Bad Student .... Good Fangirl
So instead of being a good, responsible, adult and finishing my research papers ... I've been prowling Tumblr for Shenko posts and procrastinating for the last week instead.
::cough:: Anyway, I've been compiling an archive of any awesome/nerdgasmic posts I come across (I've just been pasting them into a word document, since I don't have a Tumblr). Hopefully someday I'll actually organize it enough to post ... although the same has been said for my various fanfiction rec pages too, so I wouldn't hold my breath on that...
Right. The point. I should probably get to that, before it gets nauseous from all the circles I've been going in. So, point is I came across LonelyIridescence's Mass Effect series replay posts, and I love them! They have just the right balance of 'thoughtful retrospective'/'complete nerdgirl freak-out' for me (and because she seems to get just as attached to her version of Shepard, as I am to mine). So I wanted to organize them here for my own personal future enjoyment ('enjoyment' read as 'ridiculous giggling'). If someone else happens to enjoy this as well, all the better! (Although, hopefully this is okay with the author, otherwise I'll keep it private...)
IM STARTING A FULL PLAYTHROUGH OF THE MASS EFFECT SERIES THIS WEEKEND.
Its terrible but I’m actually really excited. Raine looks awful (okay maybe not awful but definitely not as fucking gorgeous as she is in the other two) in the first game (I just played through the prologue of ME1 today) but I like that scar across her cheek that she got from her little skillian blitz fiasco. This is a full, unbroken playthrough of the whole series, paragon path, I get to do the whole thing as a fluid story and have the combat system improve a little more each game. But honestly this is an adventure that’ll take at least two months and I’m happily anticipating tracing Shepard’s story all the way through. The series is complete. Its a fucking amazing feeling looking back at the journey and anticipating getting through it all over again. Honestly the ending was cheap but it did nothing to take away from the sheer brilliance of the rest of the series.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 1
Just did a run on Eden Prime. I’d forgotten how dark it was compared to the last game.
My god the graphics are terrible compared to the next two. I don’t even recognize my Shepard. :/ But she vaguely resembles the images i have in my mind.
Kaidan :D I forgot how cute and naive he is in the very beginning. He’s matured and been weathered so much over the past two games that I almost don’t recognize him. Nnngghh that cute little smile in the medbay after the beacon fiasco. I also forgot how much I love romancing the lieutenant also.
Ash how I’ve missed you. She’s perfect, and Its going to kill me all over again when she goes, but I’m going to use every opportunity to have her around and get my fill before Virmire. Having Kaidan and Ash around in the same squade same place same time is really really disorienting. I’m so used to everyone just talking about her in memories especially since bioware basically made them parallel people in parallel universes. Like maleshep and femshep.
I just met my best friend/bro Garrus on the citadel for the first time. Eee i love him so much even though we technically dont even know one another.
Citadel and the council. Lovely.
This is going to be an interesting replaythrough.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 2
Its lovely to be reminded how every asari throws themselves at you in this game. The whole Shi’ira thing was just as annoying as every other time.
GLORIOUS ELEVATOR BANTER.
I forgot where all the keepers were. This is going to be difficult.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 3
Just met Tali. Her original suit is really pretty to me, a little dull but i like the design and the way the purple fabric is arranged. She’s the same as ever if a little young.
I threw a grenade on accident in Udina’s office. It was fun imagining if that had done any actual damage. Its hilarious to me how you can pull out all your weapons and just shoot everything up at the citadel.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 4
1st argument with the council about Saren and the Reapers. I remember why i wanted to kill them every single playthrough. The turian especially.
Ugh its such an amazing feeling you get when your Shepard becomes the first human spectre. The music is brilliant, absolutely lovely. Its like you are hearing pride and accomplishment in musical form. No but seriously this feels so mich better than my first time through when i really had no idea what was going on.
The elevator music lol.
I have so much money this time through. Im not broke af!!
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 5
Wrex.
…
Shepard.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 6
Mako! I hated this thing. It still frustrates me to no end but its so mch fun to drive around it and scale 90 degree angles. The only problem i have is getting hopelessly stuck in some crevice i thought i could manuver. Ah its good that have you back you piece of crap.
