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Mass Effect 2

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This page may require cleanup to meet basic quality standards. The specific problem is: Needs information on DLC. Instructions on how to activate and download the extra DLCs should be added, in order to make things a bit easier to some users. You can help by modifying the article. The discussion page may contain useful suggestions.
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 cover
Developers
BioWare
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Engines
Unreal Engine 3
Release dates
Windows January 26, 2010
Mass Effect 2 guide on StrategyWiki
Mass Effect 2 on Wikipedia
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).
DLCs can only be purchased with the bogus "Bioware points" currency.

General information

Official game site
Mass Effect Wiki
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
SecuROM 7 DRM.
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Amazon.com
Origin
Deluxe Edition
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Origin
Windows
Incorrect store name. See here for available options.
Origin
Incorrect store name. See here for available options.
Windows
Origin
Origin
Deluxe Edition also available.
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Does not include all DLC expansions.
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Incorrect store name. See here for available options.
Origin
Windows

DLC and expansion packs

DLC can be bought on the Bioware Social Network
DLC can then be downloaded separately from Bioware Social Network or installed automatically via Origin
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. Autorization for the DLCs still is dependent of ingame login but it'll work without Origin or Steam.
Purchase of all DLC requires 3600 BW Points which is $45 but since Origin only sell BW Points as 800 BW Points for $10 or 1600 BW Points for $20, all DLC requires $50 not including Dragon Age Origins (cost at least $25-$30).
Name Notes
Aegis Pack 160 BW Points
Windows
Alternate Appearance Pack 1 160 BW Points
Windows
Alternate Appearance Pack 2 160 BW Points
Windows
Arrival 560 BW Points
Windows
Blood Dragon Armor Requires Dragon Age: Origins Deluxe or Ultimate Edition to be registered on same account
Windows
Cerberus Arc Projector Requires Cerberus Network
Windows
Cerberus Network Free. Gives access to free DLCs
Windows
Cerberus Weapon and Armor Requires Cerberus Network
Windows
Equalizer Pack 160 BW Points
Windows
Firepower Pack 160 BW Points
Windows
Firewalker Pack Requires Cerberus Network
Windows
Genesis 320 BW Points
Windows
Kasumi - Stolen Memory 560 BW Points
Windows
Lair of the Shadow Broker(Titled Shadow Broker) 800 BW Points
Windows
Mass Effect 2 Digital Art Books Included in Digital Deluxe
Windows
Mass Effect 2 Documentary Included in Digital Deluxe
Windows
Mass Effect 2 Soundtrack Included in Digital Deluxe
Windows
Normandy Crash Site Requires Cerberus Network
Windows
Recon Hood Free on Origin.
Windows
Overlord 560 BW Points
Windows
Sentry Interface Free on Origin.
Windows
Terminus Weapon and Armor Free on Origin.
Windows
Umbra Visor Free on Origin.
Windows
Zaeed - The Price of Revenge Requires Cerberus Network
Windows

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Skip intro movies[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\BioGame\Movies\
  2. Delete or rename BWLogo.bik and ME_EAsig_720p_v2_raw.bik

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]

Patches

Patch 1.02 is a cumulative update. The Origin/Steam versions are already patched.

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

In-game general settings.
In-game general settings.

Configuration file(s) location

Template:Game data/row
System Location
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/24980/pfx/[Note 1]
Coalesced.ini must be edited with a specific process due to the special format required (see Editing Coalesced.ini).

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row
System Location
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/24980/pfx/[Note 1]
For the folders used for importing saves see Mass Effect.
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.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Origin
Steam Cloud

Import Mass Effect saves

Importing saves can be done through the game's launcher.
The save importer may not work. In this case, move your Mass Effect into a ME1 folder inside your ME2 folder.[3]

Import Xbox 360 Mass Effect 2 saves

Import Xbox 360 Mass Effect 2 Save Files[4]
  1. Configure a USB device as a memory device on the 360
  2. Download Modio.
  3. Move the save file to the USB using the Xbox 360.
  4. Move the USB to your PC.
  5. Open the save with Modio.
  6. Upload the save here and download the processed file.
  7. Move the downloaded save to the appropriate folder.

