Video game news and reaction

[OverNinja]

Arrival DLC for ME2, March 29th

"A deep cover agent is missing in Batarian space, after reporting evidence of an imminent Reaper invasion. Shepard must travel to the edge of the galaxy, rescue the agent, and discover the truth behind the Arrival. Uncover new research and 3 new achievements in this spectacular new adventure for Mass Effect 2."

[MilitiaJim]

Next question, specialization:  Gunslinger or Scoundrel.

Gunslinger.  How is this really a question?   

I was reading some of the developer interviews, and one of them spoke of the MMO trinity of Tank, Healer, and DPS.  They broke that down to Control, Support, and (I think) Damage.  I am very much looking forward to their implementation of the Control role, especially for Troopers, Smugglers, and Bounty Hunters.  (No, I don't particularly care about the Imperial Agent.)

[VisualStatic]

Next question, specialization:  Gunslinger or Scoundrel.

Gunslinger.  How is this really a question?   

I was reading some of the developer interviews, and one of them spoke of the MMO trinity of Tank, Healer, and DPS.  They broke that down to Control, Support, and (I think) Damage.  I am very much looking forward to their implementation of the Control role, especially for Troopers, Smugglers, and Bounty Hunters.  (No, I don't particularly care about the Imperial Agent.)

I liked what I saw in the Taral V video about some of the control of the Scoundrel side.  But I'm most likely going Gunslinger, I've always been more into being a range dps dealer.

[glimmerrat]

I'd love to try the Star Wars MMO, but I can't afford to. 

[Nepenthe]

Arrival DLC for ME2, March 29th

"A deep cover agent is missing in Batarian space, after reporting evidence of an imminent Reaper invasion. Shepard must travel to the edge of the galaxy, rescue the agent, and discover the truth behind the Arrival. Uncover new research and 3 new achievements in this spectacular new adventure for Mass Effect 2."

Tee hee.

Also going with my second playthrough of Dragon Age 2. Still too addicted to sleep. Surprised by some of the negative reviews it's got, it's WAY better than the original.

[MilitiaJim]

I'd love to try the Star Wars MMO, but I can't afford to. 

  You still have half a year to save up?

[mathey]

Also going with my second playthrough of Dragon Age 2. Still too addicted to sleep. Surprised by some of the negative reviews it's got, it's WAY better than the original.

Word.

I'm replaying Origins on the PC just so I can import some save data to Kirkwall - played the first one on 360 originally but decided the sequel looked better on my upgraded PC.

[Antilles]

Luckily someone's already made a pretty nice editor that let's you pick and choose from all the pertinent options and create a DA:O save from it. I uninstalled that game ages ago, and didn't bother to keep the saves. And this way it's pretty easy to to get exactly the variations you're looking for.

I've also sunk a crazy amount of hours into this game since it came out, already on my third playthrough.

[foproy]

i have quit playing for a bit. been bitten by battlefield bad company 2 again.

[glimmerrat]

So somebody sell me on Dragon Age: Origins, then.

[Nepenthe]

Also going with my second playthrough of Dragon Age 2. Still too addicted to sleep. Surprised by some of the negative reviews it's got, it's WAY better than the original.

Word.

I'm replaying Origins on the PC just so I can import some save data to Kirkwall - played the first one on 360 originally but decided the sequel looked better on my upgraded PC.

There's a save game creator for those, who don't want to do exactly that. I switched from PS3 to PC during the DAO DLC cycle, so I had one character I was reasonably happy with - but my other "backstory char" is going to be created with that utility.

Edit: Antilles beat me to it (I totally missed your post), but here's the link!

So somebody sell me on Dragon Age: Origins, then.

It's a classic RPG in the vein of Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale. Absolutely massive, I think all my playthroughs have been in the 70-80 hour mark (just the main game + dlc that integrates with it. There's also 3 "epilogue" DLCs, including one major old-school expansion). It's a pretty "standard" fantasy world with a "kill the evil overlord that's going to destroy the world" kind of plot. I found it really enjoyable when it came out (the story is a pretty good take on the rather lame setup, the characters are nice).

I dunno, my perception of the game is coloured by the fact that I had to spend 4-5 weeks immobile in bed when it came out, so I was glad I had something to do, but it's also coloured by the fact I was on heavy painkillers (that didn't work) and that my ex started seeing another guy during that time period.

I found it to be a very enjoyable experience the first 2-3 times, but it does drag on a bit at a couple of points (becomes a combat grind), which coupled with the not-inconsiderable length makes is less of an enjoyment on further playthroughs. I'm not sure how DA2 will feel in a couple of months, but at the moment I consider it to be really superior to the first one, as well as taking a departure from a lot of the story elements that have been pretty intrinsic in Bioware games, since, well forever (as opposed to the go to 3-4 places before you are powerful enough to take on the BBEG, this time it's more about the main character, his entourage, and their impact on the gameworld).

[Crafty_Pat]

Arrival DLC for ME2, March 29th

"A deep cover agent is missing in Batarian space, after reporting evidence of an imminent Reaper invasion. Shepard must travel to the edge of the galaxy, rescue the agent, and discover the truth behind the Arrival. Uncover new research and 3 new achievements in this spectacular new adventure for Mass Effect 2."

I will not at all be surprised if this winds up an informal prequel of sorts to Mass Effect 3.

[Crafty_Pat]

Prototype 2 Trailer: Yup, I've had CoH sessions that felt exactly like that.

...and the Portal 2 advertising machine spins up to full lethali- I mean, speed with this TV spot, which is interesting because Valve went out of their way to announce they did it themselves (rather than hire an ad agency). Good on them.

[Nepenthe]

Arrival DLC for ME2, March 29th

"A deep cover agent is missing in Batarian space, after reporting evidence of an imminent Reaper invasion. Shepard must travel to the edge of the galaxy, rescue the agent, and discover the truth behind the Arrival. Uncover new research and 3 new achievements in this spectacular new adventure for Mass Effect 2."

I will not at all be surprised if this winds up an informal prequel of sorts to Mass Effect 3.

I think it's pretty much the stated objective for it, so no, you won't be surprised.

[mathey]

There's a save game creator for those, who don't want to do exactly that. I switched from PS3 to PC during the DAO DLC cycle, so I had one character I was reasonably happy with - but my other "backstory char" is going to be created with that utility.

Edit: Antilles beat me to it (I totally missed your post), but here's the link!

Awesome! Thanks, guys!

I'm still enjoying playing DA:O on the PC, by the way - it looks so much nicer on a PC - but I think I'll try to recreate my original and favorite 360 Warden for a DAII playthrough via this editor.