Mass Effect: Luke Skywalker meets Debbie Does Dallas
Iron Weasel
Dillon!You son of a bitch!Registered User regular
Dillon!You son of a bitch!Registered User regular
OP shamelessly stolen (with minor additions) from Pancake, who has done the best one so far so why mess with a good thing?
"A Spectacular New Vision of the Future"
Exclusively for the Xbox 360, Mass Effect is BioWare's latest RPG and their greatest venture yet.
An epic space opera of an unprecedented scale, Mass Effect will take you across the galaxy from the greatest bastions of civilization to wild uncharted worlds fraught with danger.
Wherever you go, whatever decisions you make, you might just change the face of the civilized galaxy.
The year is 2183.
Thirty-five years have passed since mankind discovered the technology of the Protheans on Mars and humanity's first mass relay and took to the stars.
Wars have been fought, rivalries have formed, colonies have been raided, people have died, but stoically pressing on, humanity has grown and thrived and has begun to earn its place among great alien civilizations far older than humanity could dream of.
You are Commander Shepard...
You are a promising officer in the Alliance military and because of your record and recent events, you have caught the attention of Nihlus, one of the Council's elite Spectre (SPECial Tactics and REcon) agents. You have been selected to become the first human Spectre.
But Saren, one of the Council's most effective and brutal Spectres has gone rogue and allied himself with the Geth, a three hundred year-old machine race that has, until now, remained isolated from the rest of the galaxy. Saren is brutal, he is efficient, and he is no stranger to murder or torture. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, whatever they are, and there is little he hates more than humanity.
As a fledgling Spectre, it's your task to stop him by any means necessary.
You are outside the law. You answer to no one but the Council and are free to use any means at your disposal to achieve your goals. Kill, maim, and murder if it gets you what you need or be forgiving and kind. The choice is yours to make, but there are consequences to both sides of the coin. Some you may not even see coming.
"You must act without remorse, without hesitation, and outside the limits of the law."
... and you can look however you like.
Using an Oblivion-like character creator that stresses ease of use in addition to comprehensiveness of options, you'll be able to create your Commander Shepard in minutes.
Confirm military specialization.
In Mass Effect, there are six different character classes, each with their own specializations and abilities.
Details on all the classes and the abilities are available in the spoiler:
Where have you been?
During character creation, not only will you be choosing how you look and picking your class, you will also be selecting Shepard's background. There are two selections to be made from six different options:
Pre-service History
Everyone came from somewhere. How Shepard grew up and decided to go into the military are chosen here.
Psych Profile
Not everyone thinks the same way. Not everyone's experiences in the military will be the same. How life has shaped your mind and reputation are chosen under your psych profile.
But these aren't arbitrary choices. Depending on what you choose, NPCs will react differently to you. Some may consider an Earthborn and their family to be cowards as they didn't take off into space the rest of humanity. Others may respect it.
Because of the different ways your Shepard will be reacted to, your choices will also cut off some quest lines, but they will also open up others.
Your choices here will never restrict you in your choices later in the game, but these two options will make up your reputation based on actions and accomplishments that occurred before the events of the game.
Too many people died here, Fist. You don't get to walk away.
Tired of selecting clear-cut and simple dialogue options from a list?
Well, you're in luck! With Mass Effect, BioWare is introducing a new dialogue system that features characters that actually interact with one another.
The options are short and very to the point. They aren't supposed to get across the whole message, but rather a thought or feeling. A very base reaction to what's happening or what was just said. Once an option is selected, your character acts on their own and the selection of a very simple option can lead to interesting and diverse interactions between characters.
Interrogating Fist
Wrex Confrontation
I'm going to be evil!
Sorry, but you can't really. You'll always be working towards a greater good. The "bad" options aren't unrepentant evil so much as ruthless. You can be... good bad, though.
The alignment system here isn't quite the same as we've seen in KOTOR and Jade Empire.
As you can see, there are two meters there around Shepard's head. One labeled Paragon and another Renegade.
As you do kind or compassionate acts, you fill up your Paragon meter. Act ruthlessly and uncompromisingly, you fill up your Renegade meter. This is different than KOTOR and JE as you can never empty either meter. You're building a reputation for yourself, not your character's alignment.
People won't automatically forget your bad deeds because you helped someone out enough to go back to the light side, as it were. You can never get rid of your past.
So I hear the game is big.
You heard right! The game has over 300 locations to explore, ranging from so large you'll need your tank, the Mako, the get around to very small and little larger than a room.
On the Normandy, you'll be able to use the galaxy map.
You may notice several points on the map. Those are sectors you can go to. The interesting thing? That's not the extent of the galaxy map. You'll be able to zoom in to each one, look at individual star systems, and even take a close look at individual planets. Knights of the Old Republic this is not.
As for gameplay length, BioWare is talking about 20-30 hours for the main storyline and around 70-80 hours of total gameplay when you include all the optional content. Most people are getting to that lofty total by playing the game through twice, often using the New Game+ function
Did you say New Game+?
