What a Way to Start! | First Time Playing Mass Effect 2 [Ep. 1]

[@_shhenanigans_]

Please remember that this is a blind playthrough, so no spoilers please! What a way to start a game tho 😭. I was not ready! ------------ ✨Way to Support the Channel⤵️ ⭐️KZbin Channel Membership: Early access to videos, emotes, badges and more! kzbin.info/door/x_a2sdgpM-TYkWeY-Bgfvgjoin 💫Patreon: www.patreon.com/shhenanigans

[@davida.j.berner776]

Every first time player at the end of ME1: Well, there are two more games, so I know Shepard can't die. Every first time player at the beginning of ME2: Wait, what...?! 😆

[@_shhenanigans_]

This was not the start I expected! 💀

[@thepoliticaldoggo2411]

My #1 Game of all Time. I can just sit and listen to the title screen over and over.

[@that_benji]

I still get goosebumps from the opening cutscene, I remember just sitting there in shock during my first play through. This is your play through, we're all just here for the ride, play the way you want to play. I'm excited to see the choices you make along the way.

[@_shhenanigans_]

The opening scene and all that came after was so unexpected! And thank you! I sometimes need to be reminded that it’s okay to make choices in the moment that seem right for the character/playthrough!

[@j9lorna]

You might be sad that you wont see old friends in this, but trust me, you will remember your new crewmates for the rest of your life.

[@_shhenanigans_]

I don’t doubt it! I think it was just a shock and may take a bit to adjust. I already miss my grumpy old krogan friend 😭

[@Charharr]

I often use ME2's opening as a litmus test for whether I'm likely to enjoy someone's full playthrough. Your reaction is one of the best I've seen, off to go back and watch your ME1 playthrough from the beginning, then catch up with this one 🥰

[@_shhenanigans_]

Oh gosh, this feels like a lot of pressure 😅. Don’t judge me too harshly - I scuff a lot of things, make snap judgements and mistakes and I cry. But, even with all that, I had a hell of good a time in ME1!

[@Charharr]

@@_shhenanigans_ Don't worry, I won't! Those sorts of things are always what make playthroughs interesting 😀 but I like playthroughs where people are emotionally invested in the story, so if someone can get through ME2's opening and still be like 😐then I know it's not for me 😂

[@_shhenanigans_]

@@FreedomRob8174 this is such strange behavior to me. Do you just walk into someone’s home for the first thing and immediately announce everything you don’t like? You sound so fun 🥴. Taking the time to put out negative energy into the universe. Yikes. Couldnt be me.

[@Kick278]

As you can see... We're going to have to upgrade ships...armor... everything!! Keep that in mind too...

[@_shhenanigans_]

I don’t know yet if that’s awesome or overwhelming 😭🤣

[@inquisitive6786]

Miranda was modeled after Yvonne Strahovski

[@Sunstreaker2k5]

I was waiting to see how you would react to Shepards death. This sets the tone for the series going forward. The stakes are high. As for Vanguard or Sentinel, Vanguard is a very up close fighter. You literally charge at enemies and blast them with shotguns

[@_shhenanigans_]

My reaction was to be a mess 🥴😅. I had to cut the comic book story bc I was such a mess, I turned my camera off for a good bit to pull myself together 😭🤣.

[@Berek71182]

Vanguard is also the most difficult class for beginners and somewhat least versatile class on its own. Makes a lot of fun to play on lower to mid difficulties for experienced players , but gets extremly frustrating on higher difficulties. I played "insanity" with all of Shepards classes and Vanguard was the only Class that sucked.

[@Sunstreaker2k5]

@@Berek71182 Yeah, there's that as well. Honestly if you want my advice for your bro-shep playthrough to be as different as possible, I'd pick Adept. You're not nearly as restricted with weapons as you were in the first game and the vast amount of Biotic powers more than makes up for it.

[@Sunstreaker2k5]

@@_shhenanigans_ I will just say, without spoiling anything. Just because the Illusive Man says something, doesn't necessarily make it true. You already ran into Tali, so....there's that. Now, that being said: he's also not always lying or withholding information.

