Jesse Willadson:
I prefer mass effect 2 and think its better in almost every way, but can see why you prefer and think the first one is better.
Are you okay with this poster of the escapist forums?

I'm ok with you having an opinion, but I don't agree with you in the slightest.

Mass Effect 2 removed many of the things that I loved about the original game. The exploration, the beautiful vistas, the customization, the unique combat system, all gone.

The story took the worst hit by far. Instead of an epic adventure wherein you have to save the galaxy from holocaust by ancient machines, all you do in Mass Effect 2 is help your crew with their personal issues (which I still don't get why you're expected to give a shit about, considering that you're their captain, and not their fucking counselor), and occasionally investigate generic locations infested with Collectors.

I will say that Mass Effect 2 has a really cool cast of characters, and also slightly better controls than the first game, but all in all, I really didn't like the style of the game, and I didn't find the main story to be engaging at all.

Objectively, Mass Effect 2 is probably better than Mass Effect 1. But I enjoyed the first one more. I went into it with no expectations. I bought it on a limb knowing very little about the series, mostly because it was cheap. Even when I started playing it the action was awkward and clunky and the graphics backwards (I got it in late 2010 so by this point the graphics were already old). But it opened up to me and suddenly, against all my expectations I found myself completely immersed and in love with it. I bought it along with 12 other games and it ended up being at least my 2nd, if not my absolute favourite. I would never have have seen that coming.
Mass Effect 2 could never handle the expectation I had going into it, although I still really enjoyed it.

I preferred the first's atmosphere; being a Spectre, James Bonding around the galaxy after Saren, it felt awesome. ME2 wins in gameplay though, and the suicide mission was brilliant. It was nice not to have the pile of junk masquerading as 'RPG elements' too, though I'm looking forward to proper tactical customisation in 3.

Story - Definitely ME1, the whole Collector thing in ME2 seems much more like a filler than it should, imo.
Combat - ME2, except for the blatantly obvious constant cover based bullshittery
Visuals - ME1, for the landscapes
Customization - ME1, except for the hilariously confusing interface at some point

... Overall: I do prefer ME1, but there is no real need to hate ME2 either.

Well I replayed both games recently (currently I'm finishing up ME2) to see if it's worth to ignore my principles and get ME3. Anyway, while I was really disappointed and pissed by the lack of the proper RPG mechanics in ME2 back when it was released, now I like it more than the first one. At least there was a reason for absence of some characters and it was connected to the prequel unlike some Bioware games. Main story isn't as good, but character related quest were better. Combat could use even more refining . Depending on play style cover based combat can get old really fast and targeted abilities limit the way you can use them. Still it's a great game.

If I wanted a cover shooter, I'd play Gears of War.

If I want to play a story-centric, Space Opera RPG with a focus on customization and exploration...

Well I guess I'm shit out of luck now, huh?

I enjoyed Mass Effect 2, but it's not what I wanted from Mass Effect 2.

Zhukov:
I agree.

Although I will concede that the first game had a conceptually better story line. However, the second game more than made up for it with its infinitely superior subplots. Jack, Mordin and Legion had stories that were leagues better than the entirety of ME1.

This, so much this...

Shoggoth2588:
...So am I missing the point here or is it one of those things like the trick-image where if you look at it right you see the hidden image? I personally enjoyed the first Mass Effect more than the second and am somewhat disappointed that the third seems to play more like the second than the first. I think at this point I can safely say I prefer the lore more than the gameplay since I've gone back to the books more often than the second game. Neither are perfect of course but that's just my own perspective.

