Mass Effect 2 Reviews
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Slashdot gives it a 9/10:
Mass Effect 2 is not without its flaws, but those flaws are minor and vastly outweighed by its strengths. The story is top-notch, and meticulously plotted and paced to be fun and interesting from the intense introduction to the foreboding yet flexible ending. It's great to see that BioWare was willing to take feedback to heart and make significant changes regardless of ME1's success. While the sequel doesn't seem as novel and innovative as the first game, it instead demonstrates a great deal of refinement and polish. I'll be looking forward to Mass Effect 3.
Big Download gives it a "Must Own" verdict:
Although there's a nice resource bonus given to players playing through for a second time or more, there's not much incentive to replay Mass Effect 2 other than to make opposite Paragon/Renegade decisions to prepare for part three and to check out some of the different endings. Even so, the story is very compelling and we loved the crew-centered side quests. Although it's not an especially deep role-playing game, it is an excellent action game that completely enraptured us and kept us playing.
FiringSquad gives it a 93%:
2010 is the year of the sequels, and Mass Effect 2 is setting the bar high. Even though I'm sad to see the role-playing elements were neutered, there is no doubt this game is an improvement over the first in almost every way. That's quite an achievement, considering ME1 is a great game in its own right. Let us hope that Bioshock 2, Supreme Commander 2, Assassin's Creed 2, and the like turn out the same way.
SFX360 gives it an 8.4/10:
Overall the second part of the Mass Effect trilogy really carries on the story very well. The action is much improved and fun. While BioWare did mess with things that probably weren't broke, they at least didn't break it. This does introduce a bit of a learning curve for even returning vets but nothing major. One thing that I would suggest is that if you never played the first game give it a shot first. This series is very much story driven and you would do yourself an injustice by not living the story from the beginning.
Hardcore Gamer gives it a perfect 5/5:
More importantly though, Mass Effect 2 is simply an amazing game from start to finish, regardless of the decisions you choose to make. There are few games that are as gripping, and even fewer still that put so much effort behind creating memorable characters that the player actually cares about, set against a believable world. The gameplay itself is fantastic, with its blend of RPG elements and tactics integrated nicely into its third-person shooter mechanics. When you take them all together, Mass Effect 2 becomes the crown jewel in Bioware's RPG crown, as a game epic in both its scope and quality, not to mention its status as one of the most compelling games the medium has to offer.
Geek doesn't give it a score:
It's hard for me to talk about Mass Effect 2 without slipping into overly enthusiastic, hyperbolic praise. Let me limit it to this, since I think it's important to this review: Mass Effect 2 might be my all-time favorite game. It blends its ideas beautifully, giving its broken-down components an individual air of excellence. When it's pieced together you end up with a colossal, phenomenal game with a rich, fleshed-out universe with so much to see and do that it's impossible to take it all in with just one play-through. Sure, you can play every mission, but wondering how radically different each situation pans out particularly the exhilarating, unexpected ending already has me starting another character, and planning the next three after that.
Terminal Gamer gives it a perfect 10/10:
Mass Effect 2 is what a sequel should be. It is superior to the first game in almost every way. And when the game it usurps is one of the greatest games of the generation, it speaks volumes to the achievements of Mass Effect 2. Mass Effect 2 is the greatest game I have ever played. It is a game that puts action and character development on equal footing. It features gut-wrenching decisions and there is nothing quite like knowing that the decisions you make will have consequences in the final game. Mass Effect 2 is a game that should be played by everyone. It is a game that sets the bar for what a game should be. Buy it now.
Nidzumi gives it a perfect 5/5:
Bioware have created a game that carries on the overarching story of the series very well, with a new darker tone to the missions and a more tongue in cheek approach to conversations and interactions. It sounds very cliché, but when you look at how great the game looks, how the sound accompanies the visual, how the story weaves in and out of situations, Bioware have their Empire Strikes Back.
Bullz-Eye gives it a 4.5/5:
The mass of effectual changes (you see what I did there?) has helped streamline the original's already arresting vision. Coupled with the amazing story, this will not only have you replaying (Mass Effect 2) multiple times to see all the different story variations, but it's sure to leave you thirsty for the third installment.
Misterrandom.net gives it a perfect 5/5:
While probably not quite as good as it is hyped to be, Mass Effect 2 is still a worthy successor to Mass Effect 1, with big improvements all round if you enjoy sci-fi action RPGs with depth then it is a must buy.
And The Examiner gives it a 9.5/10:
Even with the game not feeling like an RPG much anymore, BioWare has still crafted one of the best games of the generation. The more action-oriented gameplay provides a better look at the series, but if the depth of inventory management from the first game was left in place, they would have struck perfect in joining the two genres of action and RPG together. If Mass Effect was too slow and boring for you, then the fast-paced play-style of Mass Effect 2 will certainly please you. Mass Effect 2 is another BioWare masterpiece for the ages.
