Mass Effect 2 feels like Mass Effect, but in a different sense. The first iteration felt like it was an RPG, this time around though it may not be so much apparent as being an RPG, but rather as an action game. Gone is the concept of item managment, as there are no actual items to pick up. It is replaced by the gathering of resources through planet mining, and upgrading appropriately through your ships research lab. This gives it a sense of 'planet grinding' as I like to call it, and you will find some of your time is spent endlessly scanning planets and launching probes. This is the slowest part of the game and the part I find to be the weakest point. In a way, it's kind of nice to have a break from all the action, but when it comes to a game like this, I'd rather it retained it's item management system instead of opting for a resource and research approach. Upgrading my characters during actual game play just seems to make more sense for a supposed RPG.
Another thing you may find a bit different, is the combat system. The weapons in the game have been given an ammunition supply instead of the overheating style game play like in the first, so the firefights during the game tend to feel alot faster because of it, with less pause for rest under cover. It's just a quick click of your clip and you are fully ready to fire again. Bioware seems to have been going for a refined shooter approach with the sequel, because the biotic and tech powers system has been changed as well. To get rid of even more wait time, the cool down times for the powers and biotics have been put under one universal counter, so when it's done cooling off all of your powers are at your disposal again. As well, when looking for a power to use, the game does not pause like in the first game, so battle is always in real time no matter what action you decide to take. When in battle, with these three seemingly simple changes, really makes everything flow at a much quicker pace and has the game feeling like a shooter instead of an RPG. Whether this is welcome or not, is up to the player.
But fear not, Mass Effect 2 is still distinctly a Mass Effect game. They have not only retained the social system from the first but improved upon it with adding a better and more natural set of body language and facial expression animations for the characters, giving them an eerie sort of realism as in the first. When they say space opera, it certainly hits the mark with some of the conversations you get to experience during the game, and it is done with grace and great camera work as well. The voice acting is full of care and emotion, and with a star studded cast it ain't half shabby. Seth Green and EDI definitely put on a good performance together, and are actually funny this time around.
There are many new and old places to explore in this game. With the game coming in two discs, I wasn't really apparent at first why they had to do that, but when you finally grasp the scope they have gone for you finally understand just how deep and how well crafted this universe really is. Each place you explore is unique, and has it's own story and plot. The first game had essentially one planet per system which you could visit, raid and explore. But most of them were completely barren or devoid of life, and with the number totalling around fifty explorable planets, it got pretty stale pretty fast. In ME2, you probably won't find as many planets, but the trade off is definitely worth it. Each planet you visit, find, and explore, is completely unique and teeming with live and vibrancy. There is also a back story and mission or two attached to each of them, so you really aren't wasting any time by visiting them. The planets and stories are all so well integrated that it doesn't take you out of the immersion for a second.
For a sequel, the game looks great, the game feels great, and the game sounds great. The rendering for the game has been improved so there is no more annoying pop in, which was one of my biggest gripes about the first game. Animations are more fluid and elegant, from taking cover to the subtle cues on a persons face during a heated conversation. Honestly the game does look more polished and refined from the first, which makes a notable difference. The game sounds better than the first... mainly because your enemies aren't screaming out 'ENEMIES EVERYWHERE!' every three damn seconds. Thank you for saving my ears from more torment Bioware!
There is alot I could say about this game in terms of depth, substance, immersion, and realism, but all you should really know is that this is a sequel that trumps it's predecessor in just about every way and is worth every one of your hard earned dollars.
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