Difference between revisions of "Mass Effect 2"
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{{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc, Key | {{DRM|SecuROM|7}}. | Origin | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc, Key | {{DRM|SecuROM|7}}. | Origin | Windows }} | ||
{{Availability/row| Gamesplanet | 1623-1 | Origin | Also available in the {{store link|Gamesplanet|1581-3|Mass Effect Trilogy}}. | | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Gamesplanet | 1623-1 | Origin | Also available in the {{store link|Gamesplanet|1581-3|Mass Effect Trilogy}}. | | Windows }} | ||
− | {{Availability/row| Humble | mass-effect-2 | Origin | Also available in the {{store link|Humble|mass-effect-trilogy|Mass Effect Trilogy}} | + | {{Availability/row| Humble | mass-effect-2 | Origin | Also available in the {{store link|Humble|mass-effect-trilogy|Mass Effect Trilogy}}. | | Windows }} |
{{Availability/row| Origin | mass-effect/mass-effect-2 | Origin | Included with {{Store feature|Origin Access Basic}}.<br/>Deluxe Edition also available. | | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Origin | mass-effect/mass-effect-2 | Origin | Included with {{Store feature|Origin Access Basic}}.<br/>Deluxe Edition also available. | | Windows }} | ||
{{Availability/row| Steam | 24980 | Steam | Does not automatically download extra DLC. It should be more mod-friendly though.<ref name=steam>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729234722/https://forum.bioware.com/topic/424567-origin-is-malware-but-we-all-knew-that-didnt-we/|title=Origin is malware. But we all knew that, didn't we? - Multiplayer - The BioWare Forum|date=2016-8-17}}</ref> | Origin | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Steam | 24980 | Steam | Does not automatically download extra DLC. It should be more mod-friendly though.<ref name=steam>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729234722/https://forum.bioware.com/topic/424567-origin-is-malware-but-we-all-knew-that-didnt-we/|title=Origin is malware. But we all knew that, didn't we? - Multiplayer - The BioWare Forum|date=2016-8-17}}</ref> | Origin | Windows }} |
Revision as of 17:19, 4 June 2020
Developers | |
---|---|
BioWare | |
Publishers | |
Electronic Arts | |
Engines | |
Unreal Engine 3 | |
Release dates | |
Windows | January 26, 2010 |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 94 |
IGDB | 96 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | DLC |
Microtransactions | Unlock |
Modes | Singleplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | Third-person |
Controls | Direct control |
Genres | ARPG, Shooter |
Art styles | Realistic |
Themes | Sci-fi, Space |
Series | Mass Effect |
Mass Effect | |
---|---|
Mass Effect | 2008 |
Mass Effect 2 | 2010 |
Mass Effect 3 | 2012 |
Mass Effect: Andromeda | 2017 |
Mass Effect Legendary Edition | 2021 |
Key points
- Saves can be imported from Mass Effect (see Import Mass Effect saves).
General information
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | SecuROM 7 DRM. | |||
Also available in the Mass Effect Trilogy. | ||||
Humble Store | Also available in the Mass Effect Trilogy. | |||
Origin | Included with EA Play. Deluxe Edition also available. |
|||
Steam | Does not automatically download extra DLC. It should be more mod-friendly though.[1] |
DLC and expansion packs
- For some time now Origin will overwrite any installation of the game,[1] including Steam, with a stand alone client independent version of the game with all bought DLCs. Authorization for the DLCs still is dependent of ingame login but it'll work without Origin or Steam.
- All of the DLCs are available in a bundle on Origin, bypassing the Bioware Points. Steam and retail versions can use separate installers to access them (direct links are provided below for convenience).
