For those who have a ME1 save, how large is it? I have a save file but it is only 504kb and I don't have the game anymore so I can't load it up to see. I know I completed the game more than once but that save file seems awful small.

they can't be that big, because I noticed the other day I had 119 different save files...

Er, not me. I've played it through a few times now.

ME1 can vary... if you only do the main missions, you could probably run through it in 10-12 hours. If you do all the side quests, it could be well over 20-25. You can do the main missions in whatever order you want, some of which affect the characters responses which is kind of cool.

could someone summarize the gameplay for Mass Effect 1 for a non-gamer? the RPG has me on the fence as to whether i would like it or not, but the reviews and "personal" experience sounds very intriguing to me.

i am not sure exactly what RPG is exactly, but if it is similar to Eternal Darkness for Gamecube in the RPG elements then i think i would love it, though not sure if ED even qualifies.

Just finished playing. Did every single side quest, found every single possible object, and I clocked in at 38 hours.

Ended as a level 50 paragon infiltrator/commando who made it with the blue girl, saved ashley, and all the paragon stuff.

The elevators were annoying, but I hated the surveying of planets much more. The game would have been a lot more enjoyable if I hadn't done all the planet side quests.

Looking forward to the new one (after I finish Demon's Souls, Dragon Age, God of War 1 and 2... yikes, it might be a while.)

[typical] read the reviews post! [/typical]

Basically, it's a 3rd person shooter, with RPG elements. You can upgrade your character (armor, weapons, skills). You go around and talk to people to get information and advance the storyline. Your answers to certain questions, and actions provide for branching storylines. You can either be "good" or "bad" based on the decisions you make and answers you give during conversations.

Honestly, since you are so new to this, I'd highly recommend picking up the first Mass Effect. It's like $20 now, IIRC. That way you can see if you like the gameplay style. If you do, great, you can move onto ME2. Plus, you'll get the benefit of the backstory so everything makes sense.

Well I hate to admit it but this game like the previous one wasn't even on my radar. I prefer more co-op based games along the line of FPS. But I've always been a fan of "Space Based Games" from the pc ones of Star Wars to my favorite "Freespace 2".

One question though I saw there's a good deal on some of the DLC for the first one thru XBox Live. But I saw something about the DLC is notcompatiable with the Platinum Hits version. Is there any truth in this and is the DLC worthwhile now that ME-2 is coming out?

The reviews didnt glow about the DLC actually. it seemed really short.

Bringing Down the Sky was alot of fun and worth it. I never bought Pinnacle Station because I heard it was crappy and short. Both are (or were) on sale at the moment.

I'm pretty sure I was a soldier in the 1st game. I think I'm going to switch to a Sentinel. I like the idea of having both biotic and tech powers. And the tech armor looks badass.

It seems like half my friends on xbox have been playing Mass Effect 1 this weekend.....

Bringing Down the Sky wasn't anything special. It felt like just another generic side mission to me. I didn't bother with Pinnacle Station either.

I can't imagine why either wouldn't be compatible with the Platinum Hits version.

Bringing Down the Sky was not worth it, but it was cool looking at the planet from an asteroid that was going to take it out...

I stand by what I said. There were very few scenes where the graphics blew me away. Most of the graphics were nothing special. The only exception was the Star Map. Now that was impressive.

So you can't tell the difference between these two screenshots? When is the last time you had your vision checked?

I thought the graphics were great.

For those getting through amazon: when do the games usually ship if you got relase date shipping, and how reliable is it that you get the game on tuesday?

I'm also getting it through amazon and I saw on another board that they should ship it tomorrow. People said they use overnight shipping so they ship it the day before. Also said they're pretty reliable.

And I also thought the graphics were really good in the first.

Ok some more generl questions about the game(s) mainly the different characters.

I'm watching some of the character class trailers at Teamxbox and must say impressive. Are you able to play two or more at the same time, something like in Boarderalnds. Or you set with one per playthru at one at a time?

On a side note I can see why no Multi-player but co-op seem it would be perfect with this one, at least two player mode.

How would they handle co-op in a game where there's alot of talking and choices? Not possible I don't think.

I believe "Bring Down the Sky" (the better of the DLC) is already included w/ the platinum edition, and for some reason Pinnacle Station is bugged so that it is not compatible with that version of Mass Effect. No big loss though, as Pinnacle Station was absolutely awful -- and I say that as a huge fan of the main game.

Post all the pics you want. I stand by what I said. Also, I think you posted In game stuff vs Cut scene stuff. How is that fair?

That bug was patched some time ago.

If you really want to know why, it's because the DLC installed off the disc was installed in one directory on the file system, but the Pinnacle Station DLC from XBLM went into a different. Mass Effect (the game) wasn't smart enough to look in both places. So they patched the 2nd disc (bonus disc) to put BDtS in the same directory as Pinnacle Station would be in. Problem solved.

The graphics aren't mind blowingly impressive, but they're far better then anything from the original XBox. It isn't even a matter of debate.

I've yet to see release day shipping miss a day.