An amazing space saga . . . unbelievable.
Mass Effect 2 is a sequel that improves on almost all levels of the first game, it changes some aspects for the better, leaves a few out but for the most part, it creates are more polished, streamlined and ultimately more playable version of the first game.
The game looks astonishing, played on the highest resolution, it is a pleasure and wonder to behold, the weapons, characters, ships, planets, environments are look very crisp and realistic. Here and there, I think the developers could have taken a few more risks in creating more outlandish words and aliens the game tends to have the humanoid-isation effect, making all creatures in the universe appear like strange and mutated form of biped humans. But as the developers of SWTOR said, it makes it easier to relate, so why not.
Combat in Mass Effect is much more action-orientated, a trend that will be continued in Mass Effect and while I am usually against making games more on the FPS than RPG side, I did appreciate the changes that have been made. The weapons carry a much bigger impact and oomph than in the first game. Yet, they made away with looting and introduced a research system instead. The results are pretty much the same, you gradually upgrade your gear and ship through findings you make in the battlefield, the only thing I am missing is the thrill of the chase and excitement when opening a safe or looting a dead enemy, it felt a bit too non-random and gradual as far as the pacing is concerned, but I I take everything over than horrible interface of the first game, so no loot is fine by me. Speaking of resources, the planet scanning system becomes boring once you did it three or four times in the game, too bad that you will probably have to do it a hundred times throughout your travels, I think Bioware has to come up with something else, or just make all resource and credit gains in-battle or quest rewards, but that scanning-mini game just does not work as is.
The biggest selling point for ME2 is the story and the characters and once again the game is a milestone in modern storytelling and the creation of an unique set of characters. Yes, there might be a few too many but I still enjoyed being spoiled for choices, especially towards the end of the game when your choices become much more meaningful. As usual, death, romance, bromance and loyalty all play an integral and tangible part for the player and it is amazing to see how your decisions and responsibilities as a Captain have true repercussions in the universe and believe you me, choosing with whom to hit the sheets is not even the easiest of your decisions with so many gun-wielding girls (and boys) around. The story was on par with the first game, even though they failed to create a similarly haunting mythology of the unknown hostile entity as they did in the first game but the game added a few interesting layers, many of which will probably be further explored in the conclusion of the trilogy (such as the allegiance with Cerberus etc.)
Yes, this game is the perfect game experience for me, but it is far from a perfect game. Here are some things I would criticise.
Reintroduce a loot system or random weapon drops, make the encounters mean something, when I defeat a boss, I want to be able to pick up a total badass weapon from his cold remains and rejoice in bloodthirsty lust. Get ride of the planet scanning and put another system in its place or just leave it out altogether. Create more relationships between the companions and not only between Shepherd and the companions (for example, synergies in squads or rivalries can lead to different abilities during missions etc.) I would have also liked more ship-based incidents and missions. As we know from classic Sci-fi TV-series (Star Trek ! Firefly ! BSG !), a lot of stuff can happen on the ship itself, how about a plague, a rogue VI, a mutiny, an attack by pirates, just make it an actual ship-based experience, I feel like I am spending most time on planets and other peoples' ships.
Well, that is about it, I cannot wait for ME3 and this game series is one of the most epic things I had the pleasure of experiencing in my life and I can not recommend it enough. An amazing space saga . . . unbelievable.