That’s right. After completing the game once, you can start a new game using your existing character. You keep the same level, class, weapons, armour and Talent Point distribution, but your Paragon/Renegade meters are reset. New Game+ is pretty much the only way to attain levels 50-60, and there are even Achievements for doing so.
I read it's like Diablo 2 with guns in another thread.
Yes, you did, but that's not quite right.
It plays much like a tactical third-person shooter, though your stats will affect your performance in combat.
Combat itself takes place in a third-person, over-the-shoulder camera view, but you have the ability to free aim. There is also supposed to be the option for more helpful auto-aiming to help out those that aren't shooter fans. You will also find that there is a very familiar cover system like you may have seen in Gears of War.
During combat, you'll also have control over your two squadmates. At any time, you can order them to move to any location with a quick press of the D-pad or you'll be able to use the radial interface, which pauses the game and gives you complete and total control of all of your squadmates' targets and the abilities they use.
With these options, you'll have the ability to let the AI handle everything, or you'll have the option to completely micromanage your entire squad in combat. You will not, however, be able to switch over to control any member of your squad. You are always Shepard.
Most videos that show the combat look slow and awkward, but that's because they've been trying to take it slow in the videos to show how everything works. When played more quickly, it's very smooth and nice.
Soldier Combat Scenario
Adept Combat Scenario
Vanguard Combat Scenario
Normandy with no paratroopers? What about beaches?
This is the Normandy, your ship. It's the most advanced starship in the galaxy and, though built by humanity, was partially funded by the Citadel Council. It's a stealth ship about the size of a 747 and has been likened to a submarine by BioWare.
You will never directly pilot the Normandy, but it is how you will travel between locations in space.
Introducing the Mako.
Say hello to the Mako, your heavily armed and armored all-terrain APC.
The Mako will be your primary form of transportation in large open areas, too large to traverse quickly on foot and too dangerous to cross unprotected. It will also be one method of insertion into hostile areas for you. Once the Mako is loaded with personnel, the SSV Normandy can fly at relatively low altitude and drop the Mako out the back, exposing the Normandy to low levels of risk and quickly inserting the marine strike team into hostile territory.
It sports two weapons: a large turret mounted cannon and a coaxial machinegun. Using these weapons, you'll be able to shoot things.
In addition to its weaponry, the Mako is equipped with top and bottom mounted thrusters, which can be used to slow its descent during free fall, right itself if flipped, and even be used to hop while on the ground to avoid enemy fire.
But this isn't another turret mini-game like in KotOR or a schmup mini-game like in Jade Empire. No, this time, you'll have full control over your driving and shooting and you'll be able to traverse a variety of terrain.
What does "Mass Effect" actually mean?
All of the most advanced technology in the Mass Effect universe is based off one thing and only one thing: the manipulation of dark energy.
When you manipulate dark energy in the proper way, you create a mass effect field.
Inside a mass effect field, the laws of physics and the way they interact with mass can be bent, changed, and outright broken. This allows for a colossal starship to be exempt from normal physical laws and quite easily propelled faster than light.
This is what we learned from the Protheans, and being the basis of most technology in the universe, is where the game gets its name.
How do biotics fit in?
A biotic is a person born with the innate ability to feel the presence of dark energy. With proper training, it can even be done consciously.
If someone with this ability is found, through extensive surgery, they can be fitted with implants that interface into their nervous system and, using their innate senses, allow them to manipulate dark energy and shape mass effect fields for a variety of effects that are deadly or, alternatively, beneficial to the recipient.
Wait, there's a book?
Yes, yes there is! It's a prequel novel filled with backstory and details on the rich Mass Effect universe. I'd recommend reading it if you have any interest in Mass Effect. It's not the best book ever written, but it's entertaining and it has guns and aliens and they fight and shoot at each other and stuff.
The game’s out now, right?
Yes indeed. The game has been in stores since late November.
The limited edition is, unfortunately, only available online.
Finally, The stupid 3-Panel Soul comic.
New thread, go!
"A Spectacular New Vision of the Future"
Exclusively for the Xbox 360, Mass Effect is BioWare's latest RPG and their greatest venture yet.
An epic space opera of an unprecedented scale, Mass Effect will take you across the galaxy from the greatest bastions of civilization to wild uncharted worlds fraught with danger.
Wherever you go, whatever decisions you make, you might just change the face of the civilized galaxy.
The year is 2183.
Thirty-five years have passed since mankind discovered the technology of the Protheans on Mars and humanity's first mass relay and took to the stars.
Wars have been fought, rivalries have formed, colonies have been raided, people have died, but stoically pressing on, humanity has grown and thrived and has begun to earn its place among great alien civilizations far older than humanity could dream of.
You are Commander Shepard...
You are a promising officer in the Alliance military and because of your record and recent events, you have caught the attention of Nihlus, one of the Council's elite Spectre (SPECial Tactics and REcon) agents. You have been selected to become the first human Spectre.
