Mass Effect

[Datadog]

Gack... Mass Effect... too big... so many side-quests... can't... stop... playing...

On the plus side, I'm already 80% paragon.

I gotta try this out again after I'm done and go for total renegade.

It's been brought up often enough on this board, so we might as well open a discussion thread for it if anyone's interested.

[Tawmis]

Best game of the year, so far. Hands down. Glad you gave it a swing. It's SO fun.

[DeadPoolX]

Best game of the year, so far. Hands down. Glad you gave it a swing. It's SO fun.

So far, my vote for "best game of the year" goes to Fallout 3. I can't stop playing it!

[AndreaDraco]

And I can't wait to have it!

[HarroSIN]

Mass Effect is probably the best mixed-genre game I've played in a long time (action, roleplaying, and shooter). I just finished the main quest a few weeks ago, but judging from all the planets I have yet to explore, I expect to have a lot more to do!

[Datadog]

I was up until 1:30 last night just trying to finish all the side-quests before I moved on with the main story. I think I've gotten everything out of the way and I've gotten many needed upgrades, but it's look like there's a couple of quests I won't be able to finish because one of them involves talking to a character who's dead, and the other won't let me back on the Protheon Skyway to recover the data disk.

[QuestCollector]

Mass Effect is by FAR my favorite Xbox 360 game! I accomplished the game in about 10 days. I did so much that I even unlocked the scholar and completionist achievement awards. I myself went the paragon track and it was awesome. The game just got better as it went on and the soundtrack I believe is the best to date (360)

[Tawmis]

So you bought the soundtrack as well? Funny I was just listening to it today...

[Datadog]

Ah, finished it last night. Very satisfying.

I've already beaten the game as the charismatic paragon saint, John Shepard, so now I'm taking a crack at it as the threateningly foul-mouthed renegade racist, Jane Shepard.

It's funny how being bad guy makes the game go flying by.

[Tawmis]

Don't forget to try the different classes...

[Datadog]

Just finished it on Renegade.

I love how even if you make one psychotic decision after another, everyone will justify your actions and say things like "I'm sure you did your best" or "I trust your judgment." Even if it involves executing unarmed people who just surrendered, it "needed to be done."

[Tawmis]

Just finished it on Renegade.

I love how even if you make one psychotic decision after another, everyone will justify your actions and say things like "I'm sure you did your best" or "I trust your judgment." Even if it involves executing unarmed people who just surrendered, it "needed to be done."

Did you use your same character (you know you can, even if you beat the game, go back in with the same character, same level, etc) - or did you make a new toon? Did you try any of the other classes?

[Datadog]

I didn't know you could re-use characters, but leveling up doesn't take that long if you catch all the side-quests. I was a soldier both times because that better fits my preferred style of gameplay. I just pump all my XP into assault rifles, armor, and combat training and I'm set for the whole game.

Do the missions change if you play as different classes?

[Tawmis]

I didn't know you could re-use characters, but leveling up doesn't take that long if you catch all the side-quests. I was a soldier both times because that better fits my preferred style of gameplay. I just pump all my XP into assault rifles, armor, and combat training and I'm set for the whole game.

Do the missions change if you play as different classes?

No, it's just like QFG. You just handle things differently depending on the class you pick.

[DeadPoolX]

Here's a small update: Mass Effect (and other EA games, like Spore) are available on Steam without any crazy DRM. You'll need Steam to play the games, but at least there are no activation limits.

BioShock is available on Steam, but BioShock's DRM was removed a little while ago. Hopefully Dragon Age will be on there since it's likely that EA will place DRM on it, too. BioWare apparently has very little say in the matter.

Many other games are on Steam, as well. Practically every genre is represented, including Adventure Games. Yes, I mean real point-and-click Adventure Games (although some of the Action-Adventure variety are present, as well).

Steam is free to download and use. The games, however, cost. Usually the prices on Steam are less than what they would be in stores. The reason for this is that Steam bypasses any physical packaging and limits incidents of piracy by attaching purchases to individual accounts.