Definitely deserves better than a 9.0 in my opinion GameSpot. Quite different than 1st but is better in most ways...
User Rating: 10 | Mass Effect 2 X360
Playing Mass Effect 1 I never thought the series would become a serious 3rd person shooter but it really has. For me games are all about how much fun, how entertaining, and how immersive they are, and it is all those things. It really is one of those games you have to pull yourself away from to go eat and get some sleep. I was a little concerned when I first got it because it doesn't give you the options that say... Dragon Age or Fallout 3 does when it comes to the skills and attributes of your avatar. Basically whichever class you choose (biotic, adept, etc.) you only have a few skills to upgrade so your character doesn't seem all that "original" I guess, but actually it plays amazingly. Between the skills you do have to play with and the new combat system it doesn't even matter. It ends up being a much better combat experience than MassEffect1 (in my opinion anyway). The inventory is gone as well, and with it went all the different items you could gather up, but in its place they decided to have upgrades for everything so you do get to better your items and characters as you go. I replayed ME1 at least five times and certain missions really felt like a chore to redo, especially the planet exploration ones, but I get the feeling I won't feel that way with several replays of ME2 just because how fluid and fun it is (except maybe the planet scanning). It really is the perfect game for those of us that love both RPG's and FPS'. For the record I'm not an over exaggerating 360 fanboy, I own a ps3 as well and up till a few days ago I mainly played the ps3 over the last 4 months, so I have played the best that both systems have to offer and this game is the real deal. ME2 is a huge game and there really is way to much to write about so you will have to trust me when I say you will not regret spending $60 on this game... seriously check it out ;) so worth it 
