Massively good game

“Mass Effect 2” is a masterpiece. Bioware outdid themselves when they designed and developed this game.

Offering the option to import characters from the original “Mass Effect”, Bioware has successfully created a semi-persistent world where players will feel that their choices matter.

Introduction Scene

Unlike the opening scene of the Star Wars Trilogy with the scrolling text, the semi-playable opening scene of “Mass Effect 2” was breathtaking, mind numbing and overwhelming for me.

The beautifully rendered graphics aside, the intense and fast paced action of the first ten minutes sets the pace and tension that is to be persistent throughout the game.

Like me, other players of the original “Mass Effect” will find that the introduction to the second game will have a very strong impact as the “Normandy” makes a cameo appearance here before being blown into smithereens.

As I took control of Commander Shepard during the opening scene, the sudden transition from chaotic explosions into the cold empty silence of space with the vista of a planet hanging overhead blew my mind away.

Running up the once-beautiful and ever so familiar stairways to the bridge of “Normandy,” the explosions and raging fires laid waste to the one place Shepard (and I) called home in “Mass Effect.”

And without warning, silence drowned out everything else. All I could hear was the harsh breathing coming from Shepard as he took a step out into the bridge.

A gaping hole replaced the roof, with the beautiful vista of a planet looming overhead.
My mind was still at awe at the sudden transition, and the powerful impact of the scene, when Shepard was literally blown away and killed.

It is with the death of Shepard from “Mass Effect” that the sequel, “Mass Effect 2” begins.

Storyline

Continuing from where the original left off, the insidious threat of a superior mechanical race called “The Reapers” once again return. Though this time instead of taking to the stage, it acts as more of a puppeteer.

“The Reapers” maintain a presence without revealing itself at all.

The opening scene was superb. It was how the simple death was presented that made it spectacular, and that was not to be the only one in the game.

Throughout the game, such spectacular scenes and vistas are part and parcel of the storyline. The side quests are also more closely tied to the main storyline than in the original “Mass Effect.”

Players that brought over their character from “Mass Effect” will find that their actions there play a very significant role.

While new characters (from “Mass Effect 2”) and imported characters (“Mass Effect 1”) will still follow the same storyline, character interactions and certain options are drastically different or restricted depending on choices made in the previous game.

The game can easily last anywhere between 10-30 hours, but it’s best to be taken in bite-sized sessions to fully appreciate the beauty and intricacies of the game.

Bioware created a beautiful and believable world. Don’t waste it by rushing through it.

While “Mass Effect 2” is spectacular on its own, I would strongly suggest – no, even insist, that for those that can afford a copy of “Mass Effect” to at least finish a playthrough of the original first.

Enjoy the equally great storyline of “Mass Effect” and the consequences of choices made in it will show clearly and distinctly in “Mass Effect 2.”

Gameplay

“Mass Effect” was not sure which genre it should fall under, an RPG or a third person shooter. “Mass Effect 2” still dances along those lines, but it does a much better job of blending the two genres together.

The lackluster and mild shooting experience that dogged “Mass Effect” has been upped in many ways in the sequel.

Bioware replaced the cooldown feature of the weapons, replacing it with more traditional ammo counts, lending to it a more realistic feel.

The combat generally feels much tighter. Weapons have a more distinctive sound and feel to it, and the firefights have quadrupled in intensity. Smaller areas, faster pace, better artificial intelligence.

The RPG aspect of the game has also been changed. Characters have fewer skills to learn, but the skills now have a more active role in the game.

Something that they removed in “Mass Effect 2” however is the ability to land on planets and do random explorations. Instead, now they have players “scan” planets and probe for rare minerals through a small, but tedious, mini game.

While enjoyable at first the mini-game of scanning and probing takes a long time and gets very dull after a short while. The only motivation to do so is the upgrades that it unlocks. But even so, exploring each and every planet manually becomes a very tedious labor.

The game generally feels like a very tight and intense third person shooter, streamlined with RPG elements that enhance the story.

It does enough to feel like a great shooter, but also stays away from feeling like a mindless “Duck and fire!” game like “Gears of War.”

Conclusion

The replay value of the game is undeniably high. Actions, large or small, from “Mass Effect” carry over and affect the world in minor but meaningful ways.

Actions in “Mass Effect 2” affect the game even more so, with many multiple endings ranging from the death of every crew member and team member of the game, to everyone being safe. Add to that equation the political and moral choices that are made, there’s really no single way to “finish” the game.

Not to be forgotten is that actions and consequences will be carried over to “Mass Effect 3.”

The game is just, simply put, a spectacular piece of art.

Out for the Xbox 360 and PC, “Mass Effect 2” retails for $60 and $50 respectively. GoGamer.com is offering “Mass Effect 2” at $39.90 for a limited time only.