[spekkeh]

I wouldn't call it space magic. It looked like a giant EMP blast that could destroy electronics which is completely possible.

I think it's safe to say that close to 100% of gamers that thought the ending was fine chose the _____destroy/red______ ending, and accept it as canon/aren't too bothered with the other endings. It's the one that makes the most sense from a story perspective in my opinion.

[Four_Chamber]

Just finished this, really going to miss this trilogy. Easily my favorite set of games of all time.

Regarding the story the ending is definitely out there. I chose the synthesis option as I thought that was a fitting way for my Shepard to go out. Was happy to keep my romance with Ashley up throughout the game. It was nice seeing all the old crew again too. . Overall, I'm happy to have put myself on a total internet boycott prior to playing this game.

Overall, ME1 is easily my favorite of the series. That's probably my favorite game of all time (I remember how angry I was at first the KotOR3 wasn't being made!). ME3 is a solid 2nd followed by ME2. Overall, though the combat was really tight in this game and the music was outstanding, though nothing is good as the original menu music.

As I'm approaching the ripe old age of 30 and my career is starting to seep into my life, I don't think I'll ever again put so much into a game series as I have with Mass Effect. From my 3 playthroughs of ME1 (~100 hours total), 3 playthroughs of ME2 (~90 hours), and my one playthrough of ME3 (30 hours), I've put nearly 10 days of my life into playing this series. It had its up and downs, but an incredibly worthwhile experience. Like I said, its somewhat sentimental because its the end of an era for me. Sorry to get sappy but I'm getting real nostalgic (or just sleepy) here at 4AM in the morning. Being a physician and managing serious RPG play is not easy...

[Gui_PT]

I think it's safe to say that close to 100% of gamers that thought the ending was fine chose the _____destroy/red______ ending, and accept it as canon/aren't too bothered with the other endings. It's the one that makes the most sense from a story perspective in my opinion.

No, shepard always defended equality through races and though synthetics wouldn't necessarily kill their creators. He teamed up with legion, they were even "friends". It goes against his personality to destroy them all. At least in my opinion.

Besides even if he does destroy them all, organics will just rebuild them in the future and they'll hhve to go through all of this all over again

[spekkeh]

Naw. Real Shepard let the council die and killed the heretics, in order to ensure the safety of the human race. Fact. :P.

And the cycle wouldn't happen again, because the Reapers are dead. Sure synthetics would be made again and then possibly eradicate all organic life, but at least it would've happened out of the organic's own volition. That, at least, is what every Shepard should have said to Saren at then end of ME1 iirc.

[Gui_PT]

I think it all depends on how you play your Shepard, to be honest

[riceandbeans]

No, shepard always defended equality through races and though synthetics wouldn't necessarily kill their creators. He teamed up with legion, they were even "friends". It goes against his personality to destroy them all. At least in my opinion. Besides even if he does destroy them all, organics will just rebuild them in the future and they'll hhve to go through all of this all over again

Not really. It depends how you played. There's no "real" Shepard, there's "your" Shepard, which is the point of the game.

[Gui_PT]

Read the post directly above yours, please

[Four_Chamber]

Gotta say the music was rock solid in this game. The piano use was absolutely phenomenal. The music took a step down in ME2 (still very good) but rebounded amazingly in this game.

However, there is still one piece of music from this series that still stands out for me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVm_ljDSdwA). The intro theme music from ME is one of the best musical scores in all of videogames for me.

[srenity]

If I wanted to purchase ME1 and play through the entire trilogy, is it better to buy it from Steam or from Origin? I played 2 from Steam and 3 from Origin. I'm just wondering if the file from Origin is able to be read when transferred to Steam because I was able to transfer my 2 file onto 3.

Thanks everyone!

[DTKT]

If I wanted to purchase ME1 and play through the entire trilogy, is it better to buy it from Steam or from Origin? I played 2 from Steam and 3 from Origin. I'm just wondering if the file from Origin is able to be read when transferred to Steam because I was able to transfer my 2 file onto 3. Thanks everyone!

Save files are not service specific. They are interchangeable between Origin and Steam.

