Mass Effect 2 Reviews
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Giant Bomb gives it a perfect 5/5:
Mass Effect started with a huge stable of good ideas. Maybe the task of executing on all those ideas was too great for any one development team to accomplish in a single game, but BioWare has really gotten it right the second time around. They took those same ideas and figured out a better way to combine them into a more cohesive, more playable sequel that makes good on every bit of Mass Effect's potential and leaves me staring very grudgingly at the presumable two-year wait until my own Commander Shepard can continue his fight in the next game.
WorthPlaying gives it a 9.5/10:
Mass Effect 2 is an improvement over the original in almost every way. Bioware decided to focus more on the shooter aspect and less on the RPG aspect, but that streamlines the game and makes it significantly more enjoyable. Abilities and weapons are now almost universally useful, and players no longer have to feel like they've made a mistake by choosing the "wrong" power. The characters and plot are interesting, although perhaps a bit unsatisfying to those who were expecting more advancement to the Mass Effect trilogy's overarching plot. The visuals are top-notch and complemented by solid art design and terrific voice acting. Perhaps the only real complaint comes from the tedious galaxy exploration, which feels forced and unpolished compared to the rest of the title. RPG fans may also find themselves a bit out of their depth, as Mass Effect 2 plays like a shooter with RPG elements, instead of an RPG with shooter elements. With those complaints aside, Mass Effect 2 is just much more enjoyable. It's streamlined and simplified to the point where anyone can pick it up and play, while maintaining enough depth that there is more to do than aim at the enemy and shoot. RPG and shooter fans alike owe it to themselves to give Mass Effect 2 a shot. Even if you're not fond of shooter or RPG elements, the mix of the two is good enough that both groups should find something to like here.
Empire Online gives it a perfect 5/5:
Stunning to look at, a pleasure to play and impossible to put down, Mass Effect 2 is a defining moment in role-playing games and resets the bar for other RPGs that will follow in its wake.
Wonderwallweb gives it a 9.9/10:
Mass Effect 2 is everything a sci-fi fan could dream of, space battles, gripping stories and a little space romance. It has improved on what was already a great game. There are a few things that will be sadly missed (such as the Mako), but overall this game is an amazing experience and the first must have of 2010.
RPGamer gives it a perfect 5/5:
It says a lot that the only problem I had during my entire playthrough of Mass Effect 2 was with the planet scanning mini-game. I did experience some minor game crashes (on a Windows 7 PC with new hardware), and I got stuck in the environment during Jacob's story-mission (so be careful there), but Mass Effect 2's auto-save system works in such a way that I lost none of my progress. Mass Effect 2 can be completed in approximately thirty hours, though fully exploring the galaxy and completing all of its optional missions will tack on at least another ten. Those hours are filled with constant excitement, fun, and challenge, and the game has plenty of replay value through the character import system and a new game+ mode. BioWare made a great game with Mass Effect, but Mass Effect 2 is better in every single way. Mass Effect 2 proves that BioWare is one of the world's top game developers, and hopefully it will continue creating really great experiences like this forever. Mass Effect 2 is a masterpiece of both game design and story, and worthy of being in every RPGamer's collection.
Go! Gaming Giant gives it a perfect 10/10:
You see, there rarely comes a time when a game will do everything perfect. Usually there is some sort of faulty feature, something that mars the otherwise flawless game. I can sit here at my computer and tell you that Mass Effect 2 could indeed be the closest we as an industry have come to creating the perfect game. BioWare set 2010 off with a bang, and from what I have seen, game of the year prospects will have to step it up to top this amazing piece of entertainment.
TalkTalk gives it a perfect 10/10:
For many, the ultimate game is about freedom of choice and Mass Effect 2 goes a long way to fulfilling that aim. The first authentic 10-star game of 2010 and a very early hot favourite for game of the year. A work of art and a breed apart, Mass Effect is in full effect. Now if you'll excuse us, we've got planets to explore.
GameArena gives it a 9.5/10:
Some hardcore RPG fans will be disappointed by Mass Effect 2 - the higher focus on the shooter aspects of the first game and the streamlined nature of the combat might turn them away from the game. We'll call this their loss, because one thing is certain - Mass Effect 2 is the perfect blending of Shooter and RPG, mixing Gears of War style battles with one of the deepest, most immersive fictional universes in gaming history. It doesn't have as many stats to track or an inventory to fill but it is still very much a role playing game - and easily one of the best RPGs available on the market.
Digital Battle gives it a 9/10:
Mass Effect 2 is, like we said in the beginning of the review, a better game than its predecessor, which was already top notch. It's a lot more action packed, there's less cut scenes and item management and all that, and the overall feel and the story of the game is much darker. The visuals and the audio are close to perfect, and especially the art work is a lot better than before. Players also have the option of importing their character from Mass Effect 1, and continue from where they left off. Overall, Mass Effect 2 is the first entry to the 2010 game of the year (and it's only January), and it will satisfy any action RPG fan.
The Post Gazette gives it a perfect 4/4:
I became frustrated adjusting to some changes, and a better tutorial system should have been a must. Also, there are a few returning characters and countless references to "Mass Effect 1," so if you're not familiar with the first game, much of the story line may be lost on you.
Overall, "Mass Effect 2" joins the pantheon of modern RPGs as one of the top games in the genre.
VG Arabia gives it a 9.6/10:
Mass Effect 2 is one of the best games this generation and it really is a huge improvement over the original. The game looks great, plays great and has one of the most memorable stories in recent memory. This is a game you will playing multiple times because it's fun and because it has tons of replay value. I highly recommend that you play through the first game before diving into the sequel as you won't be enjoying the sequel as someone who did finish the first one. Mass Effect 2 is a masterpiece and I can't wait to see what Bioware is going to do with the final game in this excellent trilogy.
Tech Digest gives it a perfect 5/5:
Let's not beat around the intergalactic bush here: Mass Effect 2 is incredible, as polished and exciting a game as the many teaser trailers and previews have suggested. It takes the shiny sci-fi glitz of the first game, irons out its few problems and wraps it all in a story as dark and magnificent as the classic Empire Strikes Back. It still has a few minor problems, but rightly earns its place among the stars.
And Go Fanboy gives it a perfect 10/10:
All of this and I haven'˜t even touched on the different class systems. But there is a lot I skipped over. You want to know why? Because I want to get back to playing Mass Effect 2. And you will understand what I mean when you pick this one up. This game is the first game to earn a perfect score in 2010. The graphics have improved over the original, which for many was the only complaint. The sound and voice-acting is spot on. And the story will keep you busy for tens of hours worth of gameplay, not just hours. In case you haven't gotten what I mean yet, get this game. Mass Effect 2 is a must have for Xbox 360 fans.
