Penalty for screwing around?

[SpinelesS]

When I play these types of games I like to explore every nook and cranny and generally take my time.

I was exploring the main building right after my operation at the start of the game, getting the odd message to hurry up and then I got one that said the situation has gotten worse.

So have I been penalised for exploring? or is this just a further "hurry up and move the story along" message that I can ignore?

[Darkjay7991]

Originally Posted by SpinelesS

When I play these types of games I like to explore every nook and cranny and generally take my time.

I was exploring the main building right after my operation at the start of the game, getting the odd message to hurry up and then I got one that said the situation has gotten worse.

So have I been penalised for exploring? or is this just a further "hurry up and move the story along" message that I can ignore?

Well I didn't get to the point were they said that, but I know/remember gameinformer did a preview of the game and described the first mission when you are augmented. The guy who did the preview mentioned that if you decide to try to talk to everyone and explore the whole building that it directly affects the mission. He mentioned that had he took longer then the mission would have changed, I think one of the possible changes was that they killed the hostages or something else. I just know they said that it changes the mission. He even did the Unforseen Consequence achievement without realizing it. Stating that because he handled the situation without violence that "boss" will later help you later on in the story. Basically stating how everything you do and all your choices affect the game.

[Halochief Chris]

I got the hurry up message as well. If I'm not mistaken, if you don't go from front door to Pritchard to Helipad right away, one of the hostages die before you get to the factory. It's not a big difference, but still...

[DENAz666]

That sucks, i enjoy exploring everything

[Halochief Chris]

It's not like the one hostage dying has any adverse effect whatsoever, and you get plenty of time to explore everything after the factory mission.

[DENAz666]

Originally Posted by Halochief Chris

It's not like the one hostage dying has any adverse effect whatsoever, and you get plenty of time to explore everything after the factory mission.

So you can go back and explore the area?? Thats not so bad

[SolusFlare]

That mission is the only mission that is timed with such an event. And you will return after it. So just go to the mission right away and then explorer as much as you want.

[DENAz666]

Originally Posted by SolusFlare

That mission is the only mission that is timed with such an event. And you will return after it. So just go to the mission right away and then explorer as much as you want.

Thats a releif Nothing I hate more, then a big area to explore, but a time limit to explore it! lol

[Magon]

Originally Posted by Halochief Chris

If I'm not mistaken, if you don't go from front door to Pritchard to Helipad right away, one of the hostages die before you get to the factory.

Well, I have explored everything and not only one of them died, but all except the boss girl.. (at least that is what I was told by the swat guys, I havent finished that mission so far.) Thought it was scripted that way no matter what you do, good to know it isn't.

[Halochief Chris]

Originally Posted by Magon

Well, I have explored everything and not only one of them died, but all except the boss girl.. (at least that is what I was told by the swat guys, I havent finished that mission so far.) Thought it was scripted that way no matter what you do, good to know it isn't.

Did you not find the room full of hostages with the bomb and defuse it? It's the room right after you hack for the first time.

[mattcrossUNC]

Originally Posted by Halochief Chris

Did you not find the room full of hostages with the bomb and defuse it? It's the room right after you hack for the first time.

He's right...if you take too long exploring the offices, the bomb in the first mission is already detonated and all hostages but the manager are dead! NPC's were not happy in my game!

[Lucas McCain]

Yeah, I took my sweet time about it, and all the hostages died. The SWAT guys all hate me. Even back at the base people are calling me bloodthirsty and putting me down for letting everybody die. I must have missed the part when they said hurry up, so I went really slow and explored. Oh well, just another welcome reason for further future playthroughs.

[DENAz666]

Originally Posted by Lucas McCain

Yeah, I took my sweet time about it, and all the hostages died. The SWAT guys all hate me. Even back at the base people are calling me bloodthirsty and putting me down for letting everybody die. I must have missed the part when they said hurry up, so I went really slow and explored. Oh well, just another welcome reason for further future playthroughs.

Nah it happened to me too, and I didn't even get a message... and i was listening out for it so that i knew when to get a move on. Bloody should have just taken my time anyways! lol

[DEG23]

Originally Posted by Lucas McCain

Yeah, I took my sweet time about it, and all the hostages died. The SWAT guys all hate me. Even back at the base people are calling me bloodthirsty and putting me down for letting everybody die. I must have missed the part when they said hurry up, so I went really slow and explored. Oh well, just another welcome reason for further future playthroughs.

Same thing happened to me when i got back to Sarif HQ, all the NPC's are saying how i let everyone die, and i couldn't reveal that the reason everyone died was because i was too busy breaking into everyones' offices, haha.

