*SPOILERS*

@hahnchen:
No difficult choices? I don't know about you, but I'd kept up with all of my team members and cared about them all, so when the time came to choose between two of them, I actually sat there for five minutes debating which one to go with.
Aside from that, the relationship development was interesting. I also had to debate over which way I wanted to go with that, as well, especially with the repercussions of the prior decision to factor in.
And how about when the time comes to choose whether to kill Wrex or work it out? If you've ever chosen the "Shoot Wrex" choice, you know exactly how cold the murder is. You really don't think the fact that you're willing to shoot one of your team members isn't something that's going to circulate as part of your reputation?
And what about the Rachni queen? Did you let her live or did you commit genocide? You didn't debate about that in your mind at all? Are you at least a bit curious about the repercussions of those actions?
Your treatment of the situations on Noveria and Feros was also something to debate: easy and brutal, or calculating and civil? Your decisions regarding diplomacy and honesty regarding smuggling, or getting secrets out of people?
How about Bhatia's body? Did you let them do their research or get the body returned?
I could go on and on and on about the different moral decisions made in Mass Effect, but it obviously made no difference to you. You can't play a game like that and get the full experience without volunteering a proper level of emotional investment in the characters and the storyline. Yes, it was similar to KOTOR in many respects, but it's evolved quite a bit since then. I'd have a problem with it being Bioware's consistent style if it weren't so freaking excellent.

I am very, very much looking forward to Mass Effect 2 and seeing how my decisions in the first game affect how the second game works out. I'll only be disappointed if the repercussions of most of the decisions I've mentioned above aren't explored. It was a stunning landmark in storytelling for the industry, and number of sophomoric sex jokes being made in the comments for this post is disappointing considering the stunningly immense potential the sequel has.

Mujah

@v12qborony: I don't know what you were looking for - there are at least three or four major life or death decisions (I won't list them as some people may still not have played it - you should know them if you've played the game 4 times). The weapon upgrades fine - the cookie cutter side missions were a let down but they've recognised that.

No melee weapons or stealth killing please. How many enemies could you realistically sneak up on when your Mako has thrown up a cloud of moondust and you've blown up half a dozen rocket turrets. If you want to take them down quick and deadly, that's what a sniper rifle is for. Otherwise go play Splinter Cell or Hitman.

Infinitum

@Spectre_J:
I love how you dont address anything else I said. I get the cinematic my point is that I am almost positive they meant to make a game where you make serious decisions with serious consequences. But that never happens. Also why am I travelling across the galaxy to find weapon upgrades in downed probes, most of which I already had. The game was not that innovative, and I think we will see what we should have got for our $60 in #2. That said I played through the game 4 times will probably do a 5th

v12qborony

Honestly, the first game awed me a few times, so this isn't surprising. Hopefully they just fix all the problems (not just glitches, but design issues, too) and make more complex story webs (y'know, make more paths through the different episodes, more important decisions to make).

Spiffyness

The HDD thing is probably the biggest concern for me, it would make such a big difference.

As for it appearing on the PS3, well I really couldn't care if it does or not but Im sure if it's possible EA will be all over that. It just depends on the nature of the contract MS signed with Bioware prior.

Oh and I really didnt notice the squad AI was that bad, no where near as bad as GoW was, maybe it was because I controlled all the actions of my squad members like I would in any other RPG. I mean who the hell leaves them on auto??

H2oGatesy

I guess he's owns a copy of Peter Molyneux's book, How to Overhype Your Shitty Game in Such a Way that When it's Finally Released and Reviewed You Come Off Looking Like a Lying Cunt and Utterly Extirpate Whatever Credibility You Have So That No One Believes a Word You Say Again - At Least When You Are Speaking in Connection with One of Your Unreleased Games.

shikaningen

i'masoexcitedipukenow

Tarv

Shut up and release the next book, Bioware! Also some more DLC is fine too.

Demaar

THIS. GAME. WILL. BE. WIN.

PsycheDiver

I want a Volus squad member. Make it happen Bioware.

Nexus6

@ PaulHunter: Keep you're shirt on mate! I was just speculating on reasons why it may not happen. I hope you are right...

shab

All interplanetary travel will now be done with space elevators!

tk.

On the basis of the first game alone, they've already sold me on the next two without saying another word about them.

