Review: Mass Effect 2

I played and finished a game recently. It's called Mass Effect 2.

You might have heard of it. It's quite good.

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I didn't like the first one much. The first Mass Effect was heralded by many as a fresh take on the RPG genre, with its completely original IP, a more cinematic feel and conversation wheels for snappy, dynamic interactions as opposed to lengthy texts of dialogue. But it had a tonne of problems too, ranging from a confusing interface and inventory system, poorly implemented cover mechanics, retarded squad A.I, boring combat, and the worst driving levels in the history of mankind. It honestly was so bad that I gave up on the game, which was a shame when it had such rich storytelling.

So I approached Mass Effect 2 warily, making sure it wasn't going to waste my time again. Turns out, this game is a very different beast from what I had expected. This is NOT an RPG in the classic sense. There are absolutely no numbers, no stats to tell you how much damage per second a weapon does, or how many hit points this or that character has. There is also no loot. Bioware replaces all that with a highly simplified third-person shooter mechanic, ala Gears of War. No rolling of dice, accounting for modifiers, etc, all in favor of actual shooting. You can now make accurate headshots, have to reload, and take cover.

Granted, strategy is minimal but its no less of a challenge; the combat keeps you on your toes and complements the fast pace and intense atmosphere of the game perfectly. Unless you're an RPG purist who turns up their nose at anything that isn't number-laden, the shooting works and is still a fun experience. You really feel like a badass space cowboy taking out enemies.


Squad mechanics work better now too: you can command two teammates in real time, both where they move and what powers they utilize - but the A.I is improved to the extent you can literally forget about them and they'll still be able to handle their own.

One thing I also liked about the new squad gameplay: where in previous Bioware games, you had to take individual squad members out to train them, and those you neglect remain underpowered, now all members level up together regardless of who you do or don't use. This makes it more encouraging to try the different characters (a whopping 11 in total) who have individual talents, useful during different points in the game. Levelling up skills across all squad members is also a simpler task because each character only has up to four skills, so your brain won't be bogged down by too much choice.

The retarded mess of an inventory from the first game is removed entirely, replaced by weapon loadouts before each mission; squad members can only carry up two different types of guns depending on their specialization, and you personally can carry up to four: a handgun, SMG, rifle/sniper/shotgun, and a heavy. There isn't a huge variety of guns and when you do find improvements for the different gun types, there is never a case of you having to weigh the options between sticking with an older gun, or using the newer one. Bioware have made it so the new one will always just be better.

"Okay, so the system is extremely dumbed down. How is this an RPG if everything is pretty much decided for you? There's no choice of what guns to use, and there isn't much variation in skill. And how is a third-person shooter a friggin' RPG??" you say whilst shaking your fists at me.


This raises an important question, "What defines an RPG?" In my opinion, it's not all just about the numbers, the loot, and the character customization. It's also about the personal choices you make and how that affects the world in the game. And Mass Effect 2 is ALL about the choices.

From the very beginning, just having a save game from Mass Effect 1 is going to heavily change the system of ME2 to correspond directly to things that happened to you in the first game. If someone in your first game died, he will not appear in the second game. Likewise, if that same person survived in the first game, he will be available in the second game. And if you're entirely new to the series, ME2 chooses the most convenient of storylines which is no less interesting, and you don't have to feel like you're missing out.

In the second game itself, you'll have to make decisions, say things, and take actions throughout that will have serious repercussions later, and all the way into Mass Effect 3 (slated for a 2011 release). THIS is what it truly means to be an RPG, your experience is highly personalized and may play out differently to how your friends are playing it, because it was your choices that determined your outcomes.

A very good example of this: I was discussing with a friend the way the game ended for us both. In my ending, I had people from my squad die, and yet none of my friend's had died! I wracked my brain hard, and asked him what decisions he made that allowed all his squad to survive, and honestly, it was hard to pin-point when the choices were of importance to the end-game. That is how well Bioware hides the seams, it feels extremely organic as you play, making the choices that you do, and it is never predictable when and what things will happen, and whether or not it was as a result of something that you had done before. So it's very hard to cheat this game to get an outcome you want.


Also think about it in this way. This game is a programming feat unlike any other. Whilst most other game developers shy away from multiple branches and endings, because they risk having time and effort poured into scenes that will potentially be missed by players, Bioware wholeheartedly embraces the idea of completely open-ended gameplay. Which boosts this game's replayability immensely.

Also, character interactions are top-notch. In fact this is the greatest thing about Mass Effect 2. Whilst there were some interesting and some boring characters in Dragon Age, every single cast member down to the random extras you meet in this game are stand-outs. They are all so well-written, so well-realized that's it's very hard not to think of them as real people/aliens.

Some awesome characters include Mordin, the fast-talking, logic-maddening Salarian scientist (who everyone will love, trust me, this guy kicks butt), Jack the foul-mouthed hardcore bitch of a biotic, and my personal favorite, Thane the most badass, and best Drell assassin in the universe. Old friends from the first game will also return to join your crew, whilst others will make surprise appearances. It's such a joy to take a break from blitzing through the storyline to talk to every single squad member (exceptional voice-acting), sharing in their joys and troubles. And unless you are a cold-hearted person, you will come to cherish these comrades who will fight alongside you to save humanity. I dare say these characters are so well-written they make Dragon Age's characters seem like cardboard cut-outs!


