I'm not sure why I have the intense urge to post this.
Also spoilers of the end of ME1 in this post. <_>

But I finished ME1 for the second time last night (woo). My first play-through I found REALLY hard and nearly unfun (because I played ME2 first for whatever reason and thought ME1 wasn't as good). However, on my second play-through, I apparently got a lot better at video games.

Anyway, why I'm posting this is simple: I went a really long time without dying. Sure, that doesn't sound like much...but it was the last two areas of the game. I started on Ilos and ran out into the area with two Geth Armatures and a bunch of non-giant Geth. Took out the normal-sized ones easily enough - but the two big guys kept running over to me AT THE SAME TIME. So not only was I fighting this giant-ass thing...but there were too that had the intense desire to touch me or whatever.

First time, I died. BUT on my second try, I went right through without even needing to use any medi-gel (I had Shep and Wrex maxed out in a few areas so their health regenerates, and Garrus just has a lot of shields to set-off the fact his health doesn't do that). So - that was nice. Not spectacular - but nice. Then I went through the next few areas and survived. Cue the run to the Conduit. Lived through that. Again - nothing impressive. Then came the Citadel.

The part when you have to cross this vast area that has three or four giant turrets with shields protecting them that want nothing more than to ruin your day. First play-through, this area took me like...a day. And it was luck.

This time, I just hung out by the beginning with my sniper riffle, and took out all the turrets, then simply got rid of the Geth while running through. I don't think I even got shot once.

So - at this point I'm proud that I haven't died once.

But then there's the boss battle with Saren/Sovereign coming. First time, I HATED that boss battle. The creepy inside-out Saren was just...hard to kill for me.

This time? Well - per usual - I talked Saren into braining himself. Then came the boss fight. It took me about three-to-five-minutes to reach the halfway point on his health (which cues a cut-movie of the progress of the fight outside). Then about four minutes to kill him.

No death.
No Unity used.
Normal difficulty.
One Medi-Gel used in the boss-fight.

I'm sorry, but I'm lightly proud of that.
Now - TO MASS EFFECT 2!...for the third time. >_>

Difficulty in ME1 is heavily based on how you upgrade your character. I easily went through Insanity with my level 60 soldier. He was basically a tank with a lot of health and a ton of shield. I used my assault rifle the most. It was the HMWA X(highest level Spectre assault rifle) with upgrades so I could fire forever without overheating. I also had my assault rifle skill maxxed out. I just tore through everyone.