So I ordered Mass Effect 2 in the mail before Christmas. My little brother just got a 360 for Christmas as well. Is Mass Effect 1 a "must play" before playing Mass Effect 2 now that I have the option to buy it? Before Christmas, people told me I can just read a comic at the beginning of ME2.

And if so, the only problem I'm facing is I have NO money. Like 67 cents in my bank account broke. I'm kinda bummed out right now because I have the option to play what looks like a bad ass game (Mass Effect 2), but I don't have the first one. But I wasn't anticipating my brother getting a 360 for Christmas.

So, having no money, should I just say screw it and start playing Mass Effect 2?