[@vincelang3779]

@@Berek71182 Respectfully disagree! Liara's Singularity + any kind of flame tech power + Vanguard Charge + Piranha with incendiaries = even the Ba*****s get obliterated, even on Insanity difficulty. 👌 Combos with Javik's _Reave_ also work great! As do Warp + Freeze ammo! The possibilities are endless! 😛 And with ME2 allowing for assault rifle training I can get my hands on the Mattock until I acquire the M-7 Lancer. Just about the only time I feel frustrated enough to lower the difficulty is the final fight against K** L*** where there just isn't enough room for cover.

[@sire_kat]

The voice actor for Illusive Man is none other than the legendary Martin Sheen. The perfect person to voice his character IMO.

[@aperfectday736]

15 years ago on my first play throught i thought the illusive man was Henry Czerny.

[@zackfair6791]

This is the best Mass Effect game imo. So good. I agree with other people here on Miranda. One of the best characters, and best romance for male Shep.

[@-Terzetto]

is this because I killed the council??? 🤣😂

[@_shhenanigans_]

Gotta laugh so I don’t cry. Or at least cry more 😭

[@throwingbeef3524]

Miranda is one of the best crew members in the entire series. At least for me. I won't tell you how to play. But their are certain things you NEED to know before going forward. Credits/money is hard to come by in this game. Spend it wisely! I would make sure to recruit everyone and complete their loyalty missions!!! And get as many upgrades as possible! I would do all of that BEFORE starting the 'Reaper IFF' mission. This particular mission starts a hidden ingame timer that's pretty significant for you nail in time to....

[@zairman]

The Illusive Man's eyes are a byproduct of his encounter with an artifact discovered during the The First Contact War. One of his friends got too close and he tried to save them, it turned his friend into a Husk and started making his own eyes glow and became synthetic. It also allowed him to understand certain alien writing.

[@_shhenanigans_]

Thank you for sharing this with me! That is such a cool thing to know!

[@IAmNotARobotPinkySwear]

If you're going soldier, use adrenaline rush. It's one of the most useful and OP powers in mass effect2 and 3, especially if you couple it with incendiary ammo. If you're ever about to die, don't forget to hit adrenal rush. Made playing the game on Insanity fairly easy (while timing and using squad powers)

[@_shhenanigans_]

This is really good advice! Thank you!

[@alecbuxton7634]

The effect of the safe mini game is you making additional Credits that you will need especially with all the extra DLC items for purchase you easily go through the 10 million credits that you start the game with if you had played the first game

[@n7josh911]

I love your reaction to my favorite game of all time. Let’s go!!😊

[@TexasAnlaShok]

My usual joke is that the start of your game will blow you away.

[@_shhenanigans_]

In more ways than one!

[@GoodOldGamer]

I know I'm late to this party, but I just wanted to say, I'm always super antagonizing to the Illusive Man too, lol. My motto is "I don't think so, TIM." 😂

[@johnnykamooks9379]

The Mass effect KZbin algorithm brought me to you and just in time for a wild ride! Looking forward to your ME2 playthrough and the choices you make along the way. And my LI in ME1 was Liara not Kaiden so the beginning was already a bit different for you than me. Also, i started as soldier in ME1 and switched to Vanguard in ME2. Charge, nova, shotgun was my best friend. Enjoy!

[@_shhenanigans_]

Yay, so glad you’re here! I have no idea what’s in store for me with ME2, but I’m excited! Hmm…I wonder if vanguard is a play style I could get used to? Or if I’ll freak out being up close and in their face 🤣😭

[@CarlosHuiskens]

Charge, Nova and Shotgun was a great combination but in ME3 though haha. Nova didn't exist yet in ME2.

[@johnnykamooks9379]

@@CarlosHuiskens very true. been a while! guess i wished i had it in me2. I used barrier alot in me2 before charging. And shockwave a bit too, to loosen things up before moving in.

[@Galantus1964]

I love the way you reacted, brought me right back to my first run of the ME series alooooong time ago lool, believe me, THEY know how to both end and begin a new story .....Miranda is awsome...

[@_shhenanigans_]

My emotions were all over the place! I would have never guessed the game would start like this!

[@Galantus1964]

@@_shhenanigans_ i didnt watch all of your ME 1 episodes, i'll be binge watching it today , but im 100% watching this journey, that's for sure

[@rahjaich]

Just finished ME 2 for the first time. At the moment it's my favorite thing to watch other people react to the intro... (I cried btw)

[@katymorgan327]

i find it very funny you had the same reaction as i did when i first played this lolol this is going to be a very awesome lets play to watch ! love this !