That being said I think the fears being thrown around here about Shepard not being the main character in the next two games is completely inconsistant with everything Bioware has said about the next two games.

Also remember that Obsidian, not Bioware, made KotoR II, producing, in story at least, a very different game then what Bioware probably would have made.

KevinSetzer

@shab: "overly keen on upseting MS by licensing to Sony" - what the heck is up with comments like these? EA is one of the most multi-platform companies in existence today, why wouldn't they want to expand their franchise to other consoles? The only reasons this game would remain an exclusive are:

a) Bioware signed into a multi-title agreement with Microsoft prior to EA's purchase. (possible)

b) EA for some ungodly reason doesn't have the internal resources to fund ports. (doubtful)

I'm not saying it's going multi-platform, I'm just saying it's completely within the realm of possibility.

PaulHunter

"I will tell you that things you did and people you interacted with in Mass Effect... you may very well meet up with them again, whether it be the main character or other characters."

So that's the big tease? We may see some repeat characters in ME 2?

This just in, Mass Effect 2 will take place on a space ship, that will likely visit OTHER WORLDS. Can you taste the EXCITEMENT?

I'm looking forward greatly to ME 2, but that might be the dumbest tease I have ever heard.

Slothboy

As i've said numerous times (too many to count in fact), i <3 ME. With that said, i concur with whomever above mentioned the MANDATORY HDD for ME2. I'm sick of the 15 Core/Arcade douchers who are killing the 360 for the rest of us. ME suffered from frame rate slow downs, texture pop-ins and repetitive environments... not to mention HORRIBLE Mako controls. Well that, and the side quests were rather pointless (keep in mind i played through the game twice and am debating a third). Here's to hoping for change...

UncleScrotar

I think that besides fixing all the graphical glitches they also need to work on the combat, squad AI, and of course the overall blandness of the game outside of the core story. I seem to have a perpetually frozen squad member that just stands around at load points doing nothing. They need to work on making the combat a bit more fluid. If Mass Effect was just a third person shooter it wouldn't be a very popular game. Luckily it has a great story, great settings, decent graphics, oh and the Bioware brand name to fall back on.

RykinPoe

so like are they adding sex scenes with nudity now Lawl

-AS

Archaic Stigma

Mass Effect DID live up to my expectations. Key moments (no spoilers) like when you first see The Citadel, land in it and explore it blew me away. Some of the decisions that you had to make were tense and genuinely frightening in their possible outcomes. And the last hour or so of the game is some thing EVERY gamer should experience.

But the game did have problems. Bioware has already TALKED about some of those, so I look forward to improvements. Are they going to use the new Unreal Engine 3 that GeoW2 is employing? If so, *shudder*.

What I want to know now is when can we expect it. If this indeed is coming late 2009 then the 360 lineup for next year is already making me salivate. Gaming is so good right now.

DARTH_TIGRIS

@v12qborony:

The longest elevators in the galaxy

DaveB

Everyone knows that EA would LIKE it to be multi-platform. That's obvious.

What we don't know is the exact nature of the original game's exclusivity. For all we know, Bioware had a long-term contract with MS for the future games, and being bought doesn't just make that go away.

On the other hand, there could be no commitment at all: Bioware's roots are PC, so 360 was the most logical console. In that case, a port by one of EA's peripheral studios is inevitable.

Moonshadow101

@shab: I don't see why EA would care what MS feels when they have a highly anticipated title. I see no reason for it not to be on both consoles.

HurricaneDave

@ PaulHunter: Right. I can't see EA being overly keen on upseting MS by licensing to Sony...OTOH, if Sony shifts a load more PS3's by the end of the year, who knows?

shab

What is up with everyone wantings non-shooting weapons in this game?

What sci fi movie/game besides kotor had swords against guns?...doesn't make sense.

Vecha

Mass Effect is like the "Halo:CE" of the 360 for me.... In other words, I love Mass Effect and I can't wait for the sequel.

Collapse The Control

@Cchrist: They were not technically supposed to be, as the general gist of both was that the good guys won, whether you wasted the council or not, were a total ass or not.

@v12qborony: Its called first class narrative. Even if you don't see it, plenty of qualified,educated individuals do; and they saw fit to recognize that.

@fuchikoma: About a twenty hour average is what I have found asking around the ME community.