But Saren, one of the Council's most effective and brutal Spectres has gone rogue and allied himself with the Geth, a three hundred year-old machine race that has, until now, remained isolated from the rest of the galaxy. Saren is brutal, he is efficient, and he is no stranger to murder or torture. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, whatever they are, and there is little he hates more than humanity.
As a fledgling Spectre, it's your task to stop him by any means necessary.
You are outside the law. You answer to no one but the Council and are free to use any means at your disposal to achieve your goals. Kill, maim, and murder if it gets you what you need or be forgiving and kind. The choice is yours to make, but there are consequences to both sides of the coin. Some you may not even see coming.
"You must act without remorse, without hesitation, and outside the limits of the law."
... and you can look however you like.
Using an Oblivion-like character creator that stresses ease of use in addition to comprehensiveness of options, you'll be able to create your Commander Shepard in minutes.
Confirm military specialization.
In Mass Effect, there are six different character classes, each with their own specializations and abilities.
Details on all the classes and the abilities are available in the spoiler:
History/Style
Talents/Classes
Talent Descriptions
Specialization/Prestige Classes
Talent point distribution / Alignment Bonuses
Earthbound - Grants a Renegade point bonus
Spacer - Grants Paragon point bonus
Colonist - Grants part Paragon and part Renegade point bonus
There is also side-quest specific to each background.
Ruthless - Grants a Renegade point bonus
War Hero - Grants Paragon point bonus
Sole Survivor - Grants part Paragon and part Renegade point bonus
Spacer - Grants Paragon point bonus
Colonist - Grants part Paragon and part Renegade point bonus
There is also side-quest specific to each background.
Ruthless - Grants a Renegade point bonus
War Hero - Grants Paragon point bonus
Sole Survivor - Grants part Paragon and part Renegade point bonus
Talents/Classes
Soldier
Starting Talents
Pistol
Assault Rifle
Combat Armor
Assult Training
Soldier Unlockable Talents
Shotgun - 4th point in Pistol
Sniper Rifle - 7th point in Assault Rifle
First Aid - 6th point in Combat Armor
Fitness - 6th Point in Assault training
Engineer
Starting Talents
Pistol
Decryption
Electronics
First Aid
Engineer Unlockable Talents
Basic Armor - 6 points in Pistol
Hacking - 7 points in Decryption
Damping - 4 in Electronics
Medicine - 5 in First Aid
Adept
Starting Talents
Basic Armor
Throw
Warp
Barrier
Adept Unlockable Talents
Pistol - 5 in Basic Armor
Lift - 6 in Throw
Singularity - 7 in Warp
Stasis - 4 In Barrier
Infiltrator
Starting Talents
Pistols
Tactical Armor
Electronics
Decryption
Infiltrator Unlockable Talents
Sniper - 5 in pistol
Fitness - 6 in Tactical Armor
Damping - 4 in Electronics
First Aid - 7 in Decryption
Sentinel
Starting Talents
Throw
Barrier
Decryption
First Aid
Sentinel Unlockable Talents
Lift - 7 in Throw
Stasis - 6 in Barrier
Electronics - 4 in Decryption
Medicine - 5 in first aid
Vanguard
Starting Talents
Pistol
Assault Training
Throw
Warp
Vanguard Unlockable Talents
Shotgun - 6 in Pistol
Tactical Armor - Assault Training
Lift - 7 in Throw
Barrier - 4 in Warp
Starting Talents
Pistol
Assault Rifle
Combat Armor
Assult Training
Soldier Unlockable Talents
Shotgun - 4th point in Pistol
Sniper Rifle - 7th point in Assault Rifle
First Aid - 6th point in Combat Armor
Fitness - 6th Point in Assault training
Engineer
Starting Talents
Pistol
Decryption
Electronics
First Aid
Engineer Unlockable Talents
Basic Armor - 6 points in Pistol
Hacking - 7 points in Decryption
Damping - 4 in Electronics
Medicine - 5 in First Aid
Adept
Starting Talents
Basic Armor
Throw
Warp
Barrier
Adept Unlockable Talents
Pistol - 5 in Basic Armor
Lift - 6 in Throw
Singularity - 7 in Warp
Stasis - 4 In Barrier
Infiltrator
Starting Talents
Pistols
Tactical Armor
Electronics
Decryption
Infiltrator Unlockable Talents
Sniper - 5 in pistol
Fitness - 6 in Tactical Armor
Damping - 4 in Electronics
First Aid - 7 in Decryption
Sentinel
Starting Talents
Throw
Barrier
Decryption
First Aid
Sentinel Unlockable Talents
Lift - 7 in Throw
Stasis - 6 in Barrier
Electronics - 4 in Decryption
Medicine - 5 in first aid
Vanguard
Starting Talents
Pistol
Assault Training
Throw
Warp
Vanguard Unlockable Talents
Shotgun - 6 in Pistol
Tactical Armor - Assault Training
Lift - 7 in Throw
Barrier - 4 in Warp
Talent Descriptions
Shepard's Talents
Spectre Training - Elite agents of the Council the Spectres have access to special training unavailable elsewhere in the galaxy. Increases health, accuracy and the effectiveness of all attacks and powers.