I like how the journal tells you exactly where you need to go to complete the missions :p
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 7
I just got Kaidan’s first mission debrief. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
But honestly, re playing the romance from the beginning is really something. Mainly because its so naive and silly and shy and flirty. There isn’t a huge weight pressing on their shoulders an they are getting to know one another and explore their interest. Its refreshing, but it lacks the power and gravity and solidity that their relationship becomes in Mass Effect 3. I really love the way they progressed. I love how they didnt start that way in the first game, but through budding love then betrayal and loss, then love all over again, but with weight and trust in the end. That growth makes them the best (in my opinion) paramour sidequest overall.
Had a conversation with Tali (the first one) about the geth conflict. She was so naive in the first game. Theres a huge amount of growth in her character as well. Whereas some characters like Garrus and Wrex remain solid.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 8
The Colonist background sidemission with Talitha. I have so much sad and feels right now. It is a heartbreaking mission. In my headcanon Shepard feels on the breaking point herself talking to what she very well could have become if she hadn’t grabbed a pistol and hid when the slavers attacked. She feels like she should be who Talitha is. She can’t remember why she buried all the memories of her parents, of her home.
Its a poweful side mission. And its one of the best indicators of why Shepard fights.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 9
Going to go do the rogue VI luna base mission. Agh its going to bother me endlessly that I’m shooting up EDI. But she just slings rocket turrets at you and its hard not to want to shoot up the place.
Funny I’d actually never ever gotten Conrad’s quest. In any of my playthroughs and I felt like I was missing out. Lol the guy is such a derp its hard to choose the paragon options.
No conrad your wife/shrine of me will not be getting a picture of shepard posing.
I wish I could just shoot Nassana on the spot. But I guess that isn’t happening. :/
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 10
EMILY WONG. Seeing her hurts so muhuhuhch. Yes of course I’ll illegally plant bugs in government traffic control areas. Anything you want you wonderful person you ;A; why couldn’t she have been the reporter on the ship bioware? Why the hoho Diana Allers? Why bioware why would you kill her off?!
[apparently, a Phantom must have killed LOG 11...]
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 12
Garrus is such a defiant little poop in this game. Haha I think Omega really forced him to mature. He’s like the kid who just wont listen right now.
I tried scaling a 90 degeee cliff with the Mako… Got about and inch from the top and fell alllll the way back down. So frustrated by that. I also pissed joker off by going too far into the red area of the map lol. He had to “pick me up”
There are no plot markers on the galaxy map so i forget where im going all the time and I have to escapeescapeescapeescape to take a look in my journal all. The. Time.
Tali’Zorah vas Normandy sounds so much better than vas Neema. It still bothers me that she’s not kin to the ship.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 13
I FOUND ALL THE KEEPERS. (victory dance) This felt so important to me the first time through haha. It’s sad to see the little guys have no significance later on. Second main plotline mission debrief with Kaidan! (Seriously I look forward to completing the storyline missions specifically because of the new dialogue. It makes the inventory sorting and shoddy combat system tolerable) He is just so cute. JUST SO CUTE. I love how their biggest problem right now is the regs that the chain of command entails. I love how he gets caught up in some sweep of emotion while they’re talking and forgets she’s his superior. He always adorably awkwardly corrects himself after he trips up. “Shepard. … Commander.” I love how she pulls out his passionate side. He seems closed, but she brings out the best and worst in him. Its so nice to watch as that ability matures into love. *sigh* :) Ash’s conversation about her sisters is one of my favorites. Its so cool to hear about someone who had an actual family life that wasn’t super fucked up. And of course the jealous Shepard inquiry about her sister mentioning Kaidan. “No commander word is he’s sweet on someone else” Mmmmm that’s shepard. Ash its going to kill me to lose you for the third time. I swear I’ll do a playthrough where I save you soon.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 14
Kaidan died on me (again. >.>) And as soon as he got up he shouted
“I’m okay! I’mokayimokayimokay.”
FFFF.
Why. Is. He. So. Cute.
