Useful or Useless?

[Grifter Reborn]

With changes in the mission log no longer tracking your step by step progress, I was considering making a full mission guide with locations of each items, persons, etc.

However, I'm wrestling with two things before doing so.
1- Would our community here even consider such a guide useful?
2- Time constraints may take a couple of weeks, which means most would've finished at least 1 playthrough if not more.

Feedback is appreciated. And no, you won't hurt my "feelings" whatever those are.

[Hansathan]

I personally think it would be very useful. The codex not updating as you progress is more than a minor annoyance. I got used to it in the prior two games, and to not include it seems downright lazy. Plus, many people will be buying this game for months/years to come, so if it won't be finished within a few weeks, those future players will find it useful.

[Opiate42]

Agreed, the in-game journal is ... lacking or at the very least not very helpful.

Grifter, what you're proposing would be insanely useful.

I was hoping Teryx would have his usual checklist up as a work in progress but evidently as yet no plans to begin an ME3 list. Found his ME and ME2 lists very helpful, well organized and detailed.

[jedijaxpavan]

This mission log is really pissing me off. Like they said above, it would be helpful for future players.
In sure I'll miss a few side quests in this playthrough anyway.

[Scotty]

you should go for it. it'll be a top thread if done properly. maybe even sticky worthy.

[Hoborg]

Go for it. I was just thinking the same thing yesterday: why is there no guide?

[Andrewken]

Does anyone know if its a glitch that it doesn't update or a design flaw? It really throws me off when I go to check for a update only to find the same information as when I first started a quest.

[SIMPLYMIDGET]

Yes, very useful.

[The Pants Party]

The only problem I have is that I can't remember if I got the item the dude wanted or not. It would have been a huge help if there was any sort of marker to show the quest was ready to turn in.

[FFFreak1129]

Yes it would be very useful. The Journal as it is isn't very helpful. I got used to be able to go back to see how the mission progress is going and what I need to do and all that. I wonder why they changed it for this game. Seems like such a small thing to get rid of and it was useful.

[Grifter Reborn]

Originally Posted by Andrewken

Does anyone know if its a glitch that it doesn't update or a design flaw? It really throws me off when I go to check for a update only to find the same information as when I first started a quest.

Seeing as how it's a "universal" issue, I'm gonna say it's a design flaw that was overlooked rather than a glitch. That's speculation on my part.

Originally Posted by The Pants Party

The only problem I have is that I can't remember if I got the item the dude wanted or not. It would have been a huge help if there was any sort of marker to show the quest was ready to turn in.

That got on my nerves too. It took me awhile to figure out when visiting the citadel, instead of wondering all levels aimlessly to see if there was anyone I should speak with, that I could simply bring up map in pause menu and use and to see any added names I needed to talk to for mission turn-ins. *facepalm* Not one of my finer moments.

So far, the responses have been positive, so I'll get started on one soon. Hopefully I'll have it up in a couple of weeks, but if someone beats me to it, no hard feelings.

[CIF]

It would be very helpful. Not only do you have to remember if you've found this or that out in the galaxy (or during a mission), but you acquire some quests before their respective cluster shows up (Hades Nexus, for ex.), and I had no idea where to go for certain ones (tell me where the Elcor homeworld is!).

Plus, there are always new people getting a game, so it would reduce clutter on the forum.

[Andrewken]

Originally Posted by Grifter Reborn

Seeing as how it's a "universal" issue, I'm gonna say it's a design flaw that was overlooked rather than a glitch. That's speculation on my part.

Ahh ok which is weird because the Journal was fine in ME/ME2 which leads me onto another thing that's been annoying me which is the fact that main missions/important side missions are lumped in together with the tons of fetch quest missions that you get from walking around on the Citadel and so on sometimes making it difficult to get to what you want straight away.

With that said I think what you're doing is a pretty cool idea.

[Grifter Reborn]

Originally Posted by CIF

I had no idea where to go for certain ones (tell me where the Elcor homeworld is!).

Just in case:

Spoiler! (click here to reveal)

The home world is known as Dekuuna and is located in the Phontes system of the Silean Nebula. It shows up after your geth/quarian story missions.

Also, my current mission log is at 62 entries and I know there's quite a few more, so yeah... Like I said, couple of weeks to get it done. But I promise, it'll be rather impressive.

[DEG23]

Originally Posted by Andrewken

thing that's been annoying me which is the fact that main missions/important side missions are lumped in together with the tons of fetch quest missions that you get from walking around on the Citadel

I can't stand the "fetch" missions, it brakes the flow of the story so badly.

"I'm Commander Shepard and i'm trying to rally all forces in the galaxy but i'd be happy to travel into Reaper space to fetch your missing book little Volus"????

Originally Posted by Grifter Reborn

Like I said, couple of weeks to get it done. But I promise, it'll be rather impressive.

....But i want it now.

Seriously, cheers for doing this, i have a feeling i have missed a few missions and wouldn't mind doing a solid playthrough, your guide would be welcomed.

[DarkReign2021]

I think a lot of people would benefit from it. Particularly knowing when a system opens up for people to complete their secondaries and which items require you to buy it from the Spectre facility (I've noticed a good few people forget it even exists and don't check it for objectives. I would never think to check it if I didn't know better.)

[13ip0lar]

Originally Posted by Grifter Reborn

So far, the responses have been positive, so I'll get started on one soon. Hopefully I'll have it up in a couple of weeks, but if someone beats me to it, no hard feelings.

Originally Posted by DEG23

....But i want it now.

Seriously, cheers for doing this, i have a feeling i have missed a few missions and wouldn't mind doing a solid playthrough, your guide would be welcomed.