[MisterAnderson]

I'm near the end of the game. A dialog choice is greyed out yet I'm max reputation/paragon... what gives?

Here's the part I'm at: On the Citadel, speaking with the Illusive Man with Anderson. I only remember the Paragon dialog choice: "But you already have."

Did I not do something to be able to say this dialog option?

[Crewnh]

I'm near the end of the game. A dialog choice is greyed out yet I'm max reputation/paragon... what gives? Here's the part I'm at: On the Citadel, speaking with the Illusive Man with Anderson. I only remember the Paragon dialog choice: "But you already have." Did I not do something to be able to say this dialog option?

You have to have chosen charm or initimidate throughout the game against that character to have the options open at the end. You probably missed one near the beginning.

Yeah, its stupid.

[Gui_PT]

^^ Yeah, I missed one option on Mars and now I can't get that last one either.

[riceandbeans]

If I wanted to purchase ME1 and play through the entire trilogy, is it better to buy it from Steam or from Origin? I played 2 from Steam and 3 from Origin. I'm just wondering if the file from Origin is able to be read when transferred to Steam because I was able to transfer my 2 file onto 3. Thanks everyone!

Buy it on Steam, then register it on Origin.

[srenity]

Save files are not service specific. They are interchangeable between Origin and Steam.

Buy it on Steam, then register it on Origin.

Kk, purchased it on Steam (I didn't have enough patience to wait for the summer sale, haha). Thanks for the replies!

[Beefwheat]

I finished the game yesterday night, just shy of 30 hours. I did almost every fetch quest I came across and had a delightful time through the entire series. My Infiltrator + Black Widow + Armor Piercing shot remained incredibly powerful and fun to use from 2, and though I was disappointed that my face didn't carry over (I started pre-patch) I got over it and made a reasonable facsimile.

I also decided to go without the "From Ashes" DLC; apparently I am in the statistical minority on this? It sounded intriguing, but I'm on a fairly tight budget when it comes to games AND I wanted to try a little experiment. I realized I was harping on about what a ripoff day-one DLC is, removing things that should have been included &c &c without actually playing anything that did that. So I chose to deliberately ignore any DLC and see if the main, packaged experience felt like it was lacking something. To me, it didn't! So uh, that's cool.

As to the ending, without going into detail because I know this isn't the spoiler thread -- I'm not super upset. Maybe I'm not discerning enough (I enjoyed "Lost" all the way through, after all) or maybe it was mitigated by all the forewarning from friends and the internet. Although even as I got ready for bed I started having "Hey, but what about--" moments when it started to fall apart; as it's happening it's all sound and fury and I was quite engrossed, but when the cold light of day shines upon it I'll admit it's...problematic.

Doesn't make the game less worth playing! It's about the trip, not the destination! Mass Effect as a whole has given me some unforgettable gaming moments and I'm definitely glad to have gone on the ride.

Oh! BUT: One thing I will say about the ending is that I really didn't appreciate being forced to choose a renegade action to defeat the Illusive Man. He actually killed me the first time and I had to sit through the whole damn conversation again just to press RT at the right time. Even when Kai Leng was about to stab me in the back I was allowed to prevail without having to hit RT...

[spekkeh]

What's the problem with having to push RT? I really don't get people that want to forego roleplaying for 100%ing something (not saying thay's why you did it).

[riceandbeans]

