More than just a sci-fi shooter.

User Rating: 10 | Mass Effect 2 X360
In terms of great games, very few are as deserving of a game of the year award. When I was told about the massive success of Mass Effect, I didn't know what to think. I usually never get around to games that win so many awards. It happened with God of War 3 and Modern Warfare 2 and as soon as I played those games I immediately regretted it. Imagine my surprise when I put Mass Effect 2 into my system and started playing until I looked at the clock again at 3 AM. Mass Effect 2 could not have been put together more perfectly into one of the greatest games around today.

SPOILER ALERT

The game tells the story of Commander Shepard who is killed in the destruction of his ship and revived by a supposedly evil corporation called Cerberus. In return for bringing him back to life, Cerberus asks that Shepard help them discover what is causing the disappearances of entire human settlements all across the galaxy. along the way Shepard and two Cerberus agents, Miranda and Jacob, discover that a mysterious alien race known as the Collectors have been kidnapping the people of the colonies. Along the way Shepard meets up with old friends and meets some new faces along the way. In order to stop the oncoming threat Shepard must put together an elite team of specialists who's skills are needed to infiltrate and destroy the Collector homeworld. The team consists of the likes of a fast talking lizard like scientist, a cold and calculating reptilian assassin, a savage killing machine born in a lab, an escaped convict with biotic powers, and many more. With the help of this team Shepard must put together the pieces of the Colectors reasons for kidnapping humans.

The customization options are some of the best I've seen from a console game. You can create the hero that best suits you from options that range personal appearance, weapons c.l.a.s.s and special abilities through a c.l.a.s.s system that presents you with several c.l.a.s.ses each with their own perks and downsides. Which you pick is up to you. For instance, the soldier c.l.a.s.s gives you access to every weapon type in the game, but you are unable to use any special powers that are available to the other c.l.a.s.ses.

Aside from weapons and powers, you have the power to give Shepard a special relationship with the character of your choice. You must talk to them frequently and take their side in arguements. If you are successful then you will be shown a special cutscene that is exclusive to the character you are having a relationship with.

The highlight of Mass Effect 2 is the fun and easy to use gameplay. Shepard moves flawlessly from points of cover as you sprint to barriers as you avoid enemy fire. The weapons you use are just as fun to chose based on your t.y.p.e of gameplay. You can be a shotgun specialist or a sniper. It all depends on you. No matter how you play you will surely have fun doing it as you and your squad battle the waves of enemies taht are smarter than they look. The artificial intelligence can take cover as well as use upgraded weapons with special ammo types.

DLC has also been a great surprise for this game. Some downloadable packs can be obtained for free with a special code included with your game to access the Cerberus Network. From this menue you will have access to a new character with his own mission, powerful new weapons, and new armor sets. Aside from the Cerberus network, you can also purchase some pack from X-Box Live. These packs consist of another new character and mission, weapons, armor and other new and exciting missions. If you buy this game for the PS3, all of this DLC will already be included on the disc.

IN SHORT: Mass Effect 2 has won alot of recognition in the video game world and deserves every ounce of the recognition it has recieved. If your looking for a goog game to spend weeks or more playing nonstop, you don't have to look anywhere else. And now that it is available on the PS3 an ever wider audience will be able to enjoy it.

10/10