The only problem I have with the poster is the lack of specificity; What precisely is it about Mass Effect 2 you prefer to the first? The widened cast, the greater emphasis on combat, the paragon/renegade acts you can engage in during certain conversations? I'm curious to know and I know I'm not the only person who is. Please, elaborate.

hmmm, the only reason that this hasn't turn into a flame war is because I've held back why.
But sense you asked I'll elaborate, later. I have home work that I am putting off and really need to do.

tr00per7:

Jesse Willadson:
I prefer mass effect 2 and think its better in almost every way, but can see why you prefer and think the first one is better.
Are you okay with this poster of the escapist forums?

well you understand why I would prefer ME1 and your only stating your opinion and not making out as if my opinion is/was wrong (although it can be interpreted by the title of your thread was misleading and made me thought you actually thought mass effect 2 was a generally better game overrall and not just showing your opinion)

Honestly the only reason I gave it that title was because I knew it would get peoples attention

I loved both games. Although I think they each did some things better than the other.

Mass Effect 1: More RPG focused, but a bit clunkier, had a better main plot AND a better villian.

Mass Effect 2: Had more simplified yet smooth gameplay, better character development, very interesting final mission with multiple outcomes, and Martin Sheen. :P

Also INB4 Zeel coming in to ruin all the fun. :(

I have been playing through the mass effect games to get a character ready for 3 and as much as I like what they did in 2, I think the first game is better. If it had been less awkward to sell off gear and the mako handled a little more reasonably, I would say it would be close to perfect.

The gameplay in 2 is superior IMO. I can barely play through 1. But 1 has a better story. I hope 3 balances the gap. The strength of both, weakness of neither.

ME1 was a very good game, and ME2 was great because Bioware fixed what needed to be fixed and added some nice new features.
The thing is, ME2 didn't get the chance to blow us away like the first did, since it wasn't the first.
I just see them as episodes of a larger storyline anyway, so I don't think there's a point to figuring out which is better.

Also, OP - Yes, I'm OK with your opinion.

Zhukov:

scorptatious:
Also INB4 Zeel coming in to ruin all the fun. :(

Don't worry, he copped a two week ban, much to the delight of everyone who disagreed with him and the relief of everyone else.

He won't be back until after the game is out, and then he'll be just one more infraction away from a perma-ban.

In the meantime, you can stay up to date on his amazing blog.

Dear god, his butchering of Forrest Gump's quote seems to be a very good sign of things to come. X(

I'll probably read more after school today.

Loop Stricken:
GOD NO YOU HEATHEN I DESPISE YOU AND ALL YOU STAND FOR.

XD

YEAH! Take your dissenting opinions and go back where you came from!

>.>

Yeah ME2 was better, but the first game was still good. It just had some balance issues; I was able to snipe an enemy from a mile away, firing from the hip... with a SHOTGUN.

ME2 had much better combat, faster paced, where the powers were actually WORTH a damn, rather than a brief increase in accuracy (I only played the soldier :P)

Jesse Willadson:
I prefer mass effect 2 and think its better in almost every way, but can see why you prefer and think the first one is better.
Are you okay with this poster of the escapist forums?

No. You think making threads about an opinion with no discussion value is a good thing

Please get out.

Jesse Willadson:
I prefer mass effect 2 and think its better in almost every way, but can see why you prefer and think the first one is better.
Are you okay with this poster of the escapist forums?

Actually, I think that is a pretty common opinion.

I liked ME1's plot a lot, but the actual game was often rather lackluster. ME2 was a vast improvement on the game side, but the plot was less focused (and spent more time on recruitment and loyalty missions). In a way, it was a great way to do a "second act" game because it focused on developing characters rather than trying to out-do ME1's plot.

Honestly, I wish they'd do some sort of "ME1 flashback" version for PS3 using the engine from ME2 (or ME3) and then recreate some of the more important events from ME1 so I could play them in the ME2/3 engine on my console of choice.

It isn't going to happen, but it's on my list of "unlikely videogames I'd like to see" next to the FF7 remake and Xenosaga Episode 4 / Xenogears Episodes 2-4 and 6.

They're both okay. ME1 feels stronger, but very little seems to happen in ME2.

I think ME3 will be a mix of the two, hopefully.

Duh?

I agree with you 100% v.v

Tightened the graphics up,
Improved the budget and cast,
Had a mountain of top notch side quests,
Added a boat load of memorable characters,
Refined the shooting,
Added the awesome Interruption mechanic.