Biotics
Barrier - Bolsters your kinetic shields with a mass effect field that can absorb a massive amount of damage. Attacks that penetrate the shields also penetrate this barrier.
Lift - Projects a sphere of powerful contra-gravity. Any object or creature struck is lifted into the air Enemies are temporarily immoblized untill they fall back to the ground.
Throw - Projects a mass effect field powerful enough to hurl objects and enemies out of the way.
Singularity - Projects a sphere of dark energy that creates an intense mass effect field. nearby enemies and objects are drawn into the singularity unable to escape its gravitational pull.
Stasis - Creates a powerful mass effect field that immobilizes a single target.
Warp - Projects a powerful mass effect field that wreaks havoc on a subatomic level. It weakens armor and inflicts damage over time on enemies.
Combat
Assault Training - Increases melee and weapon damage, also grants Adrenaline Burst talent.
Armor - Enables use of better armor, increases damage protection in battle.
Assault Rifles - Increases accuracy and damage with assault rifles.
Pistols - Increases accuracy and damage with pistols.
Shotguns - Increases accuracy and damage with Shotguns.
Sniper Rifles - Increases accuracy and damage with Sniper Rifles.
Fitness - Increases health and grants the invaluable immunity ability.
Tech
Damping - Increases the explosion radius on your tech proximity units. Use damping to shut down your enemies’ tech and biotic abilities.
Decryption - Allows you to open secure containers increases tech mine explosion damage and grants Sabotage talent.
Sabotage - Overheats enemy’s weapon so they cannot fire, and burns them for damage over time.
Electronics - Increases the strength of your shields and lets you use the electronics skill to repair or bypass objects.
Hacking - Recharges your tech proximity mines more quickly and grants AI hacking ability.
First Aid - Increases squad healing by improving the effectiveness of the medigel.
Medicine - Improves the recharge time of squad healing and grants the neural shock ability that devastates organic enemies.
Class Talents
Soldier - Front line warriors that are trained to withstand the physical punishment that comes with combat. Increases health at higher levels and gives limited health regeneration.
Engineer - Tech specialists can use innovative tricks to get the most out of every resource.
Adept - Focuses training to optimize their abilities.
Infiltrator - Increases damage done by tech mines and reduces overheating on sniper and pistols.
Sentinel - Increases damage and accuracy with a pistol and grants marksman ability.
Vanguard - Can use abilities to counter enemy biotic attacks and get into short range positions Increases biotic resistance and damage with shotguns and pistols.
Spectre Training - Elite agents of the Council the Spectres have access to special training unavailable elsewhere in the galaxy. Increases health, accuracy and the effectiveness of all attacks and powers.
Biotics
Barrier - Bolsters your kinetic shields with a mass effect field that can absorb a massive amount of damage. Attacks that penetrate the shields also penetrate this barrier.
Lift - Projects a sphere of powerful contra-gravity. Any object or creature struck is lifted into the air Enemies are temporarily immoblized untill they fall back to the ground.
Throw - Projects a mass effect field powerful enough to hurl objects and enemies out of the way.
Singularity - Projects a sphere of dark energy that creates an intense mass effect field. nearby enemies and objects are drawn into the singularity unable to escape its gravitational pull.
Stasis - Creates a powerful mass effect field that immobilizes a single target.
Warp - Projects a powerful mass effect field that wreaks havoc on a subatomic level. It weakens armor and inflicts damage over time on enemies.
Combat
Assault Training - Increases melee and weapon damage, also grants Adrenaline Burst talent.
Armor - Enables use of better armor, increases damage protection in battle.
Assault Rifles - Increases accuracy and damage with assault rifles.
Pistols - Increases accuracy and damage with pistols.
Shotguns - Increases accuracy and damage with Shotguns.
Sniper Rifles - Increases accuracy and damage with Sniper Rifles.
Fitness - Increases health and grants the invaluable immunity ability.
Tech
Damping - Increases the explosion radius on your tech proximity units. Use damping to shut down your enemies’ tech and biotic abilities.
Decryption - Allows you to open secure containers increases tech mine explosion damage and grants Sabotage talent.
Sabotage - Overheats enemy’s weapon so they cannot fire, and burns them for damage over time.
Electronics - Increases the strength of your shields and lets you use the electronics skill to repair or bypass objects.
Hacking - Recharges your tech proximity mines more quickly and grants AI hacking ability.
First Aid - Increases squad healing by improving the effectiveness of the medigel.
Medicine - Improves the recharge time of squad healing and grants the neural shock ability that devastates organic enemies.
