Difficulty:

Very Easy

Time Spent:

40 to 100 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Amazing"

Mass Effect 2 is a fantastic game with an interesting story, mostly dazzling graphics, and fun game play.

Shepard returns in this second installment of this sure to be classic trilogy. This time he's working for Cerberus a pro human corporation bent on "protecting" human interests. When human colonists begin disappearing from planets, Cerberus enlists the services of the galaxy's number one problem solver--Commander Shepard.

ME2 doesn't make you wait to see the giant step in graphical improvements made over ME1. Right from the beginning you see the detail of the mysterious Elusive Man's cigarette. Also, you see the stunning Miranda. It's pretty obvious that much care was taken in creating a stunning visual setting for ME2--and Miranda's hips.

While ME2 is great it does have its flaws. While the environments are stunning the details of the environments are lackluster. If you look at the numerous walls and other scattered objects in the game, it seems clear that these were afterthoughts. Furthermore, the compact system is too repetitive--hide, duck, shoot, reload. More needs to be included to liven up the action.

Another thing that sticks out is that you cannot sell items in ME2. The stores seem to be designed as if Shepard is the only person in the galaxy that buys stuff. You purchase items until the particular vendor is out of items and that's it. Items change from time to time but not enough to make visiting stores mandatory or fun.

In sum, ME2 is a very ambitious game that succeeds at a very high level. It weaves an intriguing story that captivates you. It graphics that dazzles you. The side quests are entertaining and actually tied to the main story. With these very strong points, ME2 successfully picks up where ME1 left off and takes the series to new heights.