Mass Effect 2 - Page 3

yummy.

Links to all the class videos

Sentinel

Vanguard

Soldier

Infiltrator

Engineer

Adept

I'm really excited about this game, put in the first one and I've been playing it over the past few days, first time in 3 years, I really like the changes that I've read about.

Can't wait to play!

Anyone notice the ammo counter in the 'soldier' class video? What's with that?

I remember reading an article in OXM (Official Xbox Magazine) some number of months ago where they either confirmed or dispelled various rumors surrounding the game. If I recall correctly, this game is indeed getting a large helping of "suck" added along with a bunch of cool stuff.

How does that apply to his post?

Err, sorry if I wasn't clear... Most people would consider going from an infinite ammo system to a finite/limited ammo system something of a downgrade, i.e. an additional headache that isn't necessarily welcome in a sequel. So I guess the short answer is that the reason why there's an ammo counter is because there's no longer infinite ammo. But as I said, I dimly recall that my impression was that it wasn't the only thing that changed "not necessarily for the better" between the two...

With the good come the bad as well. Happens far too much with sequels. "Oh this needs to be improved....and this and this needs to be different" Blah blah. Argh. I hope they didn't change the soundtrack too much. I really like the music in the first one.

Some weapons had ammo, some didn't so who knows how that works?

If you preorder from gamestop, they give you a badass weapon with the armor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDwKH-n8RHs

Hope EA doesn't *** it up. *fingers crossed*

It may be that the new Heavy weapons (rocket launcher, etc) have finite ammo clips. Otherwise you could carpet bomb the entire battlefield.

Originally, that is what I thought but I noticed the counter on many other weapons which included what looked like a regular assault rifle.

I looked up the wiki for ME2 and there is an ammo system with "thermal clips".

This is what is listed: An ammo system based on 'thermal clips'. Instead of cooling down automatically, weapons dissipate heat into thermal clips, that can only withstand a certain number of shots before they must be replaced or 'reloaded'. Replacement thermal clips can be collected off of the bodies of defeated enemies. These thermal clips are universal and can be used in any weapon.

Sounds like a step backwards in the Mass Effect universe of tech to me. Another needless change, imo.

http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect_2

Too me the limited ammo is an improvement.

I don't see a problem with it, as long as the clips are readily available.

HUH, it's bioware.... i know EA owns it but bioware is doing what they want it will be fine.

they decided to use a clip instead of keeping the weapon overheat system. must have done some research and found this to be better.

i really liked the lore and mechanics of the last system, but im fine with this.

Just epic. Can't wait until next week.

Hmm, if I recall correctly, weapon upgrades transfer from part 1 to part 2. My Assualt Rifle was upgraded to the point that I could hold down the fire button and the heat would never make it past the first or second notch, so it's impossible for it to overheat - can't even come close to it. The aiming reticule was also the size of a pin, so the accuracy was essentially maxed.

This should eliminate the need for me to have to replace "thermal clips" when using the Assault Rifle.....unless they changed their mind on transferring weapon upgrades.

Yeah, I get the feeling this is gonna be one long, very interesting adventure, and even better than the first. What's makes it so much more special is bringing back my own customized Shephard, and continuing the quest!

I think there are bonuses for being a higher level or being a Paragon/Renegade at the end, but I am not sure there will be a 1 to 1 transfer of skills from ME1 to ME2.

From what I've read, only your looks and paragon level transfers if you import into Mass Effect 2 (and your looks can be changed... as well as your class). You're also supposed to get an XP boost right from the start.

You will have to choose a class again and I'm sure that since that happens, your weapons and previous skills will not transfer. They changed the skills around for each class... so it wouldn't make sense to have your skills import into this game (since a skill you may have had, may not be available in Mass Effect 2).

What I'm curious about, is how much of an XP boost we will get right from the start. Or if XP is based on your previous level. It's pretty cool though that they're doing it this way to sort of tie your character into multiple games. I only wish I would have remembered what my old character looked like and what class she was .

I guess you haven't played Dragon Age: Origins?

I really hope Bioware wasn't behind the idea to stick a salesman in the middle of the party's camp. Or to stick the game's only item container in a piece of DLC that even people who bought the game new have to pay for. Those were my two biggest annoyances in DA:O.

EA is slimy.

How do you know EA had anything to do with it? I'm betting Bioware is practicing their "charge you for everything" model for their new MMO.

Because BioWare never did anything like that before, and EA has. Remember them charging for weapon skins in Dead Space? Or this:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6189011.html

Or this:

http://www.ea.com/news/dr-pepper-pre...adable-content

They are the kings of nickel-and-diming their customers with trivial DLC.

Unfortunately, it does not appear that they will be transfering skills or weapons to the next game. There are certain choices that you can make in ME1 that will affect how your ME2 story unfolds, I've read. Paragon/Renegade transfers a little bit. I think it is just a boost of some kind. Like others mentioned, they changed the skills in the game and there will be no transfer of those but if you beat the game at lvl 60 you are supposed to get some kind of perk. Not sure what that is yet...

Comes out soon. Not looking forward to some of the changes but I am sure it will still be a gripping story which I will enjoy.

Xbox Magazine has an exclusive hands on review and gave it a 9.5. They said that by importing your character you will get more experience to start so you can select more skills, etc. You also are not locked into that class. For example if you import a Sniper, you get more experience to start and to customize but you can then make that character an Adapt instead. Its completely open when it starts, but you just get a bonus for importing. Plus, ALL your decisions in the first one will be reflected somehow in the game, even how you treated the guy who wanted your autograph, planet exploration, etc. They were blown away by this.

Weapon customization is through a workshop on the ship where you can do a lot more customization with things you find in the game and minerals, etc. from mining (see below).

The negatives where the fact you will have to swap DVDs in and out, even if you install it on your hard drive because the game is so big. Extremely long loading times (broken up by wire frame drawings on the screen). And the biggest negative was that you HAVE to mine planets for minerals, etc. You can run out of fuel in your ship while mining, which means you have to use your minerals you find for fuel instead of something else so you have to be careful. They said the whole process of mining a planet is so boring it sucks the fun out of the game at times. They say you still will only use 2 or 3 weapons in the game and there is no vaerity in weapon types (i.e. pistol, sniper rifle, etc.) but that you can customize that weapon more.

Bioware's Casey Hudson gave some insight about character importation during an interview at GiantBomb starting around 15:05. It's a good listen so check it out if you're interested. I was glad to learn you'll be able to continue from any of your playthroughs. ME2 will give you a run down of how you left your universe after each completion and you'll be able to pick your preferred scenario.

I might give Mass Effect another run this weekend. Anyone else planning to do the same?

IGN has a couple of videos up this week that I did not see posted.

Tour of the upgraded Normandy.

A video on how the Import process works. Some spoilers for Mass Effect 1.

I don't understand why they couldn't work around this. It should let you install all the discs. Then it should only have to check the first disc to authenticate that you have a physical copy. If they didn't take advantage of that, then they're lazy or sloppy.

Only keeping the first disc in the tray does make sense. The disc-swap thing might be a limitation of the 360's firmware?