Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition (Xbox 360)

Excellent, maybe is not a 100% RGP, but it does not matter. It is a great game, outstanding, a must have and I recommend it. If you haven't played the first one do it and you will get one of the best experience that a game can offer guaranty.

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Loved:

- Gun Combat - Fights in Mass Effect 2 have moved from being the weak link of the first game to the strongest part of the sequel. Aiming is based on skill alone instead of generated numbers. Each weapon has a unique feel, the sound effects and feedback are tremendous. Replacing the cool-down system from the first Mass Effect with regular ammo and health regeneration makes for fast pace, visceral combat. Targeting body parts has effects, such as more damage for head-shots, and slowing down targets with leg shots. I found infiltrators impossible to use in ME1 because sniper rifles swayed too much, the damage was low, the cool-down for a single shot was the same time needed for enemy shields to regenerate, and head-shots didn't help. In ME2, picking off distant enemies is extremely satisfying.

- Strategy - Enemies have different health bars for shields, barriers, armor, and health that protect them from certain powers. This forces you to use different guns, ammo, and powers to whittle down their health. It adds a nice strategic element to the combat, and ensures that your main character cannot rambo through every encounter without help from your allies.

- Allies - Your companions are well defined, with decent back-stories, and each has 2 missions to further flesh out their characters. With so many allies, you are bound to find some that you like. Gameplaywise, each only has a few skills that are normally specialized for certain enemies, so it encourages you to use different allies for different missions.

- Dialog - The voice acting is superb. Every character's voice fits well, and the animations and camera angles have been varied to make the dialogs seem more cinematic. Bioware games really shine in this area.

- Graphics - All the technical hiccups of the first game are gone. Textures are always present and sharper than ever. Tech and biotic powers look and feel powerful. The backgrounds are stunning. And the characters are all gorgeous during their closeups.

- Armor customization - You have limited choice for your armor style, but you have full control over each piece (helmet, chest, legs, arms, shoulders), the pattern and color. You no longer need to worry about wanting the nice stat bonuses but looking like a clown wearing pink armor.

- True sequel - So many choices from the first game change the dialog and actions in the sequel. It makes each play-through unique and gives the game so much replay value.

- Mordin - This ally has the best dialog in any game ever. Buy the game just to see what he has to say.

Hated:

- No villain - ME1 benefited from a strong story involving a great villain, Saren. You got to see his cruelty, his power, and most importantly, his motivation. The story was compelling because you were saving the galaxy from his actions. In ME2, there is no central villian. You must save the galaxy from the collectors, but they never speak to you, and you never witness their hostility. In the cities, no one mentions them or seems all that concerned that the world as they know it may end. Your team keeps saying the entire galaxy is threatened, but without visual proof of that, the plot seems hollow.

- Missions - The gameplay is broken down into small chunks that take between 10 to 30 minutes to complete. They occur in areas that you can't return to, and once you meet the objective, the mission immediately ends. This is really nice in terms of pacing, but it's possible to miss items and upgrades. I always have the nagging feeling that I need to search every last corner even though I should be evacuating the exploding space station because I know I won't be able to come back later.

- Lack of weapons - There are only 2 or 3 guns of each type. Each one is significantly different in terms of power, clip size, and rate of fire, so old guns are still viable. However it does get boring using the same gun for 1/2 the game, and another for the rest. A few more options would have been welcome.

- Ally dialog structure - Your conversations with allies follows a strict structure where they have nothing to say to you until you reach another milestone in the main story. They never walk around the ship and never approach you. It's fine in most cases, but gets awkward when one of them proclaims their undying love for you and then finds an excuse not to talk to you for another 10 hours. Even a bit more variety in the reasons why they can't talk to you at the moment would go a long way for believability. When they give the exact same excuse again, it breaks the immersion, and you realize you are playing a game. Another reason why Mordin is so great. He is the only one with dozens of funny excuses for not having the time to chat with you.

Collector's Edition:

- The hardcover art book is gorgeous, and has some insight into ideas and designs that were proposed but rejected.

- The comic is nice, but leaves you wanting more, as it is part of an ongoing series

- The tin can was misleading. I thought everything was housed in the can, but in reality the whole thing comes in a paper box, and the DVD case is made of metal. That said, it is a beautiful tin DVD case.

Overall Mass Effect 2 stands strong as a 3rd person shooter. When combined with solid RPG elements, top calibur voice acting, and memorable characters it becomes an outstanding game from start to finish.

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great characters, character development, improves on an already robust system from ME1 and a great story to boot.

stop wondering and just get it...

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