Mass Effect 2 on PS3

[multifangeek]

So now that I have an actual HDTV that's 42 inches I can play my PS3 games. Yesterday I was playing Mass Effect 2 and it was lots of fun AND I liked that I was able to create my own Shepard! Female but with short hair and androgynous features. Awesome!

I also quickly realized I really really really need to spend some time figuring out how to aim with the controller! I suspect part of the problem is that I'm left handed and don't have really good directional control of my right thumb to aim well - I keep over turning and firing in the wrong places - especially when the shot is long distance. Also - need to work on taking cover and figuring out how to shoot and then get back to cover... the sounds of Shepard getting shot are really distracting.

I don't know what the opinion is on using a walk through guide but since it's my first time playing I did use one to at least get a better overall sense of where what I'm supposed to do. But then there's still multiple options depending on which type of character you create at the beginning.

Some questions:

1) How do I make the other characters do things? I got stuck yesterday because I couldn't figure out how I was meant to order Jacob to use his abilities. I'm sure it's probably pathetically simple but I couldn't figure it out ... ETA: Okay I figured this out while playing some more this morning - mostly by accident! Clearly I need more practice working the controls.

2) According to the guides romance is important in the game... what happens if you don't attempt to generate any romance between the characters? Will the game let you get away with it? Or does it negatively affect Shepard?

3) Is it possible to save one game and then go back and start a new one to create a different version of Shepard?

4) I am planning on getting Mass Effect 3 later and I understand you can port your Shepard to the new game - can you do that multiple times with different versions?

Comments

[sqbr]

I tend to use cheats instead of walkthroughs to avoid spoilers, but either way, whatever lets you have the most fun is fine in my opinion.

1) I'm replaying ME1 which is confusing my memory (is it spacebar?), hopefully someone else will remember

2) I haven't done it, but I'm pretty sure there's no punishment, and there's a tiny bit of cute dialogue you ONLY get if you don't romance anyone.

3) Yes, definitely.

4) You mean with multiple different Shepards? If so, yes. These games are set up to encourage multiple playthroughs with different characters.

[multifangeek]

Thanks!

I played a little more this morning and almost by accident figured out how to make Jacob use his powers. I'm still having trouble with the selections though - over shooting things when trying to select a wepon...

BUT I figured out how to switch the controls to Left Handed mode, which helps a little - now I can aim and fire with my left hand and move with my right.

I checked out your journal earlier - You have some interesting posts so I'm going to subscribe to your journal. Will also come back later and read your fics.

[lian]

Maybe I should have tried that, lefthanded too -- I am so atrocious at aiming...

[multifangeek]

It does help! :)

[alias_sqbr]

Hooray! Though I'm right handed so have no excuse for being so uncoordinated :)

[kitters]

Since your official questions have been answered, I figured I'd try and help with your shooting/cover situation. XD Do you know how to take cover behind objects in the first place?

If not, you press up against a wall or a crate or something and press X (I figure anyway. I play on the 360 and I assume the equivalent to A is X). Once you're behind cover/crouched, I suppose you'd hold L2 to pop out of cover and R2 to shoot (Left trigger and right trigger on 360, respectively). To hide back in cover, just let go of L2.

If it turns out you didn't need help with this, just ignore me. 8D

[multifangeek]

Hey, I know how to duck! I can do that at least! ;)

My problem is there are so many buttons I keep getting confused and I'm still having trouble aiming. Even with figuring out how to switch the controls to left handed mode it's not easy turning just the right amount. And when things start getting hectic I end up getting more discombobulated.

I'm hoping it's not actually possible to shoot your own teammates... Though there's a bit of cut scene dialog where Jacob says something about being able to vouch for Shepard's combat skills personally so apparently being unable to shoot the actual bad guys doesn't make your potential teammates hate you...

[kitters]

Yay! :D

Yeah, I have this problem with the orthodox shooter games like Call of Duty, but not with Mass Effect for some bizarre reason. The only thing I can say is to practice. Hopefully you'll warm up to the controls. If you find shooting to be too frustrating, you can try to rely more on your biotic powers (that is, if you picked a class like Vanguard or Sentinel).

Unfortunately, it is possible to shoot your team mates. I can't say for sure whether or not they actually take damage, but they'll say something to you like, "Watch your fire!" XD Fortunately, it doesn't actually affect your relationship with your team mates.

[multifangeek]

Yeah, I figured practice was going to be the answer - lots and lots of practice obviously! I can't be shooting potential teammates, even if it doesn't actually affect anything.