Mass Effect 2
Moderator: Thanas
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White Haven
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Re: Mass Effect 2
And now my mind just played Molari's lines back in Sovereign's voice. Damn you, Bioware!
Out of Context Theatre, this week starring Darth Nostril.
-'If you really want to fuck with these idiots tell them that there is a vaccine for chemtrails.'
Fiction!: The Final War (Bolo/Lovecraft) (Ch 7 9/15/11), Living (D&D, Complete)
Re: Mass Effect 2
Is there a particular reason Bioware (and other companies) seem to stick to this character + 2 NPCs at any time rule? It can't be that hard to model weapons and characteristics for an entire squad - Call of Duty, Medal of Honor, and other FPS' manage to do it alright. Instead, for whatever stupid in game reason, everyone not in the active party just sits on the ship. I can just imagine that happening in real life:
Squad Leader on patrol in Afghanistan: "Perkins, Rodriguez, you're coming with me. Everyone else, sit tight here at base."
Rodriguez: "Sarge, you want to go on patrol in Afghanistan with three guys? There are hundreds of Taliban out there wanting to kill us. Isn't that a little... I don't know... stupid?"
Squad Leader: "Stuff it Rodriguez. I want to have sex with Jones when I get back, so I'm not risking getting him killed. Plus, I can't actually control more than two people in a firefight, so I'm just not going to take them."
Perkins: "Uh, Sarge... I think I have appendicitis and can't go..."
Squad Leader on patrol in Afghanistan: "Perkins, Rodriguez, you're coming with me. Everyone else, sit tight here at base."
Rodriguez: "Sarge, you want to go on patrol in Afghanistan with three guys? There are hundreds of Taliban out there wanting to kill us. Isn't that a little... I don't know... stupid?"
Squad Leader: "Stuff it Rodriguez. I want to have sex with Jones when I get back, so I'm not risking getting him killed. Plus, I can't actually control more than two people in a firefight, so I'm just not going to take them."
Perkins: "Uh, Sarge... I think I have appendicitis and can't go..."
In Brazil they say that Pele was the best, but Garrincha was better
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CaptHawkeye
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Re: Mass Effect 2
It's pretty funny that developers are still following archaic AI-micromanagement systems to this day. AI programming is hard, but it's interesting how developers KNOW when their AI is shit, so they force the player to wade his way through tons of annoying, unintuitive menus designed to hand hold the AI. Bioware could never do that for a squad-size unit without making the player shit his pants in frustration.
Best care anywhere.
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Starglider
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Re: Mass Effect 2
It was already annoying having your allies cluster around you and block your shots in Mass Effect 1. If you had the entire party there they would constantly be mobbing you and blocking your movement. It was bad enough having a squad of four in Half Life 2, which had less emphasis on taking cover and better AI.SancheztheWhaler wrote:Is there a particular reason Bioware (and other companies) seem to stick to this character + 2 NPCs at any time rule?
Rendering twice as many party members might not be a problem, but rendering twice as many enemies for them to shoot at would be. Also as you increase the number of NPCs, either you have a less decisive role in the battle or they are gimped into even greater uselessness (relative to the player character). Bioware don't seem prepared to accept the former, presumably because they think the game has to play like an FPS or contemporary gamers won't accept it.It can't be that hard to model weapons and characteristics for an entire squad - Call of Duty, Medal of Honor, and other FPS' manage to do it alright.
Re: Mass Effect 2
When you're rescuing characters you have an extra member on your team (I.e. Liara or that girl on Feros).
But yes, only having 2 makes no sense story wise or in-universe. I liked how you were recruiting this team to fight Saren, but only deploying 2 at a time.
But yes, only having 2 makes no sense story wise or in-universe. I liked how you were recruiting this team to fight Saren, but only deploying 2 at a time.
A scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the Earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the centre of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy.
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
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Ford Prefect
- Emperor's Hand
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Re: Mass Effect 2
While I can't remember if Liara is actually present in the boss battle after you rescue her, Lizbeth definitely isn't in your party, so to speak. She says 'I'm coming with you', disappears, then jumps out of the Mako when you get back to the way station. I finished Feros about an hour ago. I'm actually surprised at the rate at which I'm powering through the game. Though this is a second playthrough and my character is way more tanky than is necessary, I completed Therum and every assignment available at that point in about ten hours. I may in fact be able to complete a second character with a different spread of major decisions etc by the time ME2 comes out.
