me2