Review:
Mass Effect 2: Where YOU are the Bad Ass

Bioware has something going on. They’ve been known for quality storytelling, and triple A titles, but Mass Effect was something more. It was a game that let you feel like a bad ass in a movie, making your own bad ass decisions, and saving the galaxy the way YOU wanted to. Sure the freedom is, for the most part, a lie but it’s a very convincing one, and sometimes the appearance of freedom can be more compelling than freedom itself.

Mass Effect 2 comes out, and it expands on what made the first game such a joy to play, while also dropping the first game’s least appealing features. The first game was my favourite game, possibly of all time, but now that I’ve played through this one I’m just not sure. Which game is better? Lets find out.

Mass Effect 2 is the continuing story of Commander Shepherd, a guy or girl tasked to lead a team on a suicide mission to save the galaxy from an advanced evil race threatening to kill everyone. The game plays out often like a movie, but allowing you to choose what to say. You could choose to be the nice guy, helping people whenever you want. Or you could be the bad ass, taking no shit from nobody.

If you played the first game, you’re given the chance to import your saved data, and story decisions from the first game. You also gain bonuses to stats, and extra money, so it’s worth your while to play the first game if you haven’t already. And really, if you haven’t played it by now, what’s wrong with you? Do you even have an excuse? You can get it for like 10 dollars now.

The story and presentation are definitely the defining features of the game, and its sole selling point. If you’re looking to shoot up some aliens, and enjoy skipping any and every cutscene, then this game is quite probably not for you. As the story goes, it’s an exciting one, with numerous twists and some clever writing. The choices you’re given throughout that carry an impact on the game are really clever, and there were a few I had to really think about.