Review: Mass Effect 2

[Slycne]

With all due respect, you haven't played the game, so you don't know the full story of why Shepard is working with Cerberus. Perhaps if you did, you'd feel differently.

MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT.

SERIOUSLY. DO NOT READ THE REST OF MY POST IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS PART RUINED.


I AM NOT KIDDING.

Spoiler

Yes, I know Cerberus brings Shepard back to life. That doesn't equate to Shepard owing them anything. Except maybe a few well-placed slugs.

Spoiler

What if it's the other way around and he's simply not recognized by the council any more?

 

[Eruanno]

Space hamster!? YEEEES!

 

[Paragon Fury]

With all due respect, you haven't played the game, so you don't know the full story of why Shepard is working with Cerberus. Perhaps if you did, you'd feel differently.

MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT.

SERIOUSLY. DO NOT READ THE REST OF MY POST IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS PART RUINED.


I AM NOT KIDDING.

Yes, I know Cerberus brings Shepard back to life. That doesn't equate to Shepard owing them anything. Except maybe a few well-placed slugs.

Spoiler

What if it's the other way around and he's simply not recognized by the council any more?

Spoiler

Because Shepard is still allowed on the Citadel (and apparently without guns being pointed in his/her general direction), as well as the fact that Garrus and the crew of the old Normandy still work for you. I highly doubt that they just let Doctor Chakwas and Joker go after the first Normandy incident, free for hire.

 

[Susan Arendt]

With all due respect, you haven't played the game, so you don't know the full story of why Shepard is working with Cerberus. Perhaps if you did, you'd feel differently.

MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT.

SERIOUSLY. DO NOT READ THE REST OF MY POST IF YOU DON'T WANT THIS PART RUINED.


I AM NOT KIDDING.

Yes, I know Cerberus brings Shepard back to life. That doesn't equate to Shepard owing them anything. Except maybe a few well-placed slugs.

Spoiler

What if it's the other way around and he's simply not recognized by the council any more?

Spoiler

Because Shepard is still allowed on the Citadel (and apparently without guns being pointed in his/her general direction), as well as the fact that Garrus and the crew of the old Normandy still work for you. I highly doubt that they just let Doctor Chakwas and Joker go after the first Normandy incident, free for hire.

There's more to it than just that. It's not as black and white as you seem to believe it is.

 

[mrF00bar]

I just jizzed in my pants. I can't wait for this to come to PC, fuck AC2 lol.

 

[300lb. Samoan]

You should name your space hamster 'spamster'. That's all I have on the subject of ME2.

 

[blipblop]

No mako No planet exlporing
They should have upgraded the mako so it could go faster or give you a flight ship!.
I enjoyed the planet expoling it feelt a bit "star trekkie" to check out a planet whit your crew, the only thing that was missing was a red shirted no-named guy who would die.
Realese date is on thursday on my side of the ocean. cant wait!!!!

 

[Ilosia]

It's good to see that this game is living up to the rather large expectations set for it not to mention it's been a pleasant surprise to see that Bioware's listened to fan requests and actually made Tali and Garrus romance options in 2. Now if only they could do the same for Wrex....

 

[Giantcain]

my copys pre ordered but i have to wait 44 more days

 

[comadorcrack]

With all due respect, you haven't played the game, so you don't know the full story of why Shepard is working with Cerberus. Perhaps if you did, you'd feel differently.

Punch him in the Gut! That'll show him for making a statement about a game he's not played.

In either case I would get this game, But I'm a very busy man you see =(

If I had your time travailing ability the story may be different... but alas

 

[Premonition]

If ME isn't eventually ported to the Trey, this might very well be the reason to get a 360 eventually, if I ever have to much money.





WHUAHAHAHAHAHA, too much money. I crack me up.

 

[BlicaGB]

Oh Susan, you are awesome Thanks for the good review with only minor spoilers, if any at all. I didn't really see anything related to ruining the game.

My one concern now is that I can't remember how I left it off with my main caracter from ME. Did I kill the council or save them? Should I replay just to be sure? Decisions decisions.

I like the new mining system. Now what you find you can use for upgrades. I like it, it gives one purpose!

Must name hamster Rex!!!!

And now I must get my copy today! I hope the gf doesn't mind me playing until 4am. On a tuesday. I know there's some tv that she's gonna be craving to watch. Damn!!

 

[FFMattCR]

Bioware WHY!!!!!

Seriously, the clip thing?
It actually explained in the first mass effect fact file why guns didn't need clips, something to do with a block of metal that the slug/projectile is sheared off from and it very rarely needs to be replaced, why mess with a good history :'(

On the other hand... looks great XD

 

[Kollega]

There's more to it than just that. It's not as black and white as you seem to believe it is.

If you can't choose to betray Cerberus as a Paragon, then this whole affair is stupid. Even if it's supposed to be "an uneasy choice to tolerate what is essentially Waffen SS IN SPACE for the sake of saving the galaxy from EVIL ALIENS", you should still be able to disobey particulary nasty orders of Illusive Man and sabotage Cerberus' illegal workings.

Seriously, the clip thing?
It actually explained in the first mass effect fact file why guns didn't need clips, something to do with a block of metal that the slug/projectile is sheared off from and it very rarely needs to be replaced, why mess with a good history :'(

The "clips" are heatsinks. You can wait for your gun to cool down, or just swap the damn thing. The choice is yours.

