Mass Effect Discussion thread

[Callista]

So.. since we got a thread discussing it's fantasy cousin, Dragon Age, I figured we could use another one to discuss this Sci-fi franchise. I've also heard that there are fans of the series around here, so I thought about flushing them out. As the OP of the discussion I propose a few topics we can start talking about:

 

1. What was you favorite game of the trilogy?

 

Mine was the original Mass Effect. It was the one with the most elements of RPG in it, like multiple skills, variety of equipment in terms of quality and it was also the one with the most mind blowing revelations. The climax of the plot, when Shepard reaches the Citadel racing after Saren and trying to prevent him from opening the Citadel Relay and unleash Reaper genocide upon the galaxy was what made me fall in love with the series. Not to mention that saving or not saving the Council was imo one of the hardest choices I've ever made in gaming... setting aside my personal grievances for the sake of political stability, and sacrificing human lives in the process... *sighs*

 

2. What is your favorite race in the series?

 

This is a split for me, see, I have a great deal of admiration for the Asari and the Krogan. The former for being, in some ways, the symbol of acceptance and patience, two virtues I greatly aspire to. The latter for being a representation of the sentiment so many real world cultures of resentment towards the West for using them as cannon fodder and then culling them down when they prove to be too "uncivilized".

 

3. Who's your favorite character in the series?

 

Garrus, hands down. That lovely turian always had my back regardless of the situation, the way he looked up to Shepard as a mentor, then an equal and afterwards... lover (in my case)... was just peerless. Garrus is the kind of person who will follow you to hell even if he disagrees with either the way the trip is going or the trip itself, he's so friggin loyal to Shepard and her cause. He's the only recurring squad mate that joins you as soon as you reach him in 2, a feat not replicated even by Tali (the other recurring squad mate of the trilogy). In 3, he's the only squad mate that recognizes the exact moments Shepard isn't doing so well. He was also the most fun male romance option imo =3... the whole awkwardness was so cute in him ^^. 

 

4. What was the series highlight in your opinion?

 

For me, it was Virmire in Mass Effect. The talk with Sovereign brings a chill down my spine until this very day, the monstrous rasping artificial voice... the arrogance of the way he addresses Shepard, a being it perceives as an insignificant grain of sand in the hourglass.. it felt so intimidating, almost like talking to an evil deity. The choice beetween Alenko and WIlliams was also the first time I felt in the boots of a military commanding officer.

 

5. And, everyone's favorite: The trilogy's ending. What did you think about it and what option did you choose?

 

Three years ago I was ranting up on the internet... signing petitions.. engaged in vicious debates over how crappy the ending was... how they could have done this? Nowadays, having matured a bit, I see that the concept behind the ending wasn't all that bad: "Be careful with what you create, it may be your destruction" // "Sentient achines are inherently alien and superior to organics in every way, conflict is inevitable, and said conflict will spell the doom of the organic life" were pretty deep things to have as the main theme behind the series, a hell lot better than the shitty attempt at eco conscience analogy that Drew Karpyshyn was trying to make with the whole dark energy buildup around the galaxy... at least in my opinion. What the ending lacked was presentation, it felt (and surely was) rushed... almost as if the devs at BioWare thought like this: "Shiiiiit, we got less than a month before the game goes gold and we haven't done the ending yet... oh fuck it, who cares? The rest of the game is awesome so let's just pick some loose ends to tie in and call it a day"... that's the only way I rationalize Shepard being hit by a stream of molten metal accelerated to a fraction of the speed of light (Reaper's beam) and not being turned into vapor right away... and don't get me started on the rest of the nonsense in that ending...

 

I also chose destroy at the end, mostly because I felt the galaxy needed to be rid of the God-AI interfering in it, and since control had me taking that mantle myself and synthesis had the Catalyst surving (aside from being cheesy nonsense lore wise... sorry for those who picked it =(... but that's how I feel about that option), destroy was the only option for me.... why? Self determination, life has the right to self determinate itself, be it organic or synthetic. If organic life is "fated" to be eventually replaced by it's synthetic counterpart, then let it be... let the cycle of evolution dictate who is the one fittest to survive, not some stupid AI whose first meaningful action was to do upon it's creators the very thing it was programmed to stop in the first place =S. It was sad that the Geth and .... *sobs*... EDI had to die, but that had to be done in my eyes... though I'm still unsure how shooting a tube near the Crucible prompts every synthetic to go "Format C:" or suddenly makes every cybernetic implant cease working, even pacemakers =S...

 

 

Anyway... this post ended up a lot bigger then what I originally intended it to be. I hope this entices a good discussion ^^.

 

TL;DR -- Scroll up and read you lazy ass ^^.