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Aegis Pack | 160 BW Points | |
Alternate Appearance Pack 1 | 160 BW Points | |
Alternate Appearance Pack 2 | 160 BW Points | |
Arrival | 560 BW Points | |
Blood Dragon Armor | Requires Dragon Age: Origins Deluxe or Ultimate Edition to be registered on same account | |
Cerberus Arc Projector | Requires Cerberus Network | |
Cerberus Network | ||
Cerberus Weapon and Armor | Requires Cerberus Network | |
Collectors' Weapon and Armor | Included in the retail Collectors' Edition, and the Digital Deluxe Edition | |
Equalizer Pack | 160 BW Points | |
Firepower Pack | 160 BW Points | |
Firewalker Pack | Requires Cerberus Network | |
Genesis | 320 BW Points | |
Incisor Rifle | Included in Digital Deluxe, and the Aegis Pack | |
Inferno Armor | Included in some pre-orders, and the Equalizer Pack | |
Kasumi - Stolen Memory | 560 BW Points | |
Lair of the Shadow Broker | 800 BW Points | |
Mass Effect 2 Digital Art Books | Included in Digital Deluxe | |
Mass Effect 2 Documentary | Included in Digital Deluxe | |
Mass Effect 2 Soundtrack | Included in Digital Deluxe | |
Normandy Crash Site | Requires Cerberus Network | |
Recon Hood | Dr Pepper bonus promotional item, now free on Origin | |
Overlord | 560 BW Points | |
Sentry Interface | Dr Pepper bonus promotional item, now free on Origin | |
Terminus Weapon and Armor | Included in Gamestop or Play.com pre-orders, now free on Origin. | |
Umbra Visor | Dr Pepper bonus promotional item, now free on Origin | |
Zaeed - The Price of Revenge | Requires Cerberus Network |
Essential improvements
Skip intro videos
Delete or rename files[citation needed] |
---|
|
Install Disable Startup Videos |
---|
Shorter loading screens
- Regardless of the speed of your system the game will always wait for the loading screen animation to end
Replace .bik clips with shorter ones[2] |
---|
Modify the .bik clips to run at 2x/4x speed (30/60fps)[3] |
---|
Separate Keybindings
Install Separate Keybindings |
---|
Patches
- Patch 1.03 is a cumulative update. The Origin/Steam versions are already patched.
ME2 Recalibrated
- Fixes a lot of bugs not resolved by the official patches.
- Requires starting a new playthrough and it's English language only.
HD Texture Pack
- A Lot of Textures is a re-texture community project that brings extra details for the game, replacing around 1200 textures with high-resolution variants.
Game data
- DLC files are saved in
<path-to-game>\BioGame\DLC\
; an explanation of the folder names and which DLC they represent can be found here.
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | %USERPROFILE%\Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect 2\BIOGame\Config\ <path-to-game>\BioGame\Config\PC\Cooked\Coalesced.ini[Note 1] |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/24980/pfx/[Note 2] |
-
Coalesced.ini
must be edited with a specific process due to the special format required (see Editing Coalesced.ini).
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | %USERPROFILE%\Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect 2\Save\ |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/24980/pfx/[Note 2] |
- For the folders used for importing saves see Mass Effect.
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Origin | ||
OneDrive | Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers. | |
Steam Cloud |
Import Mass Effect saves
- Importing saves can be done through
MassEffect2Config.exe
- The save importer may not work. In this case, move your Mass Effect saves into an
ME1
folder inside your ME2 saves folder.[4]
Import Xbox 360 Mass Effect 2 saves
Import Xbox 360 Mass Effect 2 Save Files[5][6] |
---|
|
Video
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | Vert- See Widescreen resolution. | ||
Multi-monitor | See Widescreen resolution. | ||
Ultra-widescreen | Use Flawless Widescreen and Mass Effect 2 Ultrawide. | ||
4K Ultra HD | Vert- See Widescreen resolution. | ||
Field of view (FOV) | Default is 75°. Use Flawless Widescreen or see Field of view (FOV). | ||
Windowed | |||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | |||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | Can be changed in MassEffect2Config.exe . |
||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | Enabled by default; see Vertical sync (Vsync). | ||
60 FPS | |||
120+ FPS | See High frame rate. | ||
High dynamic range display (HDR) | See the glossary page for potential alternatives. |
Widescreen resolution
Use Flawless Widescreen |
---|
|
Use ThirteenAG's Mass Effect Trilogy FOV Fix[8] |
---|
Notes
|
Field of view (FOV)
- This method involves Coalesced.ini file. Make sure you have understood what this means.