@hahnchen: Clear cut? No shades of grey? Easy? What game did you play? So the Williams/Alenko conflict did not give you pause at all? Thats your opinion, and I'm sure most would disagree.

@Archaotic: No they are for people who recognize how bad an idea close quarters fighting is with melee weapons. Have you ever wondered why soldiers nowadays dont do that very often? It would not work, in my opinion, unless we could stealth kill some people. Stab them right in the jugular. It was viable in KOTOR because of the force, and because thats the way Lucas made it. "Never bring a knife to a gun fight..."

All in all, we had better be able to use shepard as the main character. If not, I'll be pissed.

Spectre_J

Agreed. "HD REQUIRED STICKER" on the box, FTW! Now, if we can only convince MS to lower the price of the 120 gig HD.... >_>?

Black_Ops_19

I still dont understand what was so innovating about this game and how it got such a high rating

v12qborony

Hopefully the ME2 will be everthing ME was supposed to be. Like taking control of the mother characters in you crew. Did anyone notice the opening cinematic. Where they choose to go somewhere else instead of noveria? I hate those guys to but the game always makes me go wth. Also can I maybe get to change my skills after I beat the game and keep the same character.

v12qborony

I thought the last one was supposed to blow us away, and be so deep we'd still be playing it now without wanting for more?

Mind you, I'm still waiting for the PC version so I haven't had a shot at it yet, but from what I've heard most people muscled through it pretty quickly?

fuchikoma

@anonim1979: Don't make shit up. It's owned by EA, not MS. It was published by MS that's all.

PaulHunter

Talk about viral marketing getting us all excited a year in advance. Or is it some kind of subliminal reminder about the DLC ?

Fabrice

@Madeira: Yes we do. But ya never know he might be like over 80 or something.

I want them to put some wing commander/privateer into ME2. Anytime I see a cool looking spaceship I always think needs more guns.

GUNLOC_MORIYM

@Guild_Navigator: Who is fist?

HurricaneDave

The first game did not live up to expectations. Sure, it was a great game, but we'd seen it all before. There were no shades of grey, all choices were clear cut, none of them difficult, it was KOTOR without the lightsaber.

hahnchen

Please, PLEASE make it HDD-only! Okay maybe MS wouldn't be cool with that but at the very least make HDD caching an option! I would kill for that option!

B-Minus

@Cchrist: The endings would be huge for the second game, it would basically shape the way the world operates, especially the Council.

HurricaneDave

I wonder if this means that since I spared Fist's life that he'll come back to take a shot at me.

Guild_Navigator

so... Virtual Orgasmic Rape?

TiberianViper

@lionkitten: I didn't really find the endings very different...

Cchrist

@shab:

Timed exlusive for X360 then it goes to PC.
No real chance for PS3 version - MS has the rights to the series.

anonim1979

Same here HurricaneDave- I really liked BUILDING my Shepard... and some of the quests that don't really pan out from ME1 - it would be neat to pick those up again as your same character. Anyway, this is still currently my favorite game in the last 5 years.

Namssorg

Without using spoliers, I wonder how they will account for some of the decisions you make toward the end of the game as you continue on.

lionkitten

if the combat isnt alot better i think im going to pass :(

also some major work on the boring side quests and poor equipment system

juzarj

More bewbies plz. Less Gun more "Fun", less Role Play more Foreplay, less Chat more Scat... wait a second... :|

Pezdispenser

@Archaotic: We get it already.

Rational, mature people who value their sanity read this blog, you know. We have to sift through enough bullshit as it is, please have some courtesy.

Madeira

Sounds like this is going to be Knights of the Old Republic 2 (i know bioware didn't make that one) with the main character switching and constant alluduing to Revan and his mission on the fringes of the Outer Rim as you meet up with random older characters, like HK. We'll probably have Shephard off proactively searching for Prothean runes or signs of the Reapers and get random story tidbits as we play as some new character.

KirbyMorph

I want an elevator minigame. Preferably involving the Rock Band drums.

