A question about Mass Effect 1. Or better, some questions about it.

[Pedrito]

Is it a shooter with RPG elements or an RPG in which combat is played in real time?
I want the ability to pause during the combat to issue orders, is it possible?
Do I need to play with combined mouse and keyboard controls, or can I use mainly mouse controls?
Do I have the ability to zoom out the area, like in Dragon Age, or the game has a third-person perspective from behind the shoulders of the main char?
Is it worth to play it before ME2, or should I pass and play directly ME2?
ME1 or KOTOR or KOTOR2?
Other worthwhile RPGs in the 2003-2009 time range?

I was forgetting: I'll play on a reasonably specced PC.



L.

[Valmy]

Is it a shooter with RPG elements or an RPG in which combat is played in real time?

The first one.

I want the ability to pause during the combat to issue orders, is it possible?

Yes...though it is different than Dragon Age...you issue orders but the AI still controls the companions.  I found the system rather difficult to use myself and just let them sorta take care of themselves but that could just be me.

Do I need to play with combined mouse and keyboard controls, or can I use mainly mouse controls?

Combined mouse and keyboard.

Do I have the ability to zoom out the area, like in Dragon Age, or the game has a third-person perspective from behind the shoulders of the main char?

The second one.

Is it worth to play it before ME2, or should I pass and play directly ME2?

If you have not played ME1 yet I would get both and play straight through.  However ME2 is a bit less of a RPG and more of a shooter.  Just FYI.

ME1 or KOTOR or KOTOR2?

Different games IMO.  KOTOR and KOTOR2 are definitely classic RPGs like DAO while ME1 is an action hybrid.  I think they are all very good but...be careful about KOTOR2 I think it is wonderful but it is a flawed masterpiece.  It could have been one of the greatest games ever but they released it before it was done and it will remain forever as something half done.

Other worthwhile RPGs in the 2003-2009 time range?

Dragon Age?

Bethesda games and Jade Empire.

[Pedrito]

mmmm I think I'll pass: I hate hybrid action and RPG 
That's why I steered clear from Bethesda games, although they're usually regarded as very good games 

thanks for the info, and yes, I hate quoting too 

L.

[Grey Fox]

Hey Pedrito, how did that Home Theatre situation work out for ya?

[Pedrito]

Hey Pedrito, how did that Home Theatre situation work out for ya?

Well damn I forgot it! You were right in solving my problem!
I found in the box an addendum of a couple of pages to the manual that explained extaclty how to connect a game console via component cable, just like you said in the thread.

You are hereby awarded a Pineapple Pizza Slice for taking the pain of registering to the Yamaha website and solving a problem a lazy fellow Languishite wouldn't solve.


L.

[DisturbedPervert]

Other worthwhile RPGs in the 2003-2009 time range?

On the PC, Neverwinter Nights 2 and The Witcher

[Pedrito]

Other worthwhile RPGs in the 2003-2009 time range?

On the PC, Neverwinter Nights 2 and The Witcher

Witcher falls in the "action-RPG" category I don't like
I' should try NWN2, it may be my cup of tea

L.

[Grey Fox]

You are hereby awarded a Pineapple Pizza Slice for taking the pain of registering to the Yamaha website and solving a problem a lazy fellow Languishite wouldn't solve.

L.

[DisturbedPervert]

I' should try NWN2, it may be my cup of tea

It's similar to Dragon Age, so if you liked that you will probably like NWN2.  Can play with only the mouse, can zoom out or play 3rd person, lots of interesting characters to join your party, interesting and long storyline, can pause combat to issue orders and put them in a queue, huge list of spells and abilities you can use, lots of different classes, and lots of different locations to visit and explore.  It's great.  And the first expansion pack, Mask of the Betrayer, is almost as good as the original game.  Didn't like the 2nd, Storm of Zehir, at all however.  There was no story at all, very dull.

[Josquius]

So its more a shooter huh?
I may have to get the 360 and not the PC one then...

[Pedrito]

I' should try NWN2, it may be my cup of tea

It's similar to Dragon Age, so if you liked that you will probably like NWN2.  Can play with only the mouse, can zoom out or play 3rd person, lots of interesting characters to join your party, interesting and long storyline, can pause combat to issue orders and put them in a queue, huge list of spells and abilities you can use, lots of different classes, and lots of different locations to visit and explore.  It's great.  And the first expansion pack, Mask of the Betrayer, is almost as good as the original game.  Didn't like the 2nd, Storm of Zehir, at all however.  There was no story at all, very dull.

L.

[Syt]

Hm, Mass Effect 1 was action-y, but even I, who sucks at shooters and other action games or RTS, did absolutely fine (on easy level). I think it fit in well with the sci-fi plot (though the excessive amount of rover driving in side quests was a bit much).

[Neil]

Hm, Mass Effect 1 was action-y, but even I, who sucks at shooters and other action games or RTS, did absolutely fine (on easy level). I think it fit in well with the sci-fi plot (though the excessive amount of rover driving in side quests was a bit much).

Especially up sheer cliff faces.  Ugh.

[Josquius]

Hm, Mass Effect 1 was action-y, but even I, who sucks at shooters and other action games or RTS, did absolutely fine (on easy level). I think it fit in well with the sci-fi plot (though the excessive amount of rover driving in side quests was a bit much).

Yeah, thats what my friend moans at me when I consider getting the 360 version, he played it but found the rover stuff to ruin the game.

[grumbler]

Pedrito, get Fallout 3.