Class Talents
Soldier - Front line warriors that are trained to withstand the physical punishment that comes with combat. Increases health at higher levels and gives limited health regeneration.
Engineer - Tech specialists can use innovative tricks to get the most out of every resource.
Adept - Focuses training to optimize their abilities.
Infiltrator - Increases damage done by tech mines and reduces overheating on sniper and pistols.
Sentinel - Increases damage and accuracy with a pistol and grants marksman ability.
Vanguard - Can use abilities to counter enemy biotic attacks and get into short range positions Increases biotic resistance and damage with shotguns and pistols.
Specialization/Prestige Classes
Commando - Soldier or Infiltrator
Operative - Infiltrator or Engineer
Medic - Engineer or Sentinel
Bastion - Sentinel or Adept
Nemesis - Adept or Vanguard
Shock Trooper - Vanguard or Soldier
Commando - Commandos rely on lethal efficiency and precision strikes rather then brute force to eliminate their opponents. Overall, their Specialization increases damage inflicted with all weapons and specifically improves their most lethal talents including Immunity, Marksman, and Assassination
Operative - Operatives are masters at manipulating their environment to maximum advantages. Overall, operatives have access to significantly reduced recharge times for all tech attacks and specific improvements to both Overload and Sabotage talents
Medic - Medics combine tech and healing abilities to boost the efficiency of the entire squad. Overall, medic specialization improves the recharge time on all medical abilities and specifically the first aid and neural shock talents.
Bastion - Bastions use Biotics for defense or for opponent immobilization. Overall, ranking up reduces the recharge times for all biotic abilities and specifically improves Barrier and Stasis talents
Nemesis - The Nemesis is a biotic specialist who uses mass effect fields to inflict heavy damage against opponents. Overall a nemesis specialist has access to significantly increased duration and damage to all biotic abilities and specifically improves both Warp and Lift Talents
Shock Trooper - Shock troopers are highly trained killing machines; they excel in all combat situations. Overall their increased health and damage protection can turn them from strong soldiers into formidable tanks with specific improvements to Immunity (for Soldier class or Barrier for Vanguard Class) and Adrenaline burst abilities.
Operative - Infiltrator or Engineer
Medic - Engineer or Sentinel
Bastion - Sentinel or Adept
Nemesis - Adept or Vanguard
Shock Trooper - Vanguard or Soldier
Commando - Commandos rely on lethal efficiency and precision strikes rather then brute force to eliminate their opponents. Overall, their Specialization increases damage inflicted with all weapons and specifically improves their most lethal talents including Immunity, Marksman, and Assassination
Operative - Operatives are masters at manipulating their environment to maximum advantages. Overall, operatives have access to significantly reduced recharge times for all tech attacks and specific improvements to both Overload and Sabotage talents
Medic - Medics combine tech and healing abilities to boost the efficiency of the entire squad. Overall, medic specialization improves the recharge time on all medical abilities and specifically the first aid and neural shock talents.
Bastion - Bastions use Biotics for defense or for opponent immobilization. Overall, ranking up reduces the recharge times for all biotic abilities and specifically improves Barrier and Stasis talents
Nemesis - The Nemesis is a biotic specialist who uses mass effect fields to inflict heavy damage against opponents. Overall a nemesis specialist has access to significantly increased duration and damage to all biotic abilities and specifically improves both Warp and Lift Talents
Shock Trooper - Shock troopers are highly trained killing machines; they excel in all combat situations. Overall their increased health and damage protection can turn them from strong soldiers into formidable tanks with specific improvements to Immunity (for Soldier class or Barrier for Vanguard Class) and Adrenaline burst abilities.
Talent point distribution / Alignment Bonuses
Level 1-5 Shep earns 3 points per level squad earns 2 points per level gained
Level 6-20 Shep and squad earns 2 points each level
Level 21-35 Shep earns 2 points squad earns 1 point each
Level 36-60 Shep and squad earn 1 point per level
The next part is what happens when you fill up the paragon/renegade bars....
Paragon Level bonuses
5% - Opens 2 charm ranks gives 1 free charm point
25% - Opens 2 charm rank gives 1 charm point 10% first aid cooldown
50% - 10% Bonus health
75% - Achievement Paragon opens 2 charm rank, 1 free point and 5% Shorter cooldown on all powers.
Renegade Level Bonuses
5% - Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point
25% - Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point, 10% weapon powers cooldown
50% - 1 health regeneration per second
75% - Achievement Renegade Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point, 5% damage/duration on all weapons and powers
Level 6-20 Shep and squad earns 2 points each level
Level 21-35 Shep earns 2 points squad earns 1 point each
Level 36-60 Shep and squad earn 1 point per level
The next part is what happens when you fill up the paragon/renegade bars....
Paragon Level bonuses
5% - Opens 2 charm ranks gives 1 free charm point
25% - Opens 2 charm rank gives 1 charm point 10% first aid cooldown
50% - 10% Bonus health
75% - Achievement Paragon opens 2 charm rank, 1 free point and 5% Shorter cooldown on all powers.