Modify field of view[9][citation needed] |
---|
Notes
|
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Disable Vsync[citation needed] |
---|
|
High frame rate
Arrange frame rate smoothing[citation needed] |
---|
Notes
|
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | ||
Mouse acceleration | Enabled by default; see Mouse acceleration. | |
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support | See Controller support. | |
Full controller support | ||
Controller remapping | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | |
Controller sensitivity | ||
Controller Y-axis inversion |
Controller types |
---|
XInput-compatible controllers |
---|
PlayStation controllers |
---|
Generic/other controllers |
---|
Additional information | ||
---|---|---|
Button prompts | See Controller support. | |
Controller hotplugging | ||
Haptic feedback | See Controller support. | |
Digital movement supported | ||
Simultaneous controller+KB/M |
Mouse acceleration
Disable Mouse acceleration[10] |
---|
Notes
|
Controller support
- This mod brings full XInput controller support to the game with haptic feedback support. This mod is currently complete (see official thread).
Instructions[11] |
---|
Use the ME2Controller mod. |
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | Music, sound effects and dialogue | |
Surround sound | 5.0[12] (7.0 and HRTF can be forced by using DSOAL library [13]) | |
Subtitles | ||
Closed captions | Found under Gameplay settings in-game. | |
Mute on focus lost | Always mutes. | |
EAX support | see Surround sound notes |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
Czech | Fan translation for DLCs, download. | |||
French | ||||
German | ||||
Hungarian | Fan Patch for DLCs, available here. | |||
Italian | ||||
Polish | ||||
Russian | Available here. | |||
Spanish |
Changing language
Instructions[citation needed] |
---|
VOLanguage=INT TextLanguage=INT Notes
The languages other than english (INT) must have been installed in order to work. |
VR support
3D modes | State | GG3D | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nvidia 3D Vision | For better support see Helix Mod: Mass Effect 2 | |||
TriDef 3D | ||||
iZ3D | ||||
vorpX | G3D Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list. |
Issues unresolved
EA Online password form doesn't accept some special characters
- Includes ", *, /, :, <, >, ?, \ and |
Change your EA Online Account password[14] |
---|
Crash during vehicle chase on Illium
- At the end of the taxi chase with Liara on Illium, during the cutscene, the game freezes completely showing either a frozen image or a black screen while the music continues.
Use config tool to change from fullscreen mode to windowed borderless |
---|
Run in Windows 7 compatibility mode |
---|
Add the command line argument -nomoviestartup to the shortcut you use to play (use \Binaries\MassEffect2.exe) |
---|
Uninstall and re-install all game files and DLCs (or use Origin's Repair feature) |
---|
Issue may still persists after all of these have been done
No sound in Windows 10
- For some reason the audio will stop when you run the game.
Run the game in windowed mode or borderless window |
---|
Issues fixed
Installation interrupted
Install the game from a shared drive from another computer[citation needed] |
---|
|
Fix the corrupted folder path in Windows registry[15] |
---|
|
Physx Error on Startup
Install Nvidia Physx System Software |
---|
Cerberus Network autologin failure
Enable .NET Framework 3.5.1[citation needed] |
---|
|
Black screen when entering/exiting planets
Black screen entering/exiting[citation needed] |
---|
|
Dark lighting in cutscenes
Disable depth-of-field[citation needed] |
---|
|
Alternatively, tweak the game's shaders[citation needed] |
---|
|
Clipping into walls/objects
- This method involves Coalesced.ini file. Make sure you have understood what this means.
Add the option to noclip out of the object[citation needed] |
---|
Notes
|
Game freeze on Illium
- Walking through the ground level corridor, that connects to the other side of the map, under Liara's office may cause a black screen and CTD.
