Having just completed a play through of the above mentioned game, I thought I would share my thoughts and reflections of the game with the readers that have stopped by and read my blog thus far. The game clocks in around 40hrs if you have gone to do all the side missions available and the trust missions of the characters. I got about 43hours out of it with the launch DLC quests and character (Zaeed). Also I should note that I will attempt to make this review as spoiler free as possible, just going over the mechanics, gameplay, and graphics of the game.
Mass Effect 2 continues the story of Commander Sheperd and his quest to stop the Reapers. The events of the game take place some 2 years after the first game, and the galaxy seemingly at peace. However, not all is well as a new threat has emerged that Sheperd must stop. This new threat is a race of alien beings called the “Collectors.” Commander Sheperd must find a way to stop them before they wipe out all life in the known galaxy.
To start, the game is much improved over the first game in many areas, and some areas they streamlined several of the systems. Gone is the inventory management of the first game, replaced with a weapons load out before the start of each mission. You can also edit the load out of each character at any point as long as you are back on the Normandy. Throughout missions and exploration of hub areas you will find upgrades that are necessary to not only improving your equipment, but also Sheperd and his fellow crew members.
Exploration of other planets was a major portion of the first Mass Effect. Though many of the environments in the first game were repetitious and somewhat annoying as you had to drive some long distances in a vehicle just to get to some warehouse or enemy base that looked like every other environment that you had been on in some other planet. Mass Effect 2 does away with this by replacing the exploration with a planet scanner, helping you collect resources to improved your upgrades and finding places to land and complete side quests.
Another one of the streamlined areas is the leveling system, and how you gain experience. You can no longer gain experience points by killing enemies. Instead, you gain experience simply by completing missions and side quests that you acquire through the course of the game. At first, I was a little apprehensive with this approach, because it limits the amount of experience and how many levels you can gain. However I found that Bioware did an excellent job balancing the experience you would gain from missions. If you want those extra levels though, I would recommend seeking out as many side quests as you can. Also, when you gain levels, you are given a certain number of points to distribute to different skills and attributes. Again this has been streamlined by the number areas in which you can put the points.
The graphics of the game are much improved over the first Mass Effect. In the first game, it appeared that the graphics engine was not all well optimized for the game, as textures would often pop in, and come into focus in many areas, particularly in the Citadel. Also load times were a bit of an issue, as they masked many of the loading sections of the game with a mandatory elevator ride. In Mass Effect 2, the graphics load in without a hitch. Many of the sections have been replaced with a loading screen of some kind when traveling between areas or when you are on the Normandy.
Where the first Mass Effect had issues with its shooter mechanics, Mass Effect 2 is much better in the handling of everything. I cannot quite explain it, but it seems they took a few cues from Gears of War 2 when improving upon the shooting and fighting in the game.
Final Thoughts:
I was greatly impressed with the game, and was glad to have played it. Everything, and I mean everything that they could have fixed or improved, Bioware did. I don't think I could have asked for a better game.
Should I Play or Not?
PLAY this game.
Hunt well Sheperd!
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