What is Project Zohar?
Here's to a certain mostly harmless nutcase.
Here's to a certain mostly harmless nutcase.
Re: Mass Effect 2
It only takes 8 hours to complete the game with enough quests (70% I believe) finished to trigger the teammate achievements.
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Ford Prefect
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Re: Mass Effect 2
Do you have a turbo button on your controller or something? 
What is Project Zohar?
Here's to a certain mostly harmless nutcase.
Here's to a certain mostly harmless nutcase.
Re: Mass Effect 2
The playthrough I'm transferring to ME2 took about 14 hours, but I finished every side quest I could find and dicked around a bit. Only died twice, too. One of those times was on Feros driving the Mako, I flipped on some tiny piece of debris and went over the side of the sky bridge.
A scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the Earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the centre of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy.
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
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Ford Prefect
- Emperor's Hand
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- Joined: 2005-05-16 04:08am
- Location: The real number domain
Re: Mass Effect 2
Even fourteen hours seems implausibly fast; maybe I'm just really slow?
What is Project Zohar?
Here's to a certain mostly harmless nutcase.
Here's to a certain mostly harmless nutcase.
Re: Mass Effect 2
Skipping every bit of thrilling dialogue is key.Ford Prefect wrote:Do you have a turbo button on your controller or something?
Re: Mass Effect 2
I doubt it. My first playthrough was pushing 20, but you get better at investing into your skills and killing things faster. You skip through dialogue all the time because you know what they're all going to say. You don't have to search around in fetch quests because you know where it all is.
Near the end on the Citadel, a Geth Shocktrooper took 3-4 rounds from my assault rifle to go from full health and shields to dead. Soldier + Max AR skill + Commando specialization + Spectre Master Gear + Tungsten rounds + scram rails.
You can just blow through the enemies at high levels.
Near the end on the Citadel, a Geth Shocktrooper took 3-4 rounds from my assault rifle to go from full health and shields to dead. Soldier + Max AR skill + Commando specialization + Spectre Master Gear + Tungsten rounds + scram rails.
You can just blow through the enemies at high levels.
A scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the Earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the centre of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy.
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
Re: Mass Effect 2
Do you know if ME2 is going to have leveled weapon and ammo mods? Near the end of my first playthrough I sold all of my tungsten and shredder rounds, expecting to find level X versions of them on my second one.
Re: Mass Effect 2
God I did the same thing and it drove me crazy when there weren't any more. I only had 1 of each left in the end.
ME2 doesn't have "levels" of it's weapons. Every weapon exists in one variant only, and the stat boosts come from various attachments and add-ons. You get Mr Mordin to research new projects to boost damage and get better mods etc using minerals and materials you obtain by surveying worlds for them and mining asteroids and stuff.
Unsure if Ammo mods still have levels or not.
ME2 doesn't have "levels" of it's weapons. Every weapon exists in one variant only, and the stat boosts come from various attachments and add-ons. You get Mr Mordin to research new projects to boost damage and get better mods etc using minerals and materials you obtain by surveying worlds for them and mining asteroids and stuff.
Unsure if Ammo mods still have levels or not.
A scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the Earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the centre of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy.
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
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Ritterin Sophia
- Sith Acolyte
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Re: Mass Effect 2
I just want to let Strak you all know that I sold out, I preordered ME2 from gamestop for the GrimDark Armor and Blackhole gun. 
A Certain Clique, HAB, The Chroniclers
Re: Mass Effect 2
I did from EB in Australia, similar promotion (since GS doesn't exist in Australia).
A scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the Earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the centre of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy.
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
Re: Mass Effect 2
Don't feel bad. I almost did the same think the other night when I picked up Borderlands.General Schatten wrote:I just want to let Strak you all know that I sold out, I preordered ME2 from gamestop for the GrimDark Armor and Blackhole gun.
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.
Hit it.
Blank Yellow (NSFW)
Hit it.
Blank Yellow (NSFW)
"Mostly Harmless Nutcase"
Re: Mass Effect 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fQwgzYQ7Vc
An entire thread sprung up about Mordin smiling for 1 second in that video, 30 pages long, on the ME forums. It's also the only thread that didn't degenerate into a political or religious flame war.
