While people complain about the inventory and RPG elements taken away, I just find it way more realistic.
As you probably know, Commander Sheperd and his team are the first people to ever take one on and destroy and reaper named "Sovereign". Anything else I will be spoiling to much.
While people complain that the inventory and RPG elements were taken away, they are seriously contradicting themselves. Bioware has listened and done what people have asked for in ME2, such as taking away the bleak vehicle levels. In the long run, you might save time if you scan the planets instead of exploring a pretty plain planet and just searching for minerals as you did in Mass Effect 1. As far as the inventory, it's as realistic as you can get. In most RPGs, including a lot of Bioware's, you take in countless items. Where in the world does he keep them? In his shoes? Does Jack Bauer take in 27 pistols into battle? Does Darth Vader carry 13 lightsabers with him at a time?
In the inventory, you set up what you want before you leave on a mission. They have taken out loot and finding gear, which is indeed disappointing. But you find upgrades and you can buy new armor pieces which sends them to your ship.
And with that, I wish that you could find loot, but it just sends it to your ship.
But yeah, you don't take 300 items out on a mission, it's all in your ship. I'm done talking about this which everyone complained about...
Visuals:
While the character models could definitely be better, they still look great. Lip movement could obviously be better, that is if you've seen it. The illusive man always seem to look incredibly realistic as well, whether it's a cutscene or not.
Planets look pretty incredible, Illium especially. The buildings and landscapes are gorgeous as heck. You'll stare if you have a thing for awesome visuals like me. Honestly, the graphics are some of the best on the 360 I think...
Soundtrack:
If I had to put it in one word....brilliant. It could not be better. It sounds futuristic, yet breathtaking at times. The music playing when you scanning planets is nothing really super special, but it just sounds awesome. When you unlock soundtracks throughout the game, you can play them in your private quarters through a...a....thing. It's by your bed, can't miss it.
Exploration:
It could definitely be better, such as exploring the citadel. And landing on more planets would also be better. I am a little bit disappointed with the exploration, but I'm not sad or thinking it's bad enough to take off points for it. Instead of landing on planets with your Mako, you scan them....and then you scan some more. Which is kinda a big issue to a lot of people, but it isn't so bad in my opinion. The areas aren't as open, such as the citadel, and the levels are as big. I like it, but I hope it's better in Mass Effect 3.
Gameplay:
Pretty awesome, it definitely improved from the last one. Combat is faster paced and strategic, such as flanking your enemies and such. The biotics are a lot of fun, combinations between party members and you are a lot of fun to pull of, such as lifting someone, then pushing them off a cliff with a member with that ability.
Re-playability:
I'll just put it this way, you can import you character from the end of your first game and start a new game with all your gear...plus you can pick up some new stuff with a second gameplay. Your even encouraged to play it over since there is an achievement for beating it twice.
RP in the RPG:
What I mean in this is, the ability to make the decisions in the game. A lot of people think of gear and leveling up when they think of RPGs. In every conversation, you can choose whether to be a flat out jerk, or a nice guy. Depending on your choice, you'll get paragon or renegade points, which unlocks new conversation options to persuade people.
Also, you can get very close to your characters....very close(in bed close).
You can make friends with you comrades, and really get to know them, which is awesome. At the end of the game, your characters can die. Depending on if you have their loyalty or if you choose the right people, they won't die. But when they do, it can be emotional and sad. But it is certainly not as emotional as the first.
All in all, the galaxy is HUGE. The characters are AWESOME with spectacular voice acting, if you watch a lot of anime, you may recognize some voices. The story is incredible, the soundtrack is wonderful, the exploration is MEH. And this game definitely lived up to my expectations.
It keeps the RP in RPG in my book, whether people disagree or now.
I'm done now...sorry for the long-ass review.