But then again, i'm not sure if they did that one right either.

 

[microwaviblerabbit]

I dislike the new clip system. It doesn't really fit in, and it could get annoying. So, they decided that after guns having near-infinite ammo in the past (It was infinite for the game's purposes, but not for the lore), they would backpedal and both waste resources, time, money and lives by downgrading their weapon systems.

It will also be damn irritating to run out in combat, given that it's an RPG, and that some enemies will probably have a lot of health.

This 'new' clip system sounds exactly like the one from Deus Ex 2. You get one type and different guns use different amounts. I always found that I ran out of ammo and got screwed a lot. I hope it works this time?

 

[TitsMcGee1804]

how hard is it to review a game without revealing spoilers?! I know she gave us a warning...but i wanted to see if the game is worth buying...without knowing any big plot points, jeeeeez

 

[Slycne]

how hard is it to review a game without revealing spoilers?! I know she gave us a warning...but i wanted to see if the game is worth buying...without knowing any big plot points, jeeeeez

A game like Mass Effect? A lot harder then you seem to think it is. Story is a large part of what makes this game. We went out of our way to avoid spoilers, but one tiny reveal as to a character returning from the first game is revealed - and you'll have to be paying attention to catch it. If you've been following the game at all then you likely know about it already.

 

[Susan Arendt]

I dislike the new clip system. It doesn't really fit in, and it could get annoying. So, they decided that after guns having near-infinite ammo in the past (It was infinite for the game's purposes, but not for the lore), they would backpedal and both waste resources, time, money and lives by downgrading their weapon systems.

It will also be damn irritating to run out in combat, given that it's an RPG, and that some enemies will probably have a lot of health.

This 'new' clip system sounds exactly like the one from Deus Ex 2. You get one type and different guns use different amounts. I always found that I ran out of ammo and got screwed a lot. I hope it works this time?

I ran out of ammo exactly once, and that was more a function of my own bad shooting than the game's bad design. I think it works quite well.

how hard is it to review a game without revealing spoilers?! I know she gave us a warning...but i wanted to see if the game is worth buying...without knowing any big plot points, jeeeeez

And I didn't reveal any. There are larger spoilers in this thread than there are in either the written review or the video.

 

[Usurpurus]

I kinda thought the review was a bit skimpy and it was a bit focused on the little details and not really what the game was like to play or anything.

 

[hansari]

Spoiler

Yes, I know Cerberus brings Shepard back to life. That doesn't equate to Shepard owing them anything. Except maybe a few well-placed slugs.

Think of the transition of from ME1 to ME2.

Spoiler

Shepard saves the day, then realizing there are more out their still, marches out. And you know what?

Dude has NOTHING

There are no more leads and no obvious next step. There are hundreds, maybe thousands more Reapers out there and you don't know what they are up to. You don't know if Sovereign was the only "failsafe" the Reapers had thought of. You don't know if the Reapers had a "plan B" or other means of returning. You have nothing...

ME2 accurately relays this sentiment in the intro...when it shows you wandering around...in the same section of space...for 4 days.

~~

Now put yourself in Shephard's shoes. You have no idea what your gonna do and neither does the Council, which is why they have been so hush hush about this. The Reapers could show up the very next day, and you'd be powerless.

All of a sudden this guy comes out of nowhere. He knows about the Reapers. He has a ridiculous amount of resources available. The fact that he actually resurrected someone from the dead shows his capabilities. And he wants to assist you.

Whats the problem?

I don't even need to play the game to deal you that Collector's attacks on the humans are a pittance compared to what they, and the Reapers, have in store for the entire galaxy.

Yes...cause as I said earlier, Shepard has plenty of leads on the Reaper situation...he should instead pick up where he left off...using the most advanced ship in Council possession to go scouting...for FOUR DAYS.

And remember, you're a SPECTRE - you took an oath defend all life in the galaxy, not just humanity. You're part of something bigger than the Alliance and humanity - working with someone who wants nothing more to than to see all other races bowing to the heels of humanity, or simply crushed in our wake and who only is interested in you because you can do that, is kind of the anti-thesis of what your job is supposed to be.

Theres a difference between an alliance and a truce.

Shephard is working with them because they can offer valuable assistance given the present situation.

Circumstances change though, and so will the way they both treat eachother.

So, no, a Paragon wouldn't work with Cerberus. Since your still a SPECTRE, you can still can when and where you please

Yeah, he should have totally flashed his badge. Cerberus would have no choice then but to let him commandeer a ship and provide instructions back to the Citadel. But not before they volunteer to put on restraints and be taken prisoner....

- and you could easily continue the hunt for the Collectors under the banner of the Conciul or the Alliance as easily as you could under Cerberus.

You could also do it under the banner of "Winnie the Pooh".

Hell, I don't even see what advantages Cerberus has over the other two - the other two have just extensive, if not more extensive intelligence networks, massive resources, and you could probably recruit a far superior, and less psychotic band of heroes from the "official" channels than you could from Cerberus's pool.

Putting aside how the whole "hush" on the Reapers means severely limiting your organizations resources... do you remember what the "official" channels produced last time?

The Alliance gave you Kaiden and Ashley.

Now how did those two compare to the other teammates you picked up? *cough* Wrex*