Wrex growling all clear in my headset is making me giggle because its all bassy and makes my ears vibrate.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 15
Kaidan’s Noveria dialogue just reaffirms the fact that he’s the cutest marine out there.
“A bit nippy.”
“you think we can pop some incendiary rounds?”
Exasperated, “I think I got snow in my boots!”
“Mom was right i should’ve brough a sweater.”
*fangirls*
Mira is the most fucking annoying voice in the world. I’m probably going to have a headache and I’ve barely started peak 15.
Ive maxed out my omni gel. So I dont bother doing the hacking game anymore and I just slap it on everything. Its so much more efficient.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 16
I’m about to go to Virmire. Oh hell. fuck. Ash. No.
Can I please leave someone else? Can I save both of them? WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS BIOWARE. GOD FUCKING DAMNIT.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 17
Virmire is a really gorgeous planet, sadness and feelings aside. I like the way the water is all clear and beachlike and there’s so many tall rocky cliffs.
Wrex is so mad. Sok baby I’ll cure the genophage 3-4 years from now don’t you fret.
I’ve already maxed out my paragon XD
Kirrahe I will not let you die this time. He’s all adorable. His hold the line speech is really inspiring though joking about holding the line aside.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 18
I just stood in front of the weapons bench in the garage where there’s a blatantly empty space. Ash isn’t there. She’s not there. She’s not smart assing her XO… She’s not cleaning a rifle. She’s just not there.
She’s gone? She’s gone? No she’s not gone.
Ash? Ash? fuuuuccckkkk guilty IT WAS MY SHEPARDS FAULT SHE LEFT YOU TO DIE I DIDNT DO IT NO I DIDNT.
*stares at the empty space some more*
*gross sobbing*
At least Kirrahe got out this time. Yeah….
Kaidan romance scene you guys <3 He is a sweetheart but JOKERISWAITINGFORYOUONTHEBRIDGE. *dying*
I’d never noticed how worked up he gets about the fact that dropping the mako could possibly harm shepard. He’s literally flipping a shit. Its sweet and overprotective and I love him and how much he loves her so muhhuhuhuhch
[TBC...]
::cough:: Anyway, I've been compiling an archive of any awesome/nerdgasmic posts I come across (I've just been pasting them into a word document, since I don't have a Tumblr). Hopefully someday I'll actually organize it enough to post ... although the same has been said for my various fanfiction rec pages too, so I wouldn't hold my breath on that...
Right. The point. I should probably get to that, before it gets nauseous from all the circles I've been going in. So, point is I came across LonelyIridescence's Mass Effect series replay posts, and I love them! They have just the right balance of 'thoughtful retrospective'/'complete nerdgirl freak-out' for me (and because she seems to get just as attached to her version of Shepard, as I am to mine). So I wanted to organize them here for my own personal future enjoyment ('enjoyment' read as 'ridiculous giggling'). If someone else happens to enjoy this as well, all the better! (Although, hopefully this is okay with the author, otherwise I'll keep it private...)
IM STARTING A FULL PLAYTHROUGH OF THE MASS EFFECT SERIES THIS WEEKEND.
Its terrible but I’m actually really excited. Raine looks awful (okay maybe not awful but definitely not as fucking gorgeous as she is in the other two) in the first game (I just played through the prologue of ME1 today) but I like that scar across her cheek that she got from her little skillian blitz fiasco. This is a full, unbroken playthrough of the whole series, paragon path, I get to do the whole thing as a fluid story and have the combat system improve a little more each game. But honestly this is an adventure that’ll take at least two months and I’m happily anticipating tracing Shepard’s story all the way through. The series is complete. Its a fucking amazing feeling looking back at the journey and anticipating getting through it all over again. Honestly the ending was cheap but it did nothing to take away from the sheer brilliance of the rest of the series.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 1
Just did a run on Eden Prime. I’d forgotten how dark it was compared to the last game.
My god the graphics are terrible compared to the next two. I don’t even recognize my Shepard. :/ But she vaguely resembles the images i have in my mind.
