Mass Effect 2 Reviews

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Written by BuckGB on February 1st, 2010

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Mass Effect 2 is a superb adventure, a deep gameplay experience, action packed and stuffed full of amazing vistas, If you own an Xbox 360 you have to buy this game. It's every bit the the smart, sexy, thrilling, moving, funny, tense game we hoped it would be.

Mass Effect 2 has delivered on the promise of the original game and then some. Its yet another benchmark in videogame storytelling and its a perfect example of how that story can be married successfully to solid gameplay mechanics.

Thanks to a massive galaxy, huge amount of missions and every changing dialogue options there is also huge amount of replay value in Mass Effect 2. As mentioned above, the cut scenes are excellent and throughout the graphics are very impressive but we did find the script a little lacking in places and the conversation options occasionally seemed un-natural or forced but this is the only real negative aspect in the entire game. Given the scope of Mass Effect 2 this is understandable and it never comes close to ruining what is a fantastic gaming experience.

If you didn't play the original Mass Effect you won't be at a disadvantage, but if you did, all you need to know is that this is better. BioWare has achieved the rather improbable feat of preserving the story- and character-driven heart of the original while making the tactical and shooter elements work much better. What's more, the background texture "popping" that was a flaw in the first game has completely gone. Mass Effect 2 is a pure visual treat, even in its more frenetic moments. And fans of the first game will be delighted to know that the Mako all-terrain vehicle has gone too, so no more aimless trundling across barren moons.

Since it was officially announced, my interest leading to ME2's launch was palpable. As a huge fan of the first game, I had big expectations for the second chapter. Now that I've completed the game, it left me wanting more. My interest in seeing how all this will end will be an interminable, painful (!) but exciting waiting period that hopefully won't be long. Like I've mentioned earlier, it is very hard for a developer to outdo itself after delivering such an amazing game but I'm glad Bioware knows how.

Even though it's only January, we may be looking at a game of the year contender already. The graphics are amazing, the universe is alive and the characters have great personality. Add in great gameplay, a huge amount of places to explore and the promise of DLC, and you have a top tier game. A must have game for 360 owners, and a game that non-system owners should at least go out of their way to try.

In the end, you'll find a title that you don't want to put down, that you want to finish in one sitting even though you should've gone to sleep three hours ago. Considering that Bioware continues to up the ante as the game goes on without having to sacrifice anything in the process, for an enduring 40-hour epic, is simply outstanding. Sure, there are a few graphical glitches that could cause you to stand on the ceiling or the sound could get cut out for a moment or two, and hardcore fans of the first Mass Effect might be cringing at some of the combat changes, but the end product's positives outweigh the tiny negatives by a huge advantage. There's action, strategy, resource manage, and the best storytelling that gaming has to offer. It doesn't matter if you're into RPGs, or Action games, or any other kind of games really. Mass Effect 2 is, without a doubt, something that everybody should enjoy, and already a strong case for 2010's Game of the Year.

Mass Effect 2's main story and game design doesn't hit the mark fully until you go through the Omega 4 Relay and enter the Collector base. This is the only time when the full team you've assembled actually acts as a team and it's the first time you see more than 3-4 together in a room during a cinematic. The purpose is finally revealed for why you have a small army (as opposed to leaving everyone on the ship to do nothing while fighting only with two wingmen). By then it was far too little too late and it certainly wasn't enough to make me forget the vast majority of the first 40 hours.

Mass Effect is one of the best RPG's of this generation and BioWare could've used its exact same mechanics with ME2 and still raked in praise; the story by itself makes each installment in the series worthy of acclaim. However, the developers took an axe to the awkward features of the first game and crafted a sequel that's extremely accessible in spite of its depth. When a dev team's that willing to make bold changes to a proven formula, you can't help but be excited for the next chapter. Let the Mass Effect 3 hype season begin.

Trust is always a central question; placing trust in some teammates requires conscious force of will. While learning the background of a brilliant but quasi-genocidal ally, for instance, you might be unable to suppress a surge of revulsion. It's initially easy to play Shepard as the anything-to-get-the-job-done hard-ass, but interactions with NPCs will test your ability to remain in character. Great role-playing uses unpredictable situations to provoke unexpected responses in players, and accordingly, Mass Effect 2 is surprising time and again.

Overall, "Mass Effect" is sophisticated, thought-provoking science fiction that makes "Avatar" look simple-minded. So soon after last year's "Dragon Age: Origins," it confirms the status of the BioWare team as the best storytellers in video games.

