"Mass Effect 2" not only continues BioWare's history of delivering robust, enthralling RPGs, but stands as the most compelling story the developer has ever told.
Before I tell you why "Mass Effect 2" is very likely the best video game you'll play all year, there are a couple of things you need to know.
First, if you haven't played the original "Mass Effect," don't let that stop you from trying "Mass Effect 2." Sure, you'll probably get a little more out of the sequel if you're familiar with the characters going in, but developer BioWare did a fantastic job crafting a game that can stand on its own legs.
And second, if you played the original "Mass Effect" and didn't particularly care for it, especially the combat, rest assured that "Mass Effect 2" is light-years ahead of its predecessor in terms of gunplay. Considering I was one of those who were critical of the first game's action sequences, that's not a statement I make lightly.
Now with that bit of housekeeping out of the way, it's time to talk about what makes "Mass Effect 2" one of the most compelling RPGs I've ever had the pleasure to experience.
"Mass Effect 2" picks up approximately two years after the events of the first game, and the galaxy is once again in peril. You assume the role of Commander Shepard and, if you played "Mass Effect" and still have access to your game save, you can import your Shepard into "ME2." There are tangible benefits to doing this, as many of the choices you made in the first game have a direct impact on events in the sequel. If you don't have a character to import, you'll create your Shepard from scratch.
Either way, along with customizing your character's appearance, you'll also choose one of six character classes, each of which offers a unique experience. Want to run-and-gun? Choose the soldier. Prefer to attack your foes with biotic powers? Pick the adept. Want to use a stealth approach to combat? Go with the infiltrator.
Regardless of how you approach combat, the experience itself is greatly improved over the original "Mass Effect." In fact, it feels remarkably similar to another Microsoft console exclusive, "Gears of War." You'll move in and out of cover, popping up to take shots at the enemy or unleash your biotic powers. You can sprint and vault into cover, fire weapons without worrying about them overheating, and maneuver your squadmates into tactical positions on the battlefield.
Speaking of squadmates, your AI comrades acquit themselves much better this time around. They are smarter and more aware of their surroundings, taking cover when needed. Though you can still pause the action and issue commands to your teammates, I found that, at least on the default difficulty setting, I could leave alone and not have to worry about them getting themselves killed. The radial wheel menu system used to issue squad commands and swap weapons from the first game returns, though it has been made easier to navigate.
In addition to combat, other notable improvements include eliminating boring side missions and speeding up the loading process. The exploration part of the game has also been tweaked as you no longer have to waste time landing on barren, empty planets with no reward. You will scan planets in search of minerals you need to upgrade your weapons and gear.
Before I tell you why "Mass Effect 2" is very likely the best video game you'll play all year, there are a couple of things you need to know.
First, if you haven't played the original "Mass Effect," don't let that stop you from trying "Mass Effect 2." Sure, you'll probably get a little more out of the sequel if you're familiar with the characters going in, but developer BioWare did a fantastic job crafting a game that can stand on its own legs.
And second, if you played the original "Mass Effect" and didn't particularly care for it, especially the combat, rest assured that "Mass Effect 2" is light-years ahead of its predecessor in terms of gunplay. Considering I was one of those who were critical of the first game's action sequences, that's not a statement I make lightly.
Now with that bit of housekeeping out of the way, it's time to talk about what makes "Mass Effect 2" one of the most compelling RPGs I've ever had the pleasure to experience.
"Mass Effect 2" picks up approximately two years after the events of the first game, and the galaxy is once again in peril. You assume the role of Commander Shepard and, if you played "Mass Effect" and still have access to your game save, you can import your Shepard into "ME2." There are tangible benefits to doing this, as many of the choices you made in the first game have a direct impact on events in the sequel. If you don't have a character to import, you'll create your Shepard from scratch.
Either way, along with customizing your character's appearance, you'll also choose one of six character classes, each of which offers a unique experience. Want to run-and-gun? Choose the soldier. Prefer to attack your foes with biotic powers? Pick the adept. Want to use a stealth approach to combat? Go with the infiltrator.
Regardless of how you approach combat, the experience itself is greatly improved over the original "Mass Effect." In fact, it feels remarkably similar to another Microsoft console exclusive, "Gears of War." You'll move in and out of cover, popping up to take shots at the enemy or unleash your biotic powers. You can sprint and vault into cover, fire weapons without worrying about them overheating, and maneuver your squadmates into tactical positions on the battlefield.
Speaking of squadmates, your AI comrades acquit themselves much better this time around. They are smarter and more aware of their surroundings, taking cover when needed. Though you can still pause the action and issue commands to your teammates, I found that, at least on the default difficulty setting, I could leave alone and not have to worry about them getting themselves killed. The radial wheel menu system used to issue squad commands and swap weapons from the first game returns, though it has been made easier to navigate.
In addition to combat, other notable improvements include eliminating boring side missions and speeding up the loading process. The exploration part of the game has also been tweaked as you no longer have to waste time landing on barren, empty planets with no reward. You will scan planets in search of minerals you need to upgrade your weapons and gear.
If you've played any of BioWare's other role-playing games like "Knights of the Old Republic" or "Dragon Age," you no doubt know what to expect in terms of storytelling. "Mass Effect 2" not only continues BioWare's history of delivering robust, enthralling RPGs, but stands as the most compelling story the developer has ever told. The narrative is grand in scale and dark in tone. I'm not going to get into specifics with regard to the story, but it grabs you in the early stages and doesn't let up for the remainder of the 40-plus hours you'll invest. The first 6-10 hours are among the most captivating I've played, and things just get better from there.
The characters are deeply layered, with their own desires and motivations. Interacting with these characters, and the dramatic way conversations are presented, is one of the highlights of "Mass Effect 2." Cinematic camera angles and professionaly delivered dialogue allows the game to jump off the screen and draws you into Shepard's world. New to "ME2" is the ability to interrupt certain dialogue moments and influence the conversation depending on your standing as either a Paragon or Renegade.
"Mass Effect 2" is one of those once-in-a-generation titles that gamers will be talking about for years to come, an epic sci-fi adventure that excels in every way imaginable. From sound and graphics to gameplay and story, BioWare has again raised the bar for role-playing games. If you own an Xbox 360, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up.
"Mass Effect 2"
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Available for: Xbox 360 ($59.99); PC ($49.99)
Rating: M for mature
Score: 10/10