PositivelyGreg

You know what would really blow me away? How about some AI that isn't godawful, classes besides run/gun soldier that actually work, and weapon variance?
Also, how about some space elevators that take less than 3 hours to go 500 feet?
Maybe more rpg elements? Right now the game is just a shooter where your health goes up every once in a while and you get better equipment. Why have skills if they are mostly all worthless? Hell, your team mates rarely ever use theirs. They prefer to stand perfectly in front of the enemy blindly firing until they die.
... and more blue alien girls and sex scenes I guess... please?

Demonbird

@HurricaneDave:
best case scenario:

"things you did" = characters from sex scenes

Worst Case:

"People you interacted with" = a longer The Fan Sidequest...

i kid i kid!

bodger1

I hope we will get to still play with Shepard.

This comment scares me :
I will tell you that things you did and people you interacted with in Mass Effect... you may very well meet up with them again, whether it be the main character or other characters.

HurricaneDave

@photoboy: i'm hoping not, more like whether it be the main character (or one you created)...

so if they do a kotor 2, you could acually see the guy/gal you created! not just the stock Shepard model.

bodger1

Is Molyneux hyping this game too?

blackadvent

I loved the original...enough to forgive all the glitches/framerate issues etc., but in the end the drive noise ground me down and I stopped playing it. That's all I want them to fix for the follow up...that or get it out on PS3.

Somebody mentioned timed exclusive, or is that just for the PC?

shab

Just make sure the sidequests aren't cookie-cutters.

Side quests should be epic, Main quest line should be grandeur.

Fyren

@Archaotic: Your "stress" from the 360 sounds like a real problem. :p

GUNLOC_MORIYM

My guess is that Cmdr. Shepard will be in much the same role that Captain Anderson was in the first game, and the player character will be someone new. But presumably if you have a game save from the 1st game, it'll be *your* Shepard.

Whatevs, I just hope they have any kind of stealth gameplay in the next one. I needs me some critical hits.

DJ Christ 2006

Actually I'd like that new inventory screen from the PC version....ohh and a light sabre...c'mon bioware....just call it a beam sword or something....

excel_excel

"whether it be the main character"

So are they doing a KOTOR2 and changing the lead character in ME2 to someone other than Sheperd?

photoboy

@Witzbold:
Witzy's got it. Too much shooting in the first one made combat a total bore for me to the point at which I was literally only playing to finish the story. I like stabbing. Shooting's for wimps.

Archaotic

more weapons and armor would be badass, and I hope so hard that we can carry characters over from the first game... PLEASE BIOWARE PLEASE

vuhal

Just give me longer elevator rides and I'm happy

DaveB

Consider me blown....... away.

Crosswayboy

That's it? "I think that people are going to be blown away."? Come on BioWare, give me at least something to warrant paying attention to your bold statements. I'm actually wondering whatever the hell happened to Dragon Age here.

Right now, it's BioWare--; for me. Don't like this kind of talk anymore.

Candlejack

Now all they need is some melee weapons and sidequests that don't devalue the game as a whole, and they're golden.

Also, a PS3 version would be fantastic if this whole "timed exclusive" thing BioWare's mentioning ends up being true. I'm really tired of booting up my 360 and crossing my fingers that I don't see the red ring. The stress factor totally gets in the way of the fun. =/

Archaotic

"If the second is more of the same with some of the technical glitches smoothed out, that's pretty much enough to awe me."

My sentiments exactly.

AdamW

@Cchrist: OHNOEZ, WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN !!!

Dude From Dubai

@Witzbold: Yeah melee weapons would be kewl. Like a 'hammer' maybe? XD

Mr.SithNinja

*gets blown away over a nipple*

Cchrist

@Len Bias Cocaine Surplus: This time we will actually see a glimpse of a nipple!

Cchrist

Just give me more FUCKING WEAPONS.

And something to stab folks with.

Witzbold

I hope they release another book...that I can get for free at PAX again ^_^

Please have an "HDD Required" sticker on the box. SCREW those arcade/core owners.

exkon

@Heihachi.vs.Kazuya: who cares so long as framerates and glitches get reduced. Who would want to be in the middle of a BJ and then just have it stop?

Mass Effect Blue Balls? No Thanks

MaoChan

quarian sex now confirmed

jordan938

a.k.a: the sex scenes are extended.

Len Bias Cocaine Surplus

yes but will it swallow?

Heihachi.vs.Kazuya

FULL FRONTAL - BAM, instead million seller!!!!!!!!!!!!!

freespeech