Any advice for a new Mass Effect player.

[HereticBD]

Yeah, I think you nailed it.
Andromeda was solid too. I did really enjoy that one. Though it just didn’t have the gravity of the trilogy.

It was better than I thought it would it would be, but it had a few main activities that I can't remember in detail right now, that tapped me out. You had to decipher some messages or some shit at main alien bases, that involved some platforming and enemy gauntlets and whatnot, and it just got old after a while. Definitely not the disaster I heard about, though. Solid 7/10 experience.

I think some modern games just suffer from relying on old tricks to carry them through. We got so accustomed to great leaps in innovation in game design, that we didn't think there was a ceiling. When the original ME came out, it was a fully realized evolution of the KOTOR games, which were revolutionary in their own right. Reading about not only having choices, but having those choices effect the yet to be made sequel, was absolutely insane at the time. If "ME: Andromeda" was just some new IP that came out in those days, with those same promises, it would be just as memorable and iconic. Ashley, despite her flaws, would be Commander Shepard, and nobody would be nitpicking the bullshit, because our minds would be too busy being blown.

 

[Jack Reacheround]

You had to decipher some messages or some shit at main alien bases, that involved some platforming and enemy gauntlets and whatnot, and it just got old after a while.

Yeah, the glyphs. I thought they made some great puzzles. I enjoyed it.

I might have to go back and play through all the MEs again now even though I’ve played through the first 3 like 7 times.

 

[blaseblase]

Yeah, it was a fine game that people put way too much emphasis on the ending. I get that three choices is a bit lame, but people talked like the game should've considered every single choice they made throughout the franchise to give them a wholly unique personalized ending, which is a bit much to ask. No game does that. Even today.

Ultimately, I think it just bugged people that it was over. Like a great series you watch that didn't give you the perfect ending you wanted. The random online mode was, as you said, pretty damn fun for such a throwaway feature.

It was one of the worst game endings of all time. Game of Thrones level. It betrayed its own lore, betrayed the choices you'd made, and didn't give any of your companions a resolution.

 

[HereticBD]

It was one of the worst game endings of all time. Game of Thrones level. It betrayed its own lore, betrayed the choices you'd made, and didn't give any of your companions a resolution.

I don't think it the biggest deal in the world, but even it was, does it nullify the previous 45-60 hours of goodness? The hate got out of a hand.

 

[method115]

I don't think it the biggest deal in the world, but even it was, does it nullify the previous 45-60 hours of goodness? The hate got out of a hand.

Exactly this. I get it the ending wasn't the best but people acted like that last five minutes was all that mattered and didn't even discuss the rest of the game. The gunplay in ME3 was so damn good I always go solider on ME3 because it's just so fun using all the guns. The mission which I think is DLC where you meet the creators of the Reapers was fucking awesome.

 

[Zer]

Exactly this. I get it the ending wasn't the best but people acted like that last five minutes was all that mattered and didn't even discuss the rest of the game. The gunplay in ME3 was so damn good I always go solider on ME3 because it's just so fun using all the guns. The mission which I think is DLC where you meet the creators of the Reapers was fucking awesome.

I liked ME3, and the ending sucked but I didn't think it was that big a deal. The Citadel DLC ultimately made up for the ending (All the DLC for it was great tbh). I thought storywise it got a bit too Hollywood, just bouncing between big set pieces and feeling very rushed, but undeniably most of those set pieces delivered on spectacle. The gunplay was top notch, which made for awesome MP as well

 

[method115]

. I thought storywise it got a bit too Hollywood, just bouncing between big set pieces and feeling very rushed, but undeniably most of those set pieces delivered on spectacle.

I know what you mean it felt like everywhere you went shit was chaotic as soon as you landed and the action\fighting started almost immediately. It kind of made sense in a way considering the reapers were attacking everyone. I thought most of the missions were a bit to long also. The mission where you have to take back omega (DLC I think) was long as hell. I remember I kept thinking "is this thing ever going to end?".