Also, I can't believe they called themselves SyFy.
An entire thread sprung up about Mordin smiling for 1 second in that video, 30 pages long, on the ME forums. It's also the only thread that didn't degenerate into a political or religious flame war.
Also, I can't believe they called themselves SyFy.
A scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the Earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the centre of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy.
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
Re: Mass Effect 2
It's doubly hilarious when you're from Eastern Europeadam_grif wrote: Also, I can't believe they called themselves SyFy.
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.
- NEIL ARMSTRONG, MISSION COMMANDER, APOLLO 11
Signature dedicated to the greatest achievement of mankind.
MILDLY DERANGED PHYSICIST does not mind BREAKING the SOUND BARRIER, because it is INSURED. - Simon_Jester considering the problems of hypersonic flight for Team L.A.M.E.
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Kane Starkiller
- Jedi Council Member
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Re: Mass Effect 2
I like how Altair Thane gently lays down his victims and prays over them. Here is hoping the final character will be more original since Bioware made so much fuss over him.
But if the forces of evil should rise again, to cast a shadow on the heart of the city.
Call me. -Batman
Call me. -Batman
Re: Mass Effect 2
Explain please.PeZook wrote:It's doubly hilarious when you're from Eastern Europeadam_grif wrote: Also, I can't believe they called themselves SyFy.
Chances are slim. Sounds like a pretty standard character so far. If he had a sniper rifle he'd be Daniel Jackson from Saving Private Ryan gone mercenary.Kane Starkiller wrote:I like how Altair Thane gently lays down his victims and prays over them. Here is hoping the final character will be more original since Bioware made so much fuss over him.
A scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the Earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the centre of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy.
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
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Ford Prefect
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 8254
- Joined: 2005-05-16 04:08am
- Location: The real number domain
Re: Mass Effect 2
Don't be daft. Altair never prayed for the people he killed. Ezio did because he was taught to respect the dead, regardless of who they were, but that's not what Thane is doing when he prays over Nassana's corpse. He prays for himself, not others. I will admit that it is aestheticaly familiar, but judging purely on aesthetics is pretty stupid. I may only be saying this because of my gigantic man crush on Thane.Kane Starkiller wrote:I like how Altair Thane gently lays down his victims and prays over them. Here is hoping the final character will be more original since Bioware made so much fuss over him.
What is Project Zohar?
Here's to a certain mostly harmless nutcase.
Here's to a certain mostly harmless nutcase.
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Manus Celer Dei
- Jedi Master
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Re: Mass Effect 2
Syfy is polish for syphilis.adam_grif wrote:Explain please.PeZook wrote:It's doubly hilarious when you're from Eastern Europeadam_grif wrote: Also, I can't believe they called themselves SyFy.
"We will build cities in a day!"
"Man would cower at the sight!"
"We will build towers to the heavens!"
"Man was not built for such a height!"
"We will be heroes!"
"We will BUILD heroes!"
[/size][/i]Re: Mass Effect 2
Ouch.
A scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the Earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the centre of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy.
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: 'What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.
The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, 'What is the tortoise standing on?'
'You're very clever, young man, very clever,' said the old lady. 'But it's turtles all the way down.'
Re: Mass Effect 2
Worse. Syfy is plural, and it can mean:Manus Celer Dei wrote:Syfy is polish for syphilis.adam_grif wrote: Explain please.
A) Something nasty or gross, in the context of a mess
B) People infected with syphillis (rarely)
C) Particularly nasty zits
Variations on the word are syfny (Bad, crappy, of shoddy workmanship), syfiarz (a nasty, messy, unkempt person. Alternatively, a homeless man who digs in trash), syf (nasty mess or just syphillis).
The name is brilliant, I tell you. Perfect bit of trivia to get people to laugh at a party
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.
- NEIL ARMSTRONG, MISSION COMMANDER, APOLLO 11
Signature dedicated to the greatest achievement of mankind.
MILDLY DERANGED PHYSICIST does not mind BREAKING the SOUND BARRIER, because it is INSURED. - Simon_Jester considering the problems of hypersonic flight for Team L.A.M.E.