If I didn't play Mass Effect 1, will I understand 2?

[ManBearPig]

Basically just wondering if i NEED to play 1 to understand 2. I only have a PS3 to play games with (unless my laptop with an intel gma x4500 can handle ME1 lol), and ME1 isn't available for the PS3, so i pretty much have to start with 3.

Should I go for it? Also, are these games basically typical Bioware RPGs set within a 3rd person shooter?

Thanks!

 

[viivo]

No need to play the first.

Mass Effect 2 is more action shooter, but the rpg elements are strong despite the many simplifications to inventory, weapon and armor upgrades and skills.

 

[micrometers]

I recommend that everyone skip ME1. It is terrible. ME2 is a massive improvement. In fact, I just bought it for the second time!

And I played ME2 after I had played ME1 like 2 years ago so I had forgotten just about everything.

 

[Gooberlx2]

No need to play the first.

But still recommended if possible, imo. The 4500 can do it, it'd be low res and low quality, but it can still do it. Search youtube for examples.

 

[micrometers]

No, you really don't want to play ME1. It bored me to tears. First the story isn't that interesting. You're Mr. Serious Space Marine. Kinda dumb, but also not as interesting as Halo in how its depicted.

Secondly the combat sucks. I can't really describe except to say that it has the annoying elements of RPG with something of a half-assed FPS part. So you have to constantly assign stat points that you can't tell make a difference (because you don't see the damage numbers like in a traditional RPG) but then the movement of the enemies is just...weird. Like, they don't notice you when you flank them, stuff like that.

ME2 improves everything. It's RPG where it actually matters (assigning ability points) and the action is much better. I's like a more customizable version of Halo and Gears of War.

 

[fatpat268]

ME1 is great. It gets a lot of shit for its inventory management and vehicle controls, but in truth I like it a lot more than ME2. The actual combat is more RPG based. It's still a shooter, but the damage you do and whether you hit or not is based on your stats. This is really only a problem at the beginning of the game, but the combat gets a lot better once you level up.

ME2 took a lot of what made ME1 a good RPG away and made it more of a simple third person cover shooter. Not a bad game by any means, but I much prefer 1 over 2, but I can understand why people might dislike 1.

Anyway, the gist of all of this, is that no, you don't NEED ME1 to enjoy ME2 and eventually ME3, but I do recommend trying it. You can get it pretty cheap ($10-$15 for PC). I can't speak to how well it'll run on your computer, but if you can spare the change, it's worth it.

Also, I'd like to mention that ME1 is actually fairly short if you stick to the main quest. Most of the side quests aren't worth it, except for a select few. Stick to the main quest, and ME1 is a ~20 hour game. ME2 is probably around 30-40 hours.

 

[Dessert Tears]

Basically just wondering if i NEED to play 1 to understand 2. I only have a PS3 to play games with (unless my laptop with an intel gma x4500 can handle ME1 lol), and ME1 isn't available for the PS3, so i pretty much have to start with 3.

Be sure to register and download the "Cerberus Network" DLC including the Genesis interactive comic book. It will take you through the main storyline.

The actual combat is more RPG based. It's still a shooter, but the damage you do and whether you hit or not is based on your stats. This is really only a problem at the beginning of the game, but the combat gets a lot better once you level up.

ME2 took a lot of what made ME1 a good RPG away and made it more of a simple third person cover shooter. Not a bad game by any means, but I much prefer 1 over 2, but I can understand why people might dislike 1.

Combat at low levels (and with bad guns) is pretty frustrating. The sniper scope in particular swings all over the place until it's been leveled a bit. I also prefer 1 to 2.

 

[mmntech]

I didn't enjoy ME1 nearly as much as the second one. However, I do recommend playing them in order, as there is a broad story arc at work across the three games. Decisions you made in one will affect to a degree what happens in the following games.

 

[Kromis]

I think because of the recurring characters in Mass Effect 3 (check out the demo), it's better to play through ME1 so you actually get to know your party members as they'll appear once again in ME3. It feels more rewarding that way, IMO.

 

[Anteaus]

I'd still play one. Gameplay differences aside, the story is powerful and worth experencing.

 

[fatpat268]

I didn't enjoy ME1 nearly as much as the second one. However, I do recommend playing them in order, as there is a broad story arc at work across the three games. Decisions you made in one will affect to a degree what happens in the following games.

Well, not if he plans on playing the rest of the series on the PS3.

