Author Topic: Mass Effect 2  (Read 77278 times)

Offline MysterD

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Mass Effect 2
« on: Friday, March 14, 2008, 01:41:28 PM »
NEWEST - 3/5/2012:
1Up -> Why Mass Effect 2's Final Boss Sucked (and Why It Doesn't Matter).


Arrival DLC Reviews
Eurogamer -> 5 (out of 10).
Joystiq - Review.
IGN -> 7.0
Destructioid - Review - 8.5

Arrival DLC - Info
1Up -> ME2: Arrival DLC impressions.
GiantBomb -> ME2: Arrival DLC coming March 29th.
Destructoid -> Some info on Mass Effect 2: Arrival DLC.

OLDER:
Shadow Broker DLC
IGN -> Shadow Broker $DLC review = 9.5.
Eurogamer -> Shadow Broker $DLC review = NINE (out of 10).
Bioware Forums -> Shadow Broker $DLC PC = fixed - thanks for the news, Cobra!
Joystiq -> Shadow Broker $DLC for PC released and is broken; Bioware working on fixing it.
Mass Effect 2: Lair of The Shadow Broker $DLC announced.

NEWER - 9/6/2010:
IGN -> Here's some stats Bioware's pulled from ME2 players for PC and X360.
MyD Post -> Some Details on the stats posted in this thread (on Page 9).

News, Info, Links, Etc:
RPGWatch - Mass Effect 2 is coming to PS3 in Jan 2011.
Another Weapons Pack $DLC coming soon.
Bitmob on Replayability -  Mass Effect 1 vs. Mass Effect 2.
Patch 1.02 for ME2 released; Overlord $DLC is now out.
Mass Effect 2 - DEMO Released for PC and X360; Overlord $DLC coming tomorrow.
In the Demo, you can escape the Normandy ship and do the Subject Zero mission.
You may keep your saves, Achievements, & experience to carry over into the FULL version Of ME2.
Demo is around 1.92 GB.


For all you that are skipping ME1 and starting off w/ ME2 OR for those who need a refresher course on ME1's Events, check out the Previous On Mass Effect 1 Video to get you (somewhat) up to speed w/ the story.



OLD:
Bioware's Matt Atwood opens up to VideoGamer.com, letting them know that ME2 will be coming to the PC.

I guess after the backlash from X360 gamers once the PC version announced, they decided they better let gamers know ahead of time if it'll be a "pure" X360 Exclusive or not way ahead of time. :P



Quote
   
PC Mass Effect 2 Confirmed [March 14, 2008, 08:28 am ET] - Viewing Comments

VideoGamer.com 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."
« Last Edit: Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 08:23:59 PM by MysterD »

Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 PC Version Already Planned by Bioware
« Reply #1 on: Monday, February 16, 2009, 01:58:45 PM »
Keep your Mass Effect 1 saves, guys.

The plan is that in ME2, you will be able import your ME1 characters into that upcoming sequel.


Quote
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.

Ummm...I know BG2 let you import your characters from BG1 in there.

Offline iPPi

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD - Update: Import your ME1 saves into ME2
« Reply #2 on: Monday, February 16, 2009, 02:22:49 PM »
Yea they mentioned that you could carry your character forward from the beginning.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to this -- the first one was an amazing game, if a bit flawed on the technical level.

Sometimes I want to play it again.

Offline MysterD

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Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD - Update: Teaser trailer released
« Reply #5 on: Friday, February 20, 2009, 05:08:38 PM »
Mass Effect 2 is planned for Early - Spring 2010.

Offline iPPi

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD - Update: Teaser trailer released
« Reply #6 on: Saturday, February 21, 2009, 05:53:04 PM »
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.

FYI, Shepherd is the character you play in the first game if you haven't played Mass Effect before.

Offline Xessive

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD - Update: Teaser trailer released
« Reply #7 on: Sunday, February 22, 2009, 05:29:37 AM »
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.

FYI, Shepherd is the character you play in the first game if you haven't played Mass Effect before.
It's probably the only lead they'll give us on the plot for ME2.

I kinda hope they don't resort to amnesia, at least not for the whole story.

Offline Pugnate

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD - Update: Teaser trailer released
« Reply #8 on: Sunday, February 22, 2009, 05:43:29 AM »
Oh god, not another Bioware sequel with amnesia. If they do that, I might just not play the game.

Offline Xessive

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD - Update: Teaser trailer released
« Reply #9 on: Sunday, February 22, 2009, 06:20:55 AM »
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.

Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD - Update: Teaser trailer released
« Reply #10 on: Sunday, February 22, 2009, 07:03:38 AM »
Quote from: X
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.

Hasn't amensia been used as a hook too much?

It has been used as a hook in some RPG's such as Arx Fatalis, Gothic 2 (and also caused your player's skills to be set back to Level 1), and Planescape: Torment. It's been used in way more than that, though. Yeah, amnesia has been beat to death.

If Shepard is actually dead, it'll be interesting if for an RPG angle, the storyline is that he gets cloned or something and you get to be his clone -- it could happen, since this is in a Sci-Fi setting.


Offline Pugnate

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD - Update: Teaser trailer released
« Reply #11 on: Sunday, February 22, 2009, 09:41:28 AM »
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.

No no! That is like KOTOR2 or lots of NWN expansions, or Baldur's Gate II, or the entire PS:T lol. They need to stop with this lazy plot device.

