Mass Effect 2 Xbox 360

Available now on Xbox 360 and PC DVD, Mass Effect 2 is the sequel to BioWare\’s 2008 ground breaking action style RPG, Mass Effect(A trilogy has been planned and number 3 is already in the works!). BioWare, creators of such games as Baldur\’s Gate, Neverwinters Nights and Dragon Age: Origins, have refined and enhanced the original game and have improved on it in almost every detail. The developer has made a bold step in deciding to remove some aspects of the game while enhancing others. Gone are the poor vehicle sections, long elevator sections and weapon training. The standard inventory system has been completely removed and replaced by weapon lockers and pre-mission load outs for your squad. This makes the game more focused and removes needless distractions.

Story Effect – The Mass Effect universe is set 200 years into the future and the sequel takes place only a few short years after Mass Effect. Human colonies on the edge of space have begun to be destroyed by an unknown force. The Reapers are the prime suspect and you as Commander Yukiko Shepard are tasked by Cerberus into an investigation. One of the best features of Mass Effect 2 is the choices you can make and the consequences that transpire from each decision made. These choices consist of choices via the impressive conversation system and also choices in your actions; will you rescue someone at personal cost and risk or leave them to their fate? Will you punish a criminal or let them go free? Will you push someone out of harms way? Will you scare and innocent? Every decision has affects on your characters personality and how they are perceived. If you have still got your save game from the original then decisions you took there will carry on into this game. Much of Mass Effect 2 Collectors Edition revolves around recruiting new members to your squad to help combat the menace of the Reapers. Each of these new recruits will need a problem solved for them before they join you on your quest. This is another improvement on the original Mass Effect, in it your squad was assembled right from the start. The pace of the game is very good and the missions are well made and unique, you do not get the sense that you are doing the same thing over and over. The wonderful cut scenes and cinematics on display combined with the story really give you a sense of involvement.

Gameplay Effect – Mass Effect 2 has undergone more refinement in the skills and special abilities department. BioWare have removed the weapon specialisation and lowered the amount of weaponry and armour at your disposal. This gives you less items to fumble with and less time picking what you need and more time actually playing. In the first game your weapons never ran out of lead, unlimited ammunition. Most players would concentrate on one or two weapons and put all their skill points into making the weapons better and forgo all the other weapons choices, making them redundant and useless. In Mass Effect 2 you will need to make use of different weapons at different times and you will be reliant on how much ammunition you have. Ammo can now be taken from defeated aggressors to replenish your stock. This method will be familiar top anyone to have played a first person shooter game in the past 20 years. Another element taken from those games is the new health gauge which regenerates over time when you are hidden behind cover. Combined with the new ammo system this makes gun battles more intense and immersive without the repetitiveness of the combat from the first game. Now when you aim and fire at an enemy you will hit them(if your own skill is good enough) In the previous game there would be a check on your skill with the weapon and the factoring of other statistics to see weather or not you hit your target, even if you were point blank you could still miss. You can upgrade your weaponry and armour by exploring planets for resources. This is done via your ship, the SSV Normandy SR-2, which is fully controllable and allows you to scan unexplored worlds for these resources. The ship itself can be upgraded too.

Mass Effect 2 features amazingly detailed worlds filled with life. Amazing original creatures and characters; all complete with a full back story and a purpose of being. This is also true of your elite squad; each one that you hire has an in-depth back story and purpose. They converse with each other just as the populations of the worlds do, they discuss problems and they talk about you and your actions. The worlds feel like they are truly alive and you will become engrossed in this highly interactive universe.

BioWare have been creating RPG\’s since the 1990\’s and have produced some of the industries finest games in this genre. This wealth of experience is on show in Mass Effect 2 as they have refined and improved every facet of the original, from top to bottom. The fat has been cut and we are left with the knowledge that Mass Effect 2 Special Edition is a wonderfully crafted game and a must have for your collection.

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