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Is the Mass Effect trilogy worth the time investment?
- Thread starter dr3upmushroom
- Start date
InfiniteCombo
Banned
I really want to try out the ME games, but one of my coworkers (who's a BIG fan) was telling me how he spent "at least 50 hours" on ME2. Yo, I ain't got that kind of time... 
KingHenrik30
Member
Man I really loved that 1st game. The 2nd is probably the best though. The 3rd is annoying.
prag16
Banned
I paid well north of twenty times that much easily, with double dipping and DLC. And I STILL feel like I ripped them off.
GOAT game trilogy despite stumbling into the finish.
KyanMehwulfe
Member
Well, I don't really disagree. A lot of the choices can be pretty binary and even seem trivial. Some of don't really matter until you see how they impact ME2 or ME3, or begin to really care more about the characters. So, standing alone they're just sort of... 'ummm, OK, that was a choice.' And rather, that's it. Not much meaning.
But by the second game, you may be so vested into Shepherd than you now care about every little binary (even silly) choice simply because you want to control that much of his or her story. It becomes important because it is just another chance for you to define how your Shep reacts to situations.
Plus, a lot of seemingly smaller or binary choices can impact the other games (even a single line of dialogue or how someone reacts to you).
A lot of it really hinges on the 'sum of its parts,' so to speak.
Maybe your right and I would've eventually grown to love my Shepard like a little gatchapon. But it felt like infamous where you're really better off being either complete goody two shoes or total rebel I-do-things-my-way-man. At least that's what the leveling up mechanics told me, maybe it doesn't play out that way in later games.
Also how much can I really care about ME1 when I already know the twist at the end and that ME2 & 3 Sheps are just clones?
"Sum of it's parts" explanation makes sense though cause whenever I ask people why they like the games they can't ever give me a straight answer.
D
Doge
Unconfirmed Member
Hell yeah. Play them all breh!
Poodlestrike
Banned
3 has the best gameplay, hands down. Not just combat, RPG mechanics too.
It's got story weaknesses out the wazoo, but after you add in all the DLC I'd call it better than 2, and it absolutely destroys 1.
Yes, if--
1. You get the GOTY edition with all the DLC included, and
2. You get the "new ending" DLC for ME3. It's still shit, but it's less shit than what shipped on the disk.
The hate is mainly the result of a massive case of blue-balls because the games do a masterful job of world-building and storytelling, and then it just fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion at the end.
But there's solid storytelling and solid gameplay across the whole series.
1. You get the GOTY edition with all the DLC included, and
2. You get the "new ending" DLC for ME3. It's still shit, but it's less shit than what shipped on the disk.
The hate is mainly the result of a massive case of blue-balls because the games do a masterful job of world-building and storytelling, and then it just fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion at the end.
But there's solid storytelling and solid gameplay across the whole series.
KyanMehwulfe
Member
the ME Trilogy version on PS3 (that he's looking at) comes with most of the ME1 and ME2 DLC but not the ME3 DLC
plus the ME3 DLC is still full price Q_Q Omega $15 CAD Citadel $15 CAD
lmfao
brianjones
Member
played 5 hours straight of mass effect yesterday
goddamn i forgot how good the music is right from the beginning
the gameplay is pretty dated.. as a shooter its really janky and as an rpg its kind of an afterthought.. the clumsy mechanics of using powers
but goddamn the world and characters and dialogue just sucked me right back in
can't wait to keep playing
goddamn i forgot how good the music is right from the beginning
the gameplay is pretty dated.. as a shooter its really janky and as an rpg its kind of an afterthought.. the clumsy mechanics of using powers
but goddamn the world and characters and dialogue just sucked me right back in
can't wait to keep playing
All 3 games had pretty good character creation music. Andromeda HAS to be good too.
ME2 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mr-8bbchYs
ME3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPSORPGRAQ
Mr. Poolman
Member
KojiKnight
Member
Worth it just to
Seriously, have no clue why so many people like Tali.
get Tali exiled, then killed, then murder her entire robot hating race
Seriously, have no clue why so many people like Tali.
FantasticMrSnake
Member
Yes, and remember that you also need the dlc in 2 and 3 to get the full story -____-
Jumping Chief
Neo Member
Yes, just yes.
geordiemp
Member
Yup, loved the ME 3 multiplayer, but we should really refer to it as coop survival...
Think I preferred multiplayer it, and sank more time into it, than all 3 mass effect campaigns put together.
Ultimadrago
Member
Mr. Poolman
Member
On PC the ME3 MP area is still pretty crowded and quite easy to find partners online.
JehutyRunner
Banned
YESYESYESYES.
I feel Mass Effect is the best trilogy of games I've ever played. The ending with 3 puts a black mark on the series, yes, but not enough to completely ruin my view of the trilogy. Plus, the Extended Cut makes it a bit better. As some have said, it's all about the journey and the one this series takes you on is just incredible and, for me, outweighs that said black mark of the ending.