I finished the game yesterday night, just shy of 30 hours. I did almost every fetch quest I came across and had a delightful time through the entire series. My Infiltrator + Black Widow + Armor Piercing shot remained incredibly powerful and fun to use from 2, and though I was disappointed that my face didn't carry over (I started pre-patch) I got over it and made a reasonable facsimile. I also decided to go without the "From Ashes" DLC; apparently I am in the statistical minority on this? It sounded intriguing, but I'm on a fairly tight budget when it comes to games AND I wanted to try a little experiment. I realized I was harping on about what a ripoff day-one DLC is, removing things that should have been included &c &c without actually playing anything that did that. So I chose to deliberately ignore any DLC and see if the main, packaged experience felt like it was lacking something. To me, it didn't! So uh, that's cool. As to the ending, without going into detail because I know this isn't the spoiler thread -- I'm not super upset. Maybe I'm not discerning enough (I enjoyed "Lost" all the way through, after all) or maybe it was mitigated by all the forewarning from friends and the internet. Although even as I got ready for bed I started having "Hey, but what about--" moments when it started to fall apart; as it's happening it's all sound and fury and I was quite engrossed, but when the cold light of day shines upon it I'll admit it's...problematic. Doesn't make the game less worth playing! It's about the trip, not the destination! Mass Effect as a whole has given me some unforgettable gaming moments and I'm definitely glad to have gone on the ride. Oh! BUT: One thing I will say about the ending is that I really didn't appreciate being forced to choose a renegade action to defeat the Illusive Man. He actually killed me the first time and I had to sit through the whole damn conversation again just to press RT at the right time. Even when Kai Leng was about to stab me in the back I was allowed to prevail without having to hit RT...

I haven't played the game without Javik yet, but he's a very polished character and gives a lot of backstory into the Protheans.

You can take out the Illusive Man without having to Renegade. It's possible to convince him to shoot himself and save Anderson.

[Blue Ninja]

Oh! BUT: One thing I will say about the ending is that I really didn't appreciate being forced to choose a renegade action to defeat the Illusive Man. He actually killed me the first time and I had to sit through the whole damn conversation again just to press RT at the right time. Even when Kai Leng was about to stab me in the back I was allowed to prevail without having to hit RT...

At some point, Space Jesus has to actually do something. If someone has a gun aimed at him and he can't talk 'em down... He's gonna have to shoot.

[Gui_PT]

You can take out the Illusive Man without having to Renegade. It's possible to convince him to shoot himself and save Anderson.

Yeah but you need to have picked paragon in all other conversations with him

if you skipped one, you have to go renegade and kill the illusive man. if not, you have to do that final conversation all over again

[malfcn]

Just had a weird bug where all my weapons were reset. Anyone else?

[Nori Chan]

Yeah but you need to have picked paragon in all other conversations with him if you skipped one, you have to go renegade and kill the illusive man. if not, you have to do that final conversation all over again

When you say that, do you mean in just ME3, or including 2?

[Gui_PT]

When you say that, do you mean in just ME3, or including 2?

Just ME3
Everytime you talk to the illusive man, look for a paragon option, some of them(or at least one of them) are hidden in the investigate option

If you get all 6 paragon choices in all of the conversations, you can make him kill himself

[bubnbob]

Can anyone explain why I can't view my Galaxy At War map? I've connected the game to my account on Bioware's site, I've created a persona. The galaxy on the website has the correct numbers from the Datapad app, but my Xbox won't show the war map still.

Also is it normal I havent received any mail from my buddies on Datapad?

I didnt use an online code.

[Sai]

Just ME3 Everytime you talk to the illusive man, look for a paragon option, some of them(or at least one of them) are hidden in the investigate option If you get all 6 paragon choices in all of the conversations, you can make him kill himself

Er, are you sure you can't have the Illusive Man kill himself if you've used the Intimidate dialogue choices in past conversations with him? I didn't think you were restricted to Charm, but that you just had to pick one of the two.

[malfcn]

I had no paragon/renegade options to save Tali and Legion. Nice knowing the Quarians. What'd I do wrong?

[DTKT]

I had no paragon/renegade options to save Tali and Legion. Nice knowing the Quarians. What'd I do wrong?

You can't save Legion. But, if you convinced the Admirals to not exile Tali and gave her the Geth data during the Pilgrimage, you can convince her to ask the fleet to stop firing.

It's a bunch of stuff from ME2.

[malfcn]

Ah, don't remember exactly what I did in ME2.

[hateradio]

nvm

[Blue Ninja]

Er, are you sure you can't have the Illusive Man kill himself if you've used the Intimidate dialogue choices in past conversations with him? I didn't think you were restricted to Charm, but that you just had to pick one of the two.

You're right, as long as you use a persuade option every time and have sufficient points, both options are available.

