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Every now and then, a videogame comes along that changes everything that you thought you knew about gaming. A game so epic, so magnificent, so deep and so emotional that you are blown back in the realization that a new era of gaming is upon us.

Unfortunately, we didn’t receive a review copy of Karaoke Revolution, so we opted to review Mass Effect 2 instead.

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Okay, so I had a bit of fun with the opening paragraphs of the review, but I am not going to beat around the bush here folks.

As a gamer, who started at the ripe old age of around 6 years old and has played countless games over the last 20 odd years, I can say with the utmost sincerity that Mass Effect 2 is quite possibly the best videogame that I have ever played.

I’m not joking, I am not fishing for hits or crazy comments. I mean it.

It’s a bold statement, I know, but I can’t say that I have ever felt this way about a game before. To put it simply, a lot of issues have been addressed and a lot of improvements have been made in way that bring together a gaming experience that is the definition of epic.

The leveling, upgrading and combat systems have all been completely overhauled to feel more like a faster paced tactical third person shooter, with biotic powers, a functional cover system and much bigger fun factor. Major looting is long gone and inventory management is a thing of the past. While reading this, it may make you think that these features are essential to a role playing game, but in practice, it succeeds with flying colours by delivering smart but fun gameplay.

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As many of you already know, Mass Effect games are as much about conversations as they are about firefights. Bioware have taken character depth to a whole new level and have successfully created a title that truly makes you care about the characters around you. While I wouldn’t dare spoil anything for anyone, I will say that I have never cared so much about my decisions, my crew and my choice of words so much in a game before.

With the ability to import your character (and their decisions) from the first Mass Effect, the story truly becomes your own. Not only that, but the knowledge that your actions can and will have an effect on the next title brings about a whole new level of decision making, the type that will literally make you heart pound and your skin sweat.

Every character, race, organisation and location that you come across will make you scratch your head in wonder as you try and figure out how in the heck Bioware have managed to create a world that is so detailed and so well explained that you would have to swear that it was based on something real.

While the main story in Mass Effect 2 may feel a touch cliche and predictable, it is the individual missions, the characters and the events that take place within that story that truly bring the game to life. While running off to save the galaxy is great and all, it’s the continuation of the choices from the first game, as well as the birth of new ones that really make Mass Effect 2’s narrative shine.

Last Updated: February 9, 2010

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Mass Effect 2
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21 Comments

  1. It’s a great game but there are too few side quests. The RPG element has been streamlined to make it more action packed which some might prefer. I think they should have allowed you to purchase your own weapons, armor etc.

    Much better than the first one but could have been even better if you think about it.

    Reply

  2. WitWolfyZA

    February 9, 2010 at 12:43

    Just wish i could of gotten it together with Miranda lol never got the option in the game

    Reply

  3. Syph1n

    February 9, 2010 at 12:49

    Great review. My ONLY issue with the game was on that level where u first encounter the coll(not gonna spoil) the leaves on trees looked crap… Lol. Just had to put that out there. Otherwise wat he said. Pretty much the perfect game

    Reply

  4. Flamebaitboy

    February 9, 2010 at 12:49

    For once you get it right Nick. 😉

    Reply

  5. Reaver

    February 9, 2010 at 13:02

    I’m hearing all these people complain about how they couldn’t get to hook up with , but I guess my Shepard’s pimp hand is just uber-strong, coz I received booty calls from Miranda, Tali and even Jack. Unfortunately, not all 3 at the same time. :devil:

    Reply

  6. Karl

    February 9, 2010 at 13:55

    Currently 4 hours in, and I’m still blown away at the quality.

    10/10 indeed. Great review Nick.

    Reply

    • WitWolfyZA

      February 10, 2010 at 08:24

      Wait till you enter the Mass Relay 4 that’s where the game shines at its best

      Reply

  7. Geoff

    February 9, 2010 at 15:09

    Quite likely the best game to come out of 2010…and it’s only February.

    Reply

  8. ewie

    February 9, 2010 at 15:40

    Will start playing this tonight, but this series for me have become the spiritual successor of what Star contoll II could have been.

    Reply

  9. spl0it

    February 9, 2010 at 15:50

    This game is pretty tit but not 10/10 tit, more like 9/10 tit, as a comparison UC2 was 9.5/10 tit for me

    But then again I am only 4 hours in 🙂

    Reply

    • Nick de Bruyne

      February 9, 2010 at 15:56

      Just play it to the end

      Reply

    • WitWolfyZA

      February 10, 2010 at 08:26

      Uncharted 2 is a BRILLIANT game, but this game has its own spiring combos. To show the Xbox 360 has still many round house kicks left in its hardware

      Reply

  10. Mike

    February 9, 2010 at 16:05

    I’m about 10 hours deep and its ok so far. Giving it an 8 for now. It feels more action orientated than an RPG but its not bad. I was not so into ME 1, but am giving it another go with ME 2 to see if it gets better.

    Reply

  11. Uberutang

    February 9, 2010 at 16:11

    Done and dusted, Galaxy saved.

    yeah 8.5 / 10 .

    Very focussed, and well done, but not a true RPG. Not enough loot for that.

    Great start to 2010.

    Reply

  12. Boobs

    February 9, 2010 at 16:24

    I am 10 hours in on my second playthrough and it’s definately a 10. @Uberutang So if it had more loot you would have given it a higher score?

    Reply

  13. Rally Playing Gamer

    February 9, 2010 at 17:04

    How the hell is this game getting so many TENS out of TENS? Last time I checked, there weren’t even weather effects lol. Also, I herd they removed the Mako. I actually liked doing rally races with it on the outer space planets.

    Reply

    • WitWolfyZA

      February 10, 2010 at 08:28

      I for one despised the Mako that thing handled weird. Ill give this game a 10. Even though sometimes it looks like the characters have down syndrome

      Reply

  14. mark

    February 10, 2010 at 15:33

    yeah game deserve 10 not enough side quests ? yeah i agree but that because i dont want the game to end . def one of the best games ive played in a very long time

    Reply

  15. ShoCKeR ZA

    February 11, 2010 at 13:28

    Played through ME2 twice now. It just got better everytime. I hated the first ME ( but i finished it….hahahaha) but this game was just amazing.
    10/10 is the only score it deserves

    Reply

  16. eyss

    February 11, 2010 at 15:00

    Awesome game 9.9/10. 10 means it’s perfect… almost

    Reply

  17. kkk-kool-kid-klan

    April 1, 2010 at 18:29

    kick ass game

    Reply

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