Olorinus the Ludicrous wrote:
Also now that I can sort of aim a gun in a video game (been playing borderlands all day yesterday and today) I am thinking I might want to use that copy of Mass Effect 2 I have kicking around. But that would mean origin. I am so torn. I did so good not signing up for it. Do I need to play 1 to enjoy 2?
Starting with ME1 has some tangible benefits in the later games, but nothing deal breaking; and ME2 has a DLC (Origins?) that fills you in on the details of the first game and gives you options on some of the most important choices you have to make. The combat in ME1 is lacking (though I didn't realize it until ME2, when I went "Holy crap, this is so much better!"), but not enough to actually make playing it a chore (especially on easier difficulties). The story makes it worthwhile, IMO, if you have the 15 hours or so to spend on it first.
But you can start with ME2, as said, and not be defaulted into Renegade choices if you have the DLC. You can also start with ME3, but without an import I believe you default into Renegade choices.