Although you gotta hand it to Eidos, this was a really nice touch to have time play a factor without an obvious countdown timer in the corner, and considering how many games these days are scripted, i swear the Mass Effect galaxy would have been destroyed by the time i finally got my ass off the citadel

[eiVaL]

Originally Posted by mattcrossUNC

He's right...if you take too long exploring the offices, the bomb in the first mission is already detonated and all hostages but the manager are dead! NPC's were not happy in my game!

but the bomb was still sitting on the desk of the room full of dead hostages on my game

[XCVii 007]

Originally Posted by SolusFlare

That mission is the only mission that is timed with such an event. And you will return after it. So just go to the mission right away and then explorer as much as you want.

No, that is not the only timed mission.

Another one is when Taggart is having his speech. If you take too long, they will say that Taggert finished his speech and will have left, leaving you on missing the achievement 'The Throwdown'.

[Halochief Chris]

I'm on my 2nd playthrough and I decided to go from entry way to Pritchard to Sarif to helipad so no one dies. Regardless of this, when you get to the room with hostages (after first time you hack something, they're talking about a bomb) there's a dead scientist on the ground. I'm not sure if Josie Thorpe (Zeke's hostage) or the room full of hostages can die before you get there, but there is a dead hostage every time.

[Lucas McCain]

Originally Posted by DEG23

Although you gotta hand it to Eidos, this was a really nice touch to have time play a factor without an obvious countdown timer in the corner, and considering how many games these days are scripted, i swear the Mass Effect galaxy would have been destroyed by the time i finally got my ass off the citadel

I agree. There is a lot about this game that I am loving, but my favorite aspect is the lack of hand-holding. I like that this game is difficult starting out, and that the 'best' path, or the repercussions of your actions are not obvious all the time. I've been annoyed by the general trend toward dumbing down games for some time now.

Off-topic, that's an awesome profile picture. Have you noticed the Blade Runner references in the game? I ran across a desk that belonged to "P. Dick" and heard a page for a "Detective Deckard" in the police station.

[mattcrossUNC]

Originally Posted by Lucas McCain

I agree. There is a lot about this game that I am loving, but my favorite aspect is the lack of hand-holding. I like that this game is difficult starting out, and that the 'best' path, or the repercussions of your actions are not obvious all the time. I've been annoyed by the general trend toward dumbing down games for some time now.

Off-topic, that's an awesome profile picture. Have you noticed the Blade Runner references in the game? I ran across a desk that belonged to "P. Dick" and heard a page for a "Detective Deckard" in the police station.

My favorite is on the 3rd floor of the police station. You see an office for a "Detective Alex Murphy" and you can hear a conversation going on like, "Really? You haven't heard of the movie? It's from the '80's, a cop from Detroit is rebuilt after he's killed as a robot-cop?". If you walk in the guy talking laughs and says, "I think we were just talking about you!"

Too funny.

[Opiate42]

Originally Posted by DEG23

i swear the Mass Effect galaxy would have been destroyed by the time i finally got my ass off the citadel

Me too!! But you know, bugs needed to be planted, bars needed to be danced at.

I managed to get in and defuse the bomb but was lolly-gagging about looking for darts and credits, evidently not lolly-gagging as much as others.

Some of the references in the game are quite funny, Deckard has his own computer too. Where do you find all the passwords for these? Trying to hack in the middle of a crowded room full of police usually ends badly.

[Suki]

im confused and must be missing something, when i start the first mission (im doing it on stealth approach) i want to go and free the hostages straight away am i right in thinking this is a side mission and if so how do i activate it so i get a way point on the radar and get to em quick so no dies.

[kantizuni]

I just want to know if you're screwed for achievements if the hostages die. I've read in other places that there is a hostage who sends you an email (Greg) inviting you to his house where you can find ebooks. If you don't save the hostages, do you miss out on this ebook forever?

[SpinelesS]

Originally Posted by Suki

im confused and must be missing something, when i start the first mission (im doing it on stealth approach) i want to go and free the hostages straight away am i right in thinking this is a side mission and if so how do i activate it so i get a way point on the radar and get to em quick so no dies.

Sadly you can't set a way point to them, however the game brings up the Security Systems tutorial and you are introduced to your first camera's right after you rescue the hostages. So if you get to the tutorial without rescueing them, go back and explore the large open area you just went through.

More info:

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

Either go up stairs, run through the doors and race the bombs timer in a hack, or look for a vent under the stairs and take your time

Originally Posted by kantizuni

I just want to know if you're screwed for achievements if the hostages die. I've read in other places that there is a hostage who sends you an email (Greg) inviting you to his house where you can find ebooks. If you don't save the hostages, do you miss out on this ebook forever?

No, you can still go to his house, you just wont get an objective marker leading you there.

[michaelmd]

I too let all the hostages die by screwing around talking to everyone. My only concern is, does this affect the Pacifist achievement?

[Nitnoid]

I decided to restart the game so I could rescue the hostages. I was able to burn through the first part and get to them fast enough. Probably took about 20 minutes total, in case you aren't too far along and want to do the same.