[Leeloo]

Personally i played Mass effect ( Xbox 360 and pc ) and Mass effect 2 ( Xbox 360 ) . Unable to play the N°3 because my 360 burned in house fire before it was made and my computer dont accept Mass effect 2 and 3 . So i will not read your full post as i dont want know the ends of the serie before have play the N°3

 

But i think the best is Mass Effect ( the first ) , i found it most immersive than the N°2 which have less choices compared to to N°1 . And the 3 seem more like the N°2 as i saw in playing the demo of Mass Effect 3 ( curiously , the demo work on my computer and not the game )

 

 

For the favorite race , well incontestably its the asari even if i admit that Wrex have an humor i like

 

My favorite character : As she is the only way to have a lesbian romance in the game , my favorite is Liara T'soni and it make me sad that she didnt join in mass effect 2

 

My favorite moment , is virmire too the same scene than you

[Guest Takiana]

Personally i played Mass effect ( Xbox 360 and pc ) and Mass effect 2 ( Xbox 360 ) . Unable to play the N°3 because my 360 burned in house fire before it was made and my computer dont accept Mass effect 2 and 3 . So i will not read your full post as i dont want know the ends of the serie before have play the N°3

 

But i think the best is Mass Effect ( the first ) , i found it most immersive than the N°2 which have less choices compared to to N°1 . And the 3 seem more like the N°2 as i saw in playing the demo of Mass Effect 3 ( curiously , the demo work on my computer and not the game )

 

 

For the favorite race , well incontestably its the asari enev if i admit that Wrex have an humor i like

 

My favorite character : As she is the only way to have a lesbian romance in the game , my favorite is Liara T'soni and it make me sad that she didnt join in mass effect 2

 

My favorite moment , is virmire too the same scene than you

+1

[6DarkRaven9]

ME2 was my first and I prefer it over ME1 and ME3. ME1 was better in some parts but gameplay was improved in 2 while 3 felt more along the line of COD; no real story and just mindless action of gun porn.

 

Asari and I don't need to say why since we all know why they're so popular.

 

Tali or however you spell her name, she was the one I felt sympathy for and could connect to. Others were hard asses, bitches, or just too into their things to be really interesting like that doctor guy who speaks fast....couldn't like the guy.

 

Choices upon who lives and who dies whether they be team or others was the memorable...also the first time I saw the sex scene in ME1 wow did they tame it down later on due to cry baby soccer moms and politicians! lol

 

I didn't play to the end of ME3 but I heard it was terrible and the developers had to change it or something.

 

Also you should maybe add what you play more along of renegade or paragon. I was more of a renegade but showed some paragon once in a while. Mainly in ME2 since it helped heal my scars like it said it would.

[Leeloo]

Tali or however you spell her name,

 

 

Well if you want her name in ME2 , it's : Tali Zorah Nar Raya Vas Normandy   

[Tanyatranny]

ME 2 was my favorite part of the series. Everything just fit together so nicely and the choices you made mattered in the end.

 

I'd say the Quarians and their whole history with the Geth are my favorite story of the series. Very much like a Greek Tragedy about hybris, downfall and redemption.

 

It's a toss-up between Garrus and Wrex. ON my third playthrough my Shepard fell in love with Garrus and DAMN if that isn't the best-written romance arc of the series I don't know.

 

Mass Effect 2 without a doubt, although I liked 3 up until that ending too, to be honest.

 

I chose the path where Shepard became part of the Reapers, sacrificing her so the others could live. 

[Makii]

SPOILERS! If you haven't played the all the games yet, do not read my comment!!!

 

ME 2 was my favorite one aswell. I think I sinked like 200 hours into that title. The updated graphics from the first one and the new combat mechanics really did it for me. Story wise I thought it continued the first games story nicely and was an all around solid game. 

 

I'm going to be kinda boring but I really like the humans and the turians. The lore behind the first contact war really caught my interest.

 

My favorite character in the ME trilogy has to be Garrus. He's just an all around stand up guy and Shepard's best friend. He's the one you can always count on and always have your back in thick and thin. He would walk through a horde of crazed krogans for you if it meant he would save your life.

 

The series highlight was imo was when you board the Collector Ship in ME2 and the truth about them is revield.

 

Im not a fan of the ending, but I guess it was ok. To be honest I'd hoped for more. I think I chose to merge life and machines.

[JimmyC]

1. What was you favorite game of the trilogy?

 

ME2, mostly because it streamlined a lot of the clunkiness of ME, and doesn't have the craptastic psychological ending of ME3.

2. What is your favorite race in the series?

 

Krogans, they're just my style of gruff and tankiness.  And quads.  Big friggin' quads. 

 

3. Who's your favorite character in the series?

 

It would be easier for me to pick a character I didn't care for because I liked most of them.