[@_shhenanigans_]

My emotions this episode were all over the place 🤣😭. I don’t know what to think, feel or say about the start of the game but I’m so excited to go on the journey together!

[@marauderdz]

I have never seen a player so suspicious of everything, lol. It's fun to see such a different playthrough.

[@_shhenanigans_]

After that opening, everyone is sus 😭🤣.

[@Crashed131963]

Love Mass Effect 1,2 and 3. Even better now with the free 4k/60 fps patch for ps4 disc for my ps5 .

[@MeTheOneth]

For your Eli class selection: Soldier : Guns the class. Special power is bullet time with boosted damage. This is closest to how you played Eli in ME1. Only class with assault rifle access in the start. Infiltrator: Sniper class. Special power is cloak with boosted damage. This is closest to how you played Sin in ME1, but with some useful bonus powers. Vanguard: Biotic shotgun close-up class. Special power rushes at an enemy, staggers them, and regenerates a bit of your shield. Biggest risk/reward class. Sentinel: Defensive caster class. Special power is an overshield that explodes when depleted, staggering enemies. Notably has powers to address all three kinds of defenses in ME2, which is a big deal for versatility. Adept: Biotic caster class. Special power plops a black hole in the middle of the battlefield. Engineer: Tech caster class. Special power is a little drone that does some damage and draws fire. ME2 is much more power focused than ME1 was. The powers your soldiers had available to them in ME1 were, like, three different defense boosts and a single offensive power for each weapon type. Your class's unique power in ME2 and ME3 changes how you approach everything. Also, you only carry the guns you're trained in now, so those three caster classes only get access to pistols and SMGs at the start.

[@_shhenanigans_]

This is an amazing breakdown and really helps me decide!

[@MeTheOneth]

@@_shhenanigans_ I'm glad! I figured I owed you actual information for ME2.

[@nevsca]

So looking forward to you playing ME2 and you do not dissapoint Shan , enjoy it's an amazing ride.

[@_shhenanigans_]

Oh goodness, thank you! Though, I’d say I’ve made several disappointing choices so far 😅. But I’m still loving it despite that!

[@Rocco_Patasnello]

If you want to know what happened between Cerberus and the quarians, you have to read the novels Ascension and Retribution

[@MeTheOneth]

I love that one of the earliest decisions you make in ME2 is "Do you want to trust Tali, one of your closest friends from the old days who is right now reaffirming her loyalty and trust in you so that she can care for a wounded person, or would you rather side with Cerberus, the terrorist organization that you've broken up several of their operations and killed scores of their people because they were doing unambiguously evil stuff?"

[@_shhenanigans_]

The whole being aligned with Cerberus is such a shock to me. How in the world did this happen?! And the game could never make me pick Cerberus over Tali - not happening!

[@ZeEvilOne]

A real blast of an opening eh? Miranda is my favourite character, and favourite romance, she puts the ass in mass effect. 😅

[@_shhenanigans_]

I was not prepared at all for the start of the game 😭. I don’t know how I feel about Miranda yet as a character, but was super distracted by her character design - she is very pretty!

[@ZeEvilOne]

@@_shhenanigans_ Oh don't worry i think everybody gets distracted by her lol.

[@v5k456jh3]

Same, Miranda is the best. And she also gives bonus stats to the whole squad when you take her, she's Shepard's XO after all.

[@CarlosHuiskens]

@@_shhenanigans_ Her model and voice is Australian actress Yvonne Strahovski.

[@TexasAnlaShok]

1:33:45 Right up there with the reveal of the Enterprise-A.

[@Saysdawg]

If you do decide to play a male Shep I def recommend vanguard. It’s a very fast paced gameplay style. The primarily ability is called charge where you literally use an adept ability charging your body into them with physical force. Combine that with a shotgun makes you a close encounter beast.

[@Kick278]

Oh I remember my first run... It's almost like they thought we felt invincible at the end of ME1 and wanted to....shock us?! Ah! Hang in there Shen!!

[@_shhenanigans_]

I was so, so sad!

[@tanstaafl28]

I did not know you could turn off mini-games. I may try that next play through.

[@_shhenanigans_]

It’s a mod if you’re on PC!

