By: Drew Sykes
Introduction
Mass Effect 2 is the long anticipated sequel to the Mass Effect trilogy. There have been many changes to the series, are they the right changes?
Gameplay
Mass Effect 2 - Gameplay
A lot has been changed since Mass Effect 1 and almost all of it is extremely positive. While some hardcore RPG fans may be a little upset that Mass Effect 2 is more of a shooter this time around it is most definitely still a true RPG. In fact, Mass Effect 2 is one of the best genre molding games ever created. The inventory system has been completely done away with and it works quite well. While you won’t be getting new weapons from every fallen enemy, there is a great arsenal at your disposal including new weapon types such as machine pistols, SMGs, and most noticeably the new heavy weapons like the grenade launcher or my personal favorite the Collector particle beam cannon. All the new weapons function incredibly well. Mass Effect 2 also brings in the regenerating health system which drastically changes the way the game plays but it works out well. Medi-gel now heals fallen comrades but rarely is it used as you are more likely to die than your teammates are. Ammo has also been introduced to replace the over-heating mechanic from the first game. While the ammo system can be frustrating as it is sometimes quite limiting, the game is better for it as it encourages the use of multiple weapons and tactics and emphasizes battlefield management instead of an all out shooting rampage.
Mass Effect 2 - Taking Cover
The weakest gameplay element is the cover system that at its best works fairly well. There are times where it can be difficult to jump over objects and overall it just needs more polish. The dialogue system works as good as ever with slightly more interactivity this time. Biotic and tech powers have been given a boost in power and versatility. There are a variety of new powers as well but the catch is that once you use a power, any power at all, you cannot use any others for about 5 to 10 seconds. This is the most annoying part of the game, but again it adds to the challenge. The difficulty is much higher in Mass Effect 2 versus the original. The game has a tendency to make you think a battle is over but more and more waves march on, and it can be overwhelming. There is also the addition of ammunition types though it feels like more could have been done with this gameplay addition. The game clocks in anywhere from 15 to 30 hours providing much more substance and depth than the first game.
Story
Mass Effect 2 - Tali
This is where Mass Effect 2 truly shines. Not since Bioshock has a game been so thematically consistent and powerfully told. Not only is the main storyline interesting and engaging but each and every side quest seems like it could be a short novel. There are moments of genuine emotion and you learn more about each character through their actions rather than dialogue. When the developers say they are investigating what it means to be human Mass Effect’s story they mean it. It takes a careful eye, but almost every important interaction is really a probing of finding out what makes us human. Whether its the tragic genetic modification story of Miranda, or the animal inside us in Grunt, every step of the way Mass Effect 2 is engaging how humanity functions. There is even a mission that is a short retelling of Lord of the Flies and the main storyline is a parable of American war policy. Put simply, Mass Effect 2 ranks among some of the best science fiction tales ever conceived including masterpieces like Bladerunner. This aspect alone combined with the gameplay changes is enough to warrant multiple game of the year awards.
Graphics
Mass Effect 2 - Geth
Mass Effect 2 on the whole is a remarkably stunning visual experience. It has its strengths and weaknesses and the textures sometimes seem dated but this is not laziness. The amount of behind the scenes work, especially if you import a saved file, is tremendous and the size of the entire universe guarantees Mass Effect 2 will have some problems. This makes it all the more impressive how good the graphics are. Animations have been beefed up and made more realistic and some player models are simply breathtaking. The facial expressions especially have grown so much that there are times when you completely believe there is a real person experiencing a real emotion in-game. For the amount of content in Mass Effect 2 it is a miracle it holds together so smoothly. If that weren’t enough, the vistas have become more detailed and each planet is unique, no more in door space camps that all look the same. There are new weather effects and the overall art style is lovingly catered to. The Mass Effect series deserves all the comparisons to Star Wars and Star Trek with its amazing quality and imagination.
Replay Value
Mass Effect 2 - The Illusive Man
Mass Effect 2 has a very strong replay value in that each experience is different. The amount of choices are too many to count and the new ability to import a saved file can completely change the course of the events that unfold. There are six classes to choose from and either male or female Shepard all leading to a vastly different game each and every time. There will undoubtedly be loads of downloadable content as well thanks to the new Cerberus network where there is already a new character waiting to join the team to fight for the lost.
Conclusion
What we liked:
- Upgrading weapons
- Incredible story
- Refined gameplay
- New biotic powers
- Cast of characters
- Graphics have noticeable improvements
What we didn’t like:
- The weird veins onscreen when you are close to dying
- Cover system needs a little work
- Charge is not a very good power…
- Craving just a little more RPG mechanics
Amazon: Mass Effect 2 (PC/Xbox 360)
Final Score
9.8/10
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:34 pm
I take credit for the sick screenshots (shame they are low-res to preserve bandwidth).
You’re welcome – I’m here all week.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:57 am
At first I was a bit skeptical of the changes, but since BioWare hasn’t let me down yet, I pre-ordered the game a few weeks ago. I have since beat it once, and if it weren’t for school, would have beaten if a few more times
It’s easily one of the best games I’ve played in a very long time.