ME1 is quite boring, does it get better in ME2 and 3?

[Whytry]

Im still enjoying it but it doesnt seem "story rich" as i thought it was before playing.

[Mr. Bufferlow]

I am not sure it will seem a lot better in later games if you are not enjoying ME1. Choices you make in ME1 do have a slight impact on events in the subsequent games.

As I remember playing through, the combat gets more complicated in later games. I don't remember the stories in the later games being particularly better, but the main story arch gets clearer and so it might feel a bit more dramatic since by 2 you start to understand the potential consequences of dialog choices so you might be more thoughtful on what is the best long term choice here.

My gut feel is that you may be unimpressed if you are already not feeling it in ME1.

[zandar14]

I'm gonna give a very different opinion from Bufferlow, as I also found ME1 to be a major drag my first playthrough and even on my second now it's still rough. 2 is imo significantly better from 1 in every way except for difficulty, if you like a harder game than it'll be better in everyway though scanning planets is still a bit of a grind. by 3 though most of the grind is completely unless you're going for 100% or using a guide. Hope this helps!

[Whytry]

well ill keep at it and give ME2 a shot. i just expected the game to be amazing from all the reviews and stuff i read, maybe it was for 2007.

[SpaceWombat]

ME1 was Bioware's first unique IP and as such its pretty nuanced and focuses more on being a "traditional" rpg with emphasis on skill progression. It did come out in 2007 after all.

The sequels are more action oriented, leaning heavily into the cover shooting genre. The rpg mechanics are toned down in favor of making combat faster and deadlier. They're also significantly more polished since they were made with a huge budget once EA took over.

The difference is big. I'd wager you'll enjoy 2 and 3 assuming you already like the worldbuilding at play.

[Whytry]

Originally posted by SpaceWombat:

ME1 was Bioware's first unique IP and as such its pretty nuanced and focuses more on being a "traditional" rpg with emphasis on skill progression. It did come out in 2007 after all.

The sequels are more action oriented, leaning heavily into the cover shooting genre. The rpg mechanics are toned down in favor of making combat faster and deadlier. They're also significantly more polished since they were made with a huge budget once EA took over.

The difference is big. I'd wager you'll enjoy 2 and 3 assuming you already like the worldbuilding at play.

sounds good.

[ErzPaladin]

The most decision making you do in Mass Effect 2. Mass Effect is the most well-rounded part of the trilogy... with a big but! Mass Effect 2 has a lot you can do, but the main story is a bit mediocre.

Mediocre in that way...

ME2 for example has a DLC mission, where you travel around the galaxies in finding a mystical sphere (yeah a sphere with a metall-like surface) in the end. On your way, you've to find different "outposts" to get from one to the next and finally to the one with the sphere.

On that way the story tells you *spoiler* ... that lots of fractions killed themselves cause everyone wanted that sphere and cause it emits strange sounds.
However, you and your team just collect that sphere in the hope of analyzing it.

Which is funny, cause you just get Exp and Credits for it. Neither in ME2 nor in ME3 anyone ever speaks about this sphere ever again.

----------

And like that... as example...

a lot of missions work in ME2. They're mainly for some atmospheric punch, Exp and Credits or some weapon- / armor- goody.

So, it depends on, whether you like this or not. Personally I prefer ME2 over ME3 campaign-wise, cause ME3 is totally stupid. At least the original campaign on PS3 felt extremely rushed to the final ending of the trilogy. There's almost zero side quests if it goes for the main game. Guess it depends on, whether the Citadel DLC content is included and whether it's worth it. Back then the Citadel DLC was kinda overpriced, so never tested it.

[=Palynzer=]

ME2 is one of the best games ever.
Same for me, ME1 is boring.
Before some stupid says "but you don't have them", all completed in origin, original version.

[Whytry]

Originally posted by Palynzer:

ME2 is one of the best games ever.
Same for me, ME1 is boring.
Before some stupid says "but you don't have them", all completed in origin, original version.

guess ill have to play it then.

I also get that alot aswell like its anyones bussiness

[Capt. Pottypie]

In all honesty about 80% of ME1 is filler content. You can ignore the collection quests (ores, writings, insignias) with basically no consequences. The only real choices that make any difference to later games are in the main quests and companion quests*, so all you really need to do is those. Side quest characters might make a comeback in later games, and outcomes of them may show up in news reports and the like later in the game, but if the side quests are boring you, skip 'em.
* Chat regularly to Wrex and Garrus to get their quests. Tali's comes out of completing the geth outpost missions.

[barzai]

Originally posted by Capt. Pottypie:

In all honesty about 80% of ME1 is filler content. You can ignore the collection quests (ores, writings, insignias) with basically no consequences. The only real choices that make any difference to later games are in the main quests and companion quests*, so all you really need to do is those. Side quest characters might make a comeback in later games, and outcomes of them may show up in news reports and the like later in the game, but if the side quests are boring you, skip 'em.
* Chat regularly to Wrex and Garrus to get their quests. Tali's comes out of completing the geth outpost missions.

Well, the collection quests provide both credits and XP, so there's that.

I know when you say "no consequences" you mean plot and character, but...I dunno if you can level up and fleet up enough to go toe-to-toe with Robo-Saren in the final battle without those XP and credits.

...Maybe I'll try that on my next playthrough, though.

[Vlad 254]

Originally posted by rWhytry:

well ill keep at it and give ME2 a shot. i just expected the game to be amazing from all the reviews and stuff i read, maybe it was for 2007.

ME2 is probably the best of the ME series imho.

[Whytry]

I just finished ME1 i really enjoyed it at the end, im onto ME2 now and it seems better.

[Bad Whippet]

ME1 is a bit slow at times, but it's the best for building the start of the story, the different races etc. However, it feels a bit slow, the combat is HIDEOUS and the prettied-up graphics can do only so much to mask that this game is 14 years old. But it's important to play - arguably THE most important.

However, the gameplay, the graphics and the combat pick up massively in the next game, at the cost of fewer races. Opinion is always divided on this so you'll get 3 different answers for 3 different games, but for me the game peaked during ME2 (brilliant characters joining your crew, lots of interesting side missions unlike most of the ME1 missions that feel more like busy-work), but the combat and scripting was best in ME3. Lots of controversy about ME3, but ignore what you read and just enjoy the ride.

[n#n#m#]

ME1 is only good as a foundation for next three ME games, establishing the world, pouring lore into your brain, all that. As a game in general it was a boring slog with weird pacing back then and it still is a boring slog with weird pacing in 2022. Next games are much better.

[Wrayday]

ME1 is set during peacetime. You have time to mill about and soak in the atmosphere. ME2 is set in a spin up to conflict and your focus switches from poking about exploring planets to gathering critical resources. ME3 is all out war and the defecation hits the oscillation and it's a fight.