It's here, finally. January and February are packed full of highly anticipated releases such as Army of 2, Bioshock 2, Dante's Inferno and the one I've been most eager to get my hands on: Mass Effect 2.
Firstly, in this review I won't focus on the plot of the game too much because I don't want to give away any spoilers or characters who may or may not return in this one.
Essentially, ME 2 picks up right where the first one left off. Shepard and the crew of the Normandy are traveling through the galaxy attempting to purge all the remaining Geth after the attack on the citadel by Sovereign. During this time they are suddenly attacked by an enormous ship that blasts the Normady to pieces causing those who survived the attack to be jettisoned into space in escape pods while Shepard attempts to rescue the remaining crew who are trapped in the flames inside the Normandy. After some dialogue and some action choices, Shepard saves the last crew member but has to sacrifice himself as he gets tossed into space and floats towards a nearby planet.
Does he die, is he alive?
I'm not saying what happens I'll let you pick this up and find out for yourself. (Obviously he lives...but it's not that simple)
Much like Assassins Creed II, Mass Effect 2 takes its predecessor - which was a great game but not without its flaws - and builds upon the things that not only were annoying and didn't work but the things that very much did work.
Bioware has greatly improved ME2's combat system, making headshots, cover and squad management much more effective and fluent. The clunky inventory system has also been streamlined. In ME 1 you had to go into you inventory and make numerous and time consuming choices for every character, from not only what weapon they would use but what type of amo, armor, elemental attachments and even bullet types would be used. ME 2 has done away with this approach and gone with a system that is much more simplistic and effective. You are given a base selection of weapons which are shared by the entire team according to what type of character they are - certain characters can only use certain weapons. These weapons can be upgraded by scientific research throughout the game and before every mission you are given the choice of which weapons you want each team member to wield. It's simple and effortless. Additional upgrades include biotic bonuses, shield improvements and damage multipliers as well as some seriously bad ass sniper rifles, black hole launching power weapons that can all be easily unlocked through the Normandy's research tech lab. Not to mention if you look hard enough through the levels you'll be able to find and pick up some enemy tech that will unlock their weapons. Bioware has truly focused on separating the wheat from the chaff with Mass Effect 2.
Although they have done a brilliant job at cutting away the things that didn't work in the first game, there are some addition in Mass Effect 2 that I could have done without.
One of the biggest complaints from gamers after playing the first Mass Effect was the cumbersome and time consuming gameplay that took place while driving around in the Mako tank.
Good news - the Mako is gone and you no longer have to land on a planet and drive around trying to discover objectives and hidden treasures. Bad news. Bioware has decided to implement a new system for acquiring rare minerals, which you will need if you plan on taking advantage of the tech lab and research on the Normandy to get your hands on those bad ass weapons and abilities I mentioned above.
Instead of just scanning an entire planet with the simple push of the Y button in the first game, you are now forced to move a reticle over the entire surface of planets while a radar scanner detects areas that are high in potential minerals. Once the radar shows a blip or spike on the screen, you have to launch a probe down to the planets surface in order to pick up the minerals. This is by far the most annoying and time consuming process in the entire game and it will drive you nuts. Although I will admit at times it does become strangely addictive.
Another big complaint about the first ME was the incredibly boring and lengthy elevator rides. Well they're gone, thankfully. Replaced by proper loading screens that actually show you traveling to your destination, be it aboard the Normandy or taking a taxi while inside the Citadel.
Exploration and the galaxy map have also had a pleasing polish from the first game. There are less planets that you can actually land on in ME2 but the refined galaxy still allows you to manually fly the Normandy through the stars as you explore star clusters and systems that may not be part of your main story line unlocking side missions and secret items.
The Paragon/Renegade morality system is still in place, and not much has changed in that respect. Although I will say if you haven't played the first Mass Effect, you really should spend some time getting through it because a large portion of the options and storyline are very much intertwined with the choices and decisions you made in the first game. Bioware allows you to import your character from the first ME so that you can continue the journey you began with all the same settings, including class, appearance, and power set. Now, that's not to say you can't pick up Mass Effect 2 and enjoy its insanely rich and engrossing dialogue, storyline, and epic cinematic cut scenes. But if you're looking to get the most out of Mass Effect 2, it really is essential that you play through the first game.
In addition, not only do the choices you made during the first game effect the story of Mass Effect 2, but as your playing through this game, keep in mind the choices and actions you take during the second game...will effect you in the 3rd and upcoming game.
One addition Bioware added in ME2's dialogue system is the ability to press either the LT button or RT button during a cutscene while other characters are talking. This will allow Shepard or other team members to preform paragon or renegade actions that will drastically effect the storyline. Do you shoot a groveling low life on Omega or let him live knowing that your choice may come back to haunt you later one in the game?
Some impressive and noteworthy changes from the first game is the much improved character AI. The new systems offers a much richer and supportive team that make if feel like you don't have to spend so much time directing your team members while in heavy gunfire. The support AI is more robust and characters will move around, go into cover, use their biotics and special weapons without you having to bring up the command options. It makes the gameplay all the more fluent and effective.
The cast. All of the crew from Mass Effect 1 is back in some way or another, I can't get into that without giving away spoilers but there is also a slew of new additions that are available and each character has a deep and rich storyline with complex and engaging dialogue. Mass Effect 2 truly is bigger and better in so many ways.
Not to mention the voice over work done by some predominant Hollywood heavy-weights. Most notably being Martin Sheen doing to v/o for The Illusive Man. Joining him is Canadian hottie and Battle Star Galactica vet Trisha Helfer who does the voice of EDI the Normandy's AI system. As well as a number of others including: Keith David, Seth Green, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Adam Baldwin, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yvonne Strahovski and many more.
I could go on and on about this game but I'll try and sum it up and end this thing, I know you've got better things to do.
It's epic.
It's a 2 discer coming in around 30-40 hrs of gameplay, which can easily be more depending on how in depth you want to get. Its rich environments, impressive visuals and gameplay make Mass Effect 2 one of the best, if not the best game you will play in 2010. A lot of critics have bashed it, claiming its plot and story are nothing more than a derivative rip-off, mash up of Star Trek and StarWars. To which I can only respond.
So what?
There is very little in the sci-fi realm that isn't in some way or another associated with either of those universes and I enjoy both, so I therefore greatly enjoy the universe and characters that Mass Effect has created.
One of the best features of Mass Effect 2 is its repeat play and diversity.
Being on my 2nd go-through, as well as talking to friends while playing through the first time, the experiences differ and vary greatly. No two playthroughs promise to be the same and with the option to choose multiple power sets and classes, Mass Effect 2 really delivers as much bang for your buck as you can ask for in a game.
Alright, I know it’s been on your mind the whole time and you’ve been eagerly wondering if Bioware brought it back? The answer is yes. There is still the option to get some crazy alien ass. I can’t promise and it hasn’t happened on my 1st time through, but I’m almost certain you can not only sleep with another character in the game, but sleep with multiple characters. I’m not talking manage et toi but I think, or at least some of the other characters are giving me the strong vibe that even after bedding one character you can move on and whore yourself out to the rest of the crew. Giggidy giddidy goo!
Or I could be completely wrong and the choices and impressions I get from fake women could be just as bad as the ones I get from real women...I'm so loney.
Recommendation: Must have.
Rating: 9.5/10
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