Windows 7: So I bought Mass Effect 2...

So I just picked up Mass Effect 2 Collectors’ Edition (PC) today. Beautiful looking package. According to Amazon.com, the package weighs about a pound which includeds a tin case containing 3 discs – game install discs 1 & 2, bonus materials disc 3, manual. You also get another cardboard box containing a 24 page limited edition Mass Effect Redemption #1 comic book, a 48 page hardcover art book, and a Limited edition Cerberus Network card granting access to bonus content.

There’s also a case sized card for the bonus collector armor and assault rifle, and another case sized card advertising Dragon Age: Origins and the fact that the game offers a Special Downloadable Item for Mass Effect 2 (the Blood Dragon armor). Since I already have DA:O Collectors Edition, I now have the armor as well. Thus I have two additional armors, one from ME2-CE (Collector Armor) and one from DA: O-CE (Blood Dragon). Nice!

The bonus material disc contains videos on the making of ME2, trailers, and wallpapers

Installation was a breeze and took about 10 minutes for the 2 discs. You're also given the option of installing DX, If needed, before installing the game.

The opening screen is about the same as ME1.



The Configuration Utility is the same as it was in ME 1 with the addition of adding your old saves from ME1.



I choose to have everything on set to high – We’ll see how that goes.

Loading up is pretty quick and once you load up, enter your Cerberus Network activation code to get your DLC, which for the time being is going to be the ME2 collectors stuff - the same items you got with the reg. code for the “Bonus Downloadable Items” (Collectors Armor & Rifle) HUH???

However, there’s supposed to be more to follow (fingers X’d)



Clicking on "New Game" allows you to create your character, but you can also import your old character from ME1. Cool! I choose to import my character.



Note – When you choose to import your character you will (may) be presented with multiple import choices. For me it was two (dependant on the choice I chose for the council at the end of ME1). Cool. Also, you can still customize your imported character before starting your game. So If you wish to customize or choose a new character, but keep his/her old progress, you can. I chose to keep my character in tact.

So now it's off to see what it offers – will keep you posted. BTW, I tend to explore everything, and do every little side mission possible, so don’t expect expedient posts about my progress. In fact some of you may finish before me.

Peace.

What does Action Role Playing actually mean? I usually only Play First Person Shooters with the exception of Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic but I have never played an ARP game... signus, can you give us a crash course?

OK,

I don't think/hope I'm spoiling anything by saying that in the opening video, the Normandy is destroyed. Nuff said.

As for game play thus far, smooth as butter for me; but than again, it's early. My system specs are listed for the curious.

The one thing I hate already is the new hacking system. Ugh...

Graphics look good thus far but of course I'm just starting so...

That's it for now.

Peace

I initally avoided ME1 because I didn't really understand the term Action Role Playing and always associated it with a Dungeon and Dragons or Might and Magic, which are games I can't get into. I know this train of thought is stupid, but that how I initally saw it. I guess that's why I still haven't played Dragon Age: Origins yet even though I bought in on release day

The fact that I love first person shooters also skewed my view as well. What changed my thinking was Fallout 3. I absolutely love that game and in fact am looking forward to another expansion; but that's a story for another time.

To answer your question... I would imagine it would mean to take on the role of a character you develope, which is the case of both Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and to some extent, Fallout 3 and even KOTR, and play that character to it's conclusion.

As for the game play of Mass Effect - The best way for me to anwswer you question is to say that if you like FPS and liked Star Wars KOTR (which I absolutely hated), than you'll like Mass Effect's play style as well. Think third person perspective. Examples of this for me would be Dead Space, Lost Planet, and Fallout 3.

If you're really curious and don't want to spend a lot of money, get ME1 and try it out. It's going for around $18 bucks (US), maybe less. I think you'll like it.

As a side note, having just finished off ME1 (about two weeks ago), I was eagerly awaiting ME2. Now that I have it, the only question is will it live up to the expectations that ME1 brought me.

At any rate I hope I answered your question.

That quad-core will limit you - Mass Effect 1 is heavy on your CPU. As for settings push them to maximum and set the filtering to the second option. I would be surprised if a 4890 can't max out texture/shadow settings.

Only thing stopping me from buying the game is the DRM only allows for 5 installs. My method of keeping my system clean and running fast is to wipe the system partition from my HDD every week or so and reinstall using an image made when I 1st installed and updated windows, then reinstalling the applications I want to keep. The DRM would stop me from using the game after about a month.

All I know is the game is running just fine on my system thus far

I'll also add that I haven't seen anyone complaining here... Mass Effect 2 Discussion - Page 9 - Rage3D Discussion Area

Thanks

Still, max out all settings except the filtering. Push that 4890.

Since I don't do OS reinstalls that's a non-issue for me. Same with DRM, never had a problem with it.

If you like reinstalling your OS like a thousand times a year, yeah, activation is going to be a problem

By the way, did you notice micro stuttering in the first Mass Effect? It was really a non issue, but it was slightly noticeable.