Mass Effect 2 is out of this world good. A triumph of shooting and role-playing driven an epic story and characters.
Its easy to draw comparisons to another stellar sequel: The Empire Strikes Back. Both are middle stories in a large story arc. Both vastly and dramatically improve on the bold original ideas established in the chapter that preceded them. Each takes more time to delve into the feelings and development of its characters. Does Mass Effect 2 stand out in a universe of shooters and role playing games?
Gameplay
Bioware clearly has not rested on the success of the first Mass Effect. The most dramatic difference between game 1 and 2 is the controls. There is a noticeable shift in focus in the sequel. Where the original Mass Effect was heavy (almost cumbersome) with RPG elements and dangerously light on shooting controls, the follow-up has found a perfect blend of action and role-playing by streamlining its upgrade system and installing a top notch 3rd person shooting engine.
Mass Effect 2 (ME2) uses a tight and responsive cover system that takes advantage of the expansive terrain throughout the galaxy. Dropping behind a wall and peeking around to blow up advancing enemy forces is as good as other definitive 3rd person shooters. Teamwork is paramount. The basic structure of the game is to travel the universe in the SSV Normandy II (the fate of the first is explained in the story) and drop down to dozens of alien worlds to undertake a dazzling variety of mission types. Along the way you will adopt an all-star lineup of mercenaries, bioptics, scientists, technical wizards and love interests (wink wink). When undertaking a mission you get to select 2 lucky squad mates to assist you. Your choice can and does effect the result of some assignments. If you're going in to wipeout a legion of aggressive alien forces they you may want the heavy hitting Grunt at your side. Other times you might look for someone with Biotic powers to help you. During gameplay, a quick press of the bumper pauses time and reveals an "ability wheel" heads up display (hud). From this menu you can easily select specific actions for your squad mates to perform in the heat of attack. Using this hud is key to success in most firefights. Understanding what powers each ally has is vital to success when things inevitably get hectic.
Leveling up is a big part of role-playing games. Not only do story elements and relationships transcend the original chapter of Mass Effect, but so too do Commander Sheppard's abilities if you choose to import your character from the first game. This is another strong reinforcement for an ongoing narrative and continuity. As you progress through the campaign you and your teammates will acquire skill points that can be used to upgrade any number of abilities. Gone are the deep and confusing weapon and equipment upgrade screens from the first game. In its place is a simplified system where only your main skills and abilities can be customized. This simplification may irk some hardcore RPG fans who enjoyed the massive amount of behind the scenes tweaking you could do in ME1.
The other missing element from game 1 is the long and exhausting vehicle exploration missions. Thankfully these repetitive and dull lunar landing sequences are nowhere to be seen in the sequel. Instead you'll find a slightly less time consuming planetary survey mini-game. Upgrading your ship and equipment require specific resources. Part of your job is to scan planets for these materials by launching probes to the hotspots on each world. This facet of the game is a bit on the slow side. You will spend hours and hours looking for elusive "Element Zero" deposits to bring your power up to where it needs to be for the final assault. A faster method of scanning should be allowed via some kind of upgrade. Scanning gets dull very fast and only your dedication to upgrades will drive you to keep searching for what you need.
What sets Mass Effect 2 apart from virtually all other role-playing games is the way the characters are fleshed out and how the story unfolds. The incredible dialogue system from Mass Effect 1 returns but this time with the opportunity to take "actions" in addition words to affect conversations. The dialogue wheel lets you pick any number of response types which trigger a smart and emotive conversation system. Your behavior and attitude are what defines you in the Mass Effect universe. You can decide to play the game from a good or a rogue perspective. Your choices to save or not save people along the way will have implications down the road. Bioware has even gone so far to implement a complicated plot structure in which your Commander Sheppard and his crewmates can die in the line of duty. The box's tagline: "You are not expected to survive." illustrates this life and death philosophy to the game's design. It's this underlying threat that makes the story as dramatic and rewarding as it is. You really feel invested in the lives of your team above and beyond the success of each mission.
Mass Effect 2 is a near-perfect hybrid of RPG and 3rd person shooter driven by an epic story and vast universe to explore.