Renegade Level Bonuses
5% - Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point
25% - Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point, 10% weapon powers cooldown
50% - 1 health regeneration per second
75% - Achievement Renegade Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point, 5% damage/duration on all weapons and powers
Where have you been?
During character creation, not only will you be choosing how you look and picking your class, you will also be selecting Shepard's background. There are two selections to be made from six different options:
Pre-service History
Everyone came from somewhere. How Shepard grew up and decided to go into the military are chosen here.
Psych Profile
Not everyone thinks the same way. Not everyone's experiences in the military will be the same. How life has shaped your mind and reputation are chosen under your psych profile.
But these aren't arbitrary choices. Depending on what you choose, NPCs will react differently to you. Some may consider an Earthborn and their family to be cowards as they didn't take off into space the rest of humanity. Others may respect it.
Because of the different ways your Shepard will be reacted to, your choices will also cut off some quest lines, but they will also open up others.
Your choices here will never restrict you in your choices later in the game, but these two options will make up your reputation based on actions and accomplishments that occurred before the events of the game.
Too many people died here, Fist. You don't get to walk away.
Tired of selecting clear-cut and simple dialogue options from a list?
Well, you're in luck! With Mass Effect, BioWare is introducing a new dialogue system that features characters that actually interact with one another.
The options are short and very to the point. They aren't supposed to get across the whole message, but rather a thought or feeling. A very base reaction to what's happening or what was just said. Once an option is selected, your character acts on their own and the selection of a very simple option can lead to interesting and diverse interactions between characters.
Interrogating Fist
Wrex Confrontation
I'm going to be evil!
Sorry, but you can't really. You'll always be working towards a greater good. The "bad" options aren't unrepentant evil so much as ruthless. You can be... good bad, though.
The alignment system here isn't quite the same as we've seen in KOTOR and Jade Empire.
As you can see, there are two meters there around Shepard's head. One labeled Paragon and another Renegade.
As you do kind or compassionate acts, you fill up your Paragon meter. Act ruthlessly and uncompromisingly, you fill up your Renegade meter. This is different than KOTOR and JE as you can never empty either meter. You're building a reputation for yourself, not your character's alignment.
People won't automatically forget your bad deeds because you helped someone out enough to go back to the light side, as it were. You can never get rid of your past.
So I hear the game is big.
You heard right! The game has over 300 locations to explore, ranging from so large you'll need your tank, the Mako, the get around to very small and little larger than a room.
On the Normandy, you'll be able to use the galaxy map.
You may notice several points on the map. Those are sectors you can go to. The interesting thing? That's not the extent of the galaxy map. You'll be able to zoom in to each one, look at individual star systems, and even take a close look at individual planets. Knights of the Old Republic this is not.
As for gameplay length, BioWare is talking about 20-30 hours for the main storyline and around 70-80 hours of total gameplay when you include all the optional content. Most people are getting to that lofty total by playing the game through twice, often using the New Game+ function
Did you say New Game+?
That’s right. After completing the game once, you can start a new game using your existing character. You keep the same level, class, weapons, armour and Talent Point distribution, but your Paragon/Renegade meters are reset. New Game+ is pretty much the only way to attain levels 50-60, and there are even Achievements for doing so.
I read it's like Diablo 2 with guns in another thread.
Yes, you did, but that's not quite right.
It plays much like a tactical third-person shooter, though your stats will affect your performance in combat.
Combat itself takes place in a third-person, over-the-shoulder camera view, but you have the ability to free aim. There is also supposed to be the option for more helpful auto-aiming to help out those that aren't shooter fans. You will also find that there is a very familiar cover system like you may have seen in Gears of War.
During combat, you'll also have control over your two squadmates. At any time, you can order them to move to any location with a quick press of the D-pad or you'll be able to use the radial interface, which pauses the game and gives you complete and total control of all of your squadmates' targets and the abilities they use.
With these options, you'll have the ability to let the AI handle everything, or you'll have the option to completely micromanage your entire squad in combat. You will not, however, be able to switch over to control any member of your squad. You are always Shepard.
Most videos that show the combat look slow and awkward, but that's because they've been trying to take it slow in the videos to show how everything works. When played more quickly, it's very smooth and nice.
Soldier Combat Scenario
Adept Combat Scenario
Vanguard Combat Scenario
Normandy with no paratroopers? What about beaches?
This is the Normandy, your ship. It's the most advanced starship in the galaxy and, though built by humanity, was partially funded by the Citadel Council. It's a stealth ship about the size of a 747 and has been likened to a submarine by BioWare.
You will never directly pilot the Normandy, but it is how you will travel between locations in space.
Introducing the Mako.
Say hello to the Mako, your heavily armed and armored all-terrain APC.
