Mass Effect 3?

I wouldn't get it if you aren't going to play Mass Effect 2. The gameplay is better, but it's mainly a story based game. I haven't seen the new endings though, and have tried not to spoil them for me, but i didn't have a problem as much as EVERYBODY ELSE.

Play ME 2 abit more (Maybe pick up ME 1?), and if you like it, pick up ME 3, because otherwise you'd get an incomplete experience.

And Mass Effect 2 is about 12 hours long on a non-rushed playthrough, occasionally doing side-missions. If you do them all, it could take 20+, and that's just one run through. Playing Paragon or Renegade adds another couple of playthroughs, and having ME 1 potentially multiplies it by more.

Play all the Mass Effect games. Even the good DLC's. Mass Effect 3 is worth full price. Just get it, disk version or digital download. Sorry, it's like 2am here and I skimmed through your wall of text haha. Did you even play ME1? If you didn't, stop playing ME2 and start with ME1.

This is my opinion, doesn't matter but: ME1>ME3>ME2

If you are enjoying ME2 then you should enjoy the sequel. It's not as good with the squad but makes up for it by bringing out characters in missions. The extended ending does exactly what it says, it makes it longer. Clarifies a few small issues, has a longer more just ending for characters and is a fitting end.

The end of ME2 can go badly, meaning core characters can die and if you carry over your save they will be dead. If you pay attention to your squad's strengths, you should have no problem getting through without serious casualties. I was lucky in that my entire squad survived and the characters I had become fond of in ME2 came back wonderfully in the third.

Both ME2 and ME3 are 20+ hour games, assuming you aren't rushing through them. They are very worth full price, ME3 even has capable multiplayer that interlinks with the endings you get in the third.

Don't believe the hype.

ME3 is good.

These games are meant to played as a whole series.

I just spent the better part of the month doing ME1 + ME2 to get the ending I wanted, and now playing ME3, it is a great game, I'm enjoying myself immensely.

You must start with the first game. Play Mass Effect, then ME2, then ME3, in order.

In my opinion, the first game was the best. ME2 and ME3 are about equal.