Gameplay = 9.5/10
Graphics
Not only does the successor to ME1 play better, but it also looks A LOT better too. The most striking difference between the 2 games is the variety and detail gifted to the planets you will visit. The Mass Effect universe is well, in a word: Massive. This time around the galaxies feel complete and authentic. No longer will you be dropping down to barren rocky spaces under different color filters and grainy weather effects. When you take on a mission to any one of the countless planets, each unique environment has been rendered with stunning detail and excellent level design. Variety keeps things fresh. You'll see everything from beautiful botanical planets, to bustling centers of commerce, to creepy alien lairs. Levels are fairly wide open and rendered with stunning detail. Each place emotes a very clear and distinct sensation and that is achieved through a wonderful retro sci-fi art style.
Within these worlds you will encounter a huge cast of alien races - all given a distinct personality and back story within the galaxy. Some are peace loving scientists and some are ruthless barbarians. The design of each race is very well conceived. Bioware's graphics are equally impressive when it comes to character models and animations. The crown achievement here is the facial animations which are highlighted when you are engaging in dialogue. Emotions are clearly expressed even if only subtle at times. These micro details are what help bring the expansive universe to life.
Gunfire and bioptic powers look great. Firing blasts of energy at your enemies can send them flying into the abyss of a canyon below. Reactions are expertly animated and look pretty realistic most of the time. Explosions are grand. All the polish you expect to see in today's best shooters is here in Mass Effect 2.
Between its blockbuster art style and excellent technical prowess, ME2 achieves an immersive visual universe unmatched in most of today's games. It's pretty as the best shooters and as expansive as the best RPGs. Mass Effect 2 is a truly remarkable body of work.
Graphics = 9.5/10.
Sound
The game's stellar dialogue system triggers some incredible audio performances. Each of the team mates that you collect along the way express themselves with lifelike emotion. Standouts include the volatile bounty hunter Zaeed Massani, the fast-talking wise-cracking scientist Mordin Solus, the cool marksman Garrus Vakarian and hyperspace hotty Miranda Lawson. Each of which articulate clear and heartfelt personalities under excellent audio conversations. No game to this day employs a better conversation engine and much of your experience will be though listening to the stories and tidbits you learn from your mates as the story unfolds and your relationships with them evolve. Each character either grows loyal to you or not depending on your actions. Their subsequent discourse changes depending on how they "feel" about you.
What strikes me is the way that each mission feels different based on the characters you decide to accompany you. Even playing the same mission twice, with different squad mates can result in very different conversations and revelations with other characters you meet along the way. It's this attention to detail and intelligent conversation engine that Bioware has put into Mass Effect 1 and 2 that propel your personal experience in the universe. Bioware has always done a great job with characters, and ME2 takes their unique strength to another level through a brilliant audio design.
Sound effects are well done as well. No matter where you are the game sounds like it should. When onboard the Normandy you'll hear the underlying rumble of the ships engines. When exploring a zero gravity environment the sound eerily disappears. The music is also excellent. A distinct electronic orchestral score, reminiscent of late 70s/80s science fiction movies, adds additional character throughout your encounter. The mysterious and sometimes dark tones in the music really help bring the unsettling atmosphere of Mass Effect's environments to life.
Sound = 9/10.
Overall
Call of Duty 4 took shooters to a new level by bridging the gap with role-playing games thanks to a deep customization/upgrade system. It's safe to say that Mass Effect 2 triumphs in doing the same with reverse-engineering. No game has achieved this perfect a blend and balance of action and role-playing. The shooting is excellent and is aided by the powerful character-ability hud that gives the game its distinct sci-fi feel. The graphics are excellent for a game of this scope. It sounds almost as good as it looks.
What really propels Mass Effect 2 into hyperspace is its compelling story and complex characters. You will feel engaged through most of your experience - save the unnecessarily slow planetary scanning stuff. There are no multiplayer modes which does hurt the longevity of the game once the campaign is complete. However, such a well told tale that lasts between 30 to 40 hours makes ME2 an excellent value as a single player event. Given that the story's dynamic outcome is resolved through your choices along the way, Mass Effect 2 does offer replayability if you option to make different decisions. A 2nd play-through can be just as fulfilling as the first, if only just to experiment on how different things can evolve based on your alternative behavior. The "Cerberus Network" is a free service in the game's menu that allow owners to download additional content and is a nice feather in Bioware's cap. It will be interesting to see how our decisions in ME2 will manifest in the trilogy's conclusion. Mass Effect 2 is a must play for Xbox360 owners. This is not only one of the years best games, but also one of the console's greatest achievements.
Final rating = 9.5/10