For me, there is nothing like it. And there will be nothing like it for some time. Love this series.
When you do start: do NOT skip 1. It hasn't aged well, admittedly, and gameplay doesn't handle as well now compared to 2007, but as someone suggested here a few pages back, put it on easy and make it a bit more bearable.
And secondly: get the most important DLC. Extended Cut of course, but also stuff like Lair of the Shadowbroker for ME2 (and I'd also argue Kasumi as well) as well as From Ashes, Leviathan and Citadel for ME3. ESPECIALLY Citadel - it's pure fan service at its absolute finest. One of the best DLCs ever.
Enjoy the ride, man. It's just going to be fantastic and I hope you enjoy it.
Umm, there's a difference between sharing an opinion and stating it as fact.
If you think 3 is a boring game, that's fine and you're entitled to that opinion, but it absolutely subjectively isn't a a bad game. Far from it.
I feel Mass Effect is the best trilogy of games I've ever played. The ending with 3 puts a black mark on the series, yes, but not enough to completely ruin my view of the trilogy. Plus, the Extended Cut makes it a bit better. As some have said, it's all about the journey and the one this series takes you on is just incredible and, for me, outweighs that said black mark of the ending.
For me, there is nothing like it. And there will be nothing like it for some time. Love this series.
When you do start: do NOT skip 1. It hasn't aged well, admittedly, and gameplay doesn't handle as well now compared to 2007, but as someone suggested here a few pages back, put it on easy and make it a bit more bearable.
And secondly: get the most important DLC. Extended Cut of course, but also stuff like Lair of the Shadowbroker for ME2 (and I'd also argue Kasumi as well) as well as From Ashes, Leviathan and Citadel for ME3. ESPECIALLY Citadel - it's pure fan service at its absolute finest. One of the best DLCs ever.
Enjoy the ride, man. It's just going to be fantastic and I hope you enjoy it.
Umm, there's a difference between sharing an opinion and stating it as fact.
If you think 3 is a boring game, that's fine and you're entitled to that opinion, but it absolutely subjectively isn't a a bad game. Far from it.
Yeah it's basically horde mode.
They should just bring out the multiplayer as standalone for a small price or F2P and sell skins/packs. I would totally play that on my PS4.
Black Mantis
Member
100% yes. My favourite new IP last gen.
I think they are all worth playing, but I will say 3 is a disappointment.
Mass Effect introduces you to the universe. Strongest storyline by far and has a lot of exploration.
Mass Effect 2 is a bit like a side mission in a way, but a damn good one. It's all about the build to 3 while being completely character focused.
The problem with 3 is that its just a let down. Since you're basically stuck doing the same exact thing you did in 2 for the majority of the game.
Mass Effect introduces you to the universe. Strongest storyline by far and has a lot of exploration.
Mass Effect 2 is a bit like a side mission in a way, but a damn good one. It's all about the build to 3 while being completely character focused.
The problem with 3 is that its just a let down. Since you're basically stuck doing the same exact thing you did in 2 for the majority of the game.
Felt too clunky and janky for my liking, but I've heard good things otherwise.
geordiemp
Member
sign me up
xZoneHunter
Member
I loved the trilogy, definitely one of the best experiences i've had on last gen.
Mass Effect 1 was alright. It sets the mood for the next installments. The shooter elements are a bit rusty and it lacks depth in the side quests. (they feel like generic fetch quests) The story itself however is pretty well set up and will leave you craving for more after you beat it. The best part is the amount of planets available to explore. You can literally get lost in space for hours and that's hard to find in games nowadays.
Mass Effect 2 is where the trilogy reaches it's peak. The gameplay is more polished, side quests are actually worth doing, new awesome powers to use, new classes, and so much more. It was everything a sequel had to be.
I think the most prominent reason for ME2 to be considered the "best" game in the series is because the old characters (from ME1) make such an epic return that'll leave a grin on your face. Yes i'm referring to that scene.
Mass Effect 3 was a bit of a rough patch. The gameplay became more shooter oriented and it felt less and less RPGey. That being said the game makes up for it with being a lot more emotional and epic than the previous two. It also gives you a conclusion for most of your squad's own story, some being more tear-jerking than others. (Yes there will be manly tears of manliness) The ending controversy isn't really enough to write this game up as a failure, mostly because it wasn't necessarily bad. It just wasn't how the ending was supposed to be. Now with the extended ending, it doesn't come over like that anymore.
Like i've mentioned a couple times, the best part about Mass Effect is its characters and lore. While you're playing through the trilogy you'll become really attached to them and it's just a joy to see them develop over the course of 3 games.
All in all, if you enjoy a good coherent story line set in space with characters that have some depth, supported by a solid combat system and gameplay, i have faith that you won't regret spending that 9$.
And if that wasn't enough to convince you, you get to fly your own spaceship.