Kaidan :D I forgot how cute and naive he is in the very beginning. He’s matured and been weathered so much over the past two games that I almost don’t recognize him. Nnngghh that cute little smile in the medbay after the beacon fiasco. I also forgot how much I love romancing the lieutenant also.
Ash how I’ve missed you. She’s perfect, and Its going to kill me all over again when she goes, but I’m going to use every opportunity to have her around and get my fill before Virmire. Having Kaidan and Ash around in the same squade same place same time is really really disorienting. I’m so used to everyone just talking about her in memories especially since bioware basically made them parallel people in parallel universes. Like maleshep and femshep.
I just met my best friend/bro Garrus on the citadel for the first time. Eee i love him so much even though we technically dont even know one another.
Citadel and the council. Lovely.
This is going to be an interesting replaythrough.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 2
Its lovely to be reminded how every asari throws themselves at you in this game. The whole Shi’ira thing was just as annoying as every other time.
GLORIOUS ELEVATOR BANTER.
I forgot where all the keepers were. This is going to be difficult.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 3
Just met Tali. Her original suit is really pretty to me, a little dull but i like the design and the way the purple fabric is arranged. She’s the same as ever if a little young.
I threw a grenade on accident in Udina’s office. It was fun imagining if that had done any actual damage. Its hilarious to me how you can pull out all your weapons and just shoot everything up at the citadel.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 4
1st argument with the council about Saren and the Reapers. I remember why i wanted to kill them every single playthrough. The turian especially.
Ugh its such an amazing feeling you get when your Shepard becomes the first human spectre. The music is brilliant, absolutely lovely. Its like you are hearing pride and accomplishment in musical form. No but seriously this feels so mich better than my first time through when i really had no idea what was going on.
The elevator music lol.
I have so much money this time through. Im not broke af!!
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 5
Wrex.
…
Shepard.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 6
Mako! I hated this thing. It still frustrates me to no end but its so mch fun to drive around it and scale 90 degree angles. The only problem i have is getting hopelessly stuck in some crevice i thought i could manuver. Ah its good that have you back you piece of crap.
I like how the journal tells you exactly where you need to go to complete the missions :p
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 7
I just got Kaidan’s first mission debrief. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
But honestly, re playing the romance from the beginning is really something. Mainly because its so naive and silly and shy and flirty. There isn’t a huge weight pressing on their shoulders an they are getting to know one another and explore their interest. Its refreshing, but it lacks the power and gravity and solidity that their relationship becomes in Mass Effect 3. I really love the way they progressed. I love how they didnt start that way in the first game, but through budding love then betrayal and loss, then love all over again, but with weight and trust in the end. That growth makes them the best (in my opinion) paramour sidequest overall.
Had a conversation with Tali (the first one) about the geth conflict. She was so naive in the first game. Theres a huge amount of growth in her character as well. Whereas some characters like Garrus and Wrex remain solid.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 8
The Colonist background sidemission with Talitha. I have so much sad and feels right now. It is a heartbreaking mission. In my headcanon Shepard feels on the breaking point herself talking to what she very well could have become if she hadn’t grabbed a pistol and hid when the slavers attacked. She feels like she should be who Talitha is. She can’t remember why she buried all the memories of her parents, of her home.
Its a poweful side mission. And its one of the best indicators of why Shepard fights.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 9
Going to go do the rogue VI luna base mission. Agh its going to bother me endlessly that I’m shooting up EDI. But she just slings rocket turrets at you and its hard not to want to shoot up the place.
Funny I’d actually never ever gotten Conrad’s quest. In any of my playthroughs and I felt like I was missing out. Lol the guy is such a derp its hard to choose the paragon options.
No conrad your wife/shrine of me will not be getting a picture of shepard posing.
I wish I could just shoot Nassana on the spot. But I guess that isn’t happening. :/
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 10
EMILY WONG. Seeing her hurts so muhuhuhch. Yes of course I’ll illegally plant bugs in government traffic control areas. Anything you want you wonderful person you ;A; why couldn’t she have been the reporter on the ship bioware? Why the hoho Diana Allers? Why bioware why would you kill her off?!
[apparently, a Phantom must have killed LOG 11...]
