Exceeding all expectations, ME2 totally smokes
If youre an RPG fan, you will delight to the deeply immersive storyline that allows you to seek out as much or as little detail as you wish. And if its detail you want, they have loaded every scene with multifaceted plotline and character development sure to please even the most discriminating fiction devotee. If its action and gunplay that turn you on, rest assured that they have developed their combat maps as deeply as their storylines. Improved cover mechanics, more and better powers, and lifelike enemy AI make your romps through the highly detailed and well thought-out combat maps heart-pounding. You never have to find the red key to open the red door, or kill 6 badguys and deliver 9 crates to person x. Every "quest" is extremely story-driven, properly motivated, original and interesting --and always, always has a character hook. You may raid an enemy installation, but you'll do it because it means something to you or one of you numerous crew members.
Your starship is very functional now, much more then ME1, and you'll use its onboard features often. A fully realized galaxy map offers endless destinations and if you choose to hold off on the main plot, you can freely explore, mine for much needed resources, and get embroiled in the many detailed plots you will stumble upon along the way.
The grahics are truly beautiful, with rich vistas, astonishingly realistic characters, and fascinating locales. The voice cting is superb and populated with innumerable science fiction stars. The design is fluid, the controls intuitivie and non-obtrusive, and every moment is detail-rich. This game has definitely dotted every "i" an crossed every "T." You might watch a scene and say to yourself, "yeah but if he was gonna do that, then he wouldve done this!" and then a moment later...it happens. They truly have thought of everything and put it into the game. The amount of sheer content is impressive. I can't even think of a game currently that packs as much content, and detail, into its product. Bioware has just truly topped themselves. The care they put into this game shows every minute.
Want to make it even better? Import your character from ME 1 and ME2 will remember the story choices you'd made in ME1 and as you proceed through ME2 you will see their impact. If you haven't yet played ME1, play it first -I can't stress that enough. It isnt needed to play ME2, but not only will it enrich your ME2 experience all the more, it is a high quality prequel in its own right and should not be missed.
Graphics, story, combat, content, attention to detail, and quality: ME2 has it all and delivers the finest game on store shelves today.