Bioware is having a sequel celebration for the release of Dragon Age 2. You get a free copy of Mass Effect 2 as a digital download if you purchased the other. I of course did, since it's free and I have huge amounts of free space on my system anyway, who doesn't need more games installed? It came with the Cerberus DLC, but I went ahead and splurged for a few of the other backs: Shadow Broker, the Aegis and Equalizer packs, Overlord, and Kasumi – Stolen Memory. I’ve got the game downloaded, all the DLC installed, and I’m ready to rock.
The last two times I played a Mass Effect game I used the same Shepard, literally. I started him out in the first game, finished and saved, then imported him in to the second game. Since I have kids and am a big softy anyway, I chose the Paragon path of the good guy. I just couldn’t stand to treat my virtual companions with such disdain, no matter the situation. I’ve been like that even back in the Baldur’s Gate days, always sticking to the path of the righteous. This time I wanted a different experience. I am going pure Renegade bad-ass all the way. Someone gets in my way? They die. Innocents need to be saved? Not unless there's a reward involved. Touchy-feely conversations with my crew? Not happening. This is my new take on Shepard, and he’s pissed off at the entire universe.
I played a Vanguard before, which is a hybrid class that combines combat and biotic skills. It’s a very powerful combination, but limited in what weapons they can use. I really want to use the assault rifles for this play, so I'm forgoing biotics for a straight up Soldier; they can use any weapon in the game and equip heavy armor. Since this game uses a different style of inventory system, I'm not sure if they get anything more than all the other classes. I’ll be putting my points in active abilities such as Concussion shot and Adrenaline for the first few levels, after which I plan to invest in Soldering to increase damage and overall toughness.
After an enigmatic cut-scene with future squad member Miranda and The Illusive Man discussing the importance of Shepard in events to come. The game then starts proper with Normandy and crew searching a sector of the galaxy, looking for remnants of the Geth. The ship comes out of warp, and soon after is attacked by a massive Collector ship. It's beam weapon tears through the Normandy, nearly destroying it with the first shot. The crew flee to the escape pod as the ship limps through space. It doesn't take long before most of the crew has abandoned ship in the escape pods, except Ashely Williams who comes to let Shepard know that we’re under attack. I'd say that's pretty obvious by now, but you've got to admire her enthusiasm.
We attempt to put out one of the fires as Joker’s voice cracks over the intercom. Since we'll need him later for the story, and there's no option for it anyway, I order Ashley to evacuate and then head up towards the cockpit to haul him out.
There are fires everywhere I look, several passages are blocked, and the ship feels like it could break apart at any moment. I make a dash down the corridor, cut round the bend and head up to the main deck. A force field covers the doorway, which means it's a hard vacuum on the other side. I notice it’s because most of the Normandy's top was blasted off in the attack.
I step out into space and make my way through the debris. In the distance I see a planet loom, and also the Collector ship moving in to finish us off. It's not much farther before I come to another force field that shields the cockpit. Joker's still in his seat, trying desperately to save the Normandy.
Joker’s not ready to leave yet, but I yank him out of the chair anyway. We make it to the last escape pod, but another hit from the Collector ship knocks me away and him through the doors. They makes it out just before the Normandy is blasted and then explodes in a spectacular ball of fire. My last few moments are spent wondering what it's going to feel like to fall through the planet's atmosphere from orbit. It should be fairly quick, I hope.
