Mass Effect: GenesisPlatformsXbox 360, PlayStation 3Recommended?Not anymoreWhen was announced for release on the PlayStation 3,there were a lot of questions about how it would work sincehad only been released on the Xbox 360 and Windows. Not only was MassEffect 2 the direct sequel to one of the most expansive narratives everseen in a video game, but the game imported the first title’s savedgames to keep the player’s choices intact throughout the series. Howwould the developers handle the complete lack of Mass Effect 1? Theanswer: Mass Effect: Genesis.For gamers that didn’t have a Mass Effect 1 save to import, BioWarehad selected a set of “canon” choices to at least lay down thegroundwork. The default choices generally meant that players would missout on some interesting characters, including Wrex, a fan favorite. ForXbox 360 and Windows players, they could play 30+ hours of Mass Effectto generate their ideal saved game, but with Genesis, PS3 owners couldplay the 15 minute interactive comic and make a few key decisions.Yesterday, Mass Effect: Genesis was surprisingly made available on the Xbox 360 for 320 MS Points, here is my take on it.Before we begin, this has nothing to do with, sadly.

• Mass Effect 2 Genesis Dlc
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Also, not to be confused with the iOS title,.To start, it is great that Xbox 360 owners can finally take advantage of this great little tool. Mass Effect 1 is a BIG game and many hardcore fans of the series prepared a variety of Shepards in preparation of Mass Effect 2, trying out different permutations of decisions and classes. It obviously wasn’t until we got to play the second game that it became clear what choices were actually important (and the full effect of decisions won’t be felt until Mass Effect 3 is released). In my opinion, BioWare was pretty lenient with allowing Shepards to change class between games and redo a few minor decisions in an early conversation, but if you wanted to see the outcome of a slightly different decision, it meant replaying the first game (and the second).Mass Effect: Genesis takes the biggest choices of the first game and presents them in a cool interactive comic. A male or female Shepard is created and then the comic kicks off, summarizing most of the first game while presenting choices along the way. The story is narrated by Mark Meer or Jennifer Hale, the voices of Commander Shepard, so it sounds excellent.

I listened to both actors and they each sound perfectly in character (and while Mark Meer is a great male Shepard, Jennifer Hale just blows the role out of the galaxy).The actual art is unmoving, presented like a comic book with panels fading in as the story unfolds. I like the art style but I’m not a huge fan of how some of the characters were drawn, particularly Liara, but overall it looks just like how you would expect a Mass Effect comic to look. The detail is excellent on some of the wider shots but seems lacking in closeups of characters. I’m by no means a comic connoisseur, however, so maybe I’m missing some of the general artist techniques. What I can confidently comment on is that while Genesis is a useful tool for quickly making the broad decisions that defined the base plot of Mass Effect, it is not a complete replacement for playing the original game. Genesis is missing all the little choices that really gave the game a ton of charm and made my Mass Effect 2 playthroughs incredibly fun.

Let’s take a quick look at the comic’s decisions:. Shepard’s love interest: Liara, Kaidan or Ashley (depending on gender), or nobody. This is a great decision to include considering producer Casey Hudson has made a point in saying that there will be ramifications in Mass Effect 3 if you betrayed your original love interest in the second game. The default lover in the “canon” story is either Kaidan or Ashley. On a related note, including gay characters.Fate of the Rachni Queen: While this has almost no immediate repercussions in Mass Effect 2 except for one side conversation, the decision to save the Rachni race will undoubtedly have a huge impact in the final battle against the Reapers.

The default canon option was to kill the Rachni Queen on Noveria. Fate of Urdnot Wrex: In the canon story, the super well-written Wrex is dead! This is really too bad for many players as they’re missing out on a stellar character. With Genesis, you can stop Ashley from sniping him on Virmire. Death of Ashley or Kaidan: Probably the biggest decision in the game is which squad member you’ll sacrifice on Virmire, and while the survivor makes just a few cameos in Mass Effect 2, they will once again be a full-fledged party member in Mass Effect 3.

The default is to kill off the same gendered character as Shepard. Fate of the Citadel Council: I always found this decision odd at the end of Mass Effect 1, whether you save or kill the council has no effect on the outcome of the battle. The human fleet is supposedly devastated in arriving early to protect the Destiny Ascension that the alien council members are on, but they still take down Sovereign and win the day.

There are a few characters who are rather ticked at you in Mass Effect 2 if you don't rescue the council, but it seems like another decision that will have greater repercussions in Mass Effect 3. The default canon decision is to leave the council for dead. Human Council Member: Umm. What is the point of this decision? So at the end of the game or comic, Shepard gets to designate whether Badass Anderson or Jackass Udina should be the next human council member (whether or not you let the current council die), okay, that makes sense.

Mass Effect 2 Genesis Dlc

But, (but!) the first game never actually saves the game after you make this decision (the saved game it imports is apparently the auto-save right before Saren) so Mass Effect 2 already not-so-slyly asks you this question again near the beginning of the game. So while I haven’t personally tested it, apparently you could answer Udina in the comic and Anderson in the game an hour later, and the council member would be Anderson. This also means there is no default canon decision. Seems like a decent list, if you’re just covering the basics. The biggest omission is definitely any mention of the main mission on Feros.

But in retrospect, the whole point of battling the Geth and Thorian there is to unlock the visions Shepard is experiencing, so maybe its absence is not that big of a deal? Just feels weird since it was about one-fifth of the main game.After Feros we start getting into all the little things that players will be missing out on. Meeting up with characters like Fist and Conrad Verner is completely impossible on the PlayStation 3 version of the game, even with Genesis!

