So I'm about to start Mass Effect 3...

[jamesbrown]

and I was wondering if any Escapists had any protips for me, or things I should look out for. I am a veteran ME player, I've 100%-ed Mass Effect 1 and 2. Just wanna know if there was anything i should tiptoe around.

100%-ing is not as hard in this one (I recommend it - to get the "best" ending you need to 100% it), scanning is really intuitive, Download the Extended cut DLC FIRST, do not see the terrible original ending! The EC DLC is actually pretty good, it wraps up the epic well; and gives you closure.

 

[jamesbrown]

and I was wondering if any Escapists had any protips for me, or things I should look out for. I am a veteran ME player, I've 100%-ed Mass Effect 1 and 2. Just wanna know if there was anything i should tiptoe around.

100%-ing is not as hard in this one (I recommend it - to get the "best" ending you need to 100% it), scanning is really intuitive, Download the Extended cut DLC FIRST, Do not see the terrible original ending! The EC DLC is actually pretty good, it wraps up the epic well; and gives you closure.

Also be consititant with every choice you make with the illusive man, you talk to him I think 6 times; be sure to choose either paragon or regenage choice only, and stick to it.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

be aware you can't get the minimum "best" Galaxy Readiness unless you either A) get the Extended Cyt DLC (which...isn't really all that great to be honest), B) play the multiplayer, or C) get the Leviathan DLC. Also, keep in mind your power cooldowns are related to how much weight you carry so plan accordingly. I recommend finding the types of weapons you like and maxing them out.

 

[Xathos]

Seems like everyone's hit the major points, but guess I'll put in my two cents as well.

Download the Extended Cut. Its free, and while it doesn't make the endings the best, it at least makes them tolerable and gives closure. If you only do one thing, make sure its this!

If you want, try to get either Javik or the Leviathan DLC, or both. Javik is a Vanguard type character with some pretty interesting stuff to say, and Leviathan gives some more insight into Reaper Origins as well as making the ending a bit easier to swallow.

You will meet James Vega. Give him a chance. Not the best character, but definitely not the worst one. Certainly miles better than Jacob.

Try and think about which combination of party members would give the best banter during missions. The dialogue between the members has gone up drastically compared to the other two games, especially on the Normandy. Javik and Liara have a great one towards the end of the game.

Multiplayer isn't too bad. You might want to at least give it a try.

This game is super emotional. So prepare yourself.

 

[Jason Rayes]

Tell Kelly to change her name. Don't ask, just do it. Tell her to change her name.

Y'know, as she's just come up. I've never actually been able to find Kelly on the Citadel in ME3. I know exactly where he should be, and she survives ME2 in all the saves that I import, and I make sure to visit the Citadel regularly so I don't miss any content, but I've just never found her. Can you tell me exactly where the window is to go to the Citadel when she's there (I know when it's too late).

She will only appear if you had sex with her in ME 2 and she survives the ending. Seriously.

 

[crazyrabbits]

Tell Kelly to change her name. Don't ask, just do it. Tell her to change her name.

Y'know, as she's just come up. I've never actually been able to find Kelly on the Citadel in ME3. I know exactly where he should be, and she survives ME2 in all the saves that I import, and I make sure to visit the Citadel regularly so I don't miss any content, but I've just never found her. Can you tell me exactly where the window is to go to the Citadel when she's there (I know when it's too late).

She will only appear if you had sex with her in ME 2 and she survives the ending. Seriously.

No, that's not true. The only conditions you have to meet are (a) you need to get the ME2 conversation (and accept) that she'll feed your fish for you, and (b) you have to save her during the Suicide Mission. You don't need to get her "dance scene" to unlock her.

The real confusing element of this whole chain is the Prejak Paddlefish, a certain fish in ME2 that gives you a bonus in 3. Due to the way it was coded, you had to have bought the fish, got Kelly to feed it regularly, import it to 3, beat the game once and then start a second playthrough and check the Intel terminal. For all that, you get a (comparatively miniscule) 10% bonus to weapon or power damage. That's the real waste of time.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

and I was wondering if any Escapists had any protips for me, or things I should look out for. I am a veteran ME player, I've 100%-ed Mass Effect 1 and 2. Just wanna know if there was anything i should tiptoe around.

