A space epic that will blow your mind... (Come for the Explosions, Stay for the Alien Sex)
Mass Effect 2 is the second part of a trilogy brought to us from Bioware, a company best known for the Baldur's Gate and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series. The original Mass Effect (as those of you who are already familiar with the series know) was a fantastic game.
And the sequel is even better.
Before I even begin to break down this awesome game, I want to stress this is a must buy game. What? You need to know more than that? Fine. But I'm telling you--that previous sentence sums it all up.
Mass Effect 2 begins with you controlling Commander Shepard, who has been tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearance of complete human colonies. And for obvious reasons, this mission includes assembling a hardcore team of bad-asses from around the galaxy to find the evil behind this disappearance.
And the sequel is even better.
Before I even begin to break down this awesome game, I want to stress this is a must buy game. What? You need to know more than that? Fine. But I'm telling you--that previous sentence sums it all up.
Mass Effect 2 begins with you controlling Commander Shepard, who has been tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearance of complete human colonies. And for obvious reasons, this mission includes assembling a hardcore team of bad-asses from around the galaxy to find the evil behind this disappearance.
These events lead into an intriguing story which, like the first Mass Effect, gives you, the gamer, the power to make choices that affect how your game progresses. It is this formula that really makes this game shine. Mass Effect 2 has one the best stories ever done for a game, and what really makes this game special is the fact your decisions actually matter and really do personalize this game to each individual. Bioware's voice acting and cinematics really drive this game, and make you feel like you are navigating a movie. Only you're the one who decides which direction this movie takes. This personalization is the hallmark of this game. Everything else is frosting to a mean piece of cake.
Mass Effect 2 is a role-playing game, but it would be a disservice to classify it as purely a RPG. The action elements of the game are played like a standard first person shooter. This game play is not a clumsy add on, but carries serious weight. If you played Mass Effect, then you know what I am talking about--this is no button-mashing experience. And in this sequel, the shooter mechanics are even better than in the original. The game play has improved in many other areas as well. The cover system in Mass Effect 2 is very well done, and allows for the use of actual strategy--resulting in some serious fire fights to be played and enjoyed. In addition, you have a squad control system that incorporates an intelligent AI and is based on which members of your team you bring on your mission. (You get to choose two from a multiple roster.) The squad dynamic can change how you play your mission or handle a fire fight situation. Whom you choose to be on your immediate team also opens unique dialogue during certain situations which really adds to the game's atmosphere and nicely personalizes the combat and missions.
This game has plenty of content to add. It reminds me a lot of Jade Empire, one of Bioware's earliest games. (Which I didn't review, but would have earned four stars--the highest possible rating---despite the fact that its story was too short.) Oh, how Bioware has grown. This company has seem to just keep getting better. We're getting to the point where just knowing that a game has been created by Bioware is enough of a recommendation to buy it. Unlike Jade Empire, Mass Effect 2 has hours and hours of content. The main story is pretty heavy, but if you add all the little extras, side missions, and little hidden things you can discover (and then add the replay factor from simply being able to make different choices or to play as a different sex on the second go), you end up with hours and hours of content. I salute you Bioware.
This game has plenty of content to add. It reminds me a lot of Jade Empire, one of Bioware's earliest games. (Which I didn't review, but would have earned four stars--the highest possible rating---despite the fact that its story was too short.) Oh, how Bioware has grown. This company has seem to just keep getting better. We're getting to the point where just knowing that a game has been created by Bioware is enough of a recommendation to buy it. Unlike Jade Empire, Mass Effect 2 has hours and hours of content. The main story is pretty heavy, but if you add all the little extras, side missions, and little hidden things you can discover (and then add the replay factor from simply being able to make different choices or to play as a different sex on the second go), you end up with hours and hours of content. I salute you Bioware.
Ok, I am done kissing Bioware's ass. For now. But I still want to point out the one feature that I feel makes this game an all-time great. If you played Mass Effect (the first one) you will get the option to import that data into this version. This feature has blown me away. If you read other reviews, you know that Bioware has stressed this is a standalone game, and that you do not need to play the first one to enjoy it. And they are right, but I would highly recommend you pick up the first one if you haven't already, and finish it before starting this one. It will make this gaming experience even better. I have logged many hours into both the original and the sequel, and I can tell you that nothing is more satisfying than seeing my past game romance having an impact or having a side mission that I was involved have relevance. This is a first in gaming, and I really have to stress how well-executed it is and how much in enriches the game experience.
Summary and Rating
Ok, in case you skimmed my review--this is a must buy. You're not wasting your money here. However, if you're a serious gamer, and love to experience things to the full extent . . . and you missed the first Mass Effect . . . please give that one a whirl first. It will make this game even better.
Now onto the grade. . .
Production - ««««
Clean menu. An in-game Codex is not only handy but well done. Voice acting is very impressive with an all-star cast. Load times are good. Manual that comes with game is useful. Downloadable content is easy to apply.
Graphics - ««««
Graphics are top notch. This is one the most beautiful games made to date.
Sound - ««««
Music score really adds to the feel of this game. The voice acting is superb--the best I have seen in gaming period.
Play Control - «««
Play control is great. If you're a hard-core gamer, the first person shooter aspects of this game will be a breeze. The menu is easy to control. The squad-based tactics are implemented well, and the squad's AI is pretty good. If you're new to gaming, there will be a learning curve as this is one of the most advanced games.
Replay Value - ««««
I see myself playing through this 2-3 times--most people are going to want to complete this game at least twice. What's more, replaying it will give you the options to make different decisions, which really makes for a complete different experience. Incredible replay value--many, many hours of play.
Overall - ««««
This game is up for Game of the Year, and will be remembered as one the best games ever made. A must buy! Out now on XBOX 360 and PC.
Summary and Rating
Ok, in case you skimmed my review--this is a must buy. You're not wasting your money here. However, if you're a serious gamer, and love to experience things to the full extent . . . and you missed the first Mass Effect . . . please give that one a whirl first. It will make this game even better.
Now onto the grade. . .
Production - ««««
Clean menu. An in-game Codex is not only handy but well done. Voice acting is very impressive with an all-star cast. Load times are good. Manual that comes with game is useful. Downloadable content is easy to apply.
Graphics - ««««
Graphics are top notch. This is one the most beautiful games made to date.
Sound - ««««
Music score really adds to the feel of this game. The voice acting is superb--the best I have seen in gaming period.
Play Control - «««
Play control is great. If you're a hard-core gamer, the first person shooter aspects of this game will be a breeze. The menu is easy to control. The squad-based tactics are implemented well, and the squad's AI is pretty good. If you're new to gaming, there will be a learning curve as this is one of the most advanced games.
Replay Value - ««««
I see myself playing through this 2-3 times--most people are going to want to complete this game at least twice. What's more, replaying it will give you the options to make different decisions, which really makes for a complete different experience. Incredible replay value--many, many hours of play.
Overall - ««««
This game is up for Game of the Year, and will be remembered as one the best games ever made. A must buy! Out now on XBOX 360 and PC.