PC Mass Effect 2 Confirmed [March 14, 2008, 08:28 am ET] - Viewing Comments
VideoGamer.com (http://www.videogamer.com/news/14-03-2008-7779.html) reports that Mass Effect 2 is coming to the PC platform, based on a conversation with BioWare's Matt Atwood. While Matt would not say whether a PC edition would be released simultaneously with console editions of the RPG sequel, he did say "because we've got a really great PC fan base we think it's really important to deliver the PC experience as quickly as possible. Look for more news on that soon."
Mass Effect 2 Accepts Saved Games From Original
[Ure "Vader" Paul]
03:10 pm EST @ February 16th, 2009
Filed under: MASS EFFECT, MASS EFFECT 2, BIOWARE
BioWare spoke a bit about the next Mass Effect DLC in a documentary included with Mass Effect Platinum Hits edition (launched recently). "We had something in Mass Effect 1 which we didn't have the time and we didn't think we would do well enough, which is a fight club arena," says lead designer Preston Watamaniuk in the video. Project director Casey Hudson added: "We wanted to be able to give people a much more combat-oriented, lighter-story kind of experience. You're going to go to kind of a casino, gaming, fight club space station."
What's even more interesting is the stuff they uncovered about the development studio's upcoming sequel to Mass Effect.
"Any save game that you make from Mass Effect 1, you should be able to carry that same character into Mass Effect 2," explains Hudson. "In the second game, you're actually going to go through a darker period where you're really looking for answers... there are a lot of twists and turns, and it's generally a much darker experience."
This is awesome news. By the way, I cannot remember the last time I was able to transfer saved games or characters from the original straight to the sequel. At least not when big-budget releases are concerned. Anyway, it sounds like a great idea, if you ask me.
Mass Effect 2 teaser trailer revealed (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57349)Already?! Wow.
Uhhh, why would it say that Shepherd is killed in action in the teaser, especially when it is noted that you can import your saved games from the first Mass Effect.It's probably the only lead they'll give us on the plot for ME2.
FYI, Shepherd is the character you play in the first game if you haven't played Mass Effect before.
Oh god, not another Bioware sequel with amnesia. If they do that, I might just not play the game.I can bear with it as long as it's only a condition within the first act. Then you regain your memories for the rest of the game.
I kinda hope they don't resort to amnesia, at least not for the whole story.
Oh god, not another Bioware sequel with amnesia. If they do that, I might just not play the game.
I can bear with it as long as it's only a condition within the first act. Then you regain your memories for the rest of the game.
Now, to the big “save game” issue everyone has been talking about…Hudson revealed that players will choose to start their game by importing their original Mass Effect save and that “your game will feel like your game”. Hudson went on to explain that the first moment of the game will in fact be different for players because of this although no specifics about what players booting up WITHOUT a saved game would bring…
Additionally, it was also revealed that the “elusive man” from the second novel based on the franchise (Mass Effect: Ascension) will in fact play a role in Mass Effect 2.
BioWare: EA owns Mass Effect IP (Translation: It could still come to PS3) [update]
by Ben Gilbert { Jul 8th 2009 at 1:30PM } PlayStation
We've been doing a lot of wondering about BioWare lately: wondering what the company is going to do with the Wii; wondering what our saves from the first Mass Effect will do to the sequel. But most of all, we've been wondering if Mass Effect 2 will be making its way to the PlayStation 3, like its dragon-infused brother, Dragon Age: Origins. So we asked BioWare's Matt Atwood directly about the possibility of the game coming to PS3, to which he responded, "We've only announced 360 and PC. At this point we're really focused on those platforms."
We understand, Matt, but what about the intellectual property itself? Does EA own the Mass Effect name? "Yes. EA owns the rights to Mass Effect." And so, as far as exclusivity between Mass Effect and Microsoft, that doesn't exist? "That's right," he told us.
Update: Matt Atwood at BioWare just contacted us to clarify his statements from earlier today regarding Mass Effect 2's exclusivity to Xbox 360 and PC. He says, "It [exclusivity] actually does exist for Mass Effect 2. And beyond that, we haven't announced any plans."
"We've said Mass Effect is supposed to be a trilogy," he tells them, before going on to reveal: "so you're going to see at least a third Mass Effect, and even more if everything goes well."
Mass Effect 2 PC System Requirements & DRM Revealed
Nov 25, 2009 at 1:52 AM - Andrew Burnes - 19 Comments
Here's what you need under the hood to run Mass Effect 2 on your home computer and entertainment system, early next year:
We know we have a lot of fans who are ready to pre-order Mass Effect 2, but are still waiting for information on whether their PC will run the game and what Digital Rights Management (DRM) Mass Effect 2 will use. Hopefully with the information below, you will now be able to pre-order your copy of Mass Effect 2 from your favorite retailer.
