[Rob Smith]

Gah. Post screwed up. What does it mean that the "Number of quote tags aren't the same"?

Anyway...

Spoiler

In my case I brought peace between the Quarians and the Geth. Tali stands on that cliff, removes her mask and... the camera pans slowly away just in time.

I'm pretty sure that it was Garrus that made the comment about shouting. Snarky bastard.

[alicia hillier]

I had a funny contrast, playing last night, of Bioware trying to get an emotional response from me - one where it worked, and then a short time later, one where it failed. I see what they are trying to do - continually illustrate the cost of war on people's lives, most specifically Shepard's, but others too - she often has a chance to ask after other people's families etc. Anyway I decided to do Wrex's request, to locate a scouting party gone missing. (Won't say what they were scouting, as some may not have gone that far or read about it.)

Anyway, where it worked -

Spoiler

I went in, met up with Grunt, which was fun. I do like the Krogan - even the Krogan female is awesome without barely moving.  My team (me, Vega, Jarvik) go through the cave and I make the same decision I did in ME1 about the Queen. So I get a cut scene, where Grunt is covering our escape and I almost started crying - because I always liked him and Wrex as characters, plus the music was well done and I am a svcker for one crazy Krogan against bad odds... and it definitely looked like I was going to lose him.  I was just genuinely bummed, I hate losing characters I worked hard to befriend and help. But I had made the decision I wanted so... and of course I get the nice surprise at the end of the scene.

Where it didn't work: A short while later I go down to the cargo bay/armory and Cortez

Spoiler

(I think that is his name - the shuttle pilot) is there, listening to a drama-movie type recording of his husband saying good bye and going all Daniel Day-Lewis "you must be happy, don't hang on to grief, I love you" type thing. That in and of itself was too sledge-hammery for my taste. But where it really went south was the camera panning to Cortez' face - he's got the tear smudge, but the animation/expression on his face was SO AWFUL that it made me bust out laughing. It was cheesily written, but the facial expression just made it fail so so bad.

[I love YOu]

I had a funny contrast, playing last night, of Bioware trying to get an emotional response from me - one where it worked, and then a short time later, one where it failed. I see what they are trying to do - continually illustrate the cost of war on people's lives, most specifically Shepard's, but others too - she often has a chance to ask after other people's families etc. Anyway I decided to do Wrex's request, to locate a scouting party gone missing. (Won't say what they were scouting, as some may not have gone that far or read about it.)

Anyway, where it worked -

Spoiler

I went in, met up with Grunt, which was fun. I do like the Krogan - even the Krogan female is awesome without barely moving.  My team (me, Vega, Jarvik) go through the cave and I make the same decision I did in ME1 about the Queen. So I get a cut scene, where Grunt is covering our escape and I almost started crying - because I always liked him and Wrex as characters, plus the music was well done and I am a svcker for one crazy Krogan against bad odds... and it definitely looked like I was going to lose him.  I was just genuinely bummed, I hate losing characters I worked hard to befriend and help. But I had made the decision I wanted so... and of course I get the nice surprise at the end of the scene.

Where it didn't work: A short while later I go down to the cargo bay/armory and Cortez

Spoiler

(I think that is his name - the shuttle pilot) is there, listening to a drama-movie type recording of his husband saying good bye and going all Daniel Day-Lewis "you must be happy, don't hang on to grief, I love you" type thing. That in and of itself was too sledge-hammery for my taste. But where it really went south was the camera panning to Cortez' face - he's got the tear smudge, but the animation/expression on his face was SO AWFUL that it made me bust out laughing. It was cheesily written, but the facial expression just made it fail so so bad.

Spoiler

That second spoiler....totally agree. it seems they really wanted to force a homosixual relationship. I for one told Mr. Cortez to shove it.

[sarah taylor]

I've been looking at my war assets, and I don't play multiplayer, is it really possible to get the best ending with 50% readiness?

[Marquis deVille]

I've been looking at my war assets, and I don't play multiplayer, is it really possible to get the best ending with 50% readiness?

Yes. I think i heard that having the "effective strength" over 5000 ensures the best ending. If you play MP the readiness percent increases and it's easier to gain, but it's not impossible with it at 50% either.

For some reason my readiness percent keeps lowering to 0% at times, it should never lower below 50 %

[Emma Louise Adams]

In ME2 during the character creation screen there is that code at the bottom. Does anyone have a good looking femshep they would be willing to share cause I can OT for the life of me make a good looking girl in this series.

My femshep:

743.Q9G.M17.F1W.JD7.16Q.1CF.811.F66.417.286.15A

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/staarbux/femshep.jpg

[Lewis Morel]

I was thinking of puicking up the 3rd one whenever its out, but I haven't played the first or second.
How easy is the story of Mass Effect to pick up and should I at least pick up the second one to fully understand some of what is going on

[DAVId MArtInez]

In ME2 during the character creation screen there is that code at the bottom. Does anyone have a good looking femshep they would be willing to share cause I can OT for the life of me make a good looking girl in this series.