[@saecula2391]

lol Shen 42:07 ... "Why are you walk around in Heels ?" 🤣 I'm excited to see what happens next ✨ .. fun fact: Illusive Man has the Voice of Martin Sheen 🙂.. I was also so happy as I saw Tali @ 01:09:04 🙂

[@_shhenanigans_]

I avoid heels at every opportunity (I’m 5’9 so tower over a lot of ppl already), so that choice surprised me, especially when we’re running around lol. And yes, I was so happy to see Tali but so afraid it was gonna go to a shootout at first! Sad that she didn’t join us 😭

[@v5k456jh3]

Here we go

[@stanzelot]

Since the writers were not allowed to kill Shepard at the end of ME1, they killed her off at the beginning of ME2.

[@_shhenanigans_]

What a crazy way to start a game!

[@TexasAnlaShok]

0:34 By the way, out of curiosity, what do you think we’re looking at here?

[@_shhenanigans_]

I kept trying to figure it out! At first glance, I thought the dark pieces was a skyline, but then it looked like wreckage?! I have no idea!

[@Harrison11106]

No one can ever read the full passages when streaming, it's a weird rite of passage with the ME trilogy. So don't feel too bad about it.

[@Danceofmasks]

Playing 2 parallel characters. Interesting. That's one way to experience a lot more of the content, I guess. Probably better than playing a hybrid like I do (imported from ME1 with maximum points in both paragon and renegade).

[@_shhenanigans_]

I wouldn’t say it’s better! Sometimes it’s good to live in the grey, your Shep sounds balanced!

[@canadian__ninja]

Somehow the ME3 opening is 10x crazier.

[@Rocco_Patasnello]

If you want to know how cerberus recovered your corpse you have to read the dedicated comic, it's very nice and deserved a dlc. I don't know why, but you skipped the dialogue with miranda, which was very interesting.

[@eXtotheZee]

Shepard: TIM: U manatee!

[@Anubiee]

Vanguard is a really fun play style

[@_shhenanigans_]

Vanguard seems to be a really popular choice!

[@Anubiee]

@@_shhenanigans_ well really you get the best of both worlds, a character that can put out weapon damage/ heath and shields and also a character with decently good biotics for mid to long range combat

[@lukebuccioli]

if you think this one plays with your emotions wait for ME3, it will play Havoc with your heart, even causing tears in many youtubers,

[@PetriHallikainen-v5o]

ME induced paranoia is allways entertaining to watch.

[@_shhenanigans_]

If Wrex can pull a gun on me, anyone can do anything at any time. No one can be trusted 😭🤣

[@maf939]

55:56 The voice actor for The Illusive Man is a famous actor indeed. I don't know if you were asking about his name for real or just rhetorically, but I'm sure you will figure that out 😊. Also please tell us at which difficulty are you playing ? ☺

[@_shhenanigans_]

Normal to start, like I did with ME1! BroShep will likely start on Veteran and then my hope is FemShep gets to Veteran too lol

[@sire_kat]

Nearly everyone doesn't like Miranda...at first. I will tell you that she is a great companion on missions though.

[@_shhenanigans_]

I’m still unsure about her as a character, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens!

[@Deadwood1919]

I know you said you do not like the minigames and you do not have to do them. But not doing them will make the game a bit harder. (not saying why) Also, the radar mini-map is hidden on the main screen. Using LB or RB will show it in the lower corner of the screen.

[@tanstaafl28]

Someone forgot they had a grenade launcher...😊

[@alemusicgirl]

i dont wanna spoiler you anything i know that the beginiing is a bit dishorienting ... but keep going playing and things will change

[@_shhenanigans_]

That beginning was so surprising and I was so sad 😭. I think I just needed a minute to sit with my feelings lol

[@JoeSmith-p5z]

First time might seem difficult but after a few times the game is actually pretty easy.

[@_shhenanigans_]

The combat feels so different from ME1, but also kind of the same? It’s so weird and will def need to adjust a bit

[@JoeSmith-p5z]

@@_shhenanigans_ just make sure you gain everybody’s loyalty and you get resources early for updating your ship/health/armor/weapons/squad. Samaras loyalty mission is tricky so watch a guide if you need to.

