PC Tweaks (Mass Effect 2)

Mass Effect 2 PC Tweaks and Cheats describes ways of modifying Mass Effect 2 game settings and mechanics to mod the game, tweak settings (e.g., graphics) not accessible from the game menu or configuration utility, or cheat the game. Mass Effect 2 doesn't have the in-game console that Mass Effect did, but a multitude of effects and in-game commands can be activated through editing the game's configuration files.

Backup Your Career
Using the modifications described in this article may alter your career permanently. It is recommended to backup your career for the option to revert back later on. The career files are found in the folders given below:


 * On Windows XP/2000:
 * On Windows Vista/7:

Replace X with the drive letter where your Windows system is installed on (usually C:), and replace [username] with the username that you are logging into the system with.

The career folders are named in the format  (first name, class, date of creation). The  folder contains the Mass Effect save files transferred over by Mass Effect 2 Configuration Utility.

Backup Your Profile
There is also a profile file normally called  under the same folder in   that you may want to backup just in case.

Coalesced.ini
Editing the  configuration file is the main method of tweaking, modding, or cheating Mass Effect 2. This file is not located under your Documents folder; it is found under the folder where you installed the game.


 * Default location:

When you have located the file, there are two important points to take note of before you do actually do anything with it. Also, you may want to reconsider whether you are willing to edit configuration files you are not really supposed to touch.
 * 1) Make a backup before you even move your cursor over it.
 * 2) You cannot edit it with Notepad, or the game will crash on load.

When you have this down – and understand the potential unwanted effects on your career/profile – you can start experimenting. If you want to edit the file manually, you will need a text editor that can handle UNIX-format files (e.g., Notepad++) and a way of "rebuilding" Coalesced.ini after your edits; the method is described here. A far easier approach is using a specific application such as the Mass Effect 2 Coalesced Editor for making changes.

Unlocking Weapons
You will insert a custom in-game command into Coalesced.ini and bind it to a key, allowing you to unlock a new weapon by pressing a button while playing. Say you want to unlock the Geth Pulse Rifle:
 * 1) Open   and find the   section under.
 * 2) Add the following setting:
 * 3) * If editing manually, add:
 * 4) * If using the Coalesced Editor, add a new setting, enter  for the setting name, and enter   into the empty field that was created.
 * 5) Start Mass Effect 2 and load a game. Press "1" on your numpad to unlock the Geth Pulse Rifle (you should get the standard upgrade notification box).
 * 6) You can remove the setting if you don't need to use the command again.

The same process can be applied to all other weapons; you can make new bindings or combine commands with the  (pipe) character.
 * To unlock all normal (upgrade) weapons, add:
 * To unlock all heavy weapons, add:
 * To unlock all special (Collector Ship) weapons, add: