Mass Effect 2 Reviews
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Ten Ton Hammer gives it a 96/100:
In light of the overall level of polish on the game, many of the shortcomings I've mentioned here amount to nothing more than nitpicking, or areas I might have wished to see expanded. There is scant little that honestly detracts from the enjoyment of Mass Effect 2 to any significant degree. While some of the design choices might cool some people on replays for the sake of the gameplay, or exploring new classes and equipment as in other RPGs, there is as much replay value derived from exploring different story choice combinations across multiple games. Mass Effect 2, with its immersive story to experience, a vivid setting to explore, and great characters to meet, is an easy game to recommend to fans of RPGs. It is also one of the first great games of any genre released this year.
BioWare has easily earned the title of, "King of RPGs." I can't wait to see what they will do with Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Strategy Informer gives it a 9.8/10:
Mass Effect 2 stands out as not only one of the best sci-fi action titles around, it's one of the best games ever made, period. Accomplished enough to rub shoulders with the likes of Star Wars and Star Trek in the annals of sci-fi history, Mass Effect 2 is simply put, a work of unquestionable brilliance. Anyone who believes otherwise is a cold-hearted cynic. Regardless of whether you played the first game or not, Mass Effect 2 is completely and utterly indispensable.
Play.tm gives it a 97%:
ss Effect 2 is a work of unreserved genius that not only surpasses its predecessor in almost every conceivable department, but also deserves to be listed alongside the greatest science-fiction properties in any medium. The perfect blend of rich, lustrous visuals, an evocative soundtrack and pure gameplay quality make Mass Effect 2 without question one of the best games of this or any generation, and anyone who believes otherwise, is just plain wrong.
AtomicGamer gives it a 95%:
Mass Effect 2 is easily one of the most compelling, exciting and emotionally affecting interactive experiences you'll ever have. The only negative worth mentioning about the title and the series as a whole, is that now we have to wait another couple of years before playing the final installment.
Loading Reality gives it a perfect 5/5:
Overall, Mass Effect 2 is one of the greatest sequels to any game that has ever been released. Everything - from the improved combat system to the story to the graphics - is on the borderline of perfection. Sure, the game isn't perfect, and there were some things that would have been better if done differently (Load screens should be shorter; romance relationships aren't as interesting as they were in the first game). However, most of the simple and small complaints that some people may have about this game are easily overlooked. Simply put, I just can't deny the sheer awesomeness of this game. Even after the credits roll, you will come back to play again and again. Spend your $60 with confidence, my friends; you won't get an amazing experience like this for a very long time.
VG-Reloaded gives it a perfect 10/10:
Mass Effect 2 surpasses the original game with a great story, amazing characters, an amazing universe to explore, better combat and is a more enjoyable experience. It's as close to perfect as I could have wanted and I cannot wait for more DLC for an excuse just to play more. This is the best game of the year thus far and it's going to take a lot to top it.
Thunderbolt gives it a perfect 10/10:
Some may argue that Mass Effect 2 is dumbing down on its RPG elements for the masses, but it makes it a far better game over the long haul. The combat can easily compete with the best in a crowded shooter market, and the powers and tactics available elevate it to the top. The un-wieldy RPG mechanics have been stripped down for a much more accessible experience, allowing you to forget about sitting in dull menus and concentrate on the action. The fabulous storytelling, innovative dialogue system and impact of your choices remains in full force, and that's all you really need to make a great RPG: the actual role-playing. The commitment from Bioware in making this franchise the best it can be is astounding. With the praise the original received it would be easy to release more of the same, but they listened to the community and extensively improved on all of Mass Effect's faults and even refined and bettered the elements that were so amazing to begin with. Mass Effect 3 can't come soon enough.
Video Games Daily gives it a 9/10:
Mass Effect 2 succeeds ultimately on the strength of its world and BioWare have created one of the most beautiful, fantastical, consistent, comprehensive and coherent universes seen in science fiction, let alone video games. There is still some fat to be trimmed for Mass Effect 3 (the resource mining is a real grind and is far too slow and the disc juggling can be a little irritating) but ME2 is a shockingly improved sequel to an already brilliant game and shows that BioWare have no intention of slipping into lazy genre habits in their quest to push the medium forward.
LucidLAN gives it a 9/10:
All in all Mass Effect 2 is an amazing game and can be classified as one of the best RPG games you will ever get to play. It is fun, ultra addictive, has incredible re-playability, and has a unique charm that only Bioware is able to relay back to the gamer. With that being said one can wonder about whether some of the changes made were necessary as in making the game more streamlined and action oriented. The overall feel of the game is more in tune with that of a third person shooter with some RPG elements incorporated. Bring on Mass Effect 3!
And then Eurogamer offers some impressions of The Price of Revenge and Normandy Crash Site DLC:
The ship has been split into pieces, half-buried in the snow, and visiting each one triggers a particular memory - the sight of Pressly grimly considering some calculations, for instance - and perhaps reveals a half-working data-pad, still home to touching snippets of entries reflecting on the shifting multicultural views of the former crew who, as mentioned, are sadly not around to go all Lord of the Flies.
In fact, there's no combat at all - just a bit of wandering around, placing a memorial, and then collecting 20 dogtags. In a sense, then, it's a dull fetch-quest with a few haunting images. But another way to look at it is this: what better way to salute the memory of the original Mass Effect, than by roaming around a lifeless plateau searching for a large number of meaningless items?