Scraped a lot of the exploration and sense of scale,
The main plot was very poor in comparison to the first game,
EA's "familiar and safe" policy could be felt (giant robot final boss anyone?),
The shooting was slicker but not as much crazy fun (biotics were near useless most of the time),
All but mandatory DLC up the backside,
Mac "Humans are super duper special" Walters took the helm as the lead writer,
Brutally murdered the RPG mechanics,
The series changed from a Reconstruction of the sci-fi genre to normal sci-fi silliness (oxygen masks in the open void of space...for girls only!),
Forced the player into stupid choices, made grey issues into very binary ones at times,
Tone: DARK AND EDGY: ARE WE COOL YET GUYS!?

I came away from ME 1 blown away by the finale. Very satisfied.
I was laughing at the silliness of ME 2's "conclusion". I felt like I'd achieved nothing other then ruining TIM's day, when I would rather have just ignored TIM right at start.
ME2's plot was a side quest I just wanted to ignore. The whole Cerberus thing was forced and shoehorned in and put me in a bad mood from the start.

On one side, the story in 2 is at times incredibly, game breakingly stupid. I hate that I have no choice but to work for Cerberus, who (based on their last appearance) wouldn't have a single reason to resurrect me anyway.
But the side quests are more or less fantastic, the new crewmates are a real joy and my sniper is actually goddamn useful now.

So all in all I like both but for different reasons.

Other then the loot glut in ME1 (OMG! MAKE IT STOOOPPPP!) and the retarted lack of aiming abilities of a weapon you didn't level up with (really.. a N7 solider is not some what proficent with all basic weapons) I found ME1 much better then ME2.

You have an opinion that I respectfully disagree with. I personally think the magic of the games was in the first one and the second was a great game, but an inferior addition.

I just hope ME3 manages to trump them both.

Cool story bro, tell another.

I personally like them both. Everyone has their own opinion, we all know this, we all need to get over it, this thread is kind of pointless and redundant.

3quency:
my sniper is actually goddamn useful now.

Try getting out of the Mako in ME1 and sniping otherwise vehicle-based enemies (like Colossi and Geth Primes) from a mile away. Not only are you useful, but you get a huge XP bonus for killing the "vehicular" enemy on foot.

Bonus points for killing a Thresher Maw this way (I have.)

(Yes, the process does tend to take a while.)

mew BG<KOTOR<ME< ME2/DA/DA2

I have yet to play the second so I won't comment. Just, you know, don't try and convince me either way.

Canadish:
I came away from ME 1 blown away by the finale. Very satisfied.

I was laughing at the silliness of ME 2's "conclusion". I felt like I'd achieved nothing other then ruining TIM's day, when I would rather have just ignored TIM right at start.
ME2's plot was a side quest I just wanted to ignore. The whole Cerberus thing was forced and shoehorned in and put me in a bad mood from the start.

Agreed, I was still in love with BioWare when ME2 came out (DA:2 wasn't even a twinkle in a lazy executive's eye), and honestly it planted the seeds of my falling out with the company. Their next big release being another $60 side quest was the end.

Oddly enough, if you'd switched the plots of the games, don't even mention the Reapers while fighting the Harvesters and ME1 is just introducing the game universe, Shepard and the Normandy (the shocking twist being who the Harvesters are, not who they're working for)(oh and hey, dropping the working for a terrorist organization part), I'd still be in love with them.

mass effect 2 was a good game, but my god mass effect 1 was just on a whole different level. more rpg elements, better writing, SIDE QUESTS! planet exploration and a better structure to the game

i also wasnt rather insultingly lumped in with the "I cant pay attention for five seconds without boobs and/or explosions crowd" when playing the first game

Mcoffey:

I enjoyed Mass Effect 2, but it's not what I wanted from Mass Effect 2.

this actually sums of my feelings on the second one

krellen:

Bonus points for killing a Thresher Maw this way (I have.)

Challenge accepted.
Where's that old save?

I have to go with Mass Effect 2. It is damn near impossible for me to go back and play the first game.