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System: Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
Processor: 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD CPU
Memory: 1 GB RAM for Windows XP / 2 GB RAM for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Hard Drive Space: 15 GB
DVD ROM: 1x Speed
Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c August 2008 (included)
Input: Keyboard / Mouse
Video Card: 256 MB (with Pixel Shader 3.0 support). Supported Chipsets - NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or greater; ATI Radeon X1600 Pro or greater.
Please note that NVIDIA GeForce 7300, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, and 9300; ATI Radeon HD3200, and HD4350 are below minimum system requirements. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required. Intel and S3 video cards are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2.
Recommended System Requirements
Operating System: Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
Processor: 2.6+ GHz Cure 2 Duo Intel or equivalent AMD CPU
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Sound Card: 100% DirectX compatible sound card and drivers
DirectX: DirectX August 2008
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, or better recommended
For the best results, make sure you have the latest drivers for your video and audio cards. Laptop or mobile versions of the above supported video cards have not had extensive testing and may have driver or other performance issues. As such, they are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2. Intel and S3 video cards are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2.
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
The boxed/retail PC version of Mass Effect 2 will use only a basic disk check and it will not require online authentication. This is the same method as Dragon Age: Origins. Digital versions will use the retailers protection system.
I highly doubt they would go out of their way to switch to a vastly inferior engine.Yeah, I'd hope not. I was wondering if Epic's new policies would have had any effect on it.
Mass Effect 2 - Tali Trailer. (http://www.actiontrip.com/rei/video.phtml?id=5914)
I think in ME2 there might be a romance possibility since on the official forums it seemed to be in huge demand (and lack of it was a common complaint about the first game). Some really weird folks out there. Although if she removes her bulb-helmet and turns out to be pretty hot, I'm game.From that trailers at the end, looks like it might be a possibility to be able to romance Tali...
Ok some details for you.
1 - Yes, there are 2 game discs for both the PC and Xbox 360 versions, both the Collector's and standard editions.
2 - There is a 3rd disc with the Collector's Edition. This is a movie DvD containing making of and other bonus information.
3 - The PC version is a standard install. You install the information from both discs and then play with 1 disc in the drive. No swapping.
4 - The Xbox 360 does not have an install and does require disc swapping during play.
5 - Even though there is a disc swap, it occurs at a carefully planned place in the game (that does not interfere with gameplay) and is done once. You do not swap back and forth. 1 swap and then done.
6 - Why 2 discs? Answer: Because you cannot fit this much awesome on one disc.
The PC version is the better version (better interface), but the X360 version came out first and that's the version I have. As a result, I'll probably pick up the second on the console as well since I can import my save file.
Preordered the collector's editon. Strange thing is that I did that without playing ME1... I think Dragon Age, my overall love for Bioware, and the lack of DRM all had something to do with it.
Yea I fully intend on playing through the first one before starting the second. In fact I think I'll start now.
This is the game that saw the demise of my 1st Xbox. I didn't get too far into it, and I haven't gone back to it since. It was getting good too. I have to retry at some point.
Mass Effect 2 Launch Trailer! (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/launch-trailer-mass-effect/61043)
It looks fucking amazing. Just a couple more days until ME2 is released. I'm really excited about this game but I probably won't be picking it up on launch day. I intend to pick it up in a couple of weeks though.
Mass Effect 2 Free and Paid DLC Plans Clarified
by Chris Faylor Jan 22, 2010 12:10pm CST tags: Mass Effect 2, DLC,
While all new copies of Mass Effect 2 will come with a "single-use unlock code" that enables owners to download free add-ons through the in-game "Cerberus Network," developer BioWare is unsurprisingly planning to charge for some later add-ons.
"We'll definitely have for-pay DLC down the road too," BioWare's co-founder Greg Zeschuk told Joystiq. "It's not going to be all free DLC for Mass Effect 2 -- far from that. There'll be paid DLC packs, and there'll be stuff available through Cerberus as well."
Those that don't buy a new copy of the PC and Xbox 360 action-RPG (due January 26) will have to pay 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) to access the Cerebus Network and its various free add-ons--making it the same value as the Stone Prisoner download that came free with new copies of Dragon Age: Origins--according to Kotaku and Bitmob.
Mass Effect 2 Launch Trailer! (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/launch-trailer-mass-effect/61043)
It looks fucking amazing. Just a couple more days until ME2 is released. I'm really excited about this game but I probably won't be picking it up on launch day. I intend to pick it up in a couple of weeks though.