[Amory]

I barely died at all the entire game, and now I get to the part in the final mission where you "defend the left flank" and I can't beat the fuckin thing.

Banshees are the cheapest enemies, I swear

[Jinjo]

Man, Grissom Academy is a bitch on Insane. I'm at the huge courtyard after meeting a certain someone now. Getting flanked and grenaded from left and right at the same time. The Atlas in the back sure ain't helping. Anyone have any tips? I'm an Infiltrator, imported from ME2 so at a fairly decent level too. Garrus & Liara are backing me up.

[Gui_PT]

You're right, as long as you use a persuade option every time and have sufficient points, both options are available.

That's what I meant. Did I say just paragon? My bad

[Sai]

Man, Grissom Academy is a bitch on Insane. I'm at the huge courtyard after meeting a certain someone now. Getting flanked and grenaded from left and right at the same time. The Atlas in the back sure ain't helping. Anyone have any tips? I'm an Infiltrator, imported from ME2 so at a fairly decent level too. Garrus & Liara are backing me up.

Soon as you open the door, don't go in. Position your squad on the rails of the ramp going up to your right. Then, Strafe to the left, take your Sniper Rifle out, and start working on the Atlus from afar until it's down. Your squad should keep the enemies below at bay, allowing you more than enough time to finish it off.

Now, move up the ramp, past your squad, and take out a few of the Guardians and Centurions below. Wait for your reinforcements to show up—this'll trigger more Guardians, Centurions, and Engineers to spawn from the door at the end of the ramp pathway. Use Liara's Singularity on the Guardians to leave them vulnerable, and Garrus' Overload on the generator as soon as they pop out, the discharge should take a lot out of their shields and/or health. Try to finish off the Engineers in a hurry, prevent them from setting up any turrets. Once you clear the ramp of any opposition above, gradually move yourself and your squad up to that position.

Once that's done, set yourself up there and take potshots at the enemies coming in from below. Try to take out the Engineers first so they won't set up any turrets, and be careful not to stick your head out for too long, in case you're within the sights of any turrets that're already in place. Troopers and Centurions will often try to come up the ramp, and stairs at the end of it to flank you, but you should be able to see them coming, as long as you're attentive.

Next part of the courtyard isn't so different. You can keep your squad below to draw some fire away from you as you quickly make your way up to the top of the stairs. Guardians will spawn nearby after a few enemies below are taken out, get rid of them fast. For the rest, just make sure you get the Engineers out of the way quickly, and don't let the Centurions get too close. It may help to assign Overload and Singularity to the d-pad to quickly stun them, take out their shields, or pull them out of cover

[Yopis]

Runnning my second play through now just for 100% completion. Had a great time with series. 1st game was my fav of all. Cant wait to see what bioware does next gen. Hope I can find the time as I get older to replay whole trilogy. As male shep.

[bubnbob]

Has anyone who did not redeem an online pass use the Galaxy At War on the ship? I've crossed off all possible solutions to my problem, and I've come up with the fact that you can only use this addition to the game if you use a pass. Just want to make absolute sure this is the case before buying one.

[riceandbeans]

Has anyone who did not redeem an online pass use the Galaxy At War on the ship? I've crossed off all possible solutions to my problem, and I've come up with the fact that you can only use this addition to the game if you use a pass. Just want to make absolute sure this is the case before buying one.

If you don't have an online pass, your EMS score will be chopped in half by 50% and it's not possible to get the very best endings because their aren't enough assets in the game unless you have a ME1-ME2 save, but that's only for one of the endings.

In other words, Bioware and EA fucked over people who only like to play the single-player and people who buy the game used and don't purchase their scam pass.

I wouldn't suggest buying the online pass unless you want to purchase multiplayer. The GR adds absolutely nothing to the game other than percentage points that'll determine your ending and the differences between the ending are only 1-2 second differences that you can see on Youtube.

[Tizoc]

Gonna get the game tomorrow (used copy, PS3), won't start until after the 'Ending' DLC gets released though.
My ME2 character was Fem-Shephard, Lvl. 28-29.

[nel e nel]

You can't save Legion. .

