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Mass Effect 2 - useful hacks and improvements for PC version

Posted: 2010.08.12 (22:31)
by a happy song
Includes:
Improved frame rate for low spec machines.
Improved load times for all machines.
Add crouch function.
Add all collector ship weapons to current game.
Max out paragon.
Max out renegade.
Max out all resources.

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I'm by no means a master of any of this, and I didn't code any of the apps or discover the coding myself (aside from compiling my own personal coalesced.ini to share). This is simply the result of a good few days worth of research into some edits and additions that will potentially both improve your game play experience and add potential replay value.



Easy way to improve FPS for low spec machines.

For many machines, lowering the in game settings will still result in low FPS. ME2 is quite a demanding game, and for those of us with older systems it can be quite a frustrating one.

Here's a quick fix that added a good 15-20 FPS for me.

Go into your users folder, found somewhere similar to:

C:\Users\yourname\Documents\BioWare\Mass Effect 2\BIOGame\Config

Open the file 'GamerSettings.ini' in notepad and add this line under the section [systemsettings]

DepthOfField=False

Simply save the file and you're done!



Improved Load Times

For dual/multi core CPUs only -

This is something that I stumbled across when searching for a fix to, what I only imagined, was a flaw in the game itself. Sometimes, load screens took an abnormally long time.

After a little research, I found it's a fault with the game itself. Something to do with CPU affinity for dual/multi core users.

The fix is simple, start ME2 and then immediately open the task manager. Right click MassEffect2.exe and select 'Set Affinity'.

Deselect one of the boxes, and press Ok. immediately right click the .exe again and reselect the box (making sure all boxes are now selected) and press ok.

Your load screens should now be a lot faster.

There's also an auto fix for those interested. That, along with a more detailed description of the issue, can be found here: click.


For all systems -

See here for a way to vastly improve load times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTD3NKOm7VE



.ini file hacks

A simple enough edit built for those wanting to make repeated plays of their favourite difficulty without loosing too much challenge.

Simply add this file: click

Here: Program Files > Mass Effect 2 > BioGame > Config > PC > Cooked > And replace the file you find there.

What I've added:

Left Shift = Crouch
Number pad 1 = Add Revenant Assault Rifle, Widow Sniper Rifle, Claymore Shotgun.
Number pad 2 = Max Paragon Points
Number Pad 3 = Max Renegade Points
Number Pad Four = max resources

(if you have a laptop or keyboard without a numberpad, then use your OS' on screen keyboard - simply google for it if you're unsure)

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This is a very simple edit that avoids anything too overpowered. It gives you the options of trying all three collector vessel weapons at the same time, removes the tedious need for planet scanning, and opens up all context based light/dark interactions from the off.

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If you'd like to edit your own file and add more complex hacks, here's what you'll need:

Coalesced Compiler for ME2: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F6M2580U
List of .ini codes: click

To use the compiler, this is what you need to do.

1. Extract all the files in the .rar to the same folder.
2. Navigate the list of .ini hacks and find those you'd like to add.
3. From within the files extracted from the .rar , navigate to and open the 'configs' folder.
4. Open the 'BioInput' config file with notepad and navigate to the section entitled - [SFXGame.SFXGameModeDefault]
5. Add the .ini hacks you want to use bellow this line.
6. (you can change key bindings if you desire)
7. Nvaigate back to the main folder, open the Compiler, and press 'Compile Coalesced.ini'.

This will automatically update your games coalesced.ini.

Open ME2 and enjoy your new hacks!

Re: Mass Effect 2 - useful hacks and improvements for PC version

Posted: 2010.08.13 (14:56)
by SlappyMcGee
This is superb. I have a high end machine, and even my frames dipped occasionally during cutscenes. This appears to have repaired that. +9.

Re: Mass Effect 2 - useful hacks and improvements for PC version

Posted: 2010.08.13 (18:59)
by a happy song
SÅ‚appyMcGee wrote:This is superb. I have a high end machine, and even my frames dipped occasionally during cutscenes. This appears to have repaired that. +9.
Aye, Me2 is a lot more forgiving than the first, but both games can be quite hungry. Glad it helped.

Re: Mass Effect 2 - useful hacks and improvements for PC version

Posted: 2010.08.16 (20:27)
by Zephyr
Preparing a Shepard for an insanity run but I don't want to use these because they make me feel I'm cheating :/

Re: Mass Effect 2 - useful hacks and improvements for PC version

Posted: 2010.08.16 (22:44)
by a happy song
Zephyr wrote:Preparing a Shepard for an insanity run but I don't want to use these because they make me feel I'm cheating :/
So you don't want to improve your frame rate or decrease load times?

Weird.

The others ARE cheats. But when you've played the game through a few times already, do you really want to farm the planets over and over for research projects?

The rest, as mentioned, is for insanity run multiple play-throughs to add a little spice.

Re: Mass Effect 2 - useful hacks and improvements for PC version

Posted: 2017.04.21 (12:48)
by Jacob Bechard
Thanks! My PC is low spec, I have more FPS now. I'll try to do the same to ME3. ME4 isn't worth a try...