Rex - play all of Mass Effect. Yes, the combat in ME 1 is…lacking, but the story is great and it really helps to know all that happened, as well as know the characters who all come back in major roles throughout the rest of the series. 

And wow, I feel like I really haven't played anything when I read all the games that you played. I'm such a newb lol. 

As for a Co-GM'd chapter…as eager as I am to introduce another main character the next few months at work are going to be really busy. (Essentially March-May) But after that from June-August work will be a lot better, so if I can do my chapter in that time period it would probably be best for me.