The same guy who gave Sims 3 9.0 gave ME2 9.0? Give me a break. One of the best RPGs of all time.
There hasn't been this type of degree of true role playing in a set of sequels before. I actually feel like my Shepard is real based off of the actions I've made. Stuff from Mass Effect 1 actually impacts parts of the story significantly.
I won't spoil anything else, I'm not even going to mention the little details like being able to shoot cups off tables in this one. I'm mainly wanted to throw my two cents in and say it's much better than a 9.0. It's better than Dragon Age, much better than Borderlands, and no, it's not mostly a shooter. The way people were talking, I was thinking it was going to be a Gears of War type RPG (which wouldn't have been bad). It plays almost exactly like the original Mass Effect, except for the fact it works better. You can do things like shoot your enemies in the leg to slow them down. And I don't know what people call being less of an RPG. Some of the side quest don't even involve shooting. At least not by you. It's way more story driven and they try to make the choices you make in conversation count, not just make them a novelty. This is revolutionary on that front. When it comes to level design, it's top notch. The Presidium was beautiful, but I put off playing ME1 for months because some of the levels were too effing big. It'll take you an hour just to find all the keepers. No more crap like that, but the game is still just as interactive. Having finished ME1 again last week. I have no idea what people are talking about.
This is the game I've been waiting for. Aside from early Squaresoft RPGs I haven't had this much fun with an RPG. Perhaps not playing the first game could diminish the effect somewhat for some.
I wonder if Gamespot's score is political. Maybe they're trying to speak out against the DLC system or something. Who knows.
After a complete run through, I can say I'm not only thoroughly satisfied, I feel like I want more. Like I wish Mass Effect 3 was out now, or more DLC. The ending was good, but it was Empire Strikes Back good. They didn't lie to you, there is a Mass Effect 3. The first one didn't have the luxury of leaving some loose ends. Now don't get me wrong, the ending is great. Hugely epic. It just doesn't close out everything. You still wonder where the Illusive man is, if you can trust him etc.
This was one of the best games I've ever played. The whole game lived and breath and makes other games seem like they just weren't trying in comparison. Like a grown man sitting at the kids table. Now, I grew to care for some of the characters, but I did feel like they did that for not such a noble reason. The game starts to end as soon as you collect your crew. *Possible Spoiler Begin* There is alot of emphasis on whether or not your crew lives or dies. A suicide mission really does sum it up.*Spoiler End* This in no way takes away from the game. It's Hollywood quality. It just couldn't grab a tear out of me.
What would satisfy me is some DLC that adds maybe another 10 or 20 hours to ME2 so I can enjoy this crew, then let me at ME3.
I first played through as a bad ass black chick Shepard, now I'm going to play through as default nice guy Shepard to F**k Miranda.