Video settings

External video settings.
External video settings.
In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.

Template:Video settings

Vertical sync (Vsync)

Disable Vsync[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open GamerSettings.ini.
  3. Add UseVsync=False line under the [SystemSettings] section
  4. Save changes

High frame rate

Arrange frame rate smoothing[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open GamerSettings.ini.
  3. Add one of the following lines under the [SystemSettings] section:
    SmoothFrameRate=False to completely disable the FPS cap
    MaxSmoothedFrameRate=XX to raise the FPS cap (where XX is the threshold)
  4. Save changes

Input settings

In-game general control settings.
In-game general control settings.
In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.

Template:Input settings

Mouse acceleration

Disable Mouse acceleration[5]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open GamerSettings.ini.
  3. Add the following lines:
    [Engine.PlayerInput]
    bEnableMouseSmoothing=false
    MouseSensitivity=0.15
    [SFXGame.BioPlayerInput]
    bUseMouseDampening=false
    [SFXGame.BioSFHandler_PCConversation]
    AccumulationDivisor=600.0f
  4. Save changes

Notes

This may not work with the Origin version. If this is the case, make these changes in Coalesced.ini (see Editing Coalesced.ini).

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[6]

Use the ME2Controller mod.

Audio settings

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Czech
Fan translation for DLCs without official translation here.
French
German
Hungarian
Italian
Polish
Russian
Spanish


Changing language

Instructions[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Mass Effect 2\data
  2. Open sku.ini, then set the following fields to the desired values.
VOLanguage=INT
TextLanguage=INT

Notes

The possible values are INT, FRA, ITA, ESN.

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

Issues unresolved

EA Online password form doesn't accept some special characters

Includes ", *, /, :, <, >, ?, \ and |
Change Origin password[citation needed]

Issues fixed

Installation interrupted

Install the game from a shared drive from another computer[citation needed]
  1. Insert Disc 1 and share it through Windows.
  2. When the installer asks for the second drive, stop sharing the first disc, replace it with the second and start sharing it.
Fix the corrupted folder path in Windows registry[7]
  1. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\BioWare\Mass Effect 2\
  2. Find the Path variable on the right and double click it to open for editing.
  3. Add a backslash (\) to the end of the path string and hit OK.
  4. The game should now launch from Origin.

Physx Error on Startup

Install Nvidia Physx Legacy System Software[citation needed]
  1. Go to http://www.nvidia.com/object/physx-9.13.0604-legacy-driver.html and Download the drivers.
  2. Install Nvidia Physx Legacy System Software.
  3. Run Mass Effect 2 again.

Cerberus Network autologin failure

Enable .NET Framework 3.5.1[citation needed]
  1. Go to Windows's Control Panel.
  2. Go to Programs -> Turn Windows features on or off.
  3. In the tree stucture, check both boxes under Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1.
  4. Restart your system.

Black screen when entering/exiting planets

Black screen entering/exiting[citation needed]
If you get a black screen when entering/exiting a planet, specifically the shadow broker base, this is fixed by starting the game with the -nomoviestartup command. To do this:
  1. Go to the MassEffect2.exe file. It's in the .../Mass Effect2/Binaries folder.
  2. Create a shortcut to the MassEffect2.exe file. Right click the shortcut, and click 'Properties'.
  3. Add -nomoviestartup to the 'target' field. It should look like this: "...\Mass Effect 2\Binaries\MassEffect2.exe" -nomoviestartup
This shortcut (skip the actual launcher) will not freeze when entering/exiting planets
Important Unfortunately, when using this command, your game WILL freeze when trying to enter the citadel. The only way to circumvent this is by saving the game, exiting and restarting it with the regular MassEffect2.exe
On the Origin version of the game, the name of the file you need to create the shortcut for is "ME2Game.exe", so the shortcut should look like this: "...\Origin Games\Mass Effect 2\Binaries\ME2Game.exe" -nomoviestartup.