While minor characters in the grand scheme of things, they’re very memorable, particularly Shepard wannabe Conrad. Gamers will also miss out on a bunch of emails and random conversations with characters from the first game.Ideally, an “advanced” mode would have been great to tailor just about every decision from the first game. Did you return the Alliance member’s body to her husband? Did you let the hostages die during? Did you punch the reporter in the face? It would be awesome to be able to quickly craft your Mass Effect 2 (and 3!) experiences.But for gamers new to the series, Mass Effect: Genesis offers a valuable tool for catching up on what happened and tailoring their Shepard’s story with a bit more care.

The problem with the late release on the Xbox 360 is that. Well, it’s late. This would have been a great bonus included in the Cerberus Network at launch, but now it’s relegated to people really late to the Mass Effect 2 party. Maybe we’ll see a great import tool come Mass Effect 3, but for now, we gotta take what we’re given. And hey, the interactive comic was a great idea and well executed for its intentions.

I am going through a serious Mass Effect withdrawal right now. I cannot wait until ME4 comes out in the meantime, I am replaying the whole series now. I’m about midway through ME2 and I’m trying to make different choices than I have in my last two playthroughs but somehow I can’t.My Femshep looks virtually the same as I made her in the first two playthroughs (see photo above). I still make mostly Paragon choices and the same romance choices. It’s amazing the kind of attachment you can form to.your.

Shepard. I think it’s because I identify with my version of Shepard so much so that to change her characteristic would be to change a part of myself (ooOOooh, so meta).Am I the only one who does this? I mean, it’s to the point that I can’t watch promo vids or youtube uploads of ME3 games with “other” Shepards without feeling like something’s just not right. For me, Shep is always going to be a female badass with a soft spot for Kaidan Alenko it’s weird seeing a male Shepard and don’t even get me started on gay Shep (no offense to the gays, do your thing just not with my Kaidan, ok? Cool.).Anyway, with that in mind, here are what I think are the top 10 most controversial and polarizing choices you’re called upon to make in the game (and in all 3 playthroughs, I have always made the SAME call):10. (ME1) Kill or free the Rachni Queen.This was a no-brainer for me. I didn’t want to be responsible for genocide no matter what the consequences.

(ME2) Save or sacrifice the Council.My first playthrough, I was so annoyed at the Council that I let them die but then I reloaded and saved them and that’s how it’s been ever since.8. (ME3) Cure the GenophageThis was a tough call for me because I really liked Mordin and the only way to save his life is to not cure the genophage. But, ultimately, I’ve chosen to cure the genophage – I think Mordin would have wanted it that way.7.

(ME2) Destroy or keep the Collector baseI’ve gone with the Paragon option both playthroughs and destroyed the Collector base. In reality though, I think keeping the single biggest source of intelligence on the Reapers is the more logical choice. Plus, it doesn’t make a difference in ME3 either way.6.

(ME1) Kill Wrex on VirmireSeriously? Does anyone actually kill Wrex??? He’s only one of the best characters in the game with some of the best dialogue in ME1. Plus, he’s hilarious in the ME3 Citadel DLC drunken party scene.5.

(ME2) Zaeed’s Loyalty MissionThis is the one Renegade decision that I always seem to make – let Zaaed kill his long time rival and sacrifice the factory workers. What can I say, I have a soft spot for the Z-man, RIP.4. (ME3) Invite Diana Allers to the NormandyThis was a struggle for me. Diana Allers really grated on my nerves. Having her as a war asset seemed like a good idea until I had to talk to her – she acts strangely slutty for a “journalist” and reminds me of those girls who think they’re super hot but are actually fug?

Maybe this time around, I’ll sacrifice the war asset for the satisfaction of her dying aboard the SSV Shasta.3. (ME2) Cheat on your original love interestOk, so you’re on a break with your love interest from ME1. What’s a Shepard to do?

I didn’t cheat on my first playthrough and I accidentally got locked into Jacob as a love interest in my second playthrough. This time around, I’m going to romance Thane.

Since he has a fairly dramatic role to play in ME3, it will be interesting to see what changes in the story, though I fully intend to return to Kaidan in ME3. The problem with ME2 is that every romance option for Shepard felt like a booty call – a lot of the dialogue got over-sexualized and frankly awkward (I’m looking at you, Garrus and Jacob!).2. (Me3) Destroy, Synthesize, or Control the ReapersYes, I think this choice is only the 2nd hardest in the ME series because the ending is terrible and unsatisfying no matter which you choose.

Even with the Extended Cut DLC, I found it hard not to feel disappointed. I chose Synthesize in my first playthrough because that seemed like the “best” ending but then I chose Destroy in my second playthrough because it felt more satisfying. I’ll probably choose destroy again this playthrough because the idea of Joker and EDI having weird synthetic sex after my Femshep had to die and not be reunited with her lover is very irritating.1. (ME1) Kaidan or Ashley on VirmireOf course, I think this choice is the most polarizing one in the Mass Effect series because people always seem to be firmly planted in one court or the other.

To point – I have not, nor will I ever, have a playthrough in which I save Ashley over Kaidan. Ashley is an abrasive xenophobe who is also fairly unattractive.

Kaidan is a much more interesting as a character, is a better teammate, has a way better voice actor, and provides some eye candy. Kaidan has been with Shepard since before the events of ME1 so it’s only natural that he’s the canon romance for Femshep IMHO.

Plus, he’s the only straight love interest who doesn’t feel like a random hookup.“Ashley, you’re terrible and we hate you.” EveryoneAnything to add? I’m really curious to see if you all feel as strongly about your version of Shepard!

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Let me know in comments! I’ve always been a full Paragon player. I tried playing Renegade once but gave up, I feel genuinely awful for being a bad guy to fictitious characters. Here are my choices.1. Kaidan is a more interesting character overall. He is a cool character, he is very fucking humble (considering he had the highest potential of all the members in the academy where he trained), and he is a very loyal buddy to Shepard (though he is kind of a dick on ME2 while you’re with Cerberus, but he has his point).