It's really something special when your interactions with the characters are unpredictable, the conversation choices ambiguous. You may say one thing with a certain intention, and be surprised to find a response that goes against what you expected them to say or think. But that's because they are their own person, and are just as able to shun you if you don't live up to their beliefs or expectations. I've never had characters in a game outright dislike me before (cause I'm so lovable), and ME2 is capable of showing you just that. The best part is, as Bioware has done away with all the numbers, making squad members loyal is not a case of racking up "good points" by feeding them gifts or saying the right things (Dragon Age, looking at you); different people will respond to different things. You have to work harder to earn people's trust and loyalty now, which I think is superb.

Furthermore, the characters are the absolute heart of the story in the second game. The plot itself is really simple: two years on from the events transpired in ME1 - which I honestly couldn't remember until ME2 filled me in on the details (useful if you are coming to the game for the first time) - and humanity is under threat from a new force in the galaxy. So it's up to you to gather together the best and most hardcore fighting unit in the universe, and go kick some ass.

That's really about it, but the storytelling shines through because it's all about the individual characters, how they overcome personal adversities, bond with you, and become heroes. By the time the game's finale comes around, the way the entire squad is used is pretty darn clever, and if you've bonded well with them, it will be a very moving ending indeed.

The story telling is also mature. It's very dark at times, shit happens that will make you grimace, whilst at other times, there are glimmers of uplifting, even humorous moments. Every time I feel the plot is slowing down, the game surprises by throwing in twists or exciting turn of events that don't feel tacked-on and really makes the story flow well.


Bioware deftly handles issues of race, politics, and relationships, and I don't think it's an overstatement to say that this is probably the best writing I've seen in awhile. The universe is just so rich, the people who came up with every single nook and cranny, every alien species, and entire history all chronicled in a mind-blowingly detailed codex, are all highly talented.

The graphics are exceptional. A definite improvement from its predecessor, and compared to Dragon Age, Mass Effect 2 is far and away the graphically superior game. Cinematically brilliant, all the cut scenes and interaction situations employ exciting camera work, the characters are life-like in their animations, and the universe highly detailed as is expected of an epic sci-fi romp.

My only gripe here is that whilst generally animations are top-notch, if you play a male Shephard, his animations make him look retarded at times and the voice-actor sucks. I haven't tried female Shephard but a lot of other game critics say she is the better of the two voice-acted protagonists.


Although there's a lot of good stuff here, the game is not perfect and I think there are some things Bioware should look to polish if it wants to create a masterpiece. First of all, whilst the combat is fun and intense, it is actually a little too linear. Despite the varied and interesting environments, it's essentially a well-disguised corridor shooter. The game could be more strategically compelling with multiple routes through each level, and more opportunities for flanking. And even if they preferred to simplify the available weaponry to highly focus on the combat and gameplay, Bioware should reconsider returning some choice to players. Not to give a heck load of different guns, but at least some, so players can mix and match rather than having to make do with what they are given.

There's one aspect where Dragon Age wins out over ME2, that's in the gray nature of the decision making process. In ME2, decision making is most of the time quite clear-cut in either making you look like the good guy or the asshole. Dragon Age manages to make it harder to distinguish what is the right or wrong thing to do. ME2 should further enhance their decision system with more morally ambiguous choices.

Romance is also available but its less of a prominent feature than in Dragon Age and ME1. You have to work harder to make potential partners become interested in you. They can resist your affections, and outright reject you if you make the wrong move. Just don't expect any explicit sex scenes that Fox Network can go ape-shit over, it's really a minor thing and I prefer it that way. The romance, if executed poorly, can spoil the overall mood of the game. But Mass Effect 2 could do with better written romance dialogue. As of now, the lines your character or potential partners utter are pure drivel just like those sap Twilight novels; cheesy and makes me cringe rather than feel any sort of attraction. But thankfully, it's just the romance-dialogue that sucks, all other lines are awesome (30,000 over in total).


I'd also like there to be more open-world exploration. Thank god they did away with the useless driving bits, and the flying through space bits aren't too bad. Mining for resources will be a hit with some (like me), whilst a miss for others, but there should be more areas to explore, more side quests that have nothing to do with the main plot but are there just for pure fun. Already as it is, there's a lot to do and see, but I love the Mass Effect universe so much I just want more and more.

Finally, loading times are too long. Transitioning between levels and scenes take quite some time. It breaks up the pacing too much. It should be noted that Dragon Age had faster loading times. Although in ME2's defense, it is a bigger game and when it gets going, there were hardly any frame rate issues and cutscenes blended in and out of game play well.

I still have a worry that RPG purists are going to poo-poo this game. Some may also prefer hacking and slashing and fantasy to Mass Effect 2's shooty-shooty-bang-bang. But honestly, remove the combat and I'd still play this game for its outstanding storytelling and well-realized characters. The RPG elements are not what you'd expect, but what is there is a robustly built and well thought out system that does everything it needs to do right. Also, everyone's experience going into Mass Effect 3 will be completely different thanks to the multiple endings of this second game. I really am so intrigued at how Bioware is going to pull that off.


Whether you're coming from Mass Effect 1 or an entirely newcomer to the series, Mass Effect 2 will seriously bowl you over with its awesomeness. For those who've played Dragon Age, sorry guys, I think ME2 beats it flat out. And for those who are still thinking whether to get this game, what are you waiting for?

This is an important game. Not just for it's high entertainment value, but because it truly is a step forward for RPGs that want to immerse you in the experience completely. Those who aren't interested in playing this for whatever reason are seriously missing out. I urge everybody to give it a go. Mass Effect 2 is probably the best game I have played in a long while. Nothing I have played in the last year alone can match up to the level of immersion, excitement, and heart that ME2 is bursting at the seams with. Bioware has proven themselves worthy contenders for the title of greatest Western RPG developer ever. I am utterly won over by their craft.