Rahf

Am I the only one that legitimately reads "I'm not looking for Metroidvanias. I want an old-school platformer."?

I can't imagine anyone going renegade in that story. You'd have to give away a part of your soul first.

@yankeesmcav1: I suppose the underlying conceit is icky, depending on how you view things and what you consider acceptable to include in entertainment. The themes playing out, and the central conflict at the heart of the story, may be deemed "not allowed" nowadays. But on the other end they bring a genuine impact to the story, if you ask me. The fact that plot unfolds the way it does, and the final revelation, was a true stab in the gut. But it was also what made the pay-off and final choice worthwhile and meaningful. Your view of a character as both Shepard and the player.

Overlord is problematic in the sense that decisions are made, and can be made, that would be deemed monstrous or abhorrent by many. That is Mass Effect and that is storytelling when it is at its best, if you ask me.

Shame you've had it spoiled. I think you'll find that final moment quite wrenching, still.

@ithas2besaidkvo: Before discussing it I'll wait for @yankeesmcav1 to actually finish the DLC, allowing for input from the person that's actually discovering this for the first time.

@ll_exile_ll: I did mention that in my list. 😉

@millaj: you're absolutely right about that one side mission. I had forgotten about it.

As for the rest of the specifics, it is my hope that the completely spoiler free text I wrote implies the timing. In that way avoiding mentions of story-related missions or MacGuffins (I love that mission!)

@yankeesmcav1: if you have the DLC, go ahead and do those. Here's a few comments grabbed from dusty memory:

• Overlord is fantastic. Bit slower pacing and more intrigue in the narrative, that develops in what can be an unexpected way for you. Then, depending on your choice, the resolution gets a call-back in ME3.
• Lair of the Shadow Broker is equally good. It comes loaded with more action set-pieces, a faster pace, a guest starring spot by a familiar face, and one of the coolest locations in the Mass Effect universe. It also includes one of the coolest designed characters as you come into the climax of that story.
• Firewalker is take it or leave it. More content and some fleshing out of the universe, but it mainly takes place in a different vehicle.
• Normandy Crash Site is a straight call-back to the first game. Not terribly exciting, but contains loot and 'stuff'.
• Arrival was a swing-and-a-miss for me, but did contain good story. Finish the main game and then hop on that, as it directly ties into the third game.

For story-related reasons: don't stop to clean up side missions when the second game wants to thrust you into immediate action along the critical path. The outcome will shift dramatically if you even deviate a bit, and if memory serves there's time to clean up after you finish the main story.

Generally speaking it depends on the game I play.

Games where the moral barometer is completely clear, such as older Bioware RPGs, I'll always end up being the good guy. Because at the end of the day I don't like being an asshole; generally those choices always end up with you being dastardly, or a 'nice guy'. Easy to choose. Easy to predict.

Now in games where the choices and their outcomes can be really veiled and hard to grasp, such as the Witcher, I tend towards the pragmatic and not trying to be a goody two-shoes. Still avoiding being an asshole, and prefer helping repentant characters with their problems.

Giant Bombcast - Arrow Pointing Up

All the best, Vindawg.

@retris: they're liquidating stocks because of margin calls. Those particular customers have bought stocks with borrowed money.

If it turns out they're forcing a close on stocks purchased in the money? Done forever.