Offline Xessive

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD - Update: Teaser trailer released
« Reply #12 on: Sunday, February 22, 2009, 11:47:27 AM »
What about a plot in which a character genuinely experiences amnesia.. Nevermind :P

Another option would be creating a new character altogether. Of course another path could be "upping the ante" by keeping you at your level but making everything around proportionally leveled at the start (not like Oblivion where everything levels up with you all the time).


Offline MysterD

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Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD
« Reply #15 on: Friday, March 27, 2009, 08:06:00 PM »
Shacknews
Footage at the GDC 09 from someone's shaky-cam.

In these approx. 3 mins, Bioware shows off different developments phases as how the ME2 game acts and looks -- from start phase to finished phase.

Some of the footages show the game either with or without any real texturing, AI, cover tactics, dialogue  and etc.
 
Cool stuff.

EDIT:
GameTrailers
GameTrailers reveals more info on ME2 from GDC

Quote
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.
« Last Edit: Saturday, March 28, 2009, 11:08:23 AM by MysterD »


Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD
« Reply #17 on: Friday, May 29, 2009, 02:03:26 PM »

Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD
« Reply #18 on: Sunday, June 07, 2009, 06:29:18 AM »
SPOILER: If you have not finished Mass Effect 1, you may not want to read this article.

RockPaperShotgun's impressions on Mass Effect 2 from E3 2009.


Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD
« Reply #19 on: Wednesday, July 08, 2009, 02:02:27 PM »
Well, I didn't know EA owns the Mass Effect IP.
And right now, Mass Effect 2 is a Microsoft exclusive -- PC and 360 exclusive.


Quote
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."

Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD
« Reply #20 on: Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 02:11:26 PM »
Dr. Greg Zeschuk of Bioware mentions that Mass Effect might go beyond an actual planned trilogy.

Quote
"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."

Offline MysterD

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Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 THREAD
« Reply #22 on: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 02:49:25 PM »
ME2 PC system requirements and disc-check DRM revealed.

Quote
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.

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #23 on: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 09:18:56 PM »
Awesome.  I really need to get around to finish the first so I can play the second.  I really did enjoy it... it was only the OWmeet that sort of tripped me up and I never got back to it.  I really need to.  I think I was about halfway in or so.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline iPPi

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #24 on: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 11:43:29 PM »
I can't wait for this one.  The only thing I'm apprehensive about is the fact that I don't have a PC capable of running it so I need to get the Xbox360 version.  I hope my Xbox360 will survive from now until I finish ME2.

Offline PyroMenace

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #25 on: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 12:31:37 AM »
Yea Im a bit excited too, I plan to buy the 360 one though. I really did enjoy the sci-fi story it had going and really liked all of the characters. I know a lot of them aren't going to be playable in this one anymore except I think Garrus and Tali, and maybe Rex? I hope so because Rex was awesome.

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #26 on: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 10:03:19 AM »
Definitely PC for me.  I could never downgrade to the lack of control on the console after being able to individually control each squad member.  That still seems like a terrible compromise to me.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline Xessive

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #27 on: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 11:12:31 AM »
I'm really anxious about it too.

By the way, will it be in the Unreal Engine as well or have Bioware switched everything to their new Eclipse engine (the engine used in Dragon Age Origins)?

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #28 on: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 11:13:15 AM »
I highly doubt they would go out of their way to switch to a vastly inferior engine.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline Xessive

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #29 on: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 11:18:38 AM »
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.

I love the Unreal engine. The only issue I see that seems to be unique to it is the texture pop-in. For Borderlands Gearbox has added a cool fade effect to alleviate the sudden pop-in. It's not a major issue, it just takes that first couple of secs after a load for things to be crisp.

Offline MysterD

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Offline MysterD

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Offline iPPi

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #32 on: Sunday, November 29, 2009, 12:40:58 AM »
Mass Effect 2 - Tali Trailer.

I liked the character and her backstory in the first game.  It's too bad she was pretty weak in combat.  She was only in my party once or twice before I decided Garrus and the other alien female (her name eludes me at the moment) was a more powerful combo for my character.

Offline Xessive

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #33 on: Sunday, November 29, 2009, 01:49:35 AM »
Tali came in handy when I was playing as a Soldier, since I didn't have any decryption skills, she could hack computers and decrypt locks for me (she's basically the equivalent of a rogue). Having her in the squad also improves the Mako's repair rate. In combat I give her a shotgun and try to keep her away from the frontlines, she has some handy skills like overheating enemy weapons and disabling shields.

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.

Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #34 on: Sunday, November 29, 2009, 06:16:20 AM »
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...

Offline PyroMenace

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #35 on: Sunday, November 29, 2009, 11:03:07 PM »
Well fuck, that trailer was a bit spoilerific.

Offline MysterD

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #36 on: Friday, December 04, 2009, 03:13:36 PM »
Mass Effect 2 on 360 and PC will take up 2 DVD discs.

Quote

    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.
« Last Edit: Tuesday, December 08, 2009, 04:24:57 PM by MysterD »

Offline MysterD

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Offline iPPi

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #38 on: Monday, December 28, 2009, 06:16:16 PM »
Cinematic trailer released.  Can't wait for this to come out.

Offline PyroMenace

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Re: Mass Effect 2 - PC DRM and system requirements revealed (Reply 22)
« Reply #39 on: Saturday, January 02, 2010, 05:33:05 AM »
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.

Same here, though I sort of want it on PC.