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 12
Garrus is such a defiant little poop in this game. Haha I think Omega really forced him to mature. He’s like the kid who just wont listen right now.
I tried scaling a 90 degeee cliff with the Mako… Got about and inch from the top and fell alllll the way back down. So frustrated by that. I also pissed joker off by going too far into the red area of the map lol. He had to “pick me up”
There are no plot markers on the galaxy map so i forget where im going all the time and I have to escapeescapeescapeescape to take a look in my journal all. The. Time.
Tali’Zorah vas Normandy sounds so much better than vas Neema. It still bothers me that she’s not kin to the ship.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 13
I FOUND ALL THE KEEPERS. (victory dance) This felt so important to me the first time through haha. It’s sad to see the little guys have no significance later on. Second main plotline mission debrief with Kaidan! (Seriously I look forward to completing the storyline missions specifically because of the new dialogue. It makes the inventory sorting and shoddy combat system tolerable) He is just so cute. JUST SO CUTE. I love how their biggest problem right now is the regs that the chain of command entails. I love how he gets caught up in some sweep of emotion while they’re talking and forgets she’s his superior. He always adorably awkwardly corrects himself after he trips up. “Shepard. … Commander.” I love how she pulls out his passionate side. He seems closed, but she brings out the best and worst in him. Its so nice to watch as that ability matures into love. *sigh* :) Ash’s conversation about her sisters is one of my favorites. Its so cool to hear about someone who had an actual family life that wasn’t super fucked up. And of course the jealous Shepard inquiry about her sister mentioning Kaidan. “No commander word is he’s sweet on someone else” Mmmmm that’s shepard. Ash its going to kill me to lose you for the third time. I swear I’ll do a playthrough where I save you soon.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 14
Kaidan died on me (again. >.>) And as soon as he got up he shouted
“I’m okay! I’mokayimokayimokay.”
FFFF.
Why. Is. He. So. Cute.
Wrex growling all clear in my headset is making me giggle because its all bassy and makes my ears vibrate.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 15
Kaidan’s Noveria dialogue just reaffirms the fact that he’s the cutest marine out there.
“A bit nippy.”
“you think we can pop some incendiary rounds?”
Exasperated, “I think I got snow in my boots!”
“Mom was right i should’ve brough a sweater.”
*fangirls*
Mira is the most fucking annoying voice in the world. I’m probably going to have a headache and I’ve barely started peak 15.
Ive maxed out my omni gel. So I dont bother doing the hacking game anymore and I just slap it on everything. Its so much more efficient.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 16
I’m about to go to Virmire. Oh hell. fuck. Ash. No.
Can I please leave someone else? Can I save both of them? WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS BIOWARE. GOD FUCKING DAMNIT.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 17
Virmire is a really gorgeous planet, sadness and feelings aside. I like the way the water is all clear and beachlike and there’s so many tall rocky cliffs.
Wrex is so mad. Sok baby I’ll cure the genophage 3-4 years from now don’t you fret.
I’ve already maxed out my paragon XD
Kirrahe I will not let you die this time. He’s all adorable. His hold the line speech is really inspiring though joking about holding the line aside.
KARA REPLAYS THE MASS EFFECT SERIES: LOG 18
I just stood in front of the weapons bench in the garage where there’s a blatantly empty space. Ash isn’t there. She’s not there. She’s not smart assing her XO… She’s not cleaning a rifle. She’s just not there.
She’s gone? She’s gone? No she’s not gone.
Ash? Ash? fuuuuccckkkk guilty IT WAS MY SHEPARDS FAULT SHE LEFT YOU TO DIE I DIDNT DO IT NO I DIDNT.
*stares at the empty space some more*
*gross sobbing*
At least Kirrahe got out this time. Yeah….
Kaidan romance scene you guys <3 He is a sweetheart but JOKERISWAITINGFORYOUONTHEBRIDGE. *dying*
I’d never noticed how worked up he gets about the fact that dropping the mako could possibly harm shepard. He’s literally flipping a shit. Its sweet and overprotective and I love him and how much he loves her so muhhuhuhuhch
[TBC...]