Speaking of pleasing people, BioWare listened to every last bit of criticism leveled at Mass Effect 1. That game, particularly on Xbox 360, suffered from a few technical and presentational issues. This sequel is a much, much cleaner experience. Long elevator rides and slow-loading textures are gone, replaced with (occasionally lengthy) loading screens. Generic cut-and-paste side quests and empty planets to explore have been totally ripped out. Pretty much everything that anybody took even the slightest issue with in Mass Effect 1 has been axed or rebuilt entirely.
The improvements aren't only technical. The inventory and skill systems have been made more manageable, streamlined to the point that they might initially appear too thin for a role-playing game. Keep playing, however, and you'll begin to see strength and depth emerge as you further customize your squad.
One of the biggest reasons why this streamlined approach to character customization works is the retooled character classes. The same six specialization options are back, ranging from the Jedi-inspired biotic users to the technically inclined engineer. This time, however, they've been defined and differentiated much more clearly, each getting its own set of weapon specializations and unique skills. Playing as a soldier is a vastly different combat experience compared to the vanguard or infiltrator. Each class has its own approach to battle, which is then further defined by how you choose to outfit your squad and where you assign skill points. By the end of the game, everything about Mass Effect 2 will be shaped by your choices – from the story to the ebb and flow of combat.
Even though it's a cleaner production, Mass Effect 2 isn't a perfectly polished game. I've played through the game twice and during that time experienced sound cutting out, my character getting stuck in the environment and full game crashes. Thankfully, these miscues are infrequent, which allows the art style to shine. Mass Effect 2 is a visual treat, filled with breathtaking landscapes and an awesome attention to detail.
If you're playing on PC and have a powerful rig (I took Shepard for a spin on an Alienware Intel Core 2 Quad 2.00 GHz prcoessor, dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M cards, and 6 GB of memory), it will look even better.
On PC, the heads-up display is a bit different, custom built to work with a keyboard and mouse. Both versions are largely identical, though you will get a few more options for customizing hot keys and skill usage on the PC. Which works better for you will be a matter of personal preference.
The inventory and skill systems have been made more manageable, streamlined to the point that they might initially appear too thin for a role-playing game. Keep playing, however, and you'll begin to see strength and depth emerge as you further customize your squad.
So apparently there's a disc swap on the Xbox version and people are confused and complaining about it. Really?If they want no disc-swapping, why don't they just buy the PC version? ;)
Back in my day that was practically a selling point.Same here. Back then, it meant the game usually had MORE content than the average game (especially since everything was NOT voice-acted back then) - i.e. see Final Fantasy games and Chrono Cross on the PSX.
If they want no disc-swapping, why don't they just buy the PC version? ;)
I'm sure it'll also show up on Games on Demand eventually, so you can just download the whole thing to your Xbox. That's what I did with the first game (didn't pre-plan that though).
I'm keeping my preorder though.
Yea ME2 could be really big. My GoD version of ME1 is 6.8 gigs.I dunno if there's major difference in the audio, textures, and other files b/t PC and X360 - but ME2 PC is listed on Steam as wanting 15 GB of HD space open. They often usually tell you to have a bit more open than what it actually really takes up (in case of mods, add-ons, DLC, expansions, saves, etc etc)...
It's actually the only GoD game I have, which is 100% because of hard drive space. There's a few I've wanted to get, but bought the disc version or just passed, because I don't have the drive space. I've got a 60GB drive and it's currently got 14GB free. (3 disc based games installed to the HDD currently)Is there a way you can say connect the X360 Hard-Drive to the PC and copy the Mass Effect 360 files to a DVD disc or two? And at a later date - you could say install the files back onto this 360's HD?
Is there a way you can say connect the X360 Hard-Drive to the PC and copy the Mass Effect 360 files to a DVD disc or two? And at a later date - you could say install the files back onto this 360's HD?
I doubt it. A quick google search leads me to believe that if it's possible, it's not in a method supported by Microsoft.Ick. It's something they should think about - even if they force your GOD copy to be tied to say your XBL account.
I'm not sure if there's a limit to the number of times you can download something though. I've never seen anything suggesting that there is.Geez, I hope there isn't. It should be unlimited for your unique XBL account for as long M$ is in business.
I guess I've never really thought about uninstalling GoD games to free up space.I think it's b/c I'm so used to PC gaming that I ask such things, since I'm always backing up games to DVD's; uninstalling games; installing other games; and re-installing games like crazy here.
Instead I've focused on the fact that the HDD is so damn small, and larger one costs way more than it should. I'm sort of hoping MS will release the 250GB HDD that was in the MW2 bundle as a standalone accessory. The 120GB drive is like $150, and I can't see them releasing a 250GB drive for $250+ when the system itself is $200-300.If you do buy another X360 HDD - could you transfer stuff from your old HDD over to say another bigger HDD?
