It’s hardly a secret I don’t like the Mass Effect 2 strategy guide. That said, this guide’s cover is still one of my absolute favorites of all of my strategy guides (and I own quite a few).
Monday Gaming Diary: Mass Effect…Again?
So I’ve been on a super-speed run of Mass Effect 2 this past week. The last of the Mass Effect 3 campaign DLC drops this week, and I don’t have a save point in my ME3 game that will allow me to access any of it. I always knew that I would have to start over my playthrough anyway, if I wanted to play the DLC with my paragon Shepard. Since I always wanted to replay ME2 with my paragon anyway to change just one thing, I decided that there’s no time like the present. Since I don’t want to lose my original playthroughs with my paragon, I moved those save profiles to a USB drive and then started a new ME2 game with an import from the first game, just like I did the first time. Once I start ME3, I’ll do the same thing. So yeah, I’ll have four sets of saved profiles for one Shepard.
Am I little nuts? Yeah, but we always knew I was a bit nuts over this series in the first place.
So what is the one thing I’m changing? Yeah, it’s a really girly thing, and it’s probably stupid in most people’s eyes, but it is important to me, so there it is. When I first played ME2, Kaidan’s breakup was utterly heartbreaking for me. I had to turn off the game when it was over, because I was in shock at what happened. And then he sends that email later that was a bigger kick in the crotch…yeah, I saw no point in remaining loyal to him, which was my original plan. I had already been told that Kaidan/Ashley were not romance options in ME2, but I had no idea they showed up and dumped you. And Kaidan being upset that Shepard didn’t contact him when she was dead over the last two years…are you serious?
I always had a thing for Garrus, even from the first game, so yeah, I had no problems developing that relationship. At least here is a guy who is willing to hear Shepard out and stay loyal despite the Cerberus ties. Kaidan wouldn’t even let Shepard really explain; it was 100% black and white with him, so yeah, I didn’t feel any remorse in going after someone else when Kaidan made it so clear it was over.
Of course, then he returns in ME3 and made everything so damned complicated. I still had a soft spot for Kaidan, but then there’s Garrus, who has been loyal from the start. I accidentally triggered a commitment scene with Kaidan while playing, and I’m glad I did, because otherwise I never would have known that he thought Shepard cheated on him. If you commit to someone else, he won’t have the commitment talk with Shepard at all. When he said, and I quote, “Look, I understand why you cheated,” I about screamed at my TV. I felt like Ross from Friends in that I wanted to tell him, “WE WERE ON A BREAK!” We weren’t really even on a break; he dumped my ass. I have the email as proof.
So ANYWAY…I’m going to see how different it goes with Kaidan when Shepard remains loyal. As much as Kaidan hurt me (not Shepard, me, as sad as that may sound) in both ME2 and ME3, I still have a soft spot for Kaidan and I want to see one Shepard work it out with him. That’s the beauty of playing a game; you can replay it and change the outcome as much as you want.
Best part? So far, I’ve been able to recreate my original playthrough to a T, save for the romance. Oh and it looks like this time I’ll save my crew in full as well. Definitely not reenacting that mistake.
Taking a break from Mass Effect Guide review with LEGO Harry Potter
I’ve been silent over here for awhile, and the reason why is because I am struggling to get into Mass Effect. I’m struggling to the point that I have to talk myself into playing the game, and well, that hasn’t happened for a couple of weeks due to the greatness that is LEGO Harry Potter. The game is so silly and has such great, thought-provoking puzzles that it’s taken precedence. I really hoped there was a published guide available so I wouldn’t neglect this site, but apparently the LEGO games no longer warrant needing guides. Oh well.
I think the reason why I’m having trouble with ME is that I’ve played a lot of somewhat serious games lately. Yes, Bayonetta really wasn’t that serious story-wise, but the gameplay was quite serious. Then there was Heavy Rain and Final Fantasy XIII from earlier this year. I need a break from the serious stories.
What better way to break away than to play LEGO Harry Potter? You can’t really die, there are always fun techniques to try out, there are tons of whimsical puzzles, and you cast spells. It’s the perfect silly, non-serious game.
But game challenger MattG has also pointed out that Paper Mario RPG: The Thousand Year Door is also just as fun whimsical. So yes, I will be able to review a guide and play a fun game at the same time.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that games with serious stories aren’t fun. I’ve just had my fill of them for the time being and crave a bit of silliness.
In My Mailbox
Two new guides for my latest expeditions. I’ve decided to bump Darksiders for now in favor of some RPG time. I’ve played several action games in a row, and I need a little break. I have a few friends who have been harping on me to play Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 for some time now, so this seemed to be as good a time as any. I have nothing demanding my attention until Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep releases in September, so it’s about time to get Mass Effect out of the way. It’s also written by two of my favorite guide authors, Bryan Stratton and Stephen Stratton, so I can’t wait.
There is actually a funny story behind the Mario guide. See, that wasn’t the guide I meant to buy. I meant to buy the guide for Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, since that is the game that MattG actually loaned me. I’m going to have to purchase Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on WiiWare. But I got them mixed up on eBay, (they have similar names, after all) so this one came first. The other is on its way.
And yes, I will have guide reviews up soon of BOTH Bayonetta and Portal.