What is the benefit of having played Mass Effect when playing Mass Effect 2?

I don't have the original Mass Effect though I'd like to play the newer, more awaited and praised Mass Effect 2.



In what way, aside from knowing the storyline, would having played Mass Effect help/better the experience of Mass Effect 2?What is the benefit of having played Mass Effect when playing Mass Effect 2?
Every important decision you made in Mass Effect will carry over into Mass Effect 2. Whatever people you let die in Mass Effect won't be coming back. Whether or not you chose to save the galactic council from obliteration will make a difference. Even a small thing like giving a guy and autograph or not will be coming back.



But even if you don't have a save game from the first Mass Effect, the developers have supposedly set it up in a way that will make it just as enjoyable without a save game transfer.What is the benefit of having played Mass Effect when playing Mass Effect 2?
The choices you make while playing Mass Effect will affect the entire game. If you beat the first Mass Effect when you start playing the 2nd one it will pick up on the choices you made in the first game and it will have an affect on the 2nd game aswell. You should play the first one just for the experience in playing a great game.