 

I think I would have to say Joker if I have to pick one.

4. What was the series highlight in your opinion?

 

Ugh, so many things.  The one that stands out at the moment is helping Liara become the Shadowbroker.

 

5. And the trilogy's ending, what did you think about it and what option did you choose?

Destroy the Reapers and save the 'verse.  They've been the bad guys from square one.

 

I would have rather had a more typical movie ending.  Shepard saves the day and gets the girl.  The end.

[Callista]

Ok... I took a while to answer here, but that's because I just want to reply to so many people... so here it goes.

 

I didn't play to the end of ME3 but I heard it was terrible and the developers had to change it or something.

 

 

They didn't change the ending... just explained it... somewhat. The core issues and the rushed feeling remained, but I'll be honest with you... had the original ending been like the Extended Cut DLC's... there wouldn't be any shitstorm whatsoever regarding the ending.

 

 

Also you should maybe add what you play more along of renegade or paragon. I was more of a renegade but showed some paragon once in a while. Mainly in ME2 since it helped heal my scars like it said it would.

 

You're right, check below =)

 

 

I'd say the Quarians and their whole history with the Geth are my favorite story of the series. Very much like a Greek Tragedy about hybris, downfall and redemption.

 

To be honest... the bit with the Quarians and the Geth was a bit refreshing take on the AI vs Organics conflict. It wasn't the usual "ebul machines decide organics are imperfect and obliterate them mwhuahuahua"... nah... this time the organics overreacted and fired the first bullet. The most awesome thing in my opinion is that, even after attempted genocide and all the grievances from the first Geth/Quarian, the Geth held no grudges against the Quarians... Legion even shows you in ME 3 that they, in their own alien way, honored the Quarians that stood up in their defense. They also are quite willing to help the Quarians overcome their immunity issues... I just have such a hard time hating the Geth despite fighting them for 3 games. Which made picking destroy in ME 3 such a bitter pill to swallow...

 

 

5. And the trilogy's ending, what did you think about it and what option did you choose?

Destroy the Reapers and save the 'verse.  They've been the bad guys from square one.

 

I would have rather had a more typical movie ending.  Shepard saves the day and gets the girl.  The end.

 

*High fives for choosing Destroy* I know right? They had their work cut out for them... but decided to go all nonsensical philosophical in the end, it bit them in the ass.

 

 

The series highlight was imo was when you board the Collector Ship in ME2 and the truth about them is revield.

 

That would have been the highlight for me... had I not seen it coming a mile away. *Chuckles* I remember my first playthrough... I had my dad as a backseat gamer, when we got to Horizon I was all "Hey, I think these Collector's are some form of Prothean husks..." and he replied "lol... no."

 

*A few hours later at the Collector ship*

 

Dad: "Whole shit Calli, how the hell did you know that?!"

Me:"Aha... I knew it!"

 

It was the same thing in Dragon Age with the whole Flemeth and... Mythal... thing as well.

 

 

I think I chose to merge life and machines.

 

Viiioooleett =(... I called your choice cheesy nonsense... *goes down to her knees* I'm so sorry!

 

@topic:

 

Good responses people ^^. I think I'll add a couple more things 

 

6. What was your morality? Paragon or Renegade?

 

Renegade. My Shepards were mostly strong, often hot headed, women who lacked the patience for political bullshit and were willing to do whatever it took to get the job done... and I mean... whatever.. it.. takes. They were always the Butchers of Torfan. They were mostly kind to her close mates though. I could go on and on about this... but it would quickly turn into a wall of text on it's own right.

 

7. What are your expectations for the next Mass Effect?

 

First and foremost, a picture of the latest build:

 

 

Ok, now... I hope we get to see an entire new series... a reboot if you will.. I think it's the best for the series. A sequel would be tricky to pull without picking one of the 3 endings and making it canon... and a prequel... well I think the Mass Effect universe doesn't allow much of a prequel, not without risking retcons, besides, I would hate to get attached to a character when I know what lay in store for them or their legacy in the crappy ending of 3.

[Tanyatranny]

I just couldn't chose the "destroy the reapers" ending because I couldn't bring myself to kill off the Geth.

 

I know, my Femshep is a big slutty softie. (There isn't a playthrough where she didn't go from one partner in ME1 to another by the end of the story. That said, the romance choice in ME1 was sorely lacking. You could choose between cardboard cutout Kaidan, racist badass Ashley or brainy blue sexpot Liara. Urgh...)

 

I wouldn't say ME3 was bad. In fact, with the Krogan and Geth-Quarian storylines coming to a close I would say it's up there with ME2 until that abomination of an ending. People complained about the ending of Deus Ex: Human Revolution being nothing more than pushing three buttons but this wasn't any better. Such a downer ending to a great series.