I used this one in ME1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkMMr3ylu_g only with a slightly different nose and I think somewhat lighter skin. Looks nice, also in conversations.

The code for the ME2 version of the same face is 731.2GL.F18.B61.DGE.1AH.3IC.121.B96.143.2G6.476

I was thinking of puicking up the 3rd one whenever its out, but I haven't played the first or second.
How easy is the story of Mass Effect to pick up and should I at least pick up the second one to fully understand some of what is going on

It's a conclusion to a trilogy. There are going to be many characters that the story assumes you know, because you've met them in previous games. Some of them have been your companion throughout the entire series. Plus the fact that ME3 takes some of your major choices from the first two games into account.

I haven't played ME3 yet so I don't know how well it stands on its own, but I do think you'll miss out on a lot of back story. Ideally you'd start with the first game and play that character all the way through to the third.

[Peetay]

Gah. Post screwed up. What does it mean that the "Number of quote tags aren't the same"?

Anyway...

Spoiler

In my case I brought peace between the Quarians and the Geth. Tali stands on that cliff, removes her mask and... the camera pans slowly away just in time.

I'm pretty sure that it was Garrus that made the comment about shouting. Snarky bastard.

Well, you failed at being a diplomat then

Spoiler

In my case a peace between the Geth and Quarians was finally agreed upon, and the Geth allowed Quarians to move back to a shouthern continent of their homeworld. Tali was there to the end, as was the Qurian and Geth fleets. Legion, unfortunately, had to sacrifice himself to make the rest of the Geth self-aware. And someone (can't remember who ) made a suitable comment afterwards "I've never before seen someone end a war by shouting."

Spoiler

That's interesting, I wonder what the choices where that lead to each of out experiences. Did you guys save the Admiral that crashed on the Ronnoch? I'm kind of happy with my ending now.It's was sad to see Tali kill her self and the Flotilla too be obliterated but it's made things very dramatic and really gets the whole "this could be the end" feeling across.

[adame]

I used this one in ME1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkMMr3ylu_g only with a slightly different nose and I think somewhat lighter skin. Looks nice, also in conversations.

The code for the ME2 version of the same face is 731.2GL.F18.B61.DGE.1AH.3IC.121.B96.143.2G6.476


It's a conclusion to a trilogy. There are going to be many characters that the story assumes you know, because you've met them in previous games. Some of them have been your companion throughout the entire series. Plus the fact that ME3 takes some of your major choices from the first two games into account.

I haven't played ME3 yet so I don't know how well it stands on its own, but I do think you'll miss out on a lot of back story. Ideally you'd start with the first game and play that character all the way through to the third.

IMO you will get a LOT more enjoyment out of ME3 if you have imported your characters through ME1 and ME2. Plus it has some major effects on choices in ME3. The most of any ME game imo

[Kelli Wolfe]

But i was told the ending would svck. Why does the internet keep lying to me?

You know, i've been thinking about the ending, and feel i should elaborate on this.

Spoiler

I can definetly see why some people dislike it, for two whole games (and most of the third) the focus has been on Shepard and his/her crew, and on a larger scale, humanity. In the end the focus shiftes to a much larger scale. The Reaper on Rannoch says it first, that the extinction cycle is means to maintain order in the galaxy, then the Catalyst in the end says much the same. Shepard and humanity builiding the Crucible and docking it with the Citadel proves that the cycle is no longer viable solution, and as the one who made the way of breaking the cycle possible, Shepard is the one the Catalyst entrust the future of the galaxy. Perhaps more than just the galaxy.

At that point it's no longer about Shepard, or the crew or even about humanity or the reapers, it's about the fate of the galaxy. And that is why the undetailed, open ending.

Or that's how i see it. The underlying reasons for the extinction cycle should've been elaborated more, but in the end i feel this ending works. It makes you think, and it's about much more than it initially seems.

And the best line of the ending? "Tell me another story about the Shepard." That really says it all

So in short, a non-sarcastic

[Laura Samson]

I agree, to get the most out of the series you should play 1-3 in order while importing your character. My only conundrum is if I should Get the DLC, I have never bought a ME DLC and I'm not sure they are entirely worth it, story wise.

I used this one in ME1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkMMr3ylu_g only with a slightly different nose and I think somewhat lighter skin. Looks nice, also in conversations.

The code for the ME2 version of the same face is 731.2GL.F18.B61.DGE.1AH.3IC.121.B96.143.2G6.476

My femshep:

743.Q9G.M17.F1W.JD7.16Q.1CF.811.F66.417.286.15A

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/staarbux/femshep.jpg

Thank you guys

[Josh Trembly]

I agree, to get the most out of the series you should play 1-3 in order while importing your character. My only conundrum is if I should Get the DLC, I have never bought a ME DLC and I'm not sure they are entirely worth it, story wise.

Most people seem to agree that "Lair of the Shadow Broker" is worth it. Reactions to other DLC is mixed, at best.