[@tatianamarco6770]

We did tell you to bring the tissues 🤭 I feel bad because I always get excited to see how new players react to this opening 😅 I would love to answer some of your questions, but that would be spoilery. But, yeah, you were right about the missions involving Cerberus in ME1. Thats part of why I said that, contrary to most people, ME2 is my least fave. I know that it makes sense since you are surrounded by Cerberus people, but I hate how they try to gaslight you into thinking they are "not that bad". Like "they are the only ones worried about the human colonies". You mean the same colonies they were turning into husks, uh? 🙄 "The Alliance is doing nothing" but then when you are on route to the first mission they literally tell you the official investigatora have always arrived first, so... And so on. Sorry, I dont want to turn this into a full rant, specially since you are so early in the game. I still love some of the missions and most of the new characters and I'm sure you'll have a blast! See you in the next episode! ❤

[@_shhenanigans_]

Right?! I remember that mission where we find out about the experiences and I was SO mad! I know I’ll probably understand eventually why I’m with Cerberus, but gosh it feels awful right now

[@mb8132]

Hey Shen, good call on the skip minigames mod. They don't really add anything to this game anyway. Also I wouldn't worry about your level and such, this game isn't all that punishing. Just take your time and enjoy the story, which really is the main focus of these games. Also ME's character customization is very dated, but you managed to make ur Shep look really nice!

[@_shhenanigans_]

I was/am so afraid that I’m under leveled, so that’s good to know! And thank you 🖤! The eyebrows and makeup kept throwing me off, but we got there eventually 🤣

[@davida.j.berner776]

@@_shhenanigans_ No, you're not under-levelled. I think the maximum level you can reach in ME1 is about 55 (maybe 56?). If you replay ME1 with the same character, you start at that level, but you can still only reach Level 60. The first couple of main missions often feel difficult because there's no scaling, but in reality they're all about the same. They get easier as you level up, and acquire better armour and weapons etc., so keep an eye out for better equipment and/or ways to upgrade it. I don't want to say too much (for obvious reasons), but there are a couple of missions which - in my opinion - are significantly harder than the others, but you won't hit the first of those for some time. Until then, just take your time and remember to interact with your crew whenever possible!

[@Rocco_Patasnello]

I think you should level up your character to begin with 😂

[@_shhenanigans_]

You’re not wrong! I completely forgot about it 😅

[@CimmerianAssassin]

The illusive man gets girls though

[@_shhenanigans_]

7 days a week according to his dossier!

[@roybrowniii1446]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@tofton1977]

You let Ash die during Mass Effect 1? what's wrong with you girl?!

[@_shhenanigans_]

@@tofton1977 and id do it again 💁‍♀️ #kaidanalenkofangirl

[@tofton1977]

@@_shhenanigans_ The most boring character of the three games...

[@_shhenanigans_]

@@tofton1977 I don’t know…I think that take is pretty boring and overused but here we are 🤷‍♀️.

[@littlemouse7066]

She could have easily changed the eyebrows lol.

[@_shhenanigans_]

I felt like all the options were bad 😭. But maybe they always were and I just never noticed 🤣

[@littlemouse7066]

@@_shhenanigans_ sorry in my opinion there were better options but it's your playthrough not mine I made that comment only because you seemed to not like the eyebrows on your character.

[@Rocco_Patasnello]

I hated Joker for all of this. To save him, Shepard dies.

[@_shhenanigans_]

Oh, I can see why you’d feel like that! Totally valid! For me, Joker gives off huge little brothers vibes, so I could never hate him.

[@Master_Chitlin]

Great first episode! BioWare really knows how to punch you in the guts with this game. Don’t worry too much about picking the neutral options, they aren’t usually a big deal in normal conversations, it’s just when there’s a decision to make or if there’s a paragon / renegade option that they kind of result in less desired outcomes. Try not to be to bothered by fanatics in the comment section. Remember this is your own personal play through and each play through is unique and that’s what’s so great about these games. Some people have certain things in mind that they like to see and unfortunately push that on others. Whichever way you choose there’s always going to be someone angry in the comments. It’s just the nature of the internet really and also a result of how emotional this game is, people tend to get emotional about it. I just want to encourage you to stick to your own way of doing things or at least what you think YOUR Shepard would choose. Good luck and Godspeed commander. 🫡

[@_shhenanigans_]

Thank you! This was a good reminder to get out of my own head and not worry as much about my choices! Gotta play ME2 the same way as ME1 - just wingin it!