Some questions regarding Mass Effect 1

[TheInfomaniac]

I'm like 20 hours into Mass Effect 1 and I'm really loving it! I haven't done that many main quests yet but I've done a bunch of sidequests. I had a couple of questions:

*I know there will likely be certain points/missions in the game which make some sidequests disappear/not be completable. Usually this is some story event or something which changes the state of the world. Without spoiling the story too much, is there a certain point in this game when a lot of the sidequests will become unavailable? Is there a certain mission I should look out for and do all the sidequests before I do that one?

*Is there any reason I shouldn't go on a sidequest if the star system hasn't been mentioned in a primary quest? Will I screw up the order of something?

*I tend to be the kind of person who saves a new save file every time. As a result, I'm up to 40 saves right now. I know some games have a limit or get weird after you have a save file of a certain number. Should I be limiting the new save files I do/is there a problem with creating a new save each time? Or is there no problem?

*Lastly, I am planning on carrying my character over into Mass Effect 2, but it's not installed on my system now and I probably won't play it for a little while. I also will uninstall ME1 when I'm done, so in theory when I'm ready to play ME2 ME1 will no longer be installed. I am planning on copying my save files over to another folder and keeping them for when I'm ready. Can I do this and just point ME2 to a save file, or do I have to keep ME1 installed until I'm ready?

Thanks for the answers!

[Xautos]

for the storyline you can do any of the missions you like so long as you don't start Ilos, because that is the final world you will be heading to on the game that will bring the conclusion of the game to it's end. so any missions not done by then can not be completed. but no, it doesn't screw up the order.

so you can play the starting few planets out in the order you like and anything else in that, but after you do a storyline planet, typically a few other sidequests show up with it. but some sidequests require a storyline planet or specific requirement and other side quests to be completed before they can be accessed but most of the sidequests open up immediately. some for eaxmple can only be found on a console that needs hacking or spectre status...

what i always do before doing any main storyline planet is do all the sidequests i can on the station and those i can do in space, that will net a few levels and loot, perhaps even some of it can be valuable to use or to be reduced to gel. when i can get no further, i do a storyline planet and a few more suidequests can open up along with more companion storyline, it's not always the case with kaiden or ashley depending on if you have a male of female shepard as one of the conversations are skipped.

you should only save where needed, besides this the game auto saves at specific points anyway, i would suggest heavy usage of the quick save feature on noveria though, can never be too careful with the elevator bug there. i can't see you having a save limit unless you run out of hard disk space.

as for the save game, it's usually found in your c:\users\[name]\my documents\bioware\mass effect folder, you can move the mass effect folder in that bioware folder and move it for safe keeping. when you come to play me2, all you need to do is move the mass effect folder back in the bioware folder. the me2 configuration tool should be able to pick up the save game immediately when you go searching for it.

[BloodyMares]

Well, gameplay-wise, you'll be able to complete every "space" sidequests before the final mission. HOWEVER! Some sidequests require to report to some NPC on the Citadel but you won't be able to do so.
And story-wise, final mission is the most urgent mission and it doesn't make sense to waste time on some sidequests (there is no countdown but it doesn't feel right).

My recommendation is to do all 3 planets first (Feros, Noveria, Find Liara in any order you like), do some sidequests in between, and before you go to the Virmire you complete everything you can. Explore every planet and ship because some sidequests trigger only when you find them. After you're done with everything you wanted to complete go to the Virmire and enjoy the story.

[Vellari]

Originally posted by BloodyMares:

And story-wise, final mission is the most urgent mission and it doesn't make sense to waste time on some sidequests (there is no countdown but it doesn't feel right).

True for pretty much every non-linear game ever. Hard to create a sense of urgency and at same time offer tons of exploration/side quests.

I think ME1 does it pretty well, as the "urgency" only kicks in after Virmire where you learn the nature of the true threat. Before that it's all intet gathering, no rush in that from the players point of view.

ME2 even better, after getting the IFF the urgency literally kicks in, if you wait too long to proceed with the main quest after that you will get some of your crew/squad killed. And on the flip side if you just rush through the main quest and go in unprepared it all goes to hell.

The fact that ME2 actually lets the game end in a complete failure, is afaik pretty unique. Off the top of my head I cannot remember a single game in which you can complete the game AND die.

[DocStrangelove]

Originally posted by Vellari:

The fact that ME2 actually lets the game end in a complete failure, is afaik pretty unique. Off the top of my head I cannot remember a single game in which you can complete the game AND die.

ME3 :D

[Vellari]

Originally posted by Stinkwatz:

Originally posted by Vellari:

The fact that ME2 actually lets the game end in a complete failure, is afaik pretty unique. Off the top of my head I cannot remember a single game in which you can complete the game AND die.

ME3 :D

Duh. ;)

[BanOphobia My Struggle]

Originally posted by Vellari:

Originally posted by Stinkwatz:

ME3 :D

Duh. ;)

I can think of few some on PC, but it is like major spoilers. Mostly post apocalyptic games.