The one feature we’re actually glad Bioware dropped from the first game is the Mako vehicle missions. Planetary exploration now takes the form of a planet-scanning mini-game, which you use to gather resources or uncover side-quests. Scanning every new planet does get a bit tedious, but it’s perfect for obsessive compulsive completionists or aspiring Science Officers of the Federation. The other two mini-games are used in-mission to uncover loot or unlock doors, and thankfully neither is too distracting.
Planetary exploration is rewarded with side-quests and seemingly random encounters. Whether it’s discovering a crashed starship or tracking the origins of corrupted AI code through several star systems, these side missions all feel unique and fresh. That said, there isn’t too much content that you ever feel overwhelmed; we easily accomplished 100% completion within 30 hours of play.
Main story and side-quests aside, it’s your personal choices that ultimate shape the gameplay experience of Mass Effect 2. While the main story follows a locked path, the theme of your journey ebbs and flows around the decisions you make—both in your own character’s development and the big picture. Some of the more difficult choices aren’t even apparent until you feel their consequences. Suffice to say, more than one squad member’s life is at stake. And we loved that these life-or-death decisions never felt arbitrary; your decisions are based on what you’ve learned about these characters and the how your relationship as developed with the team. Rush through conversations and you’ll miss out on important clues that would otherwise help you make the best informed decision.
The cost of your actions will reverberate beyond the climatic ending of the game, too. Just as imported save games from the first game have significant effects on how certain missions are scripted and play out in Mass Effect 2, the consequences of your choices here are compounded to shape the direction of the final act of the trilogy—a game development achievement that boggles the mind.
Mass Effect 2 sets a new high standard for action-RPGs. Whether you’re familiar with the Mass Effect mythology or not, it’s a gaming experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Fast-paced action; compelling characters; immersive story; rewarding integration of savegames.
Over-simplified equipment management; a few boss fight gimmicks.
americaeh
February 01, 2010 at 7:27pm
less elevators=AMAZING nuf said
sudo apt-get install windows 7
fry
January 27, 2010 at 10:52am
Just realized last night that I lost my ME1 saves.
So...I'm going to summon the willpower to play through the first game again before I start ME2. How quickly can I get through the original? Bets anyone?
Caboose
January 27, 2010 at 12:56pm
Hmmm... I'm going to bet, with no school/work, it'll take you 2.5 days to complete. IF you play non-stop!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
baGoGoodies111
January 27, 2010 at 10:50am
One note here that just surprised the hell out of me: "Please Insert Disc 2"
My jaw dropped when I saw that familiar phrase finally show up on a 360 game.
I Jedi
January 27, 2010 at 10:30am
I have only just started playing the game, but I already like it, and I cannot wait to play it some more today. Ha. Ha. I have to admit that the new control system isn't what I like because I much more appreciated the old way of doing things, but I can always just change the control settings, but the defaults I left the same in the old ME and were great.
ElderJefferson
January 27, 2010 at 8:39am
Loaded it last night, and downloaded the Cerberus material, some dude whose name begins with a Z, and some armor additions from the website.
Now once I finish my Soldier play through on Hardcore in ME1, I will transfer this tank into ME2 and whoop some serious buttocks.
festiva_man
January 27, 2010 at 12:46am
A review on a game that isn't 3 months old yet. Keep up the great work guys. ::thumbsup::
Caboose
January 26, 2010 at 3:31pm
THe programming for a game series like this one is unbelieveable! I wonder if this one will have little nods to Canada, the home of it's birth!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Adeptus_Mechanis
January 26, 2010 at 3:44pm
So we can meet characters like T. Hortons? Or perhaps we'll discover the crew of the C. N. Carrier? ;)
Caboose
January 26, 2010 at 4:12pm
Would actually be kinda funny if they did do something like that!
the Mass Effect series was written/developed here in Edmonton. The first ME had a number of nods towards Canada in it (so far the 2 that I've come across was the ship Ontario, and Lt. Kaiden Alenko`s parents retired to Vancouver BC. From what a friend who`s beat the first one a few times has told me, there are a few other suttle nods to Canada.
Following me here from TSC are you....
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Adeptus_Mechanis
January 26, 2010 at 6:35pm
Unfortunately I still have to work my way through Mass Effect so I haven't caught up to any of the Canadian nods yet. I do agree some props to the country would be awesome.
As for following you, I've been reading the Max PC website/mag for a good while now, I just started being an active poster/commenter a little while ago. Haven't heard from you much over on TSC lately, the 'really' stupid fish must be staying away from you... Lucky.
lien_meat
January 27, 2010 at 12:35am
You will probably like this one too. My friend got it the night it came
out (well 12am mon). He's been playing it pretty much all of today
(tuesday), and it's very much the same as far as interface, gameplay,
graphics, as the first. The game engine seems to be exactly the same,
not even sure if they enhanced it in any way, including the graphics, so
don't expect any super amazing new game features. There are new things
in the game and stuff...but it's kinda like an extension of the first
game more than an entire new game from what I could tell... But...if
you liked the first, you will like this one too, since they didn't try
to do any radical departure or anything (so far in the game that is).
Exile1340
January 27, 2010 at 9:17am
I'm not really sure if you know what your talking about. This game is by far superior to the first. The graphics are much improved over the first, Unless you are playing on low settings or on a SD TV or something. The interface is completly changed, the inventory is different, the leveling up system is different. O and not to mention the fps are much imiproved over the first, I haven't noticed any slow down at all. The game picks up almost exactly where the first left off which is why it feels like an extension of the first. There are many details added into the first game that the first just didn't have.
Caboose
January 26, 2010 at 3:09pm
I think you ment to put 2 years ago, for the release of the first mass effect. Towards the end of the first paragraph!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
nekollx
January 26, 2010 at 3:13pm
i think they were making a comparision to Dragon Age in that instance
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
Caboose
January 26, 2010 at 3:24pm
Ah...
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
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