Poll: ME: Paragon or Renegade?

[TheHecatomb]

My first playthrough on both games was a bit of both, not enough of either to get the major stuff done properly, losing some crew, etcetera. After that I played both games on maximum paragon, currently rolling maximum renegade. I'm trying to roll a full biotic character on this current playthrough, too, but honestly I just end up using my assault rifle most of the time anyway.

 

[MishiSings]

I found that this is one of the few games with moral choices that actually makes being a good guy incredibly satisfying. NPCs seem like..actually thankful to you.
Except the Council, screw those guys. D:<

Playing good characters isn't satisfying in other games?

 

[badgersprite]

Total Paragon. It's just like being a Jedi. You can even do the Jedi mind trick to sway people and you can use the force biotics on your enemies!

 

[MishiSings]

I'm currently on a Renegade playthrough of the first Mass Effect, but I'm finding it hard to care about Judas Shepard. Punching Kalisah Al-Jilani was fun, but generally being a violent asshole leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[Slaanax]

I usually do both choices, but focus more on good than bad. Playing as a renegade character is a lot of fun in ME2 some of your jerk moments are funny.

 

[Ultraman950]

Paragon, mostly. Any Renegade Shepard I've made is, well, just an asshole. And I have a vengeful vendetta against assholes, so yeah.

 

[King Kupofried]

I found that this is one of the few games with moral choices that actually makes being a good guy incredibly satisfying. NPCs seem like..actually thankful to you.
Except the Council, screw those guys. D:<

Playing good characters isn't satisfying in other games?

In many cases, I don't find it to be.
It varies from game to game, there are certainly ones that do well with the good side of things, in many they just don't flesh out the characters enough or make them show enough emotion towards your actions to make doing selfless acts feel satisfying.
Like one of the worst cases, InFamous, where half of the characters treat you like dirt for half the game even when you're just a few short steps away from rescuing baby kitten orphans.

 

[Naheal]

My methods made me Renegade. My motivations and how I treated my crew made me Paragon. In a D&D sense, my Shepard would be Lawful Neutral.

 

[Something Amyss]

My friends call me "J.A." for short.

 

[zega frega omega]

I usually make decisions that I would make. That said, I'm usually a paragon, but not 100%

 

[Fishyash]

I usually do paragon, and if I play through again i'll do renegade.

I expected the majority to be voting paragon.

 

[MishiSings]

I found that this is one of the few games with moral choices that actually makes being a good guy incredibly satisfying. NPCs seem like..actually thankful to you.
Except the Council, screw those guys. D:<

Playing good characters isn't satisfying in other games?

In many cases, I don't find it to be.
It varies from game to game, there are certainly ones that do well with the good side of things, in many they just don't flesh out the characters enough or make them show enough emotion towards your actions to make doing selfless acts feel satisfying.
Like one of the worst cases, InFamous, where half of the characters treat you like dirt for half the game even when you're just a few short steps away from rescuing baby kitten orphans.

Ah. Well, regardless of how shitty my good character is treated, I just don't see appeal of evil. The only game that ever really tempted me to the dark Side was KOTOR, and that's only because of how royally the Council screws you over. And even then, I picked light side options in the end.

 

[SageRuffin]

I switch it up depending on the character.

- FemShep #1: Paragon Adept, Athena [http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/Ruffin316/Hi-Def%20Sage%20Screens/Briefing.jpg]. Kindhearted, but also naive. Won't start trouble, but never refuses a fight.
- FemShep #2: Para-gade Infiltrator, Erika [http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/Ruffin316/Hi-Def%20Sage%20Screens/TheWire.jpg]. Helpful, but very impatient. The type of person who won't hesitate to knock your teeth out if you cross her, but will call the hospital to get you patched up.

 

[Naheal]

I found that this is one of the few games with moral choices that actually makes being a good guy incredibly satisfying. NPCs seem like..actually thankful to you.
Except the Council, screw those guys. D:<

Playing good characters isn't satisfying in other games?

I don't know about him, but I rather like "dark heroes" or "anti-heroes" rather than a stock good guy. I want a hero that fights dirty, is ruthless to his enemies, and is willing to do whatever's necessary to ensure the survival of the people he's trying to protect.

To me, a good story involves a hero who isn't well liked by the people that he's saving, but absolutely terrifies anyone who stands in his way or attempts to harm the people that are behind him. A father to his crew, but a harsh and strict one. Never harm the people he considers to be friends and family, for nothing will stop him from making sure that you're unable to do that ever again.

I want heroes to have flaws. I want heroes to seem human. Having someone who is ultimately kind to everyone is somewhat unsatisfying. Even in KotOR, I tended to lean a bit towards grey for my Jedi and my Sith. I don't want a character, even a villain, that's on the extreme; I find these extremes to be unrealistic in character development. A believable villain makes for an excellent character. A villain who you can empathize with makes for an incredible moral dilemma. A hero that will lose their temper or get a little violent when faced with something atrocious makes for a hero that is relate-able.

 

[Jason Danger Keyes]

I usually used to aim to be the noblest of nobles, always taking the selfless and pure paths. Then I would get annoyed because Shep (and most other characters with choice systems in RPGs) would then become what I considered to be a gigantic pussy and self-righteous asshole, way less likable than the jerk the renegade is supposed to look like. I'm a person who considers the rules (and the law) to be somewhat flexible and context-sensitive. A character who unquestioningly and ceaselessly upholds the blindest of rules, laws, and forced ethics are just unrelatable to me. I want to do the right thing, but the right thing isn't always the Paragon option.

 

[Naheal]

I usually used to aim to be the noblest of nobles, always taking the selfless and pure paths. Then I would get annoyed because Shep (and most other characters with choice systems in RPGs) would then become what I considered to be a gigantic pussy and self-righteous asshole, way less likable than the jerk the renegade is supposed to look like. I'm a person who considers the rules (and the law) to be somewhat flexible and context-sensitive. A character who unquestioningly and ceaselessly upholds the blindest of rules, laws, and forced ethics are just unrelatable to me. I want to do the right thing, but the right thing isn't always the Paragon option.

I prefer to think of what you're describing as a "Paragon Shepard with a heavy dose of pragmatism". While it's nice to be a good guy, it's a good idea to keep your eyes open for what can and will happen down the line.

 

[Bravo 21]

I took the karma approach, if you do right by me, then I will let you live, and possibly help you, if you fail to do this, then you will suffer the direst of consequences as you are tortured to death and your planet and family burn before you. In short, sociopath shepard.

 

[captaincabbage]

I have a surprisingly hard time in games being a major dickhole. Even in Red Dead, when I try to play the game as a arsehat,I always end up being a really nice guy.

 

[Danceofmasks]

I took the karma approach, if you do right by me, then I will let you live, and possibly help you, if you fail to do this, then you will suffer the direst of consequences as you are tortured to death and your planet and family burn before you. In short, sociopath shepard.

Ha, that's hilarious.
My approach was a short-tempered one.

"I'm trying to save the ENTIRE @#$%! GALAXY, are you seriously even considering being a minor inconvenience to me?"
*POW*

 

[aether-x3]

Paragon.

I just have a hard time being mean in videogames.