 

[Bonesdad]

you didn't NEED to see A New Hope to enjoy The Empire Strikes Back either...but it sure helped. I'd pick it up and play it...stick to the main story arc and skip the side missions, like others have said.

 

[zerocool84]

I definitely prefer the story in 1 over 2 but the combat is much better in 2.

 

[Doppel]

Combat at low levels (and with bad guns) is pretty frustrating. The sniper scope in particular swings all over the place until it's been leveled a bit. I also prefer 1 to 2.

I am 5 hours into ME1 now and even with points into sniper (a lot, I thought), the thing waves around even at a distance of 30 meters like my guy is about 5 minutes from passing out due to being absolutely thrashed on alcohol.

These games are cheap. ME1 cost me maybe $15 used, $20 at the most from a local ebgames for the 360. ME2 was $20 brand new and is in the hopper.

 

[Veliko]

ME1 is considerably better than ME2. There is far, far too much dull combat in the sequel and I ended up putting it on the easiest skill level just so the battles ended faster.

I didn't get round to finishing it either.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I couldn't get through ME1 due to the combat but may try to go back and play it again some day. I did make it through ME2 though.

 

[alent1234]

I am 5 hours into ME1 now and even with points into sniper (a lot, I thought), the thing waves around even at a distance of 30 meters like my guy is about 5 minutes from passing out due to being absolutely thrashed on alcohol.

These games are cheap. ME1 cost me maybe $15 used, $20 at the most from a local ebgames for the 360. ME2 was $20 brand new and is in the hopper.

hated the sniper rifle in 1 and loved in 2. in ME2 it was too powerful. i would stay back under cover, take out the enemy heavy weapons and my guys would mop up the rest easily

 

[Oyeve]

I just bought ME1 and ME2 recently because I have been hearing for years how good they are. So far ME1 is very good albeit slow moving, the combat is meh, but it does excel as an rpg. I am hoping ME3 is not just a dumb action shooter game as I bought me1 and me2 for its rpg elements.

 

[A5]

The PS3 version of ME2 comes with a motion comic that tells you what happened in 1 and lets you make a few of the major decisions. You can also get it as DLC for the 360 and PC I think.

The best gun in ME1 was the pistol if you spec'd right.

Anyone who says ME2 combat was boring didn't play a Vanguard. Best class, IMO.

 

[McWatt]

Don't play ME1 as a shooter and the combat is actually better than ME2. In 1, each ability had a separate cooldown (allowing you to depend on interesting combos) and biotics/tech were fully effective on shielded opponents. Play ME1 as an adept and enjoy lift/throw and singularity - you can wreak havoc with cc abilities, so much so that you don't need to fire a shot.

 

[alent1234]

i'm going to pre order it today, question though. gamestop is giving out special armor and weapons. is it good stuff i can use right away?

or should i just go to best buy for the $10 gift card?

 

[JTsyo]

I thought they added an interactive comic to ME2 so that you can carry over the choices from ME1.

 

[Pheran]

I recommend that everyone skip ME1. It is terrible. ME2 is a massive improvement. In fact, I just bought it for the second time!

I cannot even begin to describe how horribly wrong, wrong, WRONG this post is.

Mass Effect 1 is one of the greatest games of all time. Mass Effect 2, while still great, does not quite live up to the original. Play the first if it all possible.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I thought they added an interactive comic to ME2 so that you can carry over the choices from ME1.

They did, it's a DLC called Genesis (free on PS3 I think). If nothing else at least do that, but I still say it's worth making the effort on ME1.

Some of the smaller decisions and plotlines that aren't in the comic also have effect in ME2, and likely ME3. Even simple stupid fun ones, like Conrad Verner.

The biggest reason, imo, to play ME1 is to feel more...I dunno...committed to the cause and your team. Tali and Garrus are on your team in ME2 as well. Taking the time to develop that connection with them in ME1 likely makes a difference to how you see them in ME2. Garrus and my Shep totally have a bromance, for example...or at least that's how I see it.

I think of it like Band of Brothers without the first 4 episodes. Sure, it'd still be a fantastic 6 episode miniseries, but you'd feel much less invested in each member of easy. Thinking about it, that's probably the biggest difference between BoB and The Pacific to me. I liked the Pacific quite a bit, but still not as much as BoB.

 

[Todd33]

ME1 is a better game, ME2 just has better shooting, but worse everything else.

Just use the intro comic to make decisions, you have to make your char from scratch anyhow.