 

I'm actually only just now playing Dragon Age Origins with a female elf male. I gotta say that game kicks my ass SO HARD.

[Loki]

7. What are your expectations for the next Mass Effect?

 

First and foremost, a picture of the latest build:

 

 

Ok, now... I hope we get to see an entire new series... a reboot if you will.. I think it's the best for the series. A sequel would be tricky to pull without picking one of the 3 endings and making it canon... and a prequel... well I think the Mass Effect universe doesn't allow much of a prequel, not without risking retcons, besides, I would hate to get attached to a character when I know what lay in store for them or their legacy in the crappy ending of 3.

Firstly, LOOKS SMOKIN HOT

 

I hope that we can actually choose a race in the new Mass effect! that would be awesome. Would love to be an Asari

3 was definitely the end of shep's story, now its finally time for another protagonist! yay!

 

Mass effect 2 was the first one i played, and i played it a while when it was released on ps3 will all the dlc. So i got to enjoy the main game and all the DLC. I then played the 1st one but i never completed it. I dont know why, but i just couldn't get into it. Just felt abit too clunky despite pretty much everything being better than in 2, since ME2 was extremely dumbed down. Still haven't completed 3, but i will eventually. The kaiden gay romance feels so awkward and weird. It would have been better if he was available from the start. Should have just kept him straight tbh :/

 

I'm definitely a dragon age fan, never really religiously got into Mass effect. Mainly because at the time, i was a console gamer and only played Playstation

 

also, renegade FTW i want those scars! <3

[JimmyC]

I reunited the Quarians and Geth and added them to my forces for the final showdown.  What's up now Reapers?  I got my own 'bot now! 

 

I played mostly Paragon, though I wasn't afraid of pulling the trigger when it was required. 

[Callista]

I just couldn't chose the "destroy the reapers" ending because I couldn't bring myself to kill off the Geth.

 

I know, my Femshep is a big slutty softie. (There isn't a playthrough where she didn't go from one partner in ME1 to another by the end of the story. That said, the romance choice in ME1 was sorely lacking. You could choose between cardboard cutout Kaidan, racist badass Ashley or brainy blue sexpot Liara. Urgh...)

 

I wouldn't say ME3 was bad. In fact, with the Krogan and Geth-Quarian storylines coming to a close I would say it's up there with ME2 until that abomination of an ending. People complained about the ending of Deus Ex: Human Revolution being nothing more than pushing three buttons but this wasn't any better. Such a downer ending to a great series.

 

I'm actually only just now playing Dragon Age Origins with a female elf male. I gotta say that game kicks my ass SO HARD.

 

Well, Liara is the runner up in romances in the series for me(the first place being a tight dispute by Garrus and Samantha Traynor). I like that how the romance beetween her and Shepard grows throughout the series, also because it's the only one you get the chance to have interactions about for the whole trilogy. In their romance arc in three, it felt like they were a married couple by how much unspoken affection there was beetween them.. that scene in which Shepard comforts Liara after is probably one of the most romantic I've seen in gaming =3. Besides, I have a thing for blue when it comes to women, noooot that I'm referring to anyone in here =P.

 

Also, Dragon Age, elven lover as well!! *High fives*

 

I played mostly Paragon, though I wasn't afraid of pulling the trigger when it was required. 

 

Jack referring to your Paragon ways: "Damn, you sound like a pussy." =P

 

Kidding xD

[Dickdoodle]

 

HYPPEEE

[Callista]

Andromeda

 

Somehow... I half expected it to be set on the Andromeda galaxy. Soooooo... will this one feature a CMY ending instead of an RGB one? xD

[Dickdoodle]

Andromeda

 

Somehow... I half expected it to be set on the Andromeda galaxy. Soooooo... will this one feature a CMY ending instead of an RGB one? xD

 

D; The Horror , well looks like restricted back to playing a human male or female again, at least Mako is back ~

[Leeloo]

Damn a new mass effect and i still dont have played the N°3 ... I must hurry to buy a new computer

[Callista]

D; The Horror , well looks like restricted back to playing a human male or female again, at least Mako is back ~

 

I wouldn't be so sure by just looking at the trailer. DA Inquisition used Human protagonists for advertising all time.

[Dickdoodle]

I wouldn't be so sure by just looking at the trailer. DA Inquisition used Human protagonists for advertising all time.

Perhaps But N7 is a human special Ops, would need a good reason to allow aliens  into it ;o

[Guest Skar]

I expect another "Shepard" in the next Mass Effect.

 

I would be surprise if they goes into the DA "Orign" path again.

 

I could be wrong, but my money is on a single character template for both gender.

[MikeRUS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzfmnyhM6pg