The LV. Cap: Mass Effect 2 Review
Commander Shepard, the man the saved the galaxy once from the Reapers is back! Mass Effect 2 is here and it has some upgrades. An upgraded combat system, new ways to explore the galaxy, new characters, and much more. Michael ‘Rhodes’ O’Neal, Norman ‘Norm’ Rhodes, and Chris ‘Ace’ Pacheco made a squad to take down this review. Does Mass Effect 2 have the upgrades to pass its predecessor or does the fail?
Mass Effect 2
XBox 360 & PC
1 Player
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA Games
ESRB Rating: M For Mature
Price: $59.99
Pros:
Gameplay
Rhodes: Being a sequel of a highly successful game. there is not much room for improvement. However, Mass Effect 2 improves what was done so well with its predecessor to make a hell of a game. Such improvements from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2 make the game more streamlined and entertaining. This biggest improvement and coolest is that of the radial menu. This new improvement in the menu enables you to select several powers at once to unleash a barrage your enemies will soon not forget. It also enables you to combine devastating combos and powers. Sniping also has also had a huge overall done to it, no longer will you be sighted down your rifle to have it sway back and forth more than a swing set. Instead you have a more “realistic” feel to it that makes sniping more devastating than ever.
Norm: I like the new way of hacking in Mass Effect 2. Its a bit more challenging than having to press a bunch of buttons and then get the prize type thing. This pretty much makes you focus on what you’re doing a bit more than trying to complete a combination of button presses.
Ace: Gameplay got a giant upgrade from the first game. The way you scan planets and hacking were completely redone. There is no more MAKO (Thank you BioWare). Out of those upgrades, I believe that combat had the biggest upgrade. Instead of overheating weapons, your guns have ammo. Along with ammo, you now have access to heavy weapons like grenade launchers and missile launchers. These will definitely come in handy since you’ll be fighting tougher enemies. Combat itself is more fast pace and cover is your friend. If you don’t take cover, you WILL die. Also, there aren’t as many side missions as there were in the first Mass Effect. This is because you’ll have to do loyalty missions for each person that can join your squad. These missions add character development and you get to knows more about the character. Overall, the gameplay was upgraded and it was for the better.
Story
Norm: After playing through single player, the story was simply epic. Without spoiling the story for you guys and gals, there are decisions you make, and things you do, that make this story one of the best ways to start off the new year.
Ace: Mass Effect 2 is the second part of the three part epic and it does a great job continuing the story. Human colonies are disappearing and Shepard is the one man that can find out what’s happen. There are twists and turns that keep the story interesting and it’ss more engaging than the first Mass Effect’s story. It’s more cinematic than the first game as well, which adds to the story telling experience. The story is great and everyone will enjoy how it unfolds.
Customization
Rhodes: If there were one selling point to set Mass Effect 2 apart from other games on the market, it would be its “personalization.” Mass Effect 2 does a great job of involving YOU into the story and universe. It makes you feel like Han-Solo or Malcolm Reynolds kicking ass around the verse. Customization and interaction between other characters makes you feel as if you were in the game. There is so much involvement within the game you will be wishing that the Mass Effect universe existed so you can beat up a Krogan. The customization of Armor is also an interesting thing Bioware did with this game. Instead of finding random armors on mission to upgrade for yourself and your team, you instead have a set Alliance armor that you can customized with upgrades and different colors to better suit you and the situation at hand. These little additions make the game that more enjoyable that surely will be remembered by those who play.
Ace: Mass Effect 2 gives customization over how the story plays out in the game. You can decide to save people or kill people. Just like the first game, you’ll have paragon and renegade choices to make but there are now instant choices during cut scenes. You can choose to do a paragon action or renegade action during certain scenes. This adds more to the personal playing experience. Also, classes and your character is completely customizable. Your face, as well as your choices, can be transferred from your Mass Effect game save or you can create a different Shepard. Your armor can now be personalized as well. You can switch up the colors and equipment to your fitting. The game gives a great amount of customization and every bit of it is fantastic.
Cons:
Cover System
Rhodes: This is my biggest of all gripes about the game. Bioware means well by adding a cover system and by all means it is awesome but it has some serious issues. On numerous occasions, I have ran to cover to only jump over the cover, after being placed in it, and have my back exposed to be royally screwed by a raging Krogan. Sure its fine if it happens once or twice but when it more than a handful of times then it is annoying.
Norm: While unlike the other writers in this review, the go into cover and immediately jump over it thing didn’t happen until LATE in the game for me. However, the cover system is at least a little better, but still has its flaws. One is magically leaving cover during battles causing you to die. You don’t hit a button, you just magically stand up and boom, you’re dead.
Ace: This is the biggest con of the game, the cover system. You will need to take cover in Mass Effect 2 or you will die. Staying in cover is the hardest part of the cover system. Sometimes, you’ll vault over your cover accidentally and that will lead you to your death. They could have kept the old cover system but, the new system is a work in progress. Hopefully in Mass Effect 3, they’ll get it just right.
Graphic Glitches
Rhodes: Another problem with the game is the random graphic glitches that occur mostly during conversations or events. The first time I encountered this when I was in a conversation with someone and I see my teammate Miranda running back and forth in the background as if she was on a never ending walking platform. Although funny at times, it is very distracting when a serious situation is going on.
Husk/Abomination
Norm: These *bleep*rs are annoying as *bleep*. These are probably the only thing that I’m pretty much going to start comparing to the flood from Halo. Then again, its probably my frustration talking.
Planet Exploration
Ace: I like what they did with planet exploration but, it’s pretty damn boring. You’ll be mining for minerals to make upgrades for your guns/characters or looking for side missions. This can take a long time and you will get bored probing planets for the minerals. Not sure if they could have done anything to spice up the exploration more but, who knows.
Verdict:
Rhodes: 2010 is going to the be yet another year of blockbuster titles and crappy games. Luckily for us, Mass Effect 2 is an amazing way to start off the year. If you are looking to kick some interstellar ass and have a fun time, buy this game. It will leave you wanting more and more after your first play through.
Norm: You have an epic story that will keep you focused on this game, good gameplay and a game that pretty much shows why BioWare are one of the best developers in the game today. I say you go out and buy this game, and never look back!
Ace: Mass Effect 2 is a hell of a start for 2010. The epic story and fast pace combat really make this game shine. If you played through the first Mass Effect or you need a new RPG/shooter to play, Mass Effect 2 will surely keep you busy. Go out and buy this sucka now!