Dark lightning in cutscenes

Disable depth-of-field[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open GamerSettings.ini.
  3. Add under [SystemSettings]:
    DepthOfField=False
Alternatively, tweak the game's shaders[citation needed]
Depth-of-field can be left enabled using this method
  1. Open <path-to-game>\Engine\Shaders\UberPostProcessBlendPixelShader.usf
  2. Find float3 x = max(0,InLinearColour-0.004); on line 45
  3. Replace with float3 x = max(0,InLinearColour);

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]
  1. Under [SFXGame.SFXGameModeDefault] add:
Bindings=( Name="Add", Command="Ghost | OnRelease Walk")

Notes

Holding the NUMPAD + key in-game will now make you noclip until you release the button.

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]
  1. Open Mass Effect 2 Config > Video
  2. Windowed > Windowed
  3. Window Mode > Borderless
  4. In the menubar select Mass Effect 2 > Save Settings
After passing through the corridor, it's safe to enable fullscreen mode again.
Walk slowly instead of running[citation needed]
In some cases simply walking through the hallway avoids freezing. With this method you can leave fullscreen on.

Unable to save any more games

Patch game files[8]
  1. Download Mass Effect 2 PCC Patcher (mirror)
  2. Extract the program in <path-to-game>\Binaries\ and open it
  3. Provide the path for the following packages and load them
    Engine.pcc: <path-to-game>\BioGame\CookedPC\Engine.pcc
    SFXGame.pcc: <path-to-game>\BioGame\CookedPC\SFXGame.pcc
  4. Go to Gameplay tab and tick Increase max saves count
  5. Save packages

Long loading times with patch 1.02

Use Playwrite's MassAffinity program[citation needed]
  1. Download MassAffinity.
  2. If automatic Mass Effect 2 directory detection fails, manually select it.
  3. Click the "Run Game" button.

Notes

Use the included batch file if you need to set up again the tool

Conrad Verner claims player has pointed gun at him

Fix save file variable[9][10]
  1. Download ME2 Gibbed modified Save Editor (mirror).
  2. Run it and open your actual savegame.
  3. Go to Plot tab and then to ME1 Imported plot table.
  4. Go to Flags sub-tab and untick [Conrad] (3) Intimidated Conrad (Renegade).
  5. Save changes

Notes

This only works if the player has not spoken with the Asari bar owner in Illium yet.

"Unable to authorize the listed DLC" error

"Unable to authorize the listed DLC" error[citation needed]
  1. Use Binkw32 proxy DLL.
  2. Block internet connection of ME2game.exe through your firewall settings.

Notes

Optionally you can disable automatic login through in-game settings although any time the game does attempt to connect it'll reverse the DLC crack.

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[11]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\BioGame\DLC\
  2. Remove the DLC_DHME1 folder

Forcing Anti-Aliasing causes heavy geometry flicker and other artifacts

This can potentially happen if you force AA from control panel
injectSMAA[citation needed]
  1. Disable any forced AA you had before
  2. Download injectSMAA
  3. Copy the contents of d3d9 folder to <path-to-game>\Binaries\

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
Audio Wwise
Interface Scaleform
Cutscenes Bink Video

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]
  1. Locate your Coalesced.ini inside <path-to-game>\BioGame\Config\PC\Cooked
  2. Open it with a text editor that can handle UNIX-format files (Notepad++ is recommended)
  3. Make the changes you have to and save
  4. Download ME2IniFixer (mirror) and extract it in the folder your Coalesced.ini file is
  5. Run it from there.

Notes

Do not use default windows notepad or Word. They will permanently corrupt your ini file.
  • Advanced users could also use Mass Effect 2 Coalesced Editor (mirror) which is recommended
  • It might be necessary to make the Coalesced.ini file read-only (right-click -> Properties -> Attributes: Read-only) as the game can restore your edits. If you want to change anything in it, simply uncheck the Read-only box.

Increase shadow resolution

Increase shadow resolution[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open GamerSettings.ini.
  3. Add under [SystemSettings]:
    MinShadowResolution=256
    MaxShadowResolution=4096
  4. Save changes

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]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open GamerSettings.ini.
  3. Under [SystemSettings] add one or more of the following lines:
    DepthOfField=False
    Bloom=False
    MotionBlur=False
  4. Save changes
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
Processor (CPU) Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz
System memory (RAM) 1 GB (XP)
2 GB (Vista, 7)
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
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

  1. 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/24980/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (24980) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References