june gloom on 4/1/2011 at 06:33
Sorry, couldn't think of a better title. It's 1:30 am and it's fucking freezing in here, sue me.
These are the facts:
1) I found out I've got a bit of money left over from Christmas shopping, even after finally getting around to buying my birthday gift (DVD drive, it's on its way, with any luck you won't have to hear me bitch about it anymore!) While most of this money will go into feeding myself, I intend to buy at least one game, perhaps two.
2) I am seriously considering buying at least Mass Effect 1 over Steam, despite my insistence that I'd never actually pay for a Bioware game. It's only $20, and I could just as easily buy Stalker Clear Sky for $10 despite already owning it. (Thanks again for the other two games, Sulphur, just by the way.)
3) What's stopping me from just hitting "buy game" on Steam right now? I'm concerned about the DLC for both ME1 and 2.
4) There is so much DLC content and I'm having a hard time keeping track of it all, especially since most of it seems to be horse armor.
5) I am a DLC whore.
The thrust of the problem is that most sites are frustratingly vague about what DLC is purchasable on PC/over Steam. I'm mostly after the DLC that adds substantial new content like locations. Are there any bullshit 360-only/PS3-only/console-only exclusives? This applies to both games.
Renzatic on 4/1/2011 at 06:46
Being a DLC non-whore, there isn't much here I can answer. But what I can answer is that yes, both ME1 & 2 are plenty fun without them, and no, there isn't any exclusive console BS.
nicked on 4/1/2011 at 06:50
If it was me, it'd sting that it was in the sale at a fiver over Christmas. :p Depends if you're willing to wait and see if it gets reduced again next holiday... (Easter, Valentine's Day? Hmm...)
EvaUnit02 on 4/1/2011 at 06:58
You have KotOR1, which is frankly better than the first Mass Effect.
ME1:-
Bring Down the Sky - Free for the PC version and the only piece of ME1 DLC worth bothering with.
ME2:-
Cerberus Network Pass - EA's Project Ten Dollar in action. Every new copy comes with a code entitling them to free DLC, including an extra party member with their own loyalty quest (Zaeed Massani); "Firewalker Pack" vehicle-based missions in the Hammerhead hover tank which is really everything which ME1's Mako space buggy should've been; Normandy Crash Site; horse armour.
ME2 Premium DLC:-
Overlord - A meaty story-based mission, with considerable variety. System Shock fans should get a kick out of it.
Kasumi: Stolen Memory - Another additional party member with their own loyalty mission. It's quite James Bond-esque in the first act and makes for a nice change of pace.
Lair of the Shadow Broker - One of the best pieces of expansion content released in 2010, no question.
You buy and download the ME2 DLC through (
http://social.bioware.com/).
Koki on 4/1/2011 at 08:01
Since you're going to shop online, technically your money doesn't have any mass at all. Neither will the game you buy.
Hope that helps
june gloom on 4/1/2011 at 08:29
no, no it really doesn't
Sulphur on 4/1/2011 at 08:47
Quote Posted by dethtoll
2) I am seriously considering buying at least Mass Effect 1 over Steam, despite my insistence that I'd never actually pay for a Bioware game. It's only $20, and I could just as easily buy Stalker Clear Sky for $10 despite already owning it. (Thanks again for the other two games, Sulphur, just by the way.)
You're welcome, comrade.
Quote:
3) What's stopping me from just hitting "buy game" on Steam right now? I'm concerned about the DLC for both ME1 and 2.
4) There is so much DLC content and I'm having a hard time keeping track of it all, especially since most of it seems to be horse armor.
5) I am a DLC whore.
The thrust of the problem is that most sites are frustratingly vague about what DLC is purchasable on PC/over Steam. I'm mostly after the DLC that adds substantial new content like locations. Are there any bullshit 360-only/PS3-only/console-only exclusives? This applies to both games.
Eva's post explains pretty much everything. No console exclusives, but some ME2 DLCs were first released on 360 and then came to the PC months later.
Regarding 3), keep in mind that they're good games, but they're space operas, so the stories can be pretty fucking boilerplate, which extends to some of the quests -- ME1's side missions are literally one warehouse X times over, with clunky RPG gameplay (think Alpha Protocol and a never-ending inventory screen) and one helluva pain in the ass of a ground vehicle. If you can get past all of ME1's clunky bullshit it's an all right game; you'll probably love ME2, which is leaner and meaner.
Dresden on 4/1/2011 at 09:08
ME1 is a poor game with a shitty inventory system and samey weapons that only increase in power as you go. I'm tempted to call the story and writing a bit crap, but I think it's a bit like comparing A New Hope to Empire Strikes Back. The first one is just simpler and introduces the base elements of ME's universe.
ME2 is a fun game with much better writing and richer atmosphere. They fix everything about the first game's mechanics. Well, except for the dialog wheel being a bit too vague at times. The DLC is mostly horse armor except for the new playable characters and the Liara mission. Project Overlord is pretty much a glorified side quest.
That being said, I think ME1 is still worth slogging through for the carry over choices and story. ME2 is definately worth $20. For 40$ its a huge amount of content to go through.
Renzatic on 4/1/2011 at 09:14
I'd suggest ME1 simply so you can influence the course of the story from ME2 onward. While I liked the game when I first played it, ME2 does everything so much better, I find the original hard to recommend for any other reason but that.
Though as clunky as it was, I did find myself missing the buggy in ME2.
And yes, your actions do make a huge impact in the sequels. Almost to the point where, rumor has it, ME3 will supposedly play out totally differently depending on the choices you've made previously.
Angel Dust on 4/1/2011 at 09:31
It's not just choices you've made but the returning characters, particularly the ones that you can recruit again in the second, that make playing the first game worth it. I found the first game to be fun for the first 20 or so hours and then I kind of had to slog through it a bit until I got to the climax, which was an absolute corker. I've also found that I've ended up getting really attached to my Sheppard now that I've played through 2 games with her (Jennifer Hale > Mark Meer) and most of my anticipation for the third game is simply due to that attachment.