While in ME 1 and 2 the missions felt like the perfect length.

 

[Hyperglide]

Yeah, the glyphs. I thought they made some great puzzles. I enjoyed it.

I might have to go back and play through all the MEs again now even though I’ve played through the first 3 like 7 times.

Oh yes alien Sudoku. Not really puzzles. If you are good at Sudoku it's pretty easy. Just replacing numbers with hieroglyphics.

Also the perfect review for ME3 MP. I still play it to this day. @Wrath of Foamy and I used to tear shit up in that mode.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

For those who are arguing about the ending, it worth keeping in mind that the ORIGINAL ME3 ending was absolutely horrible.

No 'but actually' or 'from one perspective.' It was absolute dog shit. Look it up on YouTube and then compare it to the Legendary Editions with the Ending & Leviantan DLCs.

Now you can have the opinion that with DLCs it greatly improved the ending. I wouldn't agree with 'greatly' because ALL your decisions throughout the Trilogy basically came down to Red, Orange, or Green explosions.

As for 'The 70-90 hours playing through the Trilogy shouldn't be considered ruined because of a bad final 15 minutes. The journey was great although the destination wasn't what we expected.'
Sounds like cope for the ending being horrible.

Anyway, I agree with Zer here...

The Citadel DLC ultimately made up for the ending (All the DLC for it was great tb

I typically play the Citadel DLC after the ending as a way to have a great final mission & party with your crew.
That's the real 'ending' to me.

 

[Jack Reacheround]

Oh yes alien Sudoku. Not really puzzles. If you are good at Sudoku it's pretty easy. Just replacing numbers with hieroglyphics.

I missed the whole Sudoku craze, so I had fun with it. It’s still 10 times better than most games out there where all you do is run around trying to kill as many other players as you can before they kill you, then you just repeat the process 800,000 times.

 

[Your Salad]

Iv completed most of the loyalty quests in ME2, save Grunt and Mordin.
I have literally fallen asleep with a controller in my hand scanning planets twice now.
Sometimes I wonder why I play RPGs like this; I just grind and inevitably lose interest in the game because of FOMO.
I guess Im going to bang Miranda(dat ass), but I think Jack is still on the table.
I'm sure genetically engineered poon is the best, but maybe the broken rebel punk slut is really the one for me.
At this point Liara is a faded memory because I just kept playing planet missions on Illium early on in my game and the interactions with her are done.
I just keep scanning planets........

 

[Substance Abuse]

The original ME3 ending is all time bad. I got all three games at midnight release and ran through them as fast as I could. I did everything is both ME1 and 2. All the character missions, and everyone survived.

The first game is clunky but the story is exceptional along with the big reveal the first time you beat it. I recall turning on my console and being blown away by this world. It stuck with me for years. ME2's story wasn't as good as a whole but the companions, graphical improvements and game mechanics made it an almost perfect experience.

Then you get to ME3 where the game itself is done very well, and some of the early choices matter. However, when you get to the end, it invalidates almost everything you've done before it. I carried over all my saves. I was eager to get to the end, and then... Pure fucking shit.

It isn't as much of a travesty now as it was then as they've patched it to change the ending. At the time, it truly was terrible. I was beyond gotten to.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

I have literally fallen asleep with a controller in my hand scanning planets twice now.

I just keep scanning planets........

Okay.... here's the thing...

After you get resources off the planets are you using them to buy specific upgrades? And be careful what upgrades you're getting because you can buy Tech Upgrades although maybe your top 2 squadmates you mostly bring on every mission don't use tech abilities. Same with weapon upgrades, why get sniper rifle boosts when you don't even use sniper rifles?

And here's the worst thing.... The credits you have at the end of ME1 carry over to ME2... but neither credits or all your resources at the end of ME2 DO NOT CARRY OVER TO ME3.

Yeah, it sucks. So to avoid hours and hours of planet scanning, just look up the upgrades you need/use and how much they cost, scan of that specific resource and buy the upgrade.

