Since Mass Effect 3 is nearing and the only game I'm getting in the next couple weeks is Soul Calibur 5, I figured I would take the time to post one of my older reviews that I have done for anyone who hasn't picked it up yet. Mass Effect 2. (MILD SPOILERS AHEAD, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED)
When I think of Mass Effect 2, the first thing that comes to mind is holy sh*t. Sorry for the swears, but this game deserves it. I dabbled in Mass Effect 1, and had fun, but felt it wasn't anything I needed to play. ME 2 comes along and I think, "Oh, why not. I'll give it a whirl." I have never been happier. Mass Effect 2 is huge, it's engrossing, and above all else, it is fun.
Graphically, Mass Effect 2 is spectacular. The PS3 version specifically looks fantastic. The environments are beautiful, the character models are amazing, and the amount of detail put into everything is beyond what I could have hoped for. I played as both male and female Shepard and both looked fantastic. The way the characters are modeled makes you feel like you are having conversations with living beings. Minus some occasional lip-syncing goof ups. I noticed next to no pop in or texture issues. There were some random strangely placed load places, but that's only a minor thing.
The sound design is spot on. Characters sound like you think they would. The voice work is fantastic. The actors seemed to feel like they were truly part of the world they are helping to build. Both actors for Shepard did a great job voicing the character and the supporting cast does their jobs 110% of the way. Musically the game is pretty good too. The clubs on the different planets have some nice up-beat dance tunes, and the dramatic pieces set the mood perfectly as you playthrough your missions. I applaud the sound team.
Finally, the important part, gameplay. There were some tweaks from Mass Effect 1 and I assure you they are for the better. The ammo system has been overhauled and you have ammo now instead of heat. The clips for your guns are universal upon pickup, but each weapon is independently counted so if you run out of ammo for one weapon, you have plenty of ammo for your other guns. This game feels much more action based than the previous entry, but again, that isn't exactly a bad thing. The fighting feels much more tightened and commanding your squad while toggling your powers is very simple to do with the controller. Throwing your powers can be tricky at times, but are also very rewarding when they hit. The game lets you fight each battle the way you want to fight it and your squad selection is key to winning. You are still captain of a team of three people and can pick teammates to compliment your abilities. Conversely, you can pick a team that is identical to you and have essential clones running the battlefield. Each playthrough has potential to be completely different from the others.
The PS3 version of the game offers an interactive comic to playthrough to make six key decisions from the first game that impact the world in your second. Playing through the second game keeps track of almost everything that you do so you can carry over your changes into the third entry. Here's the thing though, if you aren't careful, (!!!!!SPOILER!!!!!) your entire team can be killed. Or nobody will die, or anything in between. (END SPOILERS) There are fewer, almost no driving sequences in this game and the elevator loading sequences from the first game are replaced by actual loading screens. As you play you gain levels and can spend points to get new abilities for both yourself and your teammates. Once you unlock the top tier powers, your team becomes a virtually indestructible trident of doom for your enemies.
A final note on gameplay, the conversation wheel that Bioware is so fond of makes a return in Mass Effect 2. The conversations with the NPCs range from boring and unimportant, to important, to hilarious, to sad, to sexy. You can occasionally gain quests, research upgrades, or money if you follow the right paths in your conversations. Relationships are back and stronger than ever and (SPOILER ALERT) nearly always end in a sexy rumpus between you and the other person (END SPOILERS)
Overall, Mass Effect 2 is easily one of the best I have ever played. I encourage everyone to pick this up and give it a try. Please, do yourselves a favor and get this. 10/10 Play it.
(End of review)
I wrote this one over a year ago, and it still stands true. This is hands down one of my favorite games EVER and I hope you all play it and love it. See You Online.
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