Nepenthe

I like the global cooldown. I hated it in ME1 when I fired off my powers and then had to rely on my peashooter for the rest of the encounter while the painfully long individual cooldowns reset. IMO saying that you prefer the ME1 version is kind of like saying you prefer premature ejaculation.

Yes, on x360 and ps3. I thought Origin was only required for multiplayer? I believe they are moving to the same model as Steamworks. I know Kingdoms of Amalur requires Origin to be running. On the positive side, Origin is pretty unobtrusive, and even seems less resource hungry than Steam. They're still guilty of the sin of not having reached a near-monopoly first!

Yes, on x360 and ps3.

Of course gameplay was so-so, the guy playing was a complete idiot But, as usual, this type of game will be made or broken by what ties the missions together. Even for the people who'll say "screw this, I'm gonna go play Space Marine", which I'll never understand.

No leak, they've been handing out early release codes for days.

Agreed, completely. The score was my only disappointment with ME2. And, dare I say it, it was a rather large one. Later edit: I've understood that most of the more electronic tracks in the ME1 score were penned by Hulick, so I'm really glad to see him back.

The way it looks, the gun is actually just needed to mark the target and the attack comes from a satellite. Sorta like the Helios One thing in New Vegas, or that thing in Gears of War the name of which I don't remember. I think that's it. I also seem to remember that the orbital strike just tickles the reaper from past trailers, but I could be getting my scenes mixed up. Something I can totally agree with, also suspect it was the reason Jack Wall got canned afterwards. He's just one of a team, which also includes Sam Hulick (of ME1 and ME2), Chris Lennertz (ME2 dlcs) and Sonic Mayhem (Kasumi - which had the most ME1-like score of the ME2 releases). From what I've seen the guys tweet etc., I'm expecting something a lot more like ME1. Not making the call on trailer audio, though, a lot of it's been recycled anyway.

It's the "winner takes all" system, not the campaign costs which result in that.

Pretty much this. I hear there used to be a pretty good engine for these, one some of you guys are familiar with. "Beta Protocol" would get my dime as well, on the principle that I assume it was a learning experience for you guys, as well.

What? You download the stuff from bioware social/registered game promotions, you don't need to go anywhere near any of their stores. Or from anywhere really, it'll do the authentication automatically.

She had a son? Yes. It's explained in there.

Is that irony I smell. You have a sharp nose, my otherwise misguided friend.

You're a bit hung up on the charity thing. I'd tend to look at it as being similar to tipping*. You liked their games, you want more of them. You can't (realistically) go into EB/ Gamestop and leave an extra $10 for them there. I know there are plenty of games that I'm positively embarrassed about paying so little for given the amount of enjoyment I've got out of them. Usually I try and reward by buying their next game at full price, but that option ain't always available. There's no guarantee when tipping that you'll be back, nor that the service you get next time will also be exemplary. But that doesn't make it charity, it's an acknowledgement of quality service rendered against the expectation that further quality will be rendered in the future. *Non US style tipping that is, where it isn't effectively mandatory and an expected cost. Let's face it, crowdsourcing is kind of like SOCIALISM, so it can't bet good. Also, I took one for the team and read Gaider's latest foray into novelisations. It's more tied in to the games than the last two and fairly obviously sets the scene for DA3. Synopsis:

I don't argue with people, I disagree with opinions (well, in theory, anyway, sometimes I get carried away). When an opinion has been refuted a lot better than I ever could, there's little point in me contributing further. Also:

Thanks guys. Annoying day at work. The economist thing isn't going that well, but she still threw a small office cake party today so had to go there. Absurdly good looking woman. Also had a meeting with the representatives of the companies I lobby for. One of them bitched about everything, while the other ones were silent. Kind of kills my mood for doing unpaid overtime for them. Now, a weekend of dissertation writing. Want to have this thing done before ME3.

Too tired to edit, so dp. All the reapers don't look alike (partial retcon, I guess), harbinger, sovereign and the derelict one just come from the same "class". A popular theory is that the superstructure will eventually be identical, but that remains to be explained by me3.

I could kiss you. It also saves me the trouble of having to reply to the cunning retort a few posts below yours.

Mmh, I had an (IMO) even worse one, where the dialogue in a flashpoint revealed part of what happened at the conclusion of act 1. So, kids, if you care about story like your uncle Nep does, don't do Taral V until after Act 1.

"Attempt?" Wat. Mmh, now we're at the anti-ME2 argument 3b, also known as pedestalising ME1 and ignoring all that was wrong with it. Kind of like what was done with DAO and DA2, 'cept DA2 made it easier for you guys.

Turned 31 yesterday. Kind of hoped I'd be a doctor by now, but looks like I'm going to overshoot it by a few months. Been making me depressed these past few years, really shouldn't.

Honestly, at this point, "bull****" is about the extent of what your newest attempt deserves to be dismissed with... You guys are just sore you had to ditch the Standard Bioware Plot Arc diagram because of it.

Hmmm, weren't the keepers actually robotics, instead of organic. Or do I miss-remember here? Keepers are organic.

Bruce Nesmith. Never heard of him, but he wan't the guy who did F3. Had to google him to make sure if it was the guy - it is, he was the creative director of TSR before it was acquired by Wizards of the Coast, [