That’s right, readers. I guess I can push Y like a true pro because I finally unlocked the following achievement last night:
First Aid Specialist (15G): Use medi-gel 150 times
Funny, considering that the previous achievement unlocked for Mass Effect was eight months ago and it was this:
Medal of Honor (100G): Complete Mass Effect Playthrough
Er, but yeah…all this recent excitement about Mass Effect 2 brought me back yet again. This time I saved more frequently because the biggest problem for me was I’d forget to save, go on these long planetary treks, and then get shot in the face and have to restart from the very beginning. If you don’t know what that feels like, stick a wrench down your throat and twist. You’d think Fallout 3 would’ve taught me more about frequent saving, but then you’d be assuming…and we all know you’re a monkey’s uncle.
Right, moving on. Finished up Noveria last night though with the turian Garrus and doofy-faced Kaidan. That was a tough section to get through. Frustrating, to get the wording right. I died twice just driving the MAKO to Peak 15, and then I further died six times trying to take down Benezia. Call me a n00b (editor’s note: please don’t). I was so annoyed by this that the Rachni Queen felt the full brunt of my frustration. Death to all hive-minded insectoids! Genocide FTW!
Not sure where I want to go next. Continue with the story to Feros or to find Liara? Hit the Citadel back up for those 1,067 sidequests? Explore some boring planets for things like minerals? Funnily enough, all the planets I want to explore I can’t, like the ones tinted blue from way too much methane. Boo to that.
Also, does anyone know if the achievements for biotic skills (i.e., Lift, Throw, Neural Shock, and so on) carry over into the next playthrough? I’m not actively keeping track of how many times I’ve used them, but between this playthrough and the previous one…I suspect I’ve Thrown enough Geth to get it. Seriously, I love Lift and Throw.
Grinding Down 
Biotic and weapon use counts carry over.
I didn’t get First Aid until I was actively thinking about it, this was on like my fourth playthrough. And you can’t just spam the Y button because medi-gel is limited.
If possible, save Liara until the last visit (even after Virmire). Her dialog is changed and it is fricken hilarious (if you already got her, find it on youtube).
Benezia battle is very glitchy, you basically have to avoid the biotics tossed at you at all costs.
Mass Effect 2 is incredible.