Ashley is a more “human” character, but a pure bitch, I didn’t feel bad at all for letting her die.2. Before the Extended Cut I chose Synthetize, because it seemed the most logical choice due the bullcrap the Catalyst said. Then I read the thingie about “Indocrination Theory”, and chose Control. I couldn’t do Destroy because I felt really bad for killing the Geth. When the Extended Cut hit it, I chose Control again (I actually did all the endings in the Extended Cut, including the “Bad Ending”), and it was the one I was most satisfied with: Shepard becomes one with the Reapers in order to protect the Galaxy; that felt really heroic and fitting for a 100% Paragon.3. I did, only because you couldn’t have a relationship with Tali in the ME1.

I always liked Tali the best, but I since she was not an option in the first game, I sticked with Liara, “cheated” on her with Tali in ME2, and broke up in ME3, to stick with Tali till the end. Thanks for sharing!

It’s interesting that you mention Control as the best Paragon option when it’s meant to be the Renegade path but after you mentioned the Indoctrination Theory, it totally makes sense. Maybe I’ll pick Control this time around because I really hate to kill Legion. Though, it’s hard to pass up the Destroy ending knowing that I’ll get to see Shepard take a breath afterwards and potentially live.Also, I tried to start ME2 off this time around as a Renegade but I couldn’t – you’re right, it was just too hard. It seriously took an emotional toll on me to be such a dick to everyone! Which is strange, because I have no problem doing that in real life:PIt’s interesting that you picked Kaidan over Ashley, too, mainly because none of the guys I’ve talked to about ME picked Kaidan (I think for obvious reasons). You, sir, have restored my faith in men.:). Control is actually the “Paragon” choice with a blue highlight (while the Destroy option is renegade/red).

This is makes sense because paragon choices generally are considered the “order” choice, while renegade is “chaos”. While the destroy is definitely the pro-organic choice, it would likely eventually lead to chaos in the galaxy, namely the continued war between organic and synthetic life with no “supreme power” (aka the Reapers) to clear the board every 50,000 years. Hence the Control choice represents maintaining order.BTW, I watched the Indoctrination Theory, and while it does make one think, I don’t subscribe to it. I know what you mean about not able to watch another Shepard.the closest I ever got to another playthrough that wasn’t what I had already done a billion times before was an mshep renegade. It lasted two missions in ME1.Also, what about legion and the geth-quarians? It might just be me and my friends but most of us cannot agree in what to do with legion and none of us can agree on whether to save the geth or quarians if both can’t be.Personally I have Ashley on my most recent playthrough, but don’t want to.

My first playthrough had Kaidan then I went through again with Ashley to see how it changes, but I also did more side missions that I now know are important (looking at you bloody matriarch writings). I just don’t think I’d be able to find all of those side missions and complete them again so I can’t trust myself to take the risk no matter how much Kaidan is better. The way you feel about Ashley is how I feel about Kaiden, granted its been a long time since I played the first game, and I was a 22 year old boy so at that time it may have been tits or gtfo mentality.

However,I just remember feeling bored with every interaction with him, plus I never used him as a squad mate because he did all the same stuff as me. I did kill wrex on a play through, but only to see how that situation played out, Wrex was my favorite character of the whole series and the fact that you don’t get the option of a krogans squad mate in 3 was the biggest disappointment to me for that game.

As far as the endings go, I did originally take synthesis, but that felt like a cop out, so I booted up at the laser and went with destroy. I subscribe to indoctrination theory seeing as its the only way to make all the weird, out of place shit in the last 20 minutes make sense.

If you pick anything but destroy, the reapers win. With the Male Shepard it’s more like a “bro” stuff. He asks for advice and/or gives his personal view about missions and other characters in a very close manner with Shepard; there is a chain of command and respect between the two, but he got a really dirty mouth and doesn’t give shit about it.Vega has some interesting potential and he is, despite the looks, a really interesting character, specially after you watch Paragon Lost. I see in Vega the insecurity of having to deal with the leadership: he is forced to do so, but unlike Shepard, who has a natural talent, Vega has to face many obstacles, despite doing his best.Also, I think Freddie Prinze Jr. Did an excelent job voicing Vega. Right, let’s get to this then (I’ve just finished some ME3 multiplayer with friends so I’m in the mood, as it were).I think I’ve done maybe 3 or 4 Mass Effect playthroughs now (Infiltrator/Soldier, Adept, Sentinel & maybe Engineer) and every time I go to make a new character I think I’m going to do everything differently. More often than not, however, it’s only the hair-cut and the love interest that changes.

I always look pretty much the same and I always end up playing Paragon. I had tried to play Renegade a couple of times but couldn’t do it. Then I really put my mind to it, stuck with it, and I have to say, I really enjoyed my Renegade playthrough, it was very funny at times (hanging up on the Council, punching Khalisah al-Jilani in the face etc, general banter – I don’t remember being ‘rude’ to my squad members, he just seemed more like a badass).

I would definitely say force yourself to Renegade it and see how things progress. I admit full responsibility if you hate it at the end.I admit though, I found Ash quite interesting, including her outrageous views and I wondered if her opinions might change with time so I romanced her and fell for her quite hard in the end – also, Kaiden got on my nerves a little, he seemed a little whiny.So, 10) I’m with you on this one, save her, not going to wipe out an entire species.9) I’ve done both and I don’t know which one I prefer. The Council annoyed and frustrated me. I saved them on my Renegade character (after hanging up on them a lot in 1, Joker is funny!) just so I could give them more grief in later games, and let them die because with the Reaper threat I wanted forces, rather than annoyances.8) I love Wrex (I think this answers number 6 as well) and think he’s one of the best characters in the game. After talking with Mordin and Wrex about the genophage throughout all my playthroughs, it needed to be cured – though IMO only with Wrex leading the Krogan.7) I’ve never kept the Collector base and I always found it a tough decisionintel or abomination. If it doesn’t make a difference in ME3 I’m not fussed about destroying it.6) See 8, love Wrex. He’s also hilarious with his banter on Surkesh with squad-mates, especially Garrus.5) I’m sure I let him kill Vido but I really don’t remember it.