Bioware has delivered everything they have promised with Mass Effect 2, and then some. It's difficult to fathom that Bioware can possibly outdo themselves again for the third game, but they've proven that they can go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to our expectations. The game still isn't for everyone. If you're particularly adverse to games heavy on conversation then Mass Effect 2 may not be your cup of tea, and some may consider the gameplay to be a step back from the first game. At the end of the day, though, Mass Effect 2 is stunningly beautiful, excellently crafted, and is an absolutely thrilling experience from beginning to end.

Mass Effect 2 is nothing short of an accomplishment; not just in the video game world but in media proper. With its incredible narrative, deeply satisfying combat and limitless possibilities; it would be nothing short of criminal not to own Mass Effect 2, yes it's that good. Ladies and gentlemen we have our first entry for 2010's Game of the Year.

What can I say besides Mass Effect 2 was amazing! If skipping work to play this game all day was an option, you bet your ass I would have been all over that!. All in all, the game-play is much more fun than the first game. There are no repetitious sidequests, the graphics have taken a step up, the story is truly immersive and I really cared about every single character. What's great is that you can play your character however you want. In terms of Dungeons and Dragons alignments, I'd have to say my Shepherd was Chaotic Good. I always do the right thing and am for the most part compassionate, but I do it my way, whether or not the law agrees with it. How will you play your Shepherd? Let me know below!

Due to all of these reasons and more Mass Effect 2 is a worthy successor to the original, and whilst it's a surprise to see the legends of hardcore RPG developers BioWare take a step away from the RPG and into the third-person shooter; it's one that will appeal to a far larger audience and when it's at this level of brilliance - everyone should be lucky enough to enjoy it. Game of the year 2010 already? Perhaps.

When you eventually see what ending you and your crew have to face, you'll be motivated to delve right back into it, correcting mistakes, taking new actions, and seeing what else you can do to affect the outcome. More than anything, I feel a little awkward at the potential for Mass Effect 3. Having to replay both games just to make sure all my actions and success carries over to that. A challenge, but I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. There's still more than enough content left in the game to keep anyone busy. Mass Effect 2 is easily Bioware's most ambitious and spectacular game to date. It takes the best from the first and fine tunes it for the sequel. Although it may take a bit more getting used to for some, once that initial step is taken, the improvements become abundantly clear. See you in another two years Commander Shepard.

By the time Mass Effect 2 comes to a close, at least 20 hours after you began, you'll have been on a whirlwind ride. The riveting storyline and intriguing cast of characters make this easily Bioware's best work to date, and by extension, probably the finest RPG the west has produced, even if its RPG trappings are lighter than those of its predecessor. But couple that with the thrilling combat that gives other cover-based shooters a run for their money and you have a rare masterpiece, a game that, like Uncharted 2, blends multiple genres together in a way that enhances them all. None of that will matter while you're playing it, however, because you'll be so engrossed in the utterly compelling adventure.

There's not much else to say about the game. Mass Effect 2 is a thrill from beginning to end. It will slake your thirst for more after playing #1, and it will leave you wanting for #3. This game improves upon the last in leaps and bounds and ends up delivering a stellar experience with each play through. Be mindful of your decisions my readers, for they WILL matter in Mass Effect 3.

And what a story this is from the mysterious chain-smoking Illusive Man who plays a vital role in humankind's survival to the layers of treachery and political manoeuvring by the various alien races. Dazzling, absorbing, thrilling this is sci-fi supreme.

So what is a role playing game? In a way, all games are role-playing games. Most of the roles, however, are on a linear journey and defined by another person (or group of people). So is the answer at the opposite end of the spectrum? The silent protagonist leaves too many variables. The only emotion they feel or inject into their personality is all in your head. Yes, it's defined by you, but for the most part you're doing all the work beforehand, looking at your many options, evaluating them, and then making an educated decision. So does it need numbers? Certainly there's a place for that, but at the end of the day, as far as a shooter is concerned, a headshot should be a headshot. Mass Effect 2 strikes that perfect middle ground. What BioWare does is create a world and a story outline, then they give it to you and let you write the actual plot and fill in all the blanks. Mass Effect 2 delivers the ability to create your own personal narrative, guided and structured, almost invisibly, by a bunch of professional writers, delivered by professional actors, in a beautiful, exciting world created by professional artists, made by possible by professional programmers. It's the chance to make your own blockbuster without doing any of the heavy lifting.

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