Mass Effect 1 was alright. It sets the mood for the next installments. The shooter elements are a bit rusty and it lacks depth in the side quests. (they feel like generic fetch quests) The story itself however is pretty well set up and will leave you craving for more after you beat it. The best part is the amount of planets available to explore. You can literally get lost in space for hours and that's hard to find in games nowadays.
Mass Effect 2 is where the trilogy reaches it's peak. The gameplay is more polished, side quests are actually worth doing, new awesome powers to use, new classes, and so much more. It was everything a sequel had to be.
I think the most prominent reason for ME2 to be considered the "best" game in the series is because the old characters (from ME1) make such an epic return that'll leave a grin on your face. Yes i'm referring to that scene.
Mass Effect 3 was a bit of a rough patch. The gameplay became more shooter oriented and it felt less and less RPGey. That being said the game makes up for it with being a lot more emotional and epic than the previous two. It also gives you a conclusion for most of your squad's own story, some being more tear-jerking than others. (Yes there will be manly tears of manliness) The ending controversy isn't really enough to write this game up as a failure, mostly because it wasn't necessarily bad. It just wasn't how the ending was supposed to be. Now with the extended ending, it doesn't come over like that anymore.
Like i've mentioned a couple times, the best part about Mass Effect is its characters and lore. While you're playing through the trilogy you'll become really attached to them and it's just a joy to see them develop over the course of 3 games.
All in all, if you enjoy a good coherent story line set in space with characters that have some depth, supported by a solid combat system and gameplay, i have faith that you won't regret spending that 9$.
And if that wasn't enough to convince you, you get to fly your own spaceship.
S
Steve.1981
Unconfirmed Member
Yes it's worth it. At that price? Jesus Christ yes it's worth it!
If you have any interest in sci-fi, rpg or story-driven games you are going to love it.
If you have any interest in sci-fi, rpg or story-driven games you are going to love it.
George Oscar Bluth II
Banned
I've soured on the Mass Effect series since this ending of 3 and seeing the direction they're taking Andromeda (sounds a lot like Dragon Age: Inquisition), but I think it's very much worth it.
My advice is to take your time soaking in the atmosphere of the different games (1 is my favourite) and reading the codex to learn more about the universe. Talk to everyone, try to do all missions etc.
My advice is to take your time soaking in the atmosphere of the different games (1 is my favourite) and reading the codex to learn more about the universe. Talk to everyone, try to do all missions etc.
Takes me back.
Z_Y
Member
I'm not a huge RPG fan because I have the attention span of a gnat and very little free time, but I played and loved all three. ME1 twice actually. I actually started my second playthrough immediately after finishing my first. The ending was that damn good.
ME1 DLC is not needed, imo.
ME2 is my favorite because I played it initially with all DLC installed. I think the DLC is essential to your enjoyment of it. Lair of the Shadow Broker was possibly the best DLC released all of last gen.
ME3 was good but I played it at launch with only the day one DLC. I finished it and was kind of let down like everyone else. I went back and played a couple of the other DLCs but if I remember correctly I had to load an old game save to do so. It just wasn't the same. I bought the Citadel DLC on sale, which was supposed to right a lot of wrongs. I've been wanting to go back and do another run with everything but that is hard to justify with my current gen backlog.
tl,dr; Yes. Play them all but buy all the DLC for ME2 and ME3. They are basically incomplete without it.
ME1 DLC is not needed, imo.
ME2 is my favorite because I played it initially with all DLC installed. I think the DLC is essential to your enjoyment of it. Lair of the Shadow Broker was possibly the best DLC released all of last gen.
ME3 was good but I played it at launch with only the day one DLC. I finished it and was kind of let down like everyone else. I went back and played a couple of the other DLCs but if I remember correctly I had to load an old game save to do so. It just wasn't the same. I bought the Citadel DLC on sale, which was supposed to right a lot of wrongs. I've been wanting to go back and do another run with everything but that is hard to justify with my current gen backlog.
tl,dr; Yes. Play them all but buy all the DLC for ME2 and ME3. They are basically incomplete without it.
Maybe if you
didn't get Tali exiled, then killed, then murder her entire race
Tali was easily the best party girl on the ship.
prag16
Banned
I don't know, after 2 gutted some of the "RPG elements", 3 actually put a few things back in to some extent, like expanding the skill trees and adding more loadout customization. I know a lot of people took issue with the sidequest mechanics. But I actually preferred the way 3 handled it over 2. In 2, you had to walk up to every NPC to beg for quests. In 3, your "overhear" things and they go automatically to your journal. To me that actually makes MORE sense. Shepard is saving the galaxy. Ain't got no time for chatting with every passer by.
The ending is, well, the ending. I agree that with the EC included it isn't quite so jarring and horrible, but it's still not great. But as many have said, the journey is more important, and the actual mechanics of the game in almost all facets are better in 3 than the others.
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