The new installment in the series is great, but dosen't play to its strengths.
User Rating: 7 | Mass Effect 2 X360
Obviously this review is purely subjective. Mass effect 2 arrived in January and I was very eager to play it. I played the first at least 3 times just to explore the different paragon and renegade options. As an rpg, it was fantastic. The same cannot be said for the sequel. I know the inventory system was clunky and annoying, but taking it out completely did not solve the problem in the slightest for me. You now can only choose from a few guns. I liked the original so much because of all the cool loot you can get from different enemies, making for deeper customization for your characters. Combat is more streamlined and focused on cover and shoot mechanics like most third person shooters. MANY and i mean many people like the second better because of this. To me, story development was the strength of the first. The shooting and story in this game is great, but I never felt the need to replay it. The ending, no matter how it plays out, just didn't resolve the conflict as well as the first. Mako driving sections are out, which is great because they were always annoying. Difficulty seemed to be toned down as I beat it on veteran no problem on my first play through. Insanity is a challenge but not as much as you would expect. Overall, the developers chose accessibility over substance. Sure its a darker more violent chapter in the series, but it seems that the game has lost its magic. That being said I hope these issues are addressed in the third mass effect, but I somehow doubt it. 