I think it's b/c I'm so used to PC gaming that I ask such things, since I'm always backing up games to DVD's; uninstalling games; installing other games; and re-installing games like crazy here.
If you do buy another X360 HDD - could you transfer stuff from your old HDD over to say another bigger HDD?
Yea. The standalone drive addons used to come with a cable to connect the two and instructions, but I think they're not packed in anymore. You can still get them for free though, you just have to contact Microsoft to get them to send you one. Of course if you did get a new drive, you could just redownload everything. You'd need to transfer the data to move saved games though (which could be done with a memory card too).That's pretty sweet - that you can do the transfer and all! :)
It's things like this that make me glad I'm a PC gamer.Yeah, no doubt about that.
Gaming is on crazy pills right now.
It's a little more complicated than a switch halfway through though. I guess the beginning and end are on one disc, while the second disc contains the middle portions of the game. This was done (supposedly) since the middle is more open and if you switched in there you would either have to switch often depending on where you are or there would be too much repeated data on the disc. So, two disc, two switches.
I remember reading very early on, when the disc swapping thing was announced, that it would be just one disc swap. I guess they just couldn't manage to pull that off.
But people need to stop complaining, because I am starting to get worried about the lengths to which Bioware will go to appease the masses.
With Bioware having already sacrificed the elevator dialog and bits of planetary exploration, I wouldn't be surprised if they decided that the next game would need to be much shorter and less awesome, just so that people wouldn't suffer through the inconvenience of swapping some discs. :P :P
But people need to stop complaining, because I am starting to get worried about the lengths to which Bioware will go to appease the masses.Oh, I liked the elevator rides - b/c that often gave more insight to characters and sometimes the gameworld. Often, it was stuff you did NOT find in the Codex.
With Bioware having already sacrificed the elevator dialog and bits of planetary exploration, I wouldn't be surprised if they decided that the next game would need to be much shorter and less awesome, just so that people wouldn't suffer through the inconvenience of swapping some discs. :P :P
On another note - I still think Microsoft screwed itself in the format war by NOT making the 360 out the box support ONLY the HD-DVD format period; especially since the PS3 came Blu-Ray equippeq
On another note - I still think Microsoft screwed itself in the format war by NOT making the 360 out the box support ONLY the HD-DVD format period; especially since the PS3 came Blu-Ray equipped.
Why is it in their interests to sell us products at reasonable prices when they're already moving enough units selling at outrageous prices to the uninformed masses?
Well, I thought I explained that. Uninformed or not, the prices will stop a lot of upgrading. No upgrades, no room for downloadable big games (with no box, manual or disc to produce, no packaging, and no shipping). Proper balancing cost of hardware with bigger playground for pricey downloads improves the bottom line for Microsoft. I'm saying they're impeding their own better profits.
The cable is included with all the HDD upgrade packs. That said, their 60GB and 120GB retail upgrades remain wholly inadequate for digital distribution of full retail titles. While at this time there are only a handful released on the Xbox marketplace, once more are released those hard drives will still be insufficient. I don't know about you, but I personally do not want to delete anything that I have purchased digitally. You never know if it might become unavailable, or if you will no longer be able to download it or something.
This might be a slight deviation from the topic at hand, but the Xbox360's original design and specs are showing its age. When people start worrying about disk space and start having to purchase addons and upgrades to their existing console, it's starting to show that the original design is inadequate for today's market. My 20GB Pro model is completely outdated now. I only have 9.7GB free, and that's basically not enough space for today's XBL implementation and regular use -- I assume that most XBLA games are getting bigger. I think if I deleted _everything_ I'd have like 13-15 GB free, which is still not a lot.
Digital distribution has really taken off over the last 2 years. DLC is now really commonplace, and they are getting bigger. What we thought were simple arcade games that would be small are slowly becoming as impressive as full fledged retail titles. Full retail titles are also being released for digital distribution too.
Add in proprietary design, and MS has totally fucked their consumer base. I have absolutely no intentions of upgrading my HDD on the Xbox360 unless I don't have to pay for it. Their 60GB and 120GB HDD upgrades are ridiculously overpriced. MS tried the bandaid solution though -- I remember hearing about their free upgrade for people with arcade machines (no HDD) for a free 20GB HDD or something like that.
Basically, it seems that MS didn't really plan things out too well and the consumer suffers greatly as they are forced to play catch up with the accessories (wireless adapter is now replaced with the wireless N adapter; HDD is inadequate and needs an upgrade). People then have to fight the hardware problems, but become attached as they are too 'invested' into the Xbox360 platform.
