Finishing this freakishly awesome game has just got me Jones-ing for ME3!
It's hard to articulately describe what a great and fun game this is to play. When I try to do so, my brain goes into incoherent "fanboy" mode, but I'll give it a go.
Everybody who has read the Gamespot review already knows about the updated graphics, simplified combat and new streamlined inventory. As cool as these things are, however, they're not what's best about the game (in my opinion).
Everyone also probably knows about the fascinating characters with whom the protagonist, Shepherd, can now interact. These personae are developed extremely well via unique side missions which you would definitely be advised to undertake if you wish to get the most out of your crew (and the game). As cool as these things are, however, they're not what's best about the game (in my opinion).
What I like best about the game is the ability to import your character from the first Mass Effect game. Your character's avatar will look almost exactly the same (except better), and the actions your character took and the choices made will have an effect on how people react to you in ME2. This greatly increases the immersion factor and make it feel as though you are playing one enormously huge game instead of several smaller ones.
If I had any complaint about the game, it would be that I have to wait until ME3's release before I can continue Shepherd's quest to save the universe. My solution: I'm going to create a new Shepherd and play all the way through ME and ME2 again, because I'm dying to see how making different choices in ME will affect the experience in ME2. *That's* what's best about the game (in my opinion).