Enable windowed or windowed borderless mode[citation needed] |
---|
|
Walk slowly instead of running[citation needed] |
---|
|
Disable light environment shadows[16] |
---|
|
Unable to save any more games
Patch game files[17] |
---|
|
Long loading times with patch 1.02
Use Playwrite's MassAffinity program[citation needed] |
---|
Notes
|
Conrad Verner claims player has pointed gun at him
- To prevent this bug use ME1 Recalibrated in Mass Effect and ME2 Recalibrated
Fix save file variable[18][19] |
---|
Notes
|
"Unable to authorize the listed DLC" error
"Unable to authorize the listed DLC" error[citation needed] |
---|
Notes
|
Importing ME1 character still launches the interactive story
- This happens if you have installed the Genesis DLC (You can un-check it during download on Origin)
- Can invalidate your ME1 character's decisions in place of new ones
Remove the DLC[20] |
---|
|
Forcing Anti-Aliasing causes heavy geometry flicker and other artifacts
- This can potentially happen if you force AA from control panel
injectSMAA[citation needed] |
---|
|
When moving the camera with the mouse the game starts stuttering/having performance problems
- This is likely an issue with the mouse polling rate on systems with Windows 10 installed
Lower mouse polling rate to 500Hz or lower[citation needed] |
---|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 9 | |
Shader Model support | 3 |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Physics | PhysX | Comes with 2.8.0.7, but the game always forces loading of the system version. |
Audio | Wwise | Despite this, the game still ships with (inert) OpenAL dlls. |
Interface | Scaleform | |
Cutscenes | Bink Video | 1.9e |
Editing Coalesced.ini
- Some of the fixes for this game require you to modify this special file, but editing it in the normal way will cause the game to crash.
Editing Coalesced.ini[citation needed] |
---|
Notes
|
Increase shadow resolution
Increase shadow resolution[citation needed] |
---|
|
Disable Post-Processing Effects
- Some of the post-processing effects can be disabled in the game's GamerSettings.ini file. These effects include light bloom, and motion blur.
Disabling Depth of Field/Light Bloom/Motion Blur/Lens Flares[citation needed] |
---|
|
- A longer list of options that can be added and altered under [SystemSettings] can be found here.
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | XP | Vista, 7 |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz | Intel Core 2 Duo 2.6 GHz |
System memory (RAM) | 1 GB (XP) 2 GB (Vista, 7) |
2 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 15 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | ATI Radeon X1600 Pro Nvidia GeForce 6800 256 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0c compatible Shader model 3 support |
ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT 512 MB of VRAM |
- AMD video cards below minimum system requirements: ATI Radeon HD 3200, and HD 4350
- Nvidia video cards below minimum system requirements: Nvidia GeForce 7300, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, and 9300
Notes
- ↑ When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below
%PROGRAMFILES%
,%PROGRAMDATA%
, or%WINDIR%
might be redirected to%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore
on Windows Vista and later (more details). - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (24980) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Origin is malware. But we all knew that, didn't we? - Multiplayer - The BioWare Forum - last accessed on 2016-8-17
- ↑ ME2 PC Shorter Loading Screens Mod : masseffect - Reddit
- ↑ 4x Faster Loading Screens at 60fps - last accessed on 2018-04-25
- ↑ How To Import ME1 Saves For ME2 - tehPARADOX (retrieved)
- ↑ How to mod ME2 for the Xbox 360 - The BioWare Forum - last accessed on 2016-8-17
- ↑ ME2 Save converter, ME1 decisions editor (without using NG+) - The BioWare Forum (retrieved)
- ↑ Verified by User:Blackbird on 2018-09-20
- Conversation FOV is affected which is undesired behavior https://i.imgur.com/CDju26j.png
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; no text was provided for refs namedrefcheck Antrad
- ↑ How to actually fix FOV in Mass Effect · Eugene Homyakov - last accessed on 2016-8-17
- ↑ Fix / Tweak Guide to PC Issues (updated 1-27-10 - last accessed on 2016-8-17
- ↑ ME2 Controller Support (Power Wheel) • me3explorer.freeforums.org
- ↑ Can ME1 and ME2 support 7.1 surround sound? - The BioWare Forum - last accessed on 2016-8-17
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ELpp3Jfw6Q&list=WL&index=308&t=0s
- ↑ Verified by Mirh
- ↑ Mass Effect 2 won't start - EA Answers HQ
- ↑ Reference
- ↑ ME2 (PC) 50 Save limit & Shared power cooldown NUKED!!!!!!! - The BioWare Forum - last accessed on 2016-8-17
- ↑ Conrad Verner - Mass Effect Wiki
- ↑ *FIX INCLUDED* Conrad Verner Paragon style - Kirrahe mail? - The BioWare Forum - last accessed on 2016-8-17
- ↑ How to disable Genesis? :: Mass Effect 2 General Discussions - last accessed on 2016-8-15