The Mako will be your primary form of transportation in large open areas, too large to traverse quickly on foot and too dangerous to cross unprotected. It will also be one method of insertion into hostile areas for you. Once the Mako is loaded with personnel, the SSV Normandy can fly at relatively low altitude and drop the Mako out the back, exposing the Normandy to low levels of risk and quickly inserting the marine strike team into hostile territory.
It sports two weapons: a large turret mounted cannon and a coaxial machinegun. Using these weapons, you'll be able to shoot things.
In addition to its weaponry, the Mako is equipped with top and bottom mounted thrusters, which can be used to slow its descent during free fall, right itself if flipped, and even be used to hop while on the ground to avoid enemy fire.
But this isn't another turret mini-game like in KotOR or a schmup mini-game like in Jade Empire. No, this time, you'll have full control over your driving and shooting and you'll be able to traverse a variety of terrain.
What does "Mass Effect" actually mean?
All of the most advanced technology in the Mass Effect universe is based off one thing and only one thing: the manipulation of dark energy.
When you manipulate dark energy in the proper way, you create a mass effect field.
Inside a mass effect field, the laws of physics and the way they interact with mass can be bent, changed, and outright broken. This allows for a colossal starship to be exempt from normal physical laws and quite easily propelled faster than light.
This is what we learned from the Protheans, and being the basis of most technology in the universe, is where the game gets its name.
How do biotics fit in?
A biotic is a person born with the innate ability to feel the presence of dark energy. With proper training, it can even be done consciously.
If someone with this ability is found, through extensive surgery, they can be fitted with implants that interface into their nervous system and, using their innate senses, allow them to manipulate dark energy and shape mass effect fields for a variety of effects that are deadly or, alternatively, beneficial to the recipient.
Wait, there's a book?
Yes, yes there is! It's a prequel novel filled with backstory and details on the rich Mass Effect universe. I'd recommend reading it if you have any interest in Mass Effect. It's not the best book ever written, but it's entertaining and it has guns and aliens and they fight and shoot at each other and stuff.
The game’s out now, right?
Yes indeed. The game has been in stores since late November.
The limited edition is, unfortunately, only available online.
Finally, The stupid 3-Panel Soul comic.
New thread, go!
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The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
Iron Weasel on
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I tried a vanguard and didn't like the lack of longrange capability, also, I gimped him a bit. Now I'm playing an infiltrator who is lots of fun. Babble at me about the classes you've tried, please.
My second playthrough was a Soldier, and I made use of the assault and sniper rifles (because I’d just done a run using pistols and shotguns). Soldiers are great because they are really tough to kill, but after a while it almost feels too easy. Immunity allows you to scorn your enemies’ fire and Overkill scythes them down like wheat.
Now I am playing an Engineer and I have to get used to being squishy again. I like Tech powers a lot, but I wonder if I should not have rolled an Infiltrator or Sentinel for a better mix of abilities. I suspect these concerns will disappear once I get AI Hacking.
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Sniper Rifles are really hard to use early on, but your aim will steady as you put points into the Talent. Also, weapon mods that increase stability will help, as will crouching.
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
They're easy to use. Throw on armour, assault rifle and shoot the crap out of the enemy. You hardly ever need skills to survive, so it's a good class for total n00bs like myself.
I don't get it.
Pokemon FC: 2749 7579 5931
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
I may have messed up that last one.
Stop being so defensive. You'd think you were the art director or something. It's not that similar on the whole, which is why that scene made me laugh instead of complain that it's a rip-off.
Since when do they do that? The geth are based off the quarians and are built pretty much the same except for their heads.
Just the soldiers.
It's kinda hard to tell from that picture, but the geth's legs work the same as the Elite's.
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
twit feed
Second play through as a renegade biotic nemesis with assault rifle achievement and I'm a killing machine. Although I can't afford to just run up and melee people like I did as a soldier.
P.S: right bumper=Mako cannon
P.S.S: Left Bumper to zoom, Press down on left analog stick for super zoom
How does noone in-game notice nor acknowledge that Saren has a some kind of horrible geth type arm instead of a normal turian arm?
endgame but still about the arm
I noticed that the first time you see him at the very beginning. Always looked funny to me.
In short, I dunno.
I've heard a lot of people are having disc read errors with this game. It's probably related to the fact that the drive is thrashing the entire time I'm playing. If you drive even has a chance at having a problem reading, it seems like Mass Effect would really test it.
Edit: Also, everyone else has problems with texture pop-in, right? It seems like my 360 has been getting sluggish for some reason. I'll go through half a long dialog with someone before their shirt/armor finally loads entirely.
In fact, given that even his buddy Nihlus doesn't seem surprised by Saren's implants, we can assume that he's had them for some time.
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
I've also noticed in the hologram of him you see in the first hearing looks like hes lacking those mechanical parts so its either a combat suit or he is hiding his true nature from the council
Not sure what you are talking about, please explain
In the unarmored concept art he has a normal arm, in the armored stuff he has a robotic looking one. It could be part of his armor to enhance biotics or something.