Final note: There is zero need for 802.11N for years to come. G will be all you need until broadband gets routinely above 54 Mbps across the board (including server speeds and all other links in the chain). Right now the best I know of for the home is 30, and most people are lucky to get 7.I agree for the most part, but at the same time feel the pinch of 54 Mbps at times. I do have a file server in my house and transferring files wirelessly at half or less than half the speed can be quite noticeable at times. But yes, it certainly hasn't caused me to run out and buy a 802.11n wireless access point or anything. It's definitely not a need.
I did a bit of searching and it seems most people took 30 to 40 hours with the original, so I don't know about that. I myself have played for about 18 hours and still am pretty far away from finishing it.
I agree for the most part, but at the same time feel the pinch of 54 Mbps at times. I do have a file server in my house and transferring files wirelessly at half or less than half the speed can be quite noticeable at times. But yes, it certainly hasn't caused me to run out and buy a 802.11n wireless access point or anything. It's definitely not a need.
Does their new 802.11n wireless adapter support WPA2? I always thought it was strange that the original 360 wireless adapter supported only up to WPA even though the 360 GUI (even the old one) shows WPA2 as a selection.
Played a bit tonight. Wow. The combat seems to be about ten times better.
I cannot wait to finish ME1 and start on 2. Initially I was frustrated with the combat in ME1, but after some time (and leveling) I'm really liking it. If it's that much better in ME2... man I need to finish!
Fuck, the Mako bits are awesome fun.
And I also just bought some alien porn.
What class are you playing? I'm playing Vanguard, just like in the first. It seems alright for a reg. difficulty play through, but I wouldn't suggest it on anything higher. The Charge skill leaves you wide open and you die pretty fast if you charge at the wrong time.
Have a look at this thread:
http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/103/index/795922/1
Is it that bad on the PC?
Have a look at this thread:
http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/103/index/795922/1
Is it that bad on the PC?
I'd agree with that. The mechanics weren't the best ever, but they were functional and the game was still awesome.
I did order 2... just gotta' get myself on finishing the first. I'm really close to the end, but I keep trying to finish all the goddamn sidequests.
EDIT:Oh, I liked the elevator rides - b/c that often gave more insight to characters and sometimes the gameworld. Often, it was stuff you did NOT find in the Codex.
I got my CE a few days ago but still haven't finished the first.
It has to be said that the CE is quite quite nice and definitely worth the extra $10.
current aggregated reviews suggest this to be the best game ever on both the PC and x360 platforms, and the 5th best game over all platforms.
http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html
Infoaddict takes on what they feel are many issues w/ Mass Effect 2. (http://www.infoaddict.com/the-many-failures-of-mass-effect-2)
uurgh. disagree. so. much...
Torn here. I'd like to play the original before getting 22, but goddammit I'd like to just bypass ME1 altogether.
...but the story stuff. Hmm, I might just try to bang out the first. I wish it didn't take so long to get into. I rarely manage to push through slow-starting games these days.
This universal critical praise I did not expect at all. It makes me want the game a lot more than I did at first. I still want to go through the first one beforehand. And Fallout 3 still rules my game world. I forget if there's an easy mode (in ME 1). That would speed things up somewhat.
Shiiit, I'm not even through the game once and I'm already salivating for ME3.
Hey is it just me or does Miranda totally not look the way Bioware intended?What's her concept art look like?
EDIT:What's her concept art look like?
(If there is any out there to the public...)
No she doesn't look bad or anything... but sometimes she looks a little creepy, which could be the uncanny valley thing of course.
By the way, one of the best skills in the game is called cryo ammo. I'd recommend maxing it out and using it in SMGs. It can be very exciting.
Well, they don't always freeze with single shots when the skill level is low, though it does enhance the damage. Even at max. level it won't freeze with a single shot every time, which is why I highly recommend you use that skill with an SMG. It is just very amusing watching some geth run at you as you spray them with bullets and freeze them.
So I've put about 6 hours into the game and I'm having a blast. A complaint about the game is that load times are long. As I'm playing on Veteran difficulty, combat deaths do occur more frequently as the enemy resistance is a lot tougher. Reloading a save takes the same time as the initial load. I hear installing the game helps the load times, but it's a 12.4 GB install and I do not have that amount of space available on my Xbox360 HDD.
Oh, so you can opt to install just one disc at a time then? That's a good idea. I thought you had to install the whole thing at once, which is ridiculous since I'm on a Xbox360 Pro 20GB. Do you know how large the install is of a single disc?
Mass Effect 2 Launch Trailer: Female Shepard Remix (Fan-Mode) - voiced by Jennifer Hale. (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106421)
Gotta' love Jennifer Hale. She's been great since Fall-From-Grace in PST.
