Mass Effect 2

[Dylan Snyder]

!!!!!!!SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW!!!!!!!!

So, let us discuss Mass Effect 2.

It took awhile to grow on me, but now that it has, I can honestly say that I love this game. It goes right up there with my most enjoyed experiences with games EVER (yes, in spite of mineral scanning). Why, you may ask? Here are a few bulletins to cover why I love this game:

-Great voice acting (most notably Yvonne Strahovski and Martin Sheen) by everyone except Shepard
-Rarely have to traverse environments multiple times while on field missions (this keeps the majesty of the incredible level and locale design intact for future playthroughs)
-Incredible cast of characters (besides Jakob) and character development
-Visually one of the most beautiful games ever made
-The DLC is great so far, with Zaeed(right?) and Normandy Crash Site (hauntingly beautiful homage to ME1)
-Combat is now extremely entertaining, and I have yet to get sick of it
-Side missions don't really suck anymore, for the most part

Yeah, as you can tell, I really like this game. Just ask Chris. I emailed him about whether or not Miranda betrays you, because I would have been emotionally devastated if she did. That's how connected I got to these characters.

What did you guys think?

[Simon Jones]

Haven't finished it yet, but I suspect to do so either by tonight or tomorrow night.

I LOVE Yvonne Strahovski in this; I knew it was the girl from Chuck the moment I saw and heard her. I honestly think the storyline is better than the original, and the characters are so much better. The idea of adding loyalty missions for each character was ingenius, as in ME1 I found myself just picking the same two characters for each mission.

Zaeed is fucking badass, and I find it hilarious that every time I go downstairs Jack tells me to "FUCK OFF!" now that I'm putting the moves on Miranda.

Definitely the best game I've played so far this year. 2010 is looking fucking fantastic. Next on my list: BioShock 2, then Heavy Rain. *happy weep*

[Dylan Snyder]

Well, I'll give you Aussies this - the most beautiful/perfect human being on the planet (Yvonne) is Australian.

But yeah, Shepards response to Jack after she gets pissed for you going with Miranda ("Well just do your job then, that's all I need you for!") is hilarious, I love it!

Speaking of badass, along with Zaeed, Thane is freakin' awesome. Seriously, ever since I first saw him in the trailers, I wanted him on my squad.

I'm right there with you on Bioshock next week, and Final Fantasy in a mere month! Not to mention Splinter Cell, Pokemon, Red Dead, and SO many others.

[Paul Clark]

I'm having woman issues in that game...
I slept with Jack, sure it may not have been the best thing to do at the time, and my therapist did warn me about it...But now she's not talking to me, I feel I need to do something to make amends but she'd not giving me the chance *sigh*
Then there's the fiesty redhead, Kelly, she waits obediently at the galaxy map for me, tells me when I have unread messages (I think we all see the subtext there) and has been generally flirtactious throughout, yet I don't feel I'm making any progress here...
Also, that and ammo issues which I won't bore people with.
But aside from that so many things have changed for the better, a true example of the iterative design process at work and whilst it doesn't feel like the PERFECT sequel to ME1, as some lost elements are a shame, it is certainly a grand improvement and makes me look forward to ME3.
Also, Michael Hogan needs a bigger part in this game. Some dude in C-Sec? Don't you do that to him, he deserves better.

[Dylan Snyder]

Let me tell you right now Paul, going with Kelly is just asking for trouble. Trust me when I say this man, it just ends weird. Not good for your psyche at all, no sir.

In all seriousness though, I can see where the ammo might have been a problem for a lot of people, but I only had one or two times where I completely ran out, and couldn't rely on Concussive Shots and Miranda's Biotics to get me through (I'm play as a Soldier). Plus, I developed a system where I use my reflex heightening or whatever, whip out my sniper rifle, and go for the head. Rinse and repeat. Worked for me most of the time, but we'll see how well it holds up on Insanity.

I missed the heavier RPG elements a TON at first, but that has slowly faded, and instead I'm quite happy with the current balance of things. I hope that in ME3, we get WAY more research options. That would be a good counterbalance to not finding new stuff all the time.

Also, mineral scanning needs to die a painful, terrible death.

[Shawn Evans]

The title of this blog should have a huge "!!! SPOILERS !!!" in it.

[jackbency]

I loved this Game because it is awesome. Mass Effect was very pretty, and featured top-notch voice actors. Mass Effect 2 really does deserve all of the excellent reviews it has received.

[Slyshate]

Thank you for*your post!*Very interesting!