I agree. This timetable is unacceptable. Please quit your job and focus all your energy towards this guide. K thx!

Seriously though, the sooner the better. I won't be needing it but I'm sure there are plenty of people who will be eternally grateful.

[fastNcurious]

I think such a guide would be extremely helpful.

Originally Posted by Grifter Reborn

It took me awhile to figure out when visiting the citadel, instead of wondering all levels aimlessly to see if there was anyone I should speak with, that I could simply bring up map in pause menu and use and to see any added names I needed to talk to for mission turn-ins.

That may not work all the time though (hence why a guide would be useful). I just finished "Nimbus Cluster: Library of Asha" by submitting the item to this person in Purgatory, but this person never showed up on the map. Only Joker, EDI, and Aria were listed as being in Purgatory. It's totally possible my game is glitched though....

[Opiate42]

Originally Posted by fastNcurious

That may not work all the time though (hence why a guide would be useful). I just finished "Nimbus Cluster: Library of Asha" by submitting the item to this person in Purgatory, but this person never showed up on the map. Only Joker, EDI, and Aria were listed as being in Purgatory. It's totally possible my game is glitched though....

I experienced that too. Didn't notice until I walked by on my way out and a conversation circle popped up on a person. There is some interesting bugs cropping up, for me it's been mostly graphical, I thought it was hilarious when I came across Jacob, he turns to empty space and says hi to an invisible Liara.

Just last night was trying to talk to Barla Von to get his quest, and couldn't get the conversation circle to appear. Had to leave to another area then come back and it worked.

[Grifter Reborn]

Originally Posted by Opiate42

I experienced that too. Didn't notice until I walked by on my way out and a conversation circle popped up on a person. There is some interesting bugs cropping up, for me it's been mostly graphical, I thought it was hilarious when I came across Jacob, he turns to empty space and says hi to an invisible Liara.

Just last night was trying to talk to Barla Von to get his quest, and couldn't get the conversation circle to appear. Had to leave to another area then come back and it worked.

Yea I've experienced a ridiculous amount of graphical bugs, along with loading freezes and my favorite, unfinished design flaws (like the mission log). Obviously this game wasn't near where it should've been for the release date which makes me wonder what was the reason(s) for keeping the date and for it not being 100% ready in time.

[Grifter Reborn]

Okay. So here's what I currently have for the Guide layouts:

Mission Name- info for how the mission is started (added to mission log)
Details- This is your checklist of things to do (like the old mission logs)
End- This is when your mission ends or where to "turn it in" (the final check on the checklist) to have it "grayed" out.
Rewards- these are potential rewards for mission complete, but not the items found within a mission (such as finding a weapon mod won't be listed, but the credits, XP, rep, and/or paragon/renegade points are)
Disk- #1 or 2, to help limit "disk swapping"

I'm also including the conversations in order as well for both the characters (squad & NPC) and the "overheard" conversations where you can "agree with ______" for different bonuses.

What do you think?

*Potential Spoiler stuff below*

Also, I'm gonna need help with variables. Due to decisions made in the 1st 2 games there are different options, decisions, and rewards available (or not available) so I'm not 100% how to treat that. Thinking people can post different results they come across and I can refer to those posts for those who's decisions are different. Ideas?

And if your feeling generous, what else does this thread need:
http://www.xbox360achievements.org/f...d.php?t=361490

Thanks for any and all responses!

[Grifter Reborn]

Thought I'd post a small segment to illicit some responses.

Prologue: Earth- (Note: this never officially shows in your mission log) Starts when you start the game.
Details- This is basically a tutorial for the controls, simply follow all audio and on-screen instructions.
End- Technically when your reinstated by Anderson on the Normandy. Automatic, no turn-in required.
Rewards- 2,000 XP received when you take control again on Mars.
Disk- #1

1. Priority: Mars- Starts when Hackett orders you to Mars.
Details- Meet with Liara; Enter the Archive; Recover the stolen data.
End- Technically when you give your report to Hackett. Automatic, no turn-in required.
Rewards- 35,000 credits awarded after speaking with Commander Bailey upon arrival at the Citadel.
Disk- #1

2. Priority: The Citadel (#1)- Starts when Hackett orders you to see the council.
Details- Go to the Citadel; Go to Councilor Udina's office.
End- Technically when you return to Udina's office. Automatic, no turn-in required.
Rewards- +4 Paragon/Renegade awarded after your talk with Sparatus.
Disk- #1

Talk- Once you've finished speaking to Commander Bailey upon your first arrival to the Citadel (all automatic), head towards the passenger lounge (#2 map) to speak with Diana Allers.
Details- Select "Let's do a trial run".
Rewards- Gain Diana as a war asset worth 5 points.
Disc- #1

Talk- Head to Huerta Memorial Hospital and speak with Dr. Chakwas in patient lounge (#1 map).
Details- Select the top dialog options for:
Rewards- +5 Reputation
Disk- #1

Talk- At the same location (#1 map), just other side of the room, speak with Dr. Michel to gain:
Rewards- +2 Reputation
Disk- #1

Talk- while your in the hospital, go to the inpatient wing (#3 map) in one of the rooms on the right side.
Details- Speak with Ashley to get:
Rewards- +2 Reputation
Disk- #1

[Kl1n3]

Originally Posted by SIMPLYMIDGET

Yes, very useful.

Agreed. For now and future reference. Good Luck w/it.

[O2DAZ81]

Good idea, Grifter! This was the first "issue" I had with ME3. I was expecting to be able to just open the journal to track mission progress like the previous games. This guide will definitely be very useful.