I think I’ll have to do another Renegade playthrough just to double-check – I’ve been wanting to do a badass shotgun-wielding melee-soldier for a while. I just remember thinking “I can’t let all those people die!?” Such a Paragon.4) Ugh, waste of time and space IMHO. Drop Diana Allers entirely and give me a relationship option with Kasumi.3) I had a nightmare with love interests. I romanced Ash in 1, she got all narky with me in 2 and not knowing about Ash coming back in 3 as a LI I pursued Miranda (because I love Yvonne from Chuck and I like brunettesYvonne + BrunetteI can’t) which I don’t regret, but that was really my ‘Ash’ playthrough. So I went back and re-imported my character just before 3 came out so I could remain loyal to Ash and continue on for 3. I almost screwed up my Renegade playthrough as I was romancing Liara and accidentally picked a Renegade option and had sex with Jack (oops!).

I learnt to save my game before any conversation with anyone on the ship, just in case lol.Oh and I accidentally said the wrong thing to Tali which caused me to almost cheat on Ash and when she was in hospital in 3 she said “Look, it’s okay. Tali is like a sister, I totally approve.” which, I think shows how far she’s come since ME1.2) I’ve done all the endings (including shooting star-child in the face and rejecting him which was so satisfying) and I think my favourites are Destroy (for that breath) and Control (so I can look after my friends). But all 3 have their merits and I always find it hard to choose the ending I think my Shep would want. I wasn’t thrilled with the options and it screams of EA rushing it out but what’s done is done and I think the extended cut and Citadel DLC helped a bit (despite the enormous holes in parts of the extended cut).1) I apologise in advance.

I killed Kaiden every time. Don’t hate me. I hated it, I really did. Every time I thought “No, I want to save them both!” but I am going to do that badass melee shotgun renegade soldier and save Kaidan, I owe it to him as I always regretted it.Sorry about the huge reply, I do love all these aspects of Mass Effect so it’s great to talk about! Thanks for your blog! I am a real schizofrenic, got 2 Sheps (male) one on pure paragon and a second pure renegade, even if the first Shep (soldier/paragon) is my Shep, it was really funny playing the dark side.

Renegade Shepard specially in ME1 has some really hilarious badass dialogues. In ME2, the athmosphere is much more darker and less ironic so you do not feel so good after finishing your “bad shep trip”. Now the choices:10. Paragon saved the queen, renegade gassed the bug(and yes, you do feel bad after pressing the button).9. Always saved them. Better a grateful council than a new bunch of burocrats(I plan to make a new renegade path where the extermination of the council could be the first step to Shepard becoming a galactic emperor.Luke.I am your father.uuuuucccchhhhh)8. Did both to try, but definitively the cure option is much more satisfyingtoo bad you lose Mordin (one of my favorite carachters)7.

Did both, a useless choice.6. Killing Wrex? Don’t even think about it.

Mess with him and you’ll see a Shep get mad (Stevie Ray Vaughan)5.Did both, don’t care too much about Zaeed.4.Paragon: invited her, potential one shot romance / Renegade: invited her, thought it could be nice to have a journalist to punch directly on the Normandy without being obliged to go back to citadel each time3. Paragon, sacrificed love interest (Williams) on Virmire – Renegade: could Shep be a real badass without cheating? I prefer synthetize, I die but at least Joker will have some fun, and it reminds too much of my first Deus Ex completion.1. Tried both but my choice is definitively to keep Kaidan, I like his blind loyalty, and hi biotic powers of courseBy the way. I cannot pass a single prompt neither.

I felt like it made sense to be Paragon in ME1 because you’re the new kid on the block who is trying to make friends. Then in ME2, I felt like Renegade made sense because you don’t really like the people you’re working for, the Council are still dicks, and no one is listening to you. ME3, both routes feel right to me and since it doesn’t matter for the ending if you’re Paragon or Renegade Anyway, I guess the only thing left for me is to play as a Male Shep! But I hear the voice actor is terrible for Male Shep true or false? Have you ANY idea what you just said?

“Grunts are meant to be sacrificed.”; I’m in the military, and, to be frank, I don’t care if you are simply referring to the game itself, I’m pretty fucking insulted by that remark. I’m sure many of my fellow brothers- and sisters-in-arms would be insulted as well.I understand you may not like Chief Williams. Hey, whatever. Different strokes, right? But saying that “grunts are meant to be sacrificed” spits in the face of a rather sizable chunk of the Armed Forces, regardless of what branch or country that chunk hails from. Keep in mind that many of those “grunts” are WILLINGLY risking their own asses so others won’t permanently lose theirs.Huh I normally don’t talk about the military like this.

I guess after 6 years it’s finally starting to grow on me. Or something.I’m still keeping Ash over Kaidan, but that’s just me. I find it hard to complete a playthrough once you get past chronos. The first time I picked destroy, (I cant bring myself to believe shepard would want to huskify the galaxy or try to become a god) but the couple of times I have played through after that my motivation fades as soon as we land on earth. I think I have 3 playthroughs now sitting with saves around the final mission.Playing ME1 is very hard to be properly renegade, I did it once but felt awful. It is a lot easier to start ME2 and play renegade with the default settings (killed Council, Rachni and Wrex) and keep it up in ME3 – the genophage cure is a much more difficult question when Wreav is in charge.I picked Ashley the first time and kept with her, largely because my femshep had Tsoni fever and Kaidan seemed less interesting – Ashley starts as a misguided character who develops. Unfortunately this wasnt continued in ME3.

