Whenever a hyped game hits the market, I tend to start playing it expecting the very worst – a hype countermeasure, if you will. I attempted this same tactic for Mass Effect 2, but after being treated to an opening worthy of Spielberg, all reservations were blown away in an instant.
This alone remedies my main complaint for the first game – Mass Effect suffered a substantial pacing problem during the first few hours of gameplay – the sequel begins to an explosive start and the game keeps up the pace through the main story arc.
Bioware has also been playing around with the combat a little meaning that Mass Effect 2 is a little more like a shooter than its predecessor. Out goes the combat-hindering recharge wait for weapons, in comes ammo, reloads and fast recharging of biotic powers.
Combat flows much more fluidly, with less stops and starts mid-battle and offers players far more control over their gunplay/biotic powers. Reload really does make a difference, meaning you can control when your gun recharges, rather than the other way around.
Some decisions to reinvent the combat mode haven’t yet struck a chord with me. My biggest personal complaint is with the weapon-switching system; if you want to swap between two weapons in a particular class, you can’t do so unless you are at a weapons locker. This does improve the realism of the game, however I suppose I’m a creature of habit and preferred the original system.
The same can be said for the upgrades system. It is not possible to upgrade weapons on the fly as it were in the original game. Some would probably welcome the streamlining of in-battle options, but those used to the original system may find this change a little jarring.
However, regardless of a few of these personal niggles, the system is far improved all round. From the unique feel of each weapon and character class, to the more action-packed battle scenarios.
In terms of unique experiences, Mass Effect 2 trumps its predecessor with its variety of environments and characters. Each looks and feels very different and, as such, each mission does feel unique.
The game prides itself most on its storyline, and rightly so. It’s cinematic, rivals (and betters) many of its sci-fi movie counterparts and immerses players in a galaxy rich in lore.
Well worth the £35. ’nuff said.