[M!KkI]

Most people seem to agree that "Lair of the Shadow Broker" is worth it. Reactions to other DLC is mixed, at best.

lair of the shadow broker was an excellent DLC. and even though its 10 dollars, the prothean squadmate has become my favorite.

[Roddy]

#1 reason I have found so far to import characters

Spoiler

If your Shepherd saved Maelon's data in ME2, the female Krogan survives and becomes an icon for all the Krogan. if you don't import or you destroyed Maelon's data, Bakara dies

[JD FROM HELL]

I'm hearing that a lot of people who are importing a ME2 character who was originally created in ME1 are having issues with ME3 not properly importing the custom face.

I hope that won't happen to me, my character is also from ME1.

[Tyrone Haywood]

I'm hearing that a lot of people who are importing a ME2 character who was originally created in ME1 are having issues with ME3 not properly importing the custom face.

I hope that won't happen to me, my character is also from ME1.

I didn't have a problem, but then I did not modify mine that much
on another note, the Prothean Particle rifle is ridiculously overpowered, especially when your two squadmates have it too.

[Roy Harris]

I just got ME3 tyhe other day and decided to import, only now I have discovered and remembered I had deleted the profile to save hard drive space.

>.<

Damn I don't feel like playing 2 games to play a third.

[Laura Shipley]

Spoiler

So Udina is a traitor, never saw that one coming

[Ross]

But i was told the ending would svck. Why does the internet keep lying to me?

Whether or not the endings are bad is a matter of taste, my issues with the endings lie only with the gaping plot holes.

Spoiler

I would have been fine with the endings if they cut out the Normandy stuff, Joker just leaving the final battle is out of character for him, no reason as to why he left is given, and characters who were with you during the final push and who should either be dead or incapacitated are on board and in perfect health.

I'm hearing that a lot of people who are importing a ME2 character who was originally created in ME1 are having issues with ME3 not properly importing the custom face.

I hope that won't happen to me, my character is also from ME1.

I had that problem with the PC version, the game popped up with a message box that told me that faces that were made in Mass Effect 1 couldn't be imported and forced me to recreate it from scratch. If you recreated your face in Mass Effect 2 you won't run into any difficulties, but if you're expecting to be able to import your original ME1 morph then you will likely run into this problem. From my understanding BioWare is currently attempting to fix the problem.

[Brandi Norton]

Whether or not the endings are bad is a matter of taste, my issues with the endings lie only with the gaping plot holes.

Spoiler

I would have been fine with the endings if they cut out the Normandy stuff, Joker just leaving the final battle is out of character for him, no reason as to why he left is given, and characters who were with you during the final push and who should either be dead or incapacitated are on board and in perfect health.

Didn't find it that strange myself.

Spoiler

The wounded squadmates were picked up and brought to the Normandy. They propably weren't as badly wounded as Shepard and Anderson, and managed to make it to a safe pick up spot after finding out Shepard made it to the Citadel. And after the Crucible started preparing to fire it would have been a good idea to order the surviving ships to retreat. Only they didn't know the Crucible would use the Mass Relays to reach the whole galaxy.

[Antony Holdsworth]

Didn't find it that strange myself.

Spoiler

The wounded squadmates were picked up and brought to the Normandy. They propably weren't as badly wounded as Shepard and Anderson, and managed to make it to a safe pick up spot after finding out Shepard made it to the Citadel. And after the Crucible started preparing to fire it would have been a good idea to order the surviving ships to retreat. Only they didn't know the Crucible would use the Mass Relays to reach the whole galaxy.

Spoiler

You can hear someone mentioning that everyone in the attacking force was written off as dead over the radio. Also during the final scenes the fleets are still fighting the Reapers, meaning that no retreat order was given, implying that Joker was actually deserting.

Even if what you said could have been true, your final squad mates wouldn't be in top condition at the very end when exiting the Normandy considering the state that everyone else was in after getting beamed by Harbinger (either dead, or heavily wounded).

[Ria dell]

Spoiler

You can hear someone mentioning that everyone in the attacking force was written off as dead over the radio. Also during the final scenes the fleets are still fighting the Reapers, meaning that no retreat order was given, implying that Joker was actually deserting.

Even if what you said could have been true, your final squad mates wouldn't be in top condition at the very end when exiting the Normandy considering the state that everyone else was in after getting beamed by Harbinger (either dead, or heavily wounded).

Spoiler

That was right after the attack, who knows how much time it took between the attack and the Crucible firing. Also disengaging from battle isn't as easy as turning around and hitting the accelerator, those ships could've been unable to retreat. But like i said in the post on the top of the third page, i'm looking at the big picture, so i don't really care about the exact details

[Tessa Mullins]

Spoiler

That second spoiler....totally agree. it seems they really wanted to force a homosixual relationship. I for one told Mr. Cortez to shove it.

Good heavens. That is not what bothered me at all. It was just cheesy dialog and the animation on the character's face made me giggle through the whole thing.

[Marta Wolko]

Played my first mission online, I was thoroughly impressed.