Kaidan is much more relevant and interesting in the last game. “Ashley, you’re terrible and we hate you.” EveryoneUmmm, no. I also think insulting the real life voice actor behind Ashley (it’s inferred that she is much worse than Kaidan voice actor) is pretty poor taste imo. You like Kaidan, you hate Ashley. We got it but insulting real people as a result of your exuberance for Kaidan & dislike for Ashley, seems below-the-belt. Not to mention, the voice acting in ME series is some of the best in any video game series ever. Anyone saying otherwise is simply wrong & this includes Ashley too.

It just seems pretty childish which normally is fine when discussing/arguing about fictional video game characters but to stoop to insulting the real life woman who voiced Ashley? I expected better frankly since you’ve got a great site here.I liked both Ashley & Kaidan as squad mates. They had different personalities but that’s what makes the world go around so that’s fine. I’m definitely not going to join in with the “I hate Ashley too & that’s why it’s good to kill her” mob that seemed to form in the comments. What rubbish in every way. For me, it was a genuinely tough choice so I made it analytically. If I was a soldier type class, Ashley got the boot.

If I was a adept/tech type class, Kaidan got the boot. In other words, if 2 of us are the same, 1 of us isn’t necessary. Seems like people need a reminder of this before they go kill someone just because they don’t like them. I don’t think that Ash’s voice actress is very good, just like I don’t think MShep’s voice actor is very good. That is MY opinion.

I appreciate that you have your own opinion and feel free to comment, but policing my opinion (or frankly anyone else’s) is ridiculous, especially when you pair it with personal insults. This kind of behavior is expected on something like Tumblr which is a bit of an open forum for reblogging and discussion, but this is a personal blog – I own it, I pay for it, I write it, and I’ll say what I want to. If you think disagreeing with my opinion on this subject nullifies everything good about my entire blog, that’s your call, but I appreciate your visit nonetheless. I just recently concluded the Mass Effect series (if you wonder why I am such a “late developer”, I only recently aquired a pc with specs that are up to the task of running the Mass Effect series, but it was definitely worth waiting for), and I must say that I absolutely agree with your inital remarks Girlplaysgame. I also suffer from ME withdrawal (Mass Effect is the most fantastic games series, it is without equal, except perhaps for my other favorite: the Deus Ex 1-3 series) and became very attached to my Shepard, which by the way was a FemShep, though I am male in “real life”. I started up with a male Shepard in ME1 but I wanted him to look like, well, myself.

But no matter how much I tweaked his looks he never really looked right (apparently my looks are not “hero” material:) so in the end I thought: “Well, if I can´t tweak the MaleSheps looks the way I want it, I am going with a FemShep instead”. Also I knew that FemShep was voiced by Jennifer Hale, and I knew her from other games and liked her voice. I never came to regret my choice of a FemShep. In fact I came to feel more and more attached to her, as I played through the series. The main reason was probably that I had made the decision from the beginning, when I was still going to play as a MaleShep, to let him take the paragon/renegade choices that I would have done (and also “vowed” not to take back a choice, no matter its consequenses).

I stuck with this decision after I begin playing as a FemShep, and was rather curios to see whether I/she would turn up a coldhearted renegade or a noble paragon:) Well, my FemShep certainly had some renegade choices (including one in ME2 that made my feel “dirty” and a bit ashamed), but for most of the time “we” ended up with paragon choices. After playing through ME1 my FemShep was 3/4 paragon and about 1/4 renegade, a profile that I think reflects my own personality pretty well.

This “profile” continued through ME2 and ME3 and I came to, well, really like my FemShep, and not for any of the “the-usual-male-reasons”! Honestly I know what you mean. I’ve tried to play different play throughs as different Shepard’s (male and female.) and change my look. It just doesn’t even look right and it’s really sad how I can’t stand to listen to a different Shepard with the same voice as my original.

Lol it’s absolutely wrong I tell you. I tried to play as a renegade with a rugged looking version but then it don’t look right. So I’m with you on that one. As for my choices.10 saving the Rachni queen.I’ve always had a mixed emotion about them. First off there giant any like beings. They reproduce beyond belief and like nobodies business.

Look how quick they became a threat in the short time they were givin. So in some play throughs I save them for the perks and sometimes I don’t just to be on the safe side.:P if I was truly in this situation though I’d be totally lost.9 save the council.In my first play through I did not. Why sacrifice so many lives for a few stuck up politicians who are no help to you till the very end?! But on my second time I do now cause story’s much more interesting. But if I was really put in this situation I’d say let them burn. You know the sayin.

Out with the old. In with the new.8 curing the genophage.My god this killed me cause this would contradict my beliefs considering my who rant on the Rachni. But this was on a more personal note.

And wrex is one of those characters you really can grow attached to in my opponion. Plus he was with you from square one how can’t you be? That and I never break a promise in real life so you prob can imagine how ridiculous I looked getting all frustrated needing to keep a promise to a fictional character.7 destroy or keep collector baseDestroy every time. I don’t care what people think.

Nothing good comes out with that kind of technology.6 kill wrex on virmire.Hell to the no! No man gets left behind is all got to say! Well at least for most. Poor sods.As for number 5 I’ve never obtained the DLC so I couldn’t comment on it. And prob never will.

Everyone always seems to give negative feed back on it and tell me it’s quite disappointing. So I’m not even gonna put my money on it.4 invite Diana allers to the Normandy. Truly I don’t believe this makes a huge impact on story but I’ve always invited her mostly. I got to agree she needs a paper bag over her head. But damn she got a fine bod.3 cheat on your love interestHonest to god my first time playing this game I was truly upset you could not have a option to romance with tali.

I know she’s an alien but to me it’s more the personality that I find attractive. And now that I’ve played the entire trilogy how can you say no?! I mean come on. She was backing you up from day one. Even was the eyes that watched your back when you teamed up with that lunatic the illusive man.

