Play whatever class you want, the best advice i can give you is start with the second game, that way when you're playing the first you'll enjoy it much more, as opposed to enjoying the second a lot less.

I played solider first time through and it was easy but also very boring. Once you got a good gun all you had to do was run into a room and hose it down with bullets. I played an Adept the second time it was a much more fun experience because even if its easy you still get to watch all the rag dolls flail around  the place. Adept was what I stuck with since, into ME2 and soon into ME3.

I played as adept in both games. It is fun to toss guys around, warp/throw and lift are almost game killers when its leveled up, you can toss geth all over the place.

I went Soldier for Mass Effect 1 and then Vanguard for Mass Effect 2 because you get some awesome abilities.

I think if you're going to play on Insanity (which I don't recommend) you should play as someone who can wear medium to heavy armor. Some classes, like Adept, can only wear Light Armor, and I imagine that will ultimately screw you over at some point. I tried doing Mass Effect 1 on Insanity but couldn't because there are some really messed up parts.

SENTINEL ALL THE WAY HOME!

For real I went one in 1 before it was OP it was fun.

@TheDudeOfGaming said:

Play whatever class you want, the best advice i can give you is start with the second game, that way when you're playing the first you'll enjoy it much more, as opposed to enjoying the second a lot less.

I would not recommend this. The second game is much more enjoyable when you see the characters and references from/to the first game.

Play whatever class you want, the best advice i can give you is start with the second game, that way when you're playing the first you'll enjoy it much more, as opposed to enjoying the second a lot less.

My advice is to play a Soldier or Sentinel through ME1 then play the Vanguard in ME2. The ME1 version of the Vanguard is not terribly fun to play whereas in ME2 they get their amazing charge ability and become an absolute blast.

I'd recommend going as Soldier, Inflitrator, or Sentinel.

I enjoyed playing as Vanguard in ME1, but I really hated it in ME2. I also found it exceedingly difficult to get through ME2 on insane as a Vanguard.

Unfortunately, since you can't change your class when you carry over your Shepherd (what the hell is up with that), you really need to make sure whatever you pick in the first game is what you want to play as in the second game as well.

@TheDudeOfGaming said:

Play whatever class you want, the best advice i can give you is start with the second game, that way when you're playing the first you'll enjoy it much more, as opposed to enjoying the second a lot less.

This is terrible advice, ignore this man.

Oh, also, I think you can't use an assult rifle in any class besides the soldior until your second playthrough.

@NeverDave said:

@TheDudeOfGaming said:

Play whatever class you want, the best advice i can give you is start with the second game, that way when you're playing the first you'll enjoy it much more, as opposed to enjoying the second a lot less.

This is terrible advice, ignore this man.

I agree. I see no logic in that comment.

For ME1, none of the powers are really good enough to negate not being able to use assault rifles, so I'd say go soldier, and then (maybe) switch it up for ME2, because they changed the powers a lot, and gave each class a unique power (I still played soldier though).  
 
Also, definitely play ME1 first, and make sure you play ME2 on the same platform, so all your decisions carry over (and if you get to a high enough level, you get some starting bonuses too). 

Unfortunately, since you can't change your class when you carry over your Shepherd (what the hell is up with that), you really need to make sure whatever you pick in the first game is what you want to play as in the second game as well.

@TheDudeOfGaming said:

Play whatever class you want, the best advice i can give you is start with the second game, that way when you're playing the first you'll enjoy it much more, as opposed to enjoying the second a lot less.

Explanation is needed. Because right now you are making absolutely no sense... Or are you still bitter about them simplifying the second one? Thats the only conclusion i can come to

For ME1, on hardest difficultly I went soldier for survivability. I basically sent in my party to meatshield while I attacked from cover. I don't think I particularly enjoyed it but the Krogans had crazy regen. I went Vanguard for my first ME1 playthroughs though and I enjoyed it so I would pick the class that sounds the most interesting to you. ME2 on my hardest difficultly run I went Sentinel I believe. I also heard good things about Infiltraitor for hardest diff. Vanguard is not super great for ME2 since you rarely want to be in people's faces.

I really like Infiltrator, in both ME1 and 2, but if you're going for hardest difficulty I would suggest maybe going Soldier in ME1 since then you have the Assault Rifle and Heavy Armor, and can still use the other skills through your companions. 
 
The Adept in ME2 felt kinda like a waste to me, at least on harder difficulties, since the enemies would often have resistances that you couldn't use all your biotics against, therefore a big part of your arsenal is nullified as opposed to a better gun which works against everything. 
Also, Vanguard is maybe not the best class to tackle the hardest difficulty in ME2, since your special skill often leaves you out in the open, but if you know how to use it in the right way it could be a lot of fun. Wouldn't really recommend it the first time through, though. 
 
For maximum survivability in both games, I feel like Soldier or Infiltrator is probably the best choice.  
Other than that, I guess just look at which class looks to be the most fun in ME2, since they differentiated the classes more there than in ME1.

@TheDudeOfGaming said:

Play whatever class you want, the best advice i can give you is start with the second game, that way when you're playing the first you'll enjoy it much more, as opposed to enjoying the second a lot less.

Explanation is needed. Because right now you are making absolutely no sense... Or are you still bitter about them simplifying the second one? Thats the only conclusion i can come to

Play whatever class you want, the best advice i can give you is start with the second game, that way when you're playing the first you'll enjoy it much more, as opposed to enjoying the second a lot less.

@Chaser324 said:

Unfortunately, since you can't change your class when you carry over your Shepherd (what the hell is up with that), you really need to make sure whatever you pick in the first game is what you want to play as in the second game as well.

That is wrong. You can change your class and face of Shepard upon import.

I'll also endorse the Infiltrator. I played one in my most recent playthrough of ME1 and ME2. Very versatile class. Nice damage, tech powers, and survivability if played right.

The inventory system in the first game is a bloody nightmare. I was so happy when I didn't have to spend half my time playing the second one, in my inventory.
 
I would only play the first one for the story. Play it on easy. Cruise through the game. The gameplay is very rigid and . . . well, I don't enjoy it at all after playing the second game.

@Chaser324 said:

Unfortunately, since you can't change your class when you carry over your Shepherd (what the hell is up with that), you really need to make sure whatever you pick in the first game is what you want to play as in the second game as well.

You can definitely change your class. I changed my Shepard from a Soldier to a Vanguard when I brought him over.

Don't be dumb play as a soldier. Also, ME 1 gets better as it goes on and ME 2 is amazing