Mass Effect - PC version

[Yochanan]

I figured it's time I resurrect this thread, now that it's actually released and all. I must say the game is amazing. It runs so well on my PC and the load times are short. The decryption mini-game is fun (and hard at times). As expected, the graphics are superb.

Here are my specs:

• Intel Core2Duo E6750 @ 2.66GHz
  
• ASUS P5K mobo
  
• 2GB DDR2 667MHz
  
• ATI Radeon HD 2900XT 512MB
  

The game has a launcher where you can pre-configure the graphics before launching the game itself. Upon clicking configure, it scans your hardware and determines the graphics settings for you. With my specs, it auto-set everything to high with 4xAA and anisotropic filtering enabled @ 1440x900. Increasing the resolution to 1680x1050 resulted in gameplay that was very playable with very few slowdowns.

You won't be disappointed if you waited for the PC version like I did. Kudos to BioWare for a wonderful game. They didn't simply port the game to the PC platform. They improved on it and made it even better.

NOTE: The DVD is not required to play the game. It is only required to install it.

I neither have AA/AF settings in the Configuration Utility nor in the game.

I can make a profile for it in the nVIDIA Control Panel I suppose.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

I neither have AA/AF settings in the Configuration Utility nor in the game.

I can make a profile for it in the nVIDIA Control Panel I suppose.

Whoops, I guess I had 4xAA pre-enabled in my Catalyst Control Panel. Ignore what I said earlier. As for AF, it's right there under "Filtering Mode". I have forced AF to 8xAF on my video card (in CCC, not in-game). I also disabled AA to improve performance.

Here are my current settings:

Resolution: 1440x900

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (16:10)

Particle Effects: High

Texture Detail: High

Filtering Mode: Anistropic (8xAF through CCC)

No AA, dynamic shadows and vsync enabled.

[cropcircles]

I really keep trying with these role playing games but it just frustrates me when I have to stop all the tiime and drop down some menu to plan strategy and movement so often, I guess thats the point. Ok back at it again ! tallyho

[notuptome2004]

I really keep trying with these role playing games but it just frustrates me when I have to stop all the tiime and drop down some menu to plan strategy and movement so often, I guess thats the point. Ok back at it again ! tallyho

but that is where ME is a bit different as you can do it the old point click icon for your team or run and gun

[MaJoR]

I am surprised that no one has complained about the 10 day activation thing. I don't have internet access on my PC, so I have to hack it just to PLAY it. Got to love "protection" systems...

[NeoXY]

^ I'm pretty sure they took that out.

Anyways, 10 hour in. Love the game. I've never been able to sit through a RPG before, and I'm just simply loving this one.

[MaJoR]

http://masseffect.bioware.com/forums/viewt...mp;sp=0#5774350

So you are right. In fact, that is actually a very fair internet activation scheme. But it still requires internet activation so I'm still screwed.

Edited June 5, 2008 by MaJoR

[mundox]

I'm loving this game, but I still think that KotOR is the best ever ^^

[rajputwarrior]

i just got it, i had an issue where i couldn't' save the game, which is a known issue but i fixed that. I think it has to do with the unreal engine because i had to do the same thing for ut3. I have the game maxed out on my PC 1680x1050 and it runs flawlessly. Its a gorgeous game and i am definitely going to play it after work tonight for a lot longer. Only past the intro cause i had to figure out the save issue...

[Echilon]

Looking forward to this. It's a game I'm actually planning to play. :p

[Flash]

I'm loving this game, but I still think that KotOR is the best ever ^^

KotOR is the best RPG I've ever played on the PC, so I hope this game can come close seeing that it's both made by bioware :D

[solardog]

Just picked this up yesterday. Is it just me or is the main default male the same guy that was in KotOR?. I haven't played much yet but it feels kind of KotORish to me , which isn't bad. The game runs excellent by the way

[Minimoose]

I'll be playing this tomorrow, sounds good! Hurrah!

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Wow. I just can't get enough of this game. I started off being the good guy but now I'm quite ruthless. All I have to say is "I'm a Spectre" and I can pretty much get any information I need from the NPCs in-game.

[+longgonebn Subscriber²]

This game is on my list of games to get, right after Age of Conan, just money is abit low at the moment. Can't wait!

[cropcircles]

but that is where ME is a bit different as you can do it the old point click icon for your team or run and gun

Getting the hang of it a bit now. Beautiful scenary. Got to switch out of that run and gun mentality.

[Elliot B.]

Been playing for 20 minutes and I am very confused by the UI, upgrade system, lack of Xbox 360 controller support inclusion etc.

EDIT: UI, not AI.

Edited June 7, 2008 by King Mustard

[+longgonebn Subscriber²]

I just picked it up, just after saying I need to get Age Of Conan first lol

I have been playing it all day, and I love it. I find the dialog and story to remind me of Stargate SG1 & Stargate Atlantis, even the main character "John Shepard" has the exact same name as the main guy in Atlantis. The game starts off with a bit too much chatting and less action but I still find it awesome, since I enjoy the story. And of course, it looks very nice!

Can't wait to get further into it with more powers.

[NeoXY]

AND DONE!

What an experience (first run through, minimal side quest, 12 hours to complete)

Word of advice. When you finish the game, you finish. Its not possible to go back and do side quests. So if you are planning to do them, do it while you can.

[+longgonebn Subscriber²]

Good to know, thanks. I was planning on doing them later.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Yes, I too was planning to do the side quests at the end. Thanks for the warning. I'm already 4h and 30min into the game so I missed out on a couple of side quests already, but fortunately for me I can go back to them. I've yet to crank the resolution up to 1680x1050 which is my monitor's native resolution. Currently, I have it set to 1440x990 and it runs quite smoothly.

[ObiWanToby]

This is pretty great on the PC, runs smooth, doesn't need the DVD, great stuff, I hope it sells well!

[+longgonebn Subscriber²]

Yes, I too was planning to do the side quests at the end. Thanks for the warning. I'm already 4h and 30min into the game so I missed out on a couple of side quests already, but fortunately for me I can go back to them. I've yet to crank the resolution up to 1680x1050 which is my monitor's native resolution. Currently, I have it set to 1440x990 and it runs quite smoothly.

Really, right off the bat I was full AA 1680x1050, full eveyrthing, love it!

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Really, right off the bat I was full AA 1680x1050, full eveyrthing, love it!

What are your PC specs? :p

[Beastage]

Excellent stuff!!! runs fantastic... very exciting to play... I'm drawn to it and play very slow like I did with kotor1 and kotor2 so it will last a long time and I will not miss a thing.

I am bugged that you cant even force AA on it and that somehow it ignores my crossfired video cards