EDIT:
SPOILERS IN LINK BELOW.
Shaemus Young's Mass Effect 2 Plot Analysis.
3 page epic here. (http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=7004)
Mass Effect 2 Launch Trailer: Female Shepard Remix (Fan-Mode) - voiced by Jennifer Hale. (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106421)
Gotta' love Jennifer Hale. She's been great since Fall-From-Grace in PST.
While Mass Effect 2's in-game DLC pipeline, The Cerberus Network, continues to transport new weapons (and soon, a new vehicle) to players for free, BioWare has announced the game's first pack of paid downloadable content. "Kasumi's Stolen Memory" finally completes Commander Shepard's dirty dozen, adding a confident female thief to your anti-Reaper repertoire. It's currently scheduled to launch for Xbox 360 and PC on April 6th.
After downloading the DLC, players can get in touch with Kasumi on the Citadel, either in the middle of an ongoing Mass Effect 2 game or after the completion of the main story (lesson learned from Mass Effect 1 DLC!). Once recruited, Shepard aids Kasumi on a secretive mission of recovery, which requires a suave disguise and a run-in with an influential and predictably corrupt art collector. The content, which also provides the "Locust" SMG, a flash-bang grenade loyalty power and a new Achievement, should take about an hour and a half to complete.
BioWare is currently in the midst of "internal discussion" to determine the price of the DLC, but we'll keep you updated as soon as it's finalized. Look for some impressions of "Kasumi's Stolen Memory" on Joystiq later today. Spoiler: It looks great.
In some ways, I think BioWare is going down the same path as the one traced by Quantic Dreams and Heavy Rain, albeit with a more mechanical, action-oriented approach. For them, complete immersion seems to mean designing a sprawling world in which player actions have real consequences, and the best way they know how to do that is to write an insane amount of dialogue to account for every possibility. Really, if you want a glimpse of where BioWare sees RPGs going, I think all you need to do is take another look at Dragon Age's million word count. That might be all you need to know.
From what I've read, the average 300 page novel clocks in at approximately 75,000 words. By comparison, the original Mass Effect contains approximately 300,000 words, Mass Effect 2 adds to that total with 450,000 words, and Dragon Age dwarfs them both with some 1,000,000 words. On top of that, Mass Effect 2 contains 140,000 lines of voice-over dialogue, which were recorded over the course of some 300 days at the studio with the help of more than 350 actors. The takeaway, of course, is that making an RPG is hard.
My PC should be arriving tomorrow (God Willing). It's a month overdue! Finally I'll be able to hop in on the ME2 fun!
Quick question: I haven't brought my saves from ME1, when I start ME2 will there be a questionaire or something about the events in ME1 regarding its consequences in ME2?
no questionnaire, it just sets you up with a pre-defined sheppard. as you're playing on pc, it may well be possible to get hold of a savegame file similar to your own though.I might consider that. Thanks, Beo.
Xessive, you could always rush through the main story of ME1 again. :PHmm, also a valid option. I'll have to download ME1 from somewhere though. Since I already own a copy of it I think it's legitimate to acquire it by any means. I might do that but I'm too anxious ;D I might just jump straight into ME2!
no questionnaire, it just sets you up with a pre-defined sheppard.
No I mean the one you are wearing as you are typing. It is kinda cold out here though. Sad
(click to show/hide)
I think it would be impossible for the council to play a more important role, for the same reason that Kaiden/Ashley made only cameo appearances that were so negative that they also killed any chance of them appearing again.
BioWare introduces, Kasumi, a brand new addition to the ever-growing library of characters for Mass Effect 2.
"The galaxy's most enigmatic thief Kasumi has enemies everywhere, but only a few could put a face to her name. Not much is known about her, other than Cerberus has contracted her to assist Commander Shepard in the mission to save mankind. In exchange, she requires help with a dangerous heist to infiltrate the vault of a deadly criminal known as Donovan Hook," reveals BioWare.
"Kasumi is master of stealth and eluding her enemies, her unique skills and technical expertise will be a valuable assets to Cerberus and Commander Shepard."
Bleh @ only a cameo appearance by Ashley. :(
EDIT:
New Character for ME2 Revealed - Kasumi (The Thief). (http://www.actiontrip.com/rei/comments_news.phtml?id=031710_3)
haha, "faithful until the end". By the way, Insanity? Fucking hard as shit. I probably won't have the patience to finish the game again on this difficulty setting.
It won't be long be long before you get to try Mass Effect 2's answer to the Mako for yourself. The Firewalker DLC pack will be landing next week.
The pack will feature five new missions based on the brand-new Hammerhead. It will be free to those who have the Cerberus Network.
