ME 2 impressions

[JeffNY35]

Quick impressions so far:At its core the game is improved. Everything ME 1 did good, ME2 is better. Graphics + sound is amazing, story and dialogue is even MORE engaging..bravo. combat feels slighty more 'gritty' for lack of better words.Now, the things that ME didn't do quite so well are changed significantly but I certainly would not call it best of Both worlds and not even sure if I would call them improvements.first off, remembe the loot/inventory clutter nightmare of Me1? well they removed it. I mean literally now I have NOTHING except credits and some weapon upgrades. I did get one new pistol I think. also I didn't see a way to change my squad mates gear, but you can alter the 'loadout' when u enter a mission.Furthermore instead of the level-up choices being a bit tedious they reduced the options. I do not see anywhere to upade weapon skills or decryption or elect onics. just like 4 or 5 'powers' . maybe more unlock later?but, don't get me wrong, the game is awesome..however seems 'streamlined'.

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

It's fun so far, but there is no doubt in my mind they gutted the RPG portion of it. It feels much more Gears of War then mass effect now.

 

[zerogear]

No helmet toggle? I love the character drinking alcohol through their helmet. This is a fun game, but stripped down from the original.

 

[ZzZGuy]

The big question is, are the elevators still as boring as in the first?

 

[40sTheme]

The big question is, are the elevators still as boring as in the first?

There are none.
Just loading screens.
The combat is much smoother and the item system is VERY VERY streamlined. Sure, the leveling elements of RPG have been stripped down, but to a level that isn't boring. The dialogue and interaction is the real RPG section of the game. VERY in depth and intuitive. Loving it.

 

[Slick5150]

No helmet toggle? I love the character drinking alcohol through their helmet. This is a fun game, but stripped down from the original.

I think that's only with the DLC armor that came with the platinum edition or whatever.

 

[ayabe]

I think that's only with the DLC armor that came with the platinum edition or whatever.

It looks pretty badass, but it sucks you can't opt for the no helmet with the dragon armor.

I only got to play for about an hour but the opening really impressed me. The controls are a bit meh but I'm adjusting. I'm looking forward to getting into it.

 

[pathos]

I think that's only with the DLC armor that came with the platinum edition or whatever.

When you get to the second area, there is a interactive armor station on the wall. In it, you can choose between the downloadable armor, or your regular look. You can turn on your helmet (2 different styles), and you have a choice of around 5 different styles of casual wear.

Perhaps you'll pick up more armor types and casual types you can change at that station, later on in the game.

edit - oh, you can also customize your regular armor using textures, stripes, and colors as well

 

[cblais19]

Regarding skills: if you look at the highest teir of your starting skills, it shows the options you have once you buy that tier to morph it into an advanced form. It appears to have two separate choices for each of the skills, for instance, my soldier can morph his ammo skills into either one that applies for the entire team, or an improved verson. Or he can morph his class skill into either the Commando or um...something else, each providing different bonuses. One seemed more geared towards melee, the other towards precision shooting.

So I think alot of the accusations towards a dumbed down skill system is coming from people who have not noticed this rather large spread in truth. Also, each of my two companions has a skill I cannot place ranks into until I raise their "trust" in me.

Equipment:There is a helmet toggle, there's an entire armor/clothing customization locker where you can change between various patterns, appearances, cammo and colors for your armor. Right now I only have the collectors and the basic N7 armor as a choice, but you will receive more as the game progresses. There's no more armor classes however, will see how this pans out.

Regarding the gear, the "loadout" you choose at the start of the mission appears to be what you're stuck with for most of the mission, although there is the capability to pick up weapons. Only done two missions so far however, so no idea how that will progress.

Missions: These are very interestingly done. It actually reminds me quite a bit of DDO in a way, each mission is much like an instance, and at the end you see a "results" screen, where it's a report to the Illusive Man. It shows you the xp earned, any level ups gained, rare elements, outcome, and funding gained/provided by Cerberus. It's an interesting change. Oh, and loading screens are pretty awesomely done animated schematics so far.

Textures, lighting, everything graphics related is rather improved. I left the game in the middle of a conversation to help my wife, and she saw it and went "wow, that looks real", regarding shepard's face.

 

[Raduque]

I don't know which one I like least, ME's craptactular list view inventory of junk, or ME2's complete lack of inventory, period.

I'm absolutely ECSTATIC they dumped the Mako and driving around and replaced it with the planet scanning.

This game loads way way faster than the first one.

Bioware recently mentioned in an article they were trying to compete somewhat with Modern Warfare 2, which is the reason for the combat changes.

Textures, lighting, everything graphics related is rather improved. I left the game in the middle of a conversation to help my wife, and she saw it and went "wow, that looks real", regarding shepard's face.

The best part is that it even RUNS better than the original. ME was plagued with performance issues of all kind.

 

[cblais19]

I don't know which one I like least, ME's craptactular list view inventory of junk, or ME2's complete lack of inventory, period.

I think it might have also been an attempt towards a "realistic" inventory system, in that instead of toting around an entire armory worth of weapons in your portable black hole, all the extras are kept within the Normandy's locker for selection prior to a mission. Currently need to get the gentleman that will allow me to apply upgrades to see how that whole thing works.

 

[Bacstar]

So far, I'm loving the game, even more than ME1. The story immediately piqued my interest, and it was hard to force myself to go to bed last night. I always wanted to see what was going to happen next. I'm glad that I'm not carrying an endless array of junk, constantly worrying about which piece of armor or weapon is better than what I have equipped...etc.

I'm still mixed on the planet surveying change. It was kinda cool to roam around unexplored planets, but as someone said earlier, it didn't take long for it to become boring and repetitive.

One thing I noticed in battles, I've noticed my squad mates seem to lag behind me all the time, but it may just be my gung-ho nature when playing FPS's. ME2 is definitely more a FPS than the first one. So far, I haven't had to "resurrect" any fallen squad mates.

And just a side note, I'm a big fan of Chuck, and hearing Yvonne Strahovky's accented voice really adds to the appeal, if you know what I mean.

 

[MJinZ]

Quick impressions so far:At its core the game is improved. Everything ME 1 did good, ME2 is better. Graphics + sound is amazing, story and dialogue is even MORE engaging..bravo. combat feels slighty more 'gritty' for lack of better words.Now, the things that ME didn't do quite so well are changed significantly but I certainly would not call it best of Both worlds and not even sure if I would call them improvements.first