Mass Effect 2 Review

Mass Effect 2 is an action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. It was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 on January 26, 2010, and for PlayStation 3 on January 18, 2011. Mass Effect 2 is a sequel to the original Mass Effect and the second main game in the Mass Effect series.

The game is set within the Milky Way galaxy during the 22nd century and again follows Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier who must recruit and gain the loyalty of a diverse team in order to defeat an insect-like species called the Collectors in a suicide mission.

Bioware knows a good thing when it sees it, and Mass Effect is widely considered one of the best western RPGs in recent history. Mass Effect 2 attempts to continue the same amazing experience that the first one began, and succeeds admirably.

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Story

Mass Effect 2 is the continuing story of Commander Shepard, the player’s character in the first game. As a sequel, its first and primary task is to surpass the original. Many sequels simply fail to live up to the original because they were made with money in mind. Bioware averts this terrible tragedy by delivering a powerful experience that expands and improves upon the first one in every single way.

Presentation

Mass Effect 2 is beautiful and delivers a distinct cinematic experience. Talking head scenes are mostly gone, replaced with action sequences and direction that could be found in a Hollywood summer blockbuster.

A new addition to the game makes even cut-scenes interactive – Paragon and Renegade interrupts. Pressing the appropriate button when the prompt comes up during a scene allows the player to change the course of a scene. A mild interrogation becomes a savage beating, and a death scene becomes one of healing. Not all scenes have the interrupts, but the ones that do are memorable.

Graphics

Despite using the same engine as ME1, Mass Effect 2 brings greatly improved visuals to the table. The graphics are crisp, sharp, and detailed. Each set of armor is lovingly detailed. A good example of how much care went into its graphics can be found in a new Krogan character, Grunt. His head scale isn’t a solid mass of armor yet – instead, it is made out of little plates. Casual or hurried gamers may miss this little detail, but it remains a testament to the love and care given to the graphics of Mass Effect 2.

Sound

Sound is an important part of immersion, and Bioware clearly understands that. Not only does it bring back the stellar cast and crew of the first game, but it enhances it by adding a few amazing actors. “Chuck’s” Yvonne Strahovski and the legendary Martin Sheen join the cast, but are handled so well that they do not overshadow the main cast. Instead, they enhance the experience. Yvonn Strahovski handles herself beautiful as the conflicted Miranda Lawson, and Martin Sheen’s distinctive voice underscores the Illusive Man’s incredible power and position.

Gameplay

Mass Effect 1’s combat, while addictive, was sluggish at times. The AI did not demand the best from the player. Things have changed, largely due to how biotics interact with shields and barriers. Biotic powers such as warp and lift no longer affect enemies with active shields and barriers, instead dealing a small amount of damage until their defences are stripped. This forces players to go beyond spamming biotics. Party composition must be carefully chosen to maximize combat effectiveness.

Lasting Appeal

Due to spoilers, readers should not learn why it’s eminently playable – but it is, far more than ME1. Where the first Mass Effect limited the way a player could affect the ending, Mass Effect 2 embodies the spirit of reaping what the player sows. If the player ignores certain side-quests, death rates can skyrocket, even among party members. If the player takes too long to get to the final dungeon, deaths can accumulate. This is not a kind game, by any means. No one is safe – and that is where the appeal comes.

Anyone can die – and the save can still get carried over to the third and supposedly last game in the series. There are so many scenarios possible that the mind races at the possibilities. What happens in a game where Tali and Garrus have fallen, leaving Shepard to continue the fight against the Reapers with complete strangers? What happens is Shepard alienates all of his or her former allies?

Bioware’s ambition cannot be faulted. The game itself is fantastic and worthy of anyone’s attention. It’s faster, leaner, meaner, and better than the original. It brings so much to the table and promises so much for the third game that it can be difficult to believe that they could ever live up to the hype. Telling the story of one character through three games while carrying the consequences of his or her choices is a staggering move, both in terms of story and programming.

Gamers should not forget history. Bioware has done something similar in Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights. History says that they’ve done it before – and history often repeats itself.

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