It will be followed shortly after by Kasumi's Stolen Memory, which is slated to launch April 6. It will introduce the thief Kasumi along with her loyalty mission, and will be the first paid DLC.
The Firewalker DLC will be out March 23.
I'm finally playing it! I gotta say I love the action sequences a lot more than the original. Can't say that I'm fond of the tedious resource minigame but I'll take it over the Mako missions from before.Yeah, mini-game is the weakness of the game, I think.
I just ran a quickstart game (Shepard Soldier) and it assumes that I didn't not save the council and that I chose Udina to represent humanity.
So far I'm really enjoying it.
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That bugged me too! haha I keep instinctively pressing U to go to the squad menu or J for the journal. Not sure why they removed that option.
You know what is kinda odd on ME2 PC?
The ESC key is the menu to certain things, but there's no real hotkey to access just the following on their own:
1.Codex.
2.Squad.
3.Journal.
I should check Bioware boards and see if that has even been requested (hot keys for Codex, Journal, Squad)...
That bugged me too! haha I keep instinctively pressing U to go to the squad menu or J for the journal. Not sure why they removed that option.
Yea but it takes a mini-second. It is a bug in the Unreal engine.
Which is strange, because the performance of the game is amazing.Yeah, the game runs very well here, as well. I run the game just fine on my single-core system (P4 single-core 3.2 Ghz HT, 512 MB GF 8800 GT, 2 GB RAM, Win XP Home) on 1024x768. Never a slow-down or anything.
BTW, this is very important.
On a lot of core2duo rigs (like mine), the game suffers from this major bug where loading times (especially in later stages) can take up to 60 excruciating seconds (when you are just going from one floor to another on your ship).
New ME2 DLC announced. New appearances for Thane, Jack and Garrus as an appearance pack. Coming March 23. http://tweetphoto.com/14995984(http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c54102/x2_e4d210)
Yea but it takes a mini-second. It is a bug in the Unreal engine.Or you could Core Affinity Resident (http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Core-Affinity-Resident.shtml). I had to use it for Titan Quest since it doesn't handle multicore processors well.
Or you could Core Affinity Resident (http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Core-Affinity-Resident.shtml). I had to use it for Titan Quest since it doesn't handle multicore processors well.
The Illusive Man? I thought the whole time that...(click to show/hide)
Finally finished it!(click to show/hide)
About Tali...(click to show/hide)
Finally finished it!(click to show/hide)
To those of you who imported an ME1 character and got it on with Liara from the first game, did you pursue another relationship in the second? I think there could be some major consequences in the third if you did. I ran into this easily missed scene after I finished the game (and pursued a relationship). (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjFMPaSjAuo) If I complete an insanity run of the game I will probably avoid a relationship because of that scene (which I missed on the first go).
To those of you who imported an ME1 character and got it on with Liara from the first game, did you pursue another relationship in the second? I think there could be some major consequences in the third if you did. I ran into this easily missed scene after I finished the game (and pursued a relationship). (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjFMPaSjAuo) If I complete an insanity run of the game I will probably avoid a relationship because of that scene (which I missed on the first go).
See that was Bioware being clever.
Whether you romance Ashley or not, it doesn't matter, as she will be a bitch to you in the second game regardless.
Regarding Liara, she isn't of a monogamous race, so she really doesn't care if you are bedding others.
Regarding Liara, she isn't of a monogamous race, so she really doesn't care if you are bedding others.
Another good point is that all the choices carried over are pretty much entirely superficial and there really hasn't been any cross game branching so far.
No she doesn't look bad or anything... but sometimes she looks a little creepy, which could be the uncanny valley thing of course.
Here is another one that is amusing:
(http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/3283/bettermiranda1.jpg)
me2 was awesome. not flawless, but awesome.Oh, I most definitely agree w/ that.
Equalizer Pack
Cerberus doesn't just need a hero - they need a one-man army. That's why the Equalizer Pack adds the Capacitor Helmet, Archon Visor, and Inferno Armor to Shepard's armor locker. The Capacitor Helmet stores power for kinetic barriers, allowing Shepard's shields to recharge faster. The Archon Visor manages omni-tools and biotic amps, reducing the recharge time of Shepard's powers. The powered Inferno Armor speeds up Shepard's movements and increases his tech and biotic power damage, additionally stress analysis software even gives him an edge in negotiations outside of combat. The Equalizer -- when the armor goes on, the gloves come off.
Price:
Xbox 360: 160 MS Points
PC: 160 BioWare Points
Meh... though it's cheap, there really isn't anything there that makes it worth buying, especially this late after its release.
Meh... though it's cheap, there really isn't anything there that makes it worth buying, especially this late after its release.
