Mass Effect or Dragon Age?

Here we have Bioware's most recent masterpieces, brilliant takes on the Space Opera and High Fantasy genres respectively. I've played and beaten the first of each game, and subsequently sold both (Gamestop FTW) and lost my save data for both (buying new Xbox and not being able to transfer saves FTL). However, I've not played either of the sequels. I'm rectifying this ASAP- this weekend I am purchasing both the first and second incarnation of one of the two.

Therein lies my issue. Won't be able to purchase the other series for a significant amount of time. I ask for your help, tropers, in deciding which.

Operate from the (correct) assumption that I enjoyed Dragon Age Origins and Mass Effect roughly equally.

Mass Effect 2>Dragon Age 2

Mass Effect, no contest.

To put things lightly Mass Effect 2 took a step forward in gameplay and story. Dragon Age 2 took a big step backwards

Mass Effect 2.

Dragon Age 2 is not a bad game, but it's not in ME 2's league.

KOTOR 2.

Seriously, though, pick Mass Effect.

edited 28th Jun '11 9:34:00 AM by thespacephantom

Kot OR 1 > 2

You need to get that one unofficial fan restoration patch. It restores most of the cut content.

Mass Effect 2 is better than Dragon Age 2.

DA 2 is fun, but it's hit hard by its jumbled narrative. Without spoiling anything, let me tell you that the main plot points of the game aren't linked and it's mostly your character dealing with a series of random issues. Because you're never working towards a central goal and you're just waiting for the next problem to come your way, the game isn't as compelling as it could've been. Things alluded to in the plot turn out to be relatively unimportant and sometimes you'll have a major character moment or development that never goes anywhere. At other times, you'll have what appears to be a minor character moment that goes batshit insane later on.

Where ME 2 toned down the gear-acquisition thing in favour of a style that better suited the game, DA 2 throws far too many gear options at you. I ceased to care about anything that wasn't a weapon or armour about one-third of the way through the game because every five minutes I'd pick up some new accessory that really didn't warrant the time deciding whether I was better off with or without it.

There are certainly some great ideas and many of them are well-executed in DA 2, but ultimately it comes off as more of a collection of unrelated quests with too much gear management. It does have some of the best social moments I've seen in gaming, but ME 2 equals it in that respect while having better overall plot and gameplay to boot.

It goes something like

ME 2>dragon age>me1>dragon age 2

so my vote is for ME 2, the combat is much funner, the squad is pretty interesting too and playing paragon isn't boring anymore.

Playing a paragon doesn't suck anymore?

I'm sold.

Playing a Paragon always sucks. You're going to get let loose in a consequence free environment (RPG) with full legally immunity for your actions in game and you'll waste it on being nice to people?

Because people still wet themselves even when you are politely asking them to fuck off?

edited 28th Jun '11 11:24:46 AM by stevebat

As opposed being a colossal dick at every turn for no reason?

Anyway, Mass Effect 2 because I haven't played Dragon Age 2. I have to admit though, Me2 really did improve upon the shooting mechanics. If they didn't change the gearing, ammo, or leveling system the game would've been flawless.

edited 28th Jun '11 11:32:52 AM by Neo_Crimson

Mass Effect 2. Hands down.

Deux, this is not a complaint thread. Whining that the games suck goes somewhere else and is not in any way valid to the discussion at hand, at all.

@Renegade vs paragon: Normally I take the more aggressive route, but the is something to be said for characters like The Doctor, which is to say, perfectly nice most of the time, but when something sets them off, gods help the enemy.

Thats generally how I think you should play Paragon. Help everyone you can and make friends but do not let anyone assume for a second that makes you a goody two shoes who won't dedicate his life to making yours hell.

Basically you can play a nice guy and still pull off stuff like this.

Thats number 3 on my favorite Renegade Interrupts.

Paragon gets to be bad ass in ME 2. Early on in omega the renegade solution to a problem is to tell this guy to stop being an idiot, the paragon solution is to tell him if he doesn't stop dicking around you'll break his legs.

I love how that renegade and paragon ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

Oh and certain party members make interrupts more awesome than others.

edited 28th Jun '11 12:19:15 PM by stevebat

Hm... personally, I prefer Mass Effect from what I've played, it's a lot better thematically and the controls are far easier to use.

In ME 2 the neutral route can be a bit damaging' especially when it comes to loyalty conflict. Although I find ME 1 save import bonuses usually counter this.

edited 28th Jun '11 12:19:46 PM by Rationalinsanity

Bah, being neutral in ME is no fun. Your TOO polite and not willing to make the hard decisions when push comes to shove.