From what I can tell, you can only get this chat the first time you visit the Wards. Thereafter, an NPC will always be in that spot.
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
I get the disc read error with Rock Band too. Same MO though, play for about an hour or so, get error, reboot the game, and plays fine for the rest of the night. No clue what this says about my situation.
As regards texture pop, I noticed it a lot the first night I played, but didn't last night. Dunno whether it wasn't happening at all or just not as bad, but something was definately different. It probably bears mentioning that the first night I used the default video settings and last night I turned off the motion blur. Tonight I'm going to turn off the grainy-film effect (though it's kinda grown on me) and see how that looks. I understand that I was supposed to have this turned off the whole time.
twit feed
And yes, texture pop is part of the deal with ME, and not necessarily a sign that your Xbox is dying. It's better or worse in some scenes than in others, but it's definately there. It has to do with the Unreal 3 engine, apparently. I don't generally notice unless it's something hugely obvious (like the markings on the Turian Councilman's face), but for some people it's glaring.
The Division, Warframe (XB1)
GT: Tanith 6227
Look, this game was perfect combination of everything I loved from Wasteland/Fallout (the writing and unanticipated cool details) and Starflight (uncharted worlds, resource gathering), with a nice helping of extra awesome in the graphics, combat, music, characters, and story. For the first six or seven hours, I was a little dubious. After that, I was just hooked.
I loved all of the side-quests. Every single one. I started to think of them like episodes in a good sci-fi television show: Enter a system to begin a routine survey, receive a call from the best admiral ever, and go investigate.
The musical score is excellent. It reminded me of the music from Privateer and clearly evoked the unknown, the crazy, dangerous, and lonely universe.
Playing through for the second time now, I find it amazing to see how all the early nuances fit into the larger puzzle. Well done, Bioware. I want more.
was level 48 by the end of it
soldier, female, spacer, war hero was my picks
100 paragon points
0 renegade points
apparently that last bit is somewhat impressive
anyway i am not sure what to make for a second character
i am thinking male/earthborn/ruthless/adept
pick a skill: charm or intimidate
max this skill out
it unlocks so much.
I found it depends on what you plan to do. Are you going to play Hardcore / Insanity next? If so, I'd stick with the current character and try for lvl 60 over subsequent playthroughs. Also, soldier is way easier than the no armour biotic / etc bitches and makes the game a breeze. If you just want to play through on an easy difficulty, try out Biotic or Engineer (or hybrid of both in the Sentinel).
Earthborn/War Hero: A punk orphan that joined the military to escape poverty and crime and turns into a hero.
Colonist/Ruthless: After watching your parents die, your heart turns cold as you hunt down every bastard in the galaxy. The ends always justify the means.
Spacer/Sole Survivor: You join the alliance military due to a strong military tradition, but you're shaken to the core as you watch good, young soldiers get torn apart by thresher maws.
It adds a nice touch, and they all make sense.
My Shepard was actually modeled after the character face I used in both KOTOR games, and was I overall happy with it. The voice didn't match at first, but I got used to it. I picked infiltrator, and I have to say that anyone complaining about sniper rifles should stick with it. They get absurdly powerful and accurate once you get the skill built up and get a high ranked one. In particular, I ended the game with the Spectre rifle, two rail extensions, and the high-explosive ammo. My god, that thing is a monster. Sure, you only get one shot before overheating, but the explosive ammo is so insane that by that point I didn' even need to aim anymore. I could take out groups of regular enemies just by shooting near them.
A lot of people complained about the Mako/UCWs, but I have to say they didn't really bother me at all on this first playthrough. I can see how the sidequests would be boring on later plays, but I thought they were fine the first time around. I will say this though. WHY DON'T WE HAVE A HELICOPTER OR SOMETHING?! It doesn't have to be an actual helicopter, it could be some Mass Effect powered space thingy, but seriously, it would have been SO much easier on those planets with a flying vehicle. On one sidequest, I literally spent 10 minutes trying to get up to this one base on top of a mountain WITH NO PATH UP. I will give the Mako some credit though, it can drive up near-vertical walls. That's pretty impressive.
One last thing. I think Bioware should either REALLY flesh out the morality system in the game, or just drop it altogether. There was no real purpose to assigning point values to my actions, and in this game the Paragon and Renegade options were pretty much interchangable. Just let my choices and actions determine how "good" I am and how people respond.
Anyway, Mass Effect. A++, would play again.
Colonist and ruthless actually go together really well not just because of the ends justifying the means thing, but because of the events that actually got you the ruthless reputation.
A ruthless character slaughtered every slaver on Torfan and kept pushing forward no matter what the cost. They weren't just criminals or whatever, they were slavers. After seeing your entire family slaughtered by slavers, it might be something of an understandable reaction.
I played a colonist/ruthless infiltrator that was still mostly a paragon character and I think it still works well. A ruthless character doesn't necessarily have to be a means justify the ends type of person given what happened on Torfan.
(olol)
No, it's not.