Should I play Mass Effect 1 before Mass Effect 2?

[Craig234]

I've heard 2 is a lot better; is it worth playing 1 first, for reasons of story, missing a good game, importing chars, or whatever?

 

[Fenixgoon]

play 1 first for story reasons.

2 does some things better (action/continuity) but some things worse (fewer RPG elements), IMO

 

[NoSoup4You]

ME1 is still a great game, in many respects it's better than ME2. Both are phenomenal, play 1 first.

 

[Chriscross3234]

Yes, absolutely. A lot of the choices you make in Mass Effect 1, in terms of story and character progression, actually 'effect' what happens in Mass Effect 2. I'm currently playing through ME2 and it's very cool to see how they knit stuff that happened in ME1 into the game.

 

[tnt118]

Yeah, I'd go for ME1 first. I miss a lot of the things they took out in ME2, and even if it was a technically better game (and don't get me wrong, I really did enjoy it), I do feel like there was a little bait-and-switch going on. :sneaky:

Edit: apart from some awkward clipping and collision detection (mostly during cutscenes) the game actually holds up really well.

 

[Pheran]

Definitely play ME1 first, and personally I think it's the better game. I found the plot of ME1 to be much better than ME2, and I miss the ME1 skill trees in ME2. Plus, if you import your ME1 endgame you'll get tons of cool references to what happened there in ME2.

 

[pwnagesarus]

From a gameplay perspective, it would've been a downgrade going from ME2 to ME1. I think I spent 1/3 of my time in ME1 clearing out my inventory.

 

[Skurge]

Yes,

I miss the larger "feeling" universe and sense of progress in the story from ME1.

 

[Kromis]

Absolutely yes. It's the way the trilogy is mean to be played.

 

[Nik]

Yes.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Yes, play the first one, it is excellent and you will know what is going on.

 

[Fenixgoon]

From a gameplay perspective, it would've been a downgrade going from ME2 to ME1. I think I spent 1/3 of my time in ME1 clearing out my inventory.

while the inventory system in ME1 was pretty bad, the reaction to that in ME2 was waaaay too far on the other end. there's basically no loot in ME2

 

[Cheesetogo]

ME2 is also improved by being able to import your ME1 saves into it. Doesn't add a TON to the game, but it's still pretty substantial.

 

[Red Hawk]

Gotta say play ME1 first. ME2 is better (and quite different), but ME1 is still a great game itself. Play ME1 to better understand the story (Mass Effect was conceived as a trilogy with a continuous story, not just making another game if the last one sold well. ME2 picks up where ME1 left off). Also, the decisions you make in ME1 (which are many, as this is a BioWare game) can be imported into ME2 and directly affect how things play out, and will also affect ME3.

 

[Powermoloch]

play ME1 first, you wont regret it

 

[Pheran]

while the inventory system in ME1 was pretty bad, the reaction to that in ME2 was waaaay too far on the other end. there's basically no loot in ME2

Yeah, instead of just fixing the inventory and shop issues they went way overboard and gutted the entire RPG aspect of the game. It's still fun but not as good as ME1. I'm always surprised when I see that some people like the second game better.

 

[zinfamous]

yes. I put ME2 about on par with ME1. ME2 looks much nicer, is slimmed down a good bit (In a very good way, IMO--well, except for the planet scanning), but is very much lacking in storyline/fulfillment (b/c it's geared towards ME3).

I fully expect that ME2/3 will have to be taken together as one product, more or less, and will certainly outclass the first one, but as far as story and overall experience, I think I prefer ME1.

 

[Red Hawk]

Yeah, instead of just fixing the inventory and shop issues they went way overboard and gutted the entire RPG aspect of the game. It's still fun but not as good as ME1. I'm always surprised when I see that some people like the second game better.

The entire RPG aspect? Since when is inventory the entire RPG aspect of a game?

And by "some people", I hope you mean "most". Since across the board with review sites and reader reviews, Mass Effect 2 scored higher than Mass Effect 1.

 

[Fenixgoon]

The entire RPG aspect? Since when is inventory the entire RPG aspect of a game?

And by "some people", I hope you mean "most". Since across the board with review sites and reader reviews, Mass Effect 2 scored higher than Mass Effect 1.

part of an RPG is loot - getting newer/better items and equipping your party. ME2 had like 3 weapons and that was it. very disappointing in that regard

 

[Ackmed]

Can someone tell me what E and Q are bound for as default. Ive changed my keys, and dont want to change them just to check. I am at a part where I have to put henchmen on each side of the door.. and it tells me to use E and Q. Ive pressed every button, and nothing works. I hate lazy PC programmers.

 

[Clinkster]

You'd be a fool not to.

 

[zerocool84]

I just started Mass Effect 2 and really early in the game they talk about stuff that you did in the first game. I can tell already that I prefer combat in the first one than the second one. Just getting to the Elusive Man so I'm still early. Voice acting is still well done which is good.

 

[zinfamous]

Can someone tell me what E and Q are bound for as default. Ive changed my keys, and dont want to change them just to check. I am at a part where I have to put henchmen on each side of the door.. and it tells me to use E and Q. Ive pressed every button, and nothing works. I hate lazy PC programmers.

I think E is default "activate" button. not sure about Q....

 

[KeithTalent]

Serious case of deja vu here. :hmm:

Play ME 1, it is far superior in my opinion.

KT

 

[vrait]

First ME is amazing. play it!