Again, don't scan any and all planets. This is easily the absolute worst thing about ME2 and I wish they had somehow patched it with clarifications of the purpose of it to avoid players getting too carried away and collecting 300,000 of each resource for no purpose whatsoever.

 

[Your Salad]

The original ME3 ending is all time bad. I got all three games at midnight release and ran through them as fast as I could. I did everything is both ME1 and 2. All the character missions, and everyone survived.

The first game is clunky but the story is exceptional along with the big reveal the first time you beat it. I recall turning on my console and being blown away by this world. It stuck with me for years. ME2's story wasn't as good as a whole but the companions, graphical improvements and game mechanics made it an almost perfect experience.

Then you get to ME3 where the game itself is done very well, and some of the early choices matter. However, when you get to the end, it invalidates almost everything you've done before it. I carried over all my saves. I was eager to get to the end, and then... Pure fucking shit.

It isn't as much of a travesty now as it was then as they've patched it to change the ending. At the time, it truly was terrible. I was beyond gotten to.

I'm very aware the ending of the trilogy is bunk. I remember the outrage being a big deal back in the day. I wasn't interested in the game at the time but reading anything vidja at the time the ME3 ending and the controversy surrounding it was thrust upon you.
I am excited to get to the third game regardless.
Shep has been through a lot at this point.

 

[Substance Abuse]

I'm very aware the ending of the trilogy is bunk. I remember the outrage being a big deal back in the day. I wasn't interested in the game at the time but reading anything vidja at the time the ME3 ending and the controversy surrounding it was thrust upon you.
I am excited to get to the third game regardless.
Shep has been through a lot at this point.

The games are definitely worth playing, but the end is a huge letdown. Enjoy. I did.

 

[Your Salad]

Okay.... here's the thing...

After you get resources off the planets are you using them to buy specific upgrades? And be careful what upgrades you're getting because you can buy Tech Upgrades although maybe your top 2 squadmates you mostly bring on every mission don't use tech abilities. Same with weapon upgrades, why get sniper rifle boosts when you don't even use sniper rifles?

And here's the worst thing.... The credits you have at the end of ME1 carry over to ME2... but neither credits or all your resources at the end of ME2 DO NOT CARRY OVER TO ME3.

Yeah, it sucks. So to avoid hours and hours of planet scanning, just look up the upgrades you need/use and how much they cost, scan of that specific resource and buy the upgrade.

Again, don't scan any and all planets. This is easily the absolute worst thing about ME2 and I wish they had somehow patched it with clarifications of the purpose of it to avoid players getting too carried away and collecting 300,000 of each resource for no purpose whatsoever.

I have hundreds of thousands of resources right now except Eezo.
I guess Im looking for the small side quests on planets and if I'm already there I might as well scan.
I currently have no outstanding research options available.
Does the bottom right part of the galaxy map open up? It seems like a blank spot right now.

 

[Your Salad]

The games are definitely worth playing, but the end is a huge letdown. Enjoy. I did.

*Tips fedora.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

Does the bottom right part of the galaxy map open up? It seems like a blank spot right now.

All of the necessary research upgrades periodically appear after Recruitment/Loyalty missions.

I guess Im looking for the small side quests on planets and if I'm already there I might as well scan.

Those little missions are cute, but not anything special and the rewards are pretty weak.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

@Your Salad
I forgot to mention, while your credits & resources aren't transferred from the end of ME2 to the beginning of ME3, your Level does.

Make sure you're near the maximum level of 30 at the end of the game because you'll start ME3 at Level 30, and ME3's Level Cap is 60 so you'll be half the maximum power so the beginning of ME3 will feel like you have cheats on.

 

[Hyperglide]

The games are definitely worth playing, but the end is a huge letdown. Enjoy. I did.

Honestly I think everyone was going to be let down no matter how good or bad the endings were. The trilogy was so massive and so many branching options that there would have been so many plot holes and loopholes to fill in, that no one would have been happy with even a better ending then "pick 1 of 3 colors."