Its short like whats already been said about it, about an hour and a half. She works the same as Zaeed, when you meet her, she agrees to come with you, only under the condition you do something for her. And you don't really have conversations with her, just like Zaeed when you go to talk to her she has lines she automatically feeds you and there are things around the room you can select and she'll talk about them.
You know, as time passes after you finish a game, you start to come to terms with how you really felt about it... you know... once that honey moon period has passed.
I restarted this game -- something that is rare for me these days --, and I still think ME2 is incredible.
Disagree.
ME2 is a pure shooter with great storytelling. Not even an RPG hybrid. Deus Ex was an RPG hybrid.
No.
There's still decision-making on how to finish quests and there can be different outcomes. That's one of the two RPG elements.
D doesn't have different outcomes.
D doesn't have different outcomes.
We won't know till we get to the end of the D game.
Is the Overlord DLC out too?
Since now that ME2 is coming to PS3 (http://www.rpgwatch.com/show/newsbit?newsbit=15537), I wonder if ME1 will come to PS3 maybe at a later date?
Unlikely. MS published ME1.
The average time to play through the game was 33 hours. PC gamers spent about an hour longer, while Xbox 360 players did 10% more loyalty missions on average. "In general, pretty much all of the data for the Xbox 360 version and the PC version are quite similar.
One difference was the people who did certain loyalty missions on the Xbox versus the PC, which is kind of surprising. On the PC for example, people did Miranda's loyalty mission quite a bit, which is where she is trying to connect with her sister and it's more of a touchy-feely plot. Not a lot of Xbox 360 players did that one. But the Xbox 360 players did do Grunt's mission a lot more than PC players."
why the fuck would you want to play an RPG 28 times
I want to say they pulled the new DLC for the 360 because they had it advertised on the dashboard but when I went into it to check it out it wasn't available.
I also went with infiltrator found it totally satisfying head shotting people. I almost went with soldier since it plays better as a shooter and the assault rifle would play more to that.
I played a soldier in the first game because I heard the combat was weak, and made into a better "shooter" by playing soldier. Then I imported to ME2 and was stuck with soldier. (I played ME1 like a week before ME2 came out, so I only had one save to import)
I've thought about playing through again, but I'd really feel the urge to play through both again so my ME2 game would be an imported one.
NEWEST - 9/7/2010:
Joystiq -> Shadow Broker $DLC for PC released and is broken; Bioware working on fixing it. (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/bioware-working-to-fix-shadow-broker-mass-effect-2-dlc-for-pc/)
I'll probably grab Kasumi and Overlord next week. I really want to play Shadow Broker, but $10 seems a bit steep, unless it's really long or something.IGN's review for Shadow Broker $DLC says it's at around 3 hours or so.
Apparently ME2's PS3 version is using the ME3 engine, and thus looks superior to all ME2 versions.
Makes me want to try.
Apparently ME2's PS3 version is using the ME3 engine, and thus looks superior to all ME2 versions.
Makes me want to try.
I doubt it.
PSN will be getting this game for digital download. Retail version coming the same day on Jan 18. I wonder how big the game is to be available for digital download.That's gotta be at least 12GB. The PC version installation was approximately 15GB with all the DLC.
Meh. The first one is a very different game. I describe it as a twitch shooter trapped in an RPG's body.
With ME2 they gave up and just decided to make it a third person shooter. After ME1, ME2, and Alpha Protocol, I thought that making a shooter with such robust RPG mechanics was impossible. But then I got into Fallout 3, and it marries that unlikely couple so perfectly.
Meh. The first one is a very different game. I describe it as a twitch shooter trapped in an RPG's body.I like the first much more than the second.
With ME2 they gave up and just decided to make it a third person shooter. After ME1, ME2, and Alpha Protocol, I thought that making a shooter with such robust RPG mechanics was impossible. But then I got into Fallout 3, and it marries that unlikely couple so perfectly.
I agree with pretty much all of that: The fight sucked compared to Saren. Yet, it ultimately didn't matter because the last mission was so epic.Agreed...to an extent.
Agreed...to an extent.I'm betting the ME3 final battle will have something to do with The Illusive Man.. An indoctrinated Illusive Man? OoooooOooo!
I could imagine how much more we'd be really saying about ME2, if ME2's final boss fight was as epic as Saren's ME1 boss battle.
It's really going to be interesting, to see how ME3's final level and boss fight turn out...
I'm betting the ME3 final battle will have something to do with The Illusive Man.. An indoctrinated Illusive Man? OoooooOooo!You weren't too far off!
You weren't too far off!Hahaha man, I love reading old stuff we posted and gauge it against the current reality!