Mass Effect 2. Wow, never has a game caused so much regret for not giving it’s prequel a more fair shake. I actually purchased Mass Effect 1 at launch, as a lover of RPGs and of Star Wars I thought nothing could go wrong. It was traded in within a week. Why? I just could not get the hang of the controls, I’m not a very good gamer to begin with, I’ll admit that. I defiantly look for more storyline and just easy uncomplicated controls when I buy games, but in Mass Effect 1 I died constantly. The game frustrated me so bad because I wanted to give it a chance, I love Bioware. Knights of the Old Republic 2 and Jade Empire were too of my absolute favourite games ever on the original Xbox. Dragon Age: Origins is currently my favourite game, and the only game I’ve been willing to sit and play through the entire 16ish hours of just to see what happens to the characters in the end, the way the story goes, it engrossed me, enticed me. Mass Effect 1 didn’t do the same. It failed to draw me in from the beginning and the fact that the controls were so hard for me to understand (also the fact I was 14) all lead to that game ending back up in EB games as a preowned copy.
I was an idiot kid. Everyone told me that, my friends, people I met on the internet, reviews all told me that my decision to trade in Mass Effect 1 was a total mistake, apparently the game really picks up and from playing Mass Effect 2... I’ll need to go get that pre owned copy I think. Alright, enough talk of gamers regret. Mass Effect 2, where do I begin, the game is amazing, stunning, beautiful, engrossing and even slightly fun to play (once you get the hang of it).
The opening moments of Mass Effect 2 drew me into the game unlike any I think I’ve ever experienced outside of maybe Dragon Age. I was glad I played this game on my own because the :O look on my face would have been hilarious for anyone else to see. And that’s what makes Bioware great, the completely engrossing, visceral, feeling in your gut storyline. They don’t rely on classic clichés or cheap boos and yays, they don’t rely on classic stereotypes, archetypes, and the generated norm. No, they rely on good story telling, something that is missing in games these days. I am a film buff, I love the cinematic experiences, the connection between the characters on screen and the audience, I love the feeling you get deep down in your stomach when the main character is in danger, that connection is something generally missing from video games. And yet that feeling is exactly what Bioware does better than anyone else.
It’s repugnant at this point to stay that the story of Mass Effect 2 is amazing. How many times do you need to be told something before you believe it? It’s not the main storyline that got me though, of course it was interesting, engrossing, visceral, beautiful and heart-wrenching, but no. It was the personal stories of all the crew members. Warning: Spoilers ahead. I’ve never met a crew of more messed up people in my entire life. From Miranda’s daddy issues all the way to Samara’s sexual-serial killer daughter, all of these personalized missions are amazing and they all involve choice and consequences. I love choice and consequences. I loved it in Fable... I loved it in Dragon age, and now I love it in Mass Effect. There is a reasonably linear aspect to the game, as opposed to say Fallout 3, you’re being driven towards a common goal, but the way you achieve it makes you FEEL like it was your choice to go there in the first place. The branching dialogue trees are a great addition to the game, the fact they are fully voiced is also amazing (something Dragon Age 1 didn’t do but Dragon Age 2 will).
That’s another thing, the voice acting in this game is superb and it’s on another level. And I’m not just talking about the main dialogue, not talking about cut scenes... I’m talking about walking into Omega and hearing in the background “Aria’s expecting me... do you know who I am”, or walking through the business sector on Ilium and hearing a conversation between a merchant and possible customer about the product and his requirements. Background noise and ambience is common throughout game and film, but hearing actual conversations, it makes you feel as though the world of Mass Effect is alive, breathing and thriving.
It’s funny that I’ve gotten this far into the review without even mentioning game play. But gameplay well and truly is the least important aspect of this game, Ironic, huh? But it’s true, and that’s not even saying the game play is bad, in reality there’s nothing truly wrong with the game play. But it’s nothing groundbreaking like the other aspects of the game; it’s a shooter, with cover mechanics and a bit of strategic control. That’s all it is and it knows this and does it well. The cover mechanic is quite well implemented other than the fact I find myself often covering on the wrong side of the wall and dying because of it. Everything out about the combat is just what it is, nothing amazing, nothing ground-breaking, but fun enough that it doesn’t become annoying as I jump through plot points.
Overall I have to say that Mass Effect 2 is quickly becoming one of my favourite games. I will never say that it is the funnest or most innovative in terms of gameplay mechanics or combat. But when it comes down to the overall experience and immersion into the game world, nothing beats Bioware and Mass Effect is further evidence that they are leading the way towards the ultimate escapist realism game.
Peace and love kiddos,
The Brandon Bear.
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