Despite how much she disposed Cerberus. Now that’s the kind of woman I’d fall in love with. So I was glad you could in number 2. So didn’t cheat in my first play through. Second time I tried with Ashely despite my feeling for tali. (Dramatic love act) but I wanted to see the romance scene. That quickly ended when I saw Miranda.

Now that was a fox! Hot white or black leather take your pick! (Drool) but in the end I go back to tali.:P2 synthesize, destroy, or control the reapers. This was so retarded.

There was barely any change and the end was very vague. It left you with you dropping the controller hands in the air like “what the hell happened!!!???” And in the end your ship and crew get stuck on a remote world for god only knows what reason they were jumping through the mass relay in the first place. When they should’ve been on earth waiting for Shepard. And left you wondering what happened to all them krogan truians and salarians that end up getting stranded on earth.

All them fleets of ships are stuck. That prob really messed up on political draw backs. It just left a lot of what happened questions. I didn’t like it. I saw this as a tempt to being very lazy.

And I don’t see how a ME4 is gonna come out unless its a prequel to the trilogy series or based in a time long before Shepard was around. Based off there statement how they claim there will not be a Shepard in the next mass effect game. But my choices were destroy destroy destroy! Seriously to go through all that trouble just to preserve them In the end?.

Light’em up!1 kaidan or Ashely on virmireHonestly kaidan is just a whiner. Can’t stand him. I’d rather have some annoying ugly girl who can at least really hold a gun than some what you think be some bad ass biotic turn out to be a big baby with some tricks up his sleeves. No offense I see you go some love for kaidan but I guess that’s just because I’m a guy.

That and I hate whiners. I very much enjoyed your post. It’s good to see another who enjoys mass effect as much as I. Happy ending mod?

I heard they came out with an alternative ending but didn’t hear much more than that. I just hope they make improvements to ME4. Cause this game was epic until the end.

That’s was disappointing. This game could’ve made it big. Which don’t get me wrong it still is. You know what I mean. Lol what’s your theory on ME4? I still believe its gonna be a prequel or based way before the mass effect trilogy.

Maybe the first contact war? That be interesting.:). Just starting the series again, getting close to Virmire, and I’m still not sure about the Ashley/Kaiden choice this time. Both times I’ve played femshep before (inc. First everplaythrough) I’ve sacrificed the racist and saved Kaiden.

Last time though, I found him a bit judgemental and it grated a bit that he was giving me such a hard time. I guess it’s kind of the same with Ashley, but atm I’m mad at him, not her. That and her being penalised for her grandfather’s actions made me feel a bit more sympathetic toward her this time. I think maybe she needs a break this time around!Not curing the genophage feels too much like you’re stabbing both Wrex and Mordin in the back, even if it would ultimately save Mordin’s life.

If it’s Wreav and Padok Wiks, it doesn’t feel quite so bad though! The very first time i began with a) male, b) paragon, c) soldier shepard.as for now –a) jennifer hale just exorbitantly rules as the femshep voice actress. I only bother to play as a male shepard when i feellike dating ash or – more likely – tali.b) paragon may be more addressing my personal attitude but that’s not the point of playing video games that give you the option of being someone else as well as pursuing subjectively more familiar ways to handle the issue.since trying to be both is unfavourable for the story and your speech options – paragon may feel better inside, but renegade is so much more fun to play.c) soldier. Do it once to become familiar with the gameplay, but if it generally seems the best class to pick, you should consider playing call of duty and its respectives.

Imo which class you eventually pick, depends on which part you’re playing: i’d advise me1 sentinel, me2 vanguard, me3 adept (biotics are so much fun!).but that’s just me. Even the most boring option is still worth playing this wonderful saga.now for your list:10.

That mistake has been made before by the council and i won’t make it again. Killed her once but although i prefer a renegade playthrough, i didn’t feel comfortable with it at all.9. Save them.they’re a pain in the ass, but an only-human council sounds neither seems to work in favour of your reputation amongst any person throughout known space nor can i assume it being any clever when you are dealing with, depending on and fighting for all the races in the galaxy.and as a side effect, the attitude towards humanity in the rest of the trilogy doesn’t make up for the satisfaction of letting them fry.the turian shop clerk on the citadel in me2 insulting you is pretty hilarious though.8. The krogan characters wrex and grunt may be likeable or even highly respectable, but i detest the krogans as a race, so imo they deserve the genophage. They had it absolutely coming. Reliable birth control of a bloodthirsty, warmongering is the only real choice for the greater good if the krogan’s total extinction is the alternative.the council may seem to have made the basic mistake back in the days by bringing the krogan to a level of scientific progress they couldn’t handle, but did they have a choice aside total extinction of the council races? That’s by no means an apology for brutally taking over the galaxy just because of this “we are so many and we need room” bullshit.

Remotly sounds like the “eastern living space” plans by the nazis. So just let’s not get romantic over this.7. Although it doesn’t make a difference to the outcome of the game, i stick with my real-life scientific background and preserve it. Its highly advanced technology is far too valuable to let it go to waste.

If i destroy it once in a while, it’s only to score off the illusive jerk.6. Of course i a l w a y s let wrex live. Until me3 was released and i figured out a way to save mordin. Mordin and his skills and assets as a squadmate seem to me of much more use than wrex. Not mentioning his entertaining talents5. Depends on the mood i am in and how much my morality bar is filled to preserve zaeed’s loyalty despite having to let vido escape.4. Neither does she really affect me nor do i despise her.

I somehow figured she earned her place on board and she doesn’t give you any kind of disadvantage.long story short: i don’t care.3. (well, i have to admit once i unintentionally did so by flirting with kelly chambers although already having romanced tali. Didn’t know this was even possible and suddenly had her dancing in my cabin. Enjoyed it though)2. Haven’t introduced that pathetic katalyst brat to my little friend called carnifex yet, but it appeals to be a very satisfying moment despite the catastrophic consequences for the end (the rest sucks anyway).control seemed a fulfilling option at first, but on second thought it made the whole “finding a way to destroy the damn fuckers once and for all” quest seem pointless to me.