Actually, yes. Yes you can. I saved both of them.

[Sai]

Actually, yes. Yes you can. I saved both of them.

He's probably referring to the fact that Legion "sacrifices" itself to give the Geth as a whole true sentience.

[nel e nel]

He's probably referring to the fact that Legion "sacrifices" itself to give the Geth as a whole true sentience.

Yeah, I just realized that on my break just now. /brainfart

[malfcn]

I thought blinking locals meant open missions. But right now I have nothing to do on the Citadel, but it is blinking.

[Blue Ninja]

I thought blinking locals meant open missions. But right now I have nothing to do on the Citadel, but it is blinking.

Blame BioWare's QA dederpment. There's a shitload of bugs in the game, coming off of the near-perfect ME2 it's kinda insulting.

[malfcn]

Tell me about. I have had the game lock up a few times.
And some graphical bugs.

Like I just beat the game after having a helluva time on Insanity at the end. And the game freezes while loading.

If I reload and don't get to see the ending...thank god it let me reload at the very end.

[Jinjo]

Soon as you open the door, don't go in. Position your squad on the rails of the ramp going up to your right. Then, Strafe to the left, take your Sniper Rifle out, and start working on the Atlus from afar until it's down. Your squad should keep the enemies below at bay, allowing you more than enough time to finish it off. Now, move up the ramp, past your squad, and take out a few of the Guardians and Centurions below. Wait for your reinforcements to show up—this'll trigger more Guardians, Centurions, and Engineers to spawn from the door at the end of the ramp pathway. Use Liara's Singularity on the Guardians to leave them vulnerable, and Garrus' Overload on the generator as soon as they pop out, the discharge should take a lot out of their shields and/or health. Try to finish off the Engineers in a hurry, prevent them from setting up any turrets. Once you clear the ramp of any opposition above, gradually move yourself and your squad up to that position. Once that's done, set yourself up there and take potshots at the enemies coming in from below. Try to take out the Engineers first so they won't set up any turrets, and be careful not to stick your head out for too long, in case you're within the sights of any turrets that're already in place. Troopers and Centurions will often try to come up the ramp, and stairs at the end of it to flank you, but you should be able to see them coming, as long as you're attentive. Next part of the courtyard isn't so different. You can keep your squad below to draw some fire away from you as you quickly make your way up to the top of the stairs. Guardians will spawn nearby after a few enemies below are taken out, get rid of them fast. For the rest, just make sure you get the Engineers out of the way quickly, and don't let the Centurions get too close. It may help to assign Overload and Singularity to the d-pad to quickly stun them, take out their shields, or pull them out of cover

Thank you very much good sir. Pretty much got it first try with your tactics.

[jimmyhowlett]

So I just finished the sanctuary mission where Miranda killed her dad then leaves with her sister. For some reason back on the ship, Tali is getting drunk. When I go talk to her, it sounds like she is mourning Miranda...but Miranda didn't die. Am I missing something here, or is it just a glitch?

[Blue Ninja]

So I just finished the sanctuary mission where Miranda killed her dad then leaves with her sister. For some reason back on the ship, Tali is getting drunk. When I go talk to her, it sounds like she is mourning Miranda...but Miranda didn't die. Am I missing something here, or is it just a glitch?

She's not mourning her, she's toasting her. Tali has some serious daddy issues (like pretty much every BioWare character), and seeing how Miranda handled hers made her think.

[Sai]

Thank you very much good sir. Pretty much got it first try with your tactics.

Happy to help! :D

[jimmyhowlett]

She's not mourning her, she's toasting her. Tali has some serious daddy issues (like pretty much every BioWare character), and seeing how Miranda handled hers made her think.

Oooooooooooooooooooh. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[MedHead]

I also decided to go without the "From Ashes" DLC; apparently I am in the statistical minority on this?

I purchased the DLC, and while I felt it was wrong of EA and Bioware to remove a character that was seemed to be fairly obviously a part of the original game, in the end I don't feel that the character was a worthwhile addition to the game. I think it actually damaged the game history, as I much preferred having the Protheans be mysterious, rather than having one walking around layout out exposition.