Switch it off 10 minutes before the end. Someone told me that and I didn't listen Absolutely awesome game up until then though.

And always do every side quest you can before the main quest.

 

[Jason Rayes]

No, that's not true. The only conditions you have to meet are (a) you need to get the ME2 conversation (and accept) that she'll feed your fish for you, and (b) you have to save her during the Suicide Mission. You don't need to get her "dance scene" to unlock her.

The real confusing element of this whole chain is the Prejak Paddlefish, a certain fish in ME2 that gives you a bonus in 3. Due to the way it was coded, you had to have bought the fish, got Kelly to feed it regularly, import it to 3, beat the game once and then start a second playthrough and check the Intel terminal. For all that, you get a (comparatively miniscule) 10% bonus to weapon or power damage. That's the real waste of time.

Wow that is really convoluted! Here I thought my fish always dying was the most realistic part of the game, just like my fish in real life.

I always thought I could start a business selling pet fish to busy people, they buy them already dead to save time.

 

[-Dragmire-]

and I was wondering if any Escapists had any protips for me, or things I should look out for. I am a veteran ME player, I've 100%-ed Mass Effect 1 and 2. Just wanna know if there was anything i should tiptoe around.

There are two missions to look out for.

One has to do with a bomb and the other has to do with an academy.

Do those as soon as you unlock them.

Eighth, and most important of all: If you don't like the ending, don't make a thread about it here or anywhere. I personally liked it, even before Extended Cut, I saw the inherent beauty in it while lots of other people were too childish and immediately demanded the heads of every Bioware dev.

Come on, there were idiots on both sides and intelligent people on both sides. Lumping the entire group of people together who don't agree with you and calling them childish just creates more pointless conflict.

 

[Gabanuka]

If you're playing Vanguard this weapon is none optional.

That baby there is the Grall Spike Thrower, your new best friend.


Meanwhile I'm gonna start the whole series again, time I played Renegade and moved away from my shotguns and pistols.

 

[Woodsey]

Play it, enjoy it. It's a good game. A very good game, in fact. Nowhere near complex enough that you'd need tips for it, though.

 

[DarkhoIlow]

Download the Extended cut...that is it.

Have fun!

 

[snekadid]

Play Vanguard.
Charge
Nova
Charge
Nova
Charge
Nova

Win game forever

Pretty much. Mass Effect 3 has a "fuck you" button if you play as Vanguard. And with that geth shotgun it's such an overkill even on Insanity.

You will meet a certain individual named Marauder Shields at some point near the end of the game, and he will try to kill you.

Spoiler: Never forget

He tried so hard to keep me from having to go through that ending... but I just wouldn't listen! He killed me 4 times for my own sake but I killed him anyways! If he was still here today all I would say to him is that I love you Marauder Shields, and I'm sorry.

 

[Ratimir]

There is one very simple thing you must do to get the maximum possible enjoyment from playing Mass Effect 3. The last mission on Earth involves trying to reach a big white beam of energy. DO NOT DO IT. Stay away from that beam at all costs. Beyond it there is only madness and idiocy. Turn the game off and walk away. It is better to have a game without an ending than to have a game with THAT ending, with or without the Extended Cut.

 

[Rayken15]

Play the game and after you get to the Citadel and something REALLY SAD happens, turn it off and headcanon the rest. Trust me, it's better that way.

 

[Studsmack]

As long as you have the Extended Cut Ending DLC, dive right in! That's always been my policy on playing a narrative-heavy, decision-centric game. Blind runs are always the best.

 

[Eddie the head]

When you get hit by the beam, just quit and make up your own ending. Even the DLC doesn't help. Also try and help people on the citadel, before major plot points. IE last part of Tuchanka.

 

[AT God]

Enjoy the game as it plays, because it gets bad at the last second, avoid making that your overall view of the game, I sadly did and now I have no urge to play it despite it being very good.

 

[votemarvel]

The only thing I could offer that others have not suggested is to make sure you import from the first two games.

Mass Effect 3 felt a little empty for me even with a 1+2 import, I dread to think what it would be like if you started a completely fresh game.