Also, shepard is just a individual, and an individual’s mind can become corrupted. Like trying to play god. To me this a selfish and overall dangerous choice.destroy also seemed reasonable since that’s what i was working towards to in 150 hours. First, i appreciate joker and his deep affection for edi (love her sense of humour). Second, the geth simply cannot be revoked the right to live, since they are sapient beings. Non-organic, but still sapient.

It was sad enough to see legion die. Third, i have destroyed enough things coming my way so far. This cannot be all there is.so i let myself go for a sensible, peaceful and also most logical decision that gives every race in the galaxy their appropriate respect, no matter if you have played as everybody’s darling or the ruthless badass. Give the ultimate sacrifice for the good of anyone else.

A bit spockesque (“star trek – wrath of khan”) if i may say so.therefore i usually go with synthesis.1. Depends on the class i’m playing and hence who is more worthwile saving. Imo you cannot and should never rule personal sympathy over the logical, analystic option in decisions like this.

Shepard is fighting a war, not playing video games.the hardest decision ever i had to make isn’t even in the list. As long as i played me3 without having a clue about the “points-algorithm” to save the day for both sides, it was almost impossible to decide whether the geth or the quarians should live.especially the first time, when on one hand tali was my love interest and on the other hand, the geth so far cleared their file for being ruthless jerks – thanks to legion!

That decision was emotionally cruel for me and i felt uncomfortable with it, no matter how i chose.unlike on virmire, the rannoch mission didn’t offer you any logical approach towards this call. So one time the quarians lived, the next time the geth lived. But nowadays i’m glad i know a way to save’em both!thanks for your thoughts and insights on your way of playing and therefore giving me the opportunity to do so as well!p.s.: would have loved to see a batarian on my squad. They cannot all be evil slavers and thugs and i would have likedto know a lot more about this fascinating (no valuation) race. A vorcha would’ve been fun, too. Particularly because of the level of the conversations:D.

I tried changing my Sheppard’s hair color in a desperate attempt to feel better about changing him as a whole to try and play a drastically different play through. It didn’t work, I dye my hair so why would I be a different person when I slap some purple on my bangs? I’m not and neither is Shep.I can’t watch renegade or paragade play troughs, I’m entirely paragon pretty much, I am never vindictive, and I make some tough decisions for what I think is right and that(save one or two tough calls) is always Paragon.Also I’m a small flamingly gay boy in real life and you shush about gay Shep and Kaiden, want to feel like a booty call in video games?

Play a gay guy. I’m allowed my lasting, loving epic, tragic romance too. That being said I’m not romancing Kaided this run because I heard good things about the plot for Esteban and I want to give something different a shot for once.

This drastic change in hair color wasn’t for nothing!(I say that now but I haven’t done anything to reject Kaiden yet) Feel free to think of it as a different version of the timeline, like the Multiverse theory, that’s what helps me sleep at night knowing some people play Shep as a different person XD.I have to save the Rachni even if sometimes I don’t want to. I won’t be responsible for genocide, I agree with that. Though my current play through I hit the wrong option and now I’m not particularly willing to start again.

Ill just have to live with it for now, it was a Mistake.9. Save the Council. Ugh I want to be vindictive sometimes I just don’t have it in me.8. I cried really hard When Mordin died but he was right. It had to be him, and I couldn’t let it go uncured.7.

No brainier, information is not as important to me.6. This sort of thing is always the hardest for me, who lives and who dies? I don’t agree with everything Wrex does but in the end I always save him.5. Zaeed is badass, I love him, I save the factory workers. They don’t deserve to die because I feel a connection to a character.4. Oh Diana Allers. I don’t like her, but I don’t have to.

I’ve met worse reporters in real life.3. I would never cheat!.gasps in horror. this is easy for me not to do because I always play all the way through with Kaiden.2.First I tries Synthesisze, but in the end Control is always my option.

The catalyst was misguided but not corrupt, I don’t think my Shep would be either.1.I save Kaiden. That’s not even a hard choice.“Ashley, you’re terrible and we hate you.” EveryoneI agree with this, she was always so annoying to me. Well, i can tell you i’m not alone who killed Wrex and don’t regret about it. Also i prefer to kill the Quarians with annoying Tali (even when have both choices to make a peace between them and the Geths).

I like to save Ashley because she showed herself like a hell of a soldier, she protected me on Virmire and i like her because she isn’t too much girlish as Liara. I killed the Rachni Queen on my 2nd play trough, because at first i saved her in ME 1 and Me 3, but after Joker’s words i thought it could be the great mistake. I choose 2 endings – Synthesis and Destroy/Why? Because i think the Geths are the most adorable in space! And i can’t kill them after sacrifice of Legion.

But after Synthesis i always return to old save and choose Destroy – i want to keep my Shepard alive and don’t want to leave my lovely Garrus alone. Maybe it sounds weird but i believe it’s a good way to make peace:) Of course, Council never lives in my game XD Juts no comments, in ME 2 they’re real bastards. Cure of genophage? As Javik said “You should kill them without any sterilization”, and i agree with him. Maybe because some people think krogans will be kind with alive Wrex and Eve, but two never will change billions, sad but true. I don’t like Chobot (Diana Allers) and hate these things from EA, so always allow her to die, no regrets:P And i never cheat with my love interest, in first play trough i was with Liara and stayed with her during 3 games, after it i was with Garrus only:) Without making any romance in ME 1.P.S: I can imagine the power of pain after my words:D So i’m ready if nobody will agree with my choices.

But you know, i always think ME isn’t the game where are only “right” choices. Every person makes her/his OWN decisions, and nobody can try to change them.Also i want to say big thanks to the owner of this site, you make so beautiful creations. Never thought i could use mods in ME, but with your help i can now, thanks again:)P.S.S: English is not my native language, and sorry for possible mistakes i could make ^^. I’m a big fan of the Mass Effect series since the first game released.

Frankly, I prefer playing female Shepard over male Shepard. Actually I also had my playthrough with a male Shepard to romance some potential characters, get some unique dialogue, but not very satisfied with my character creation because I feel I didn’t create my male Shep to be a “beautiful boy”, in the contrary i feel I’m more satisfying with my female character creation. Well, I always love playing game with beautiful character appearance.I played ME throughout the whole series many times (5 or 6, forgot to count).

I played every available career and always set my game to the highest difficulty. My favorite career is infiltrator class. Other classes also have their unique ability and fun.In the game, I always made choices so that the outcomes are as good as possible. I prefer the paragon path, but I don’t bother trying with the renegade options, or even mixing them to see how really fun the games are. But there are choices in the game that I can’t help making decision rightaway:Wrex was my favorite squadmate in ME1, he always presented in my squad unless I tried collecting achievements. He might be a badass but he was really loyal and strong characteristic.

I never kill Wrex in any of my playthrough and he always followed me through the end of the series. What a pity that he didn’t return in ME2 and ME3 as a squadmate (a brief come back in ME3 DLC didn’t satisfy me enough).Cure the genophage. Maybe my Shepard was not a Messiah, but if that’s the best for the galaxy, I will do it. What was better when the genophage was cured and peace among the races was established once again?The rachni queen: I never kill the queen, even if I played a renegade path. If we are planning to preserve endangered species on the Earth, so why can’t we do the same for the galaxy?Destroy the Collector Base: I once tried to see how things changed if I preserved that cursing base, and I was disappointed. Nothing really changed significantly in ME3 consequences regardless the choice I made, so why do i even bother to change my routine of destroying it as I used to?There are decisions that I’ve made to test how the story altered:Save or kill the council: I really hate the Council. In ME1, it was shown that they are stubborn, indecisive, conservative in any opinions.

Even in ME3 they showed the same characteristic, regardless the Reapers are whacking their ass! What good they could do for my Shepard was promoting him/her to the first human Spectre.The final choice in ME3: This is the most disappointing ending and choice throughout the series, and I’m sure many people agree with this point. The Extended Cut’s shows how the Epilogue changed according to my final choice. It was entertaining somehow, but still not enough to offset the harms done by the first ending I’ve experienced.The tough call is:Saving Kaidan or Ashley.

I should call it’s a tough call. I love them both. They are interesting characters and I didn’t want to lose any of them. But ironically, losing one of them was a significance element to make the Mass Effect game/story, a tragic one. Even if If I was planning on romance one of those two, then although it was already decided, I still felt hard abandoning the other squadmate to sacrifice on Virmire.All the other choice: Each of my new playthroughs, I changed decisions to see how the story altered, and it was really fun, that makes me come back to ME series again and again. I disagree completely, in the sense that I find it more rewarding to go with a new and distinct concept for Shepard for each playthrough.My first time through the series was as the sickeningly straight Paragon War Hero Soldier most of us have probably played at some point, not very imaginative but I was experiencing everything for the first time.

I was also young and vulnerable and liked to have my ego stroked.The second playthrough was as a “Paragade” Sole Survivor Infiltrator who was big on professionalism, honesty, tough love and mission efficiency, but who often took the morally cautious route when dealing with more complicated choices with far-reaching consequences. He let the Rachni go, didn’t dare sacrifice the Council, blew up the Collector base and froze up and tried to reject all the Catalyst’s suggestions in the end. He simply didn’t trust himself to know right from wrong on those levels, went with the most obviously moral options out of insecurity, and so lacked the conviction to make the truly hard decisions when it mattered.My third Shepard, the one I just finished with, was pretty much the polar opposite of my second one. Also a “Paragade” Vanguard who wanted to fight to help people and treat them with kindness and sensitivity whenever she could – within reason. Her strong moral core allowed her to take responsibility for killing the last Rachni because she didn’t have the right to risk the entire galaxy all over again for a single life, and sacrifice the Council because no three politicians could possibly be more important than putting Sovereign down before it was too late, and if it wasn’t their own lives in danger they would certainly have agreed with that. She went behind Wrex’ back and sabotaged the cure because while she trusted Wrex to be honorable in his intentions she simply couldn’t trust the next generation of Krogan leadership to feel the same way, much less the next hundred. Same with the Geth, and eventually all A.I.

Everywhere via the Destruction ending, all in the name of the greater good, because sometimes you can’t just be the nice guy and hope it’s enough. I think this was my favorite playthrough, even if I normally don’t play women in games.I think the important thing is to come up with completely separate and distinct Shepards that you find compelling on their own merits from the very beginning, and maybe mixing them up with radically different classes and gameplay to make sure you don’t fall back on old habits.

Hey there bishop999! Thxs for sharing YOUR Shepard stories! It was very interesting reading the details of and justifications for your Shepards choices! Especially the thoughts behind your third Shepards (female vanguard paragade) choices, had a certain “philosophical grandeur” to it!

Serves to prove why ME series is the greatest games ever made and among the greatest Sci-Fi stories ever!!! The ability to “tailormake YOUR own hero or heorine and mold the story into what you want! Just hope there will NEVER be a ME movie! It will spoil everything!Right now I am on a second playthrough with the series (3/4 quarters through ME2), partly in anticipation and “warm-up” for ME Andromeda, and partly to record all of my Shepards adventures into movies with a nifty little screencapture application I bought some time ago! Takes up a whooping 100 gigabyte for ME and about twice that for ME2!!!

So many choices to be made!