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Mass Effect 2 : XBox 360
I want to start this review with something negative to say about Mass Effect 2, because I want to get it out of the way: the levelling up system and character progression in Mass Effect 2 is not as good, nor as much fun, as the similar system in Mass Effect. I’ll let that settle in a bit and allow myself a breath because I said something bad about the game and now I’ll move on because, you see, Mass Effect 2 is almost the perfect game of current times.
It starts being awe inspiring the minute you are asked to import your save file from the first Mass Effect and then just gets rolling. The import thing is very important and it is the probably the finest thing about the game; it takes account of every decision made in the first game and adapts the storyline accordingly, sometimes in subtle ways which add so much depth. For my part, this meant that my relationship with Liara from the first game was carried over in lovely ways including a little photo of her on my desk and other similarly impressive touches. Other things, like NPCs whom you chose to save in Mass Effect being around to help you out in small ways, add more to the atmosphere than I believed possible and each time it happened I smiled a little ‘this is how it should be done’ smile to myself. I wrote back in the review for Dead Space that the HUD in that game should set the standard for how games should do such things for the future, and here Mass Effect 2 shows every sequel-building games designer how to do a sequel. This must become the template for all future games or they are just going to look antiquated in comparison. With Mass Effect 3 on the horizon, the sheer weight of variables they are going to have to take into account is staggering, and it is exciting to think that they know it and probably relish the task.
It is this amazing depth which this game has that keeps you drawn in. While Mass Effect was overwhelming in terms of information you had to read and understand as the universe was described to you, here you are merely adding more to something which has been established in your mind. The universe is now known, with aliens you recognise, characters you have affection for and a history which you have learned and, in many ways, shaped. Mass Effect 2 is pervasive and fills every thought during the 40 or so hours it takes to play through, and this is a great thing for a story driven RPG.
The story is good too, it’s not mind-blowing, unfortunately, but it is very solid and the prologue to this game is an awesome way to move into the bulk of Mass Effect 2’s plot. I found it was important to download all the mission DLC, as I didn’t want to run the chance of having something happen which I didn’t play, especially the Liara DLC which was integral to my enjoyment of this game and its plot. Unusual for a game, Mass Effect 2 never feels like a grind; it’s solid enjoyment from the moment you start until the moment the credits roll (all too early) and you are begging for the third game to arrive as soon as that moment occurs.
There’s more, of course. There’s the vastly improved combat system that learns from all the third-person shooters that have come out in the past few years; it’s faster, sleeker and more enjoyable than the first game (though I did miss the ‘I’m crap at the sniper rifle, see how it wobbles’ moments). There are the excellent graphics which keep you firmly in the fantasy, the superb voice acting (it frightens me to think of how many lines the cast must have said that you never hear!), the cast themselves (the moment I realised Miranda was Sarah from Chuck, and then saw just how well they had done the graphics was eye-opening), the depth of the exploration (which actually works), the further layers of history and new aliens, the focus on characters… Mass Effect 2 is a game which has been polished and brought to a fine sheen.
Mass Effect 2 has you from the exciting moment you start the game until the very very end. It impresses with its attention to detail and manages to make you feel you honestly, truly, have an impact. The universe of Mass Effect would not be the same if you hadn’t been the hero and stepped in and saved it, and in that way it makes you feel great and special. I haven’t played every game out there by a long way, but this is the first game I’ve ever felt was a true interactive story. It’s not perfect; too short, too naughty with the DLC and with a weak XP / levelling system, but it’s a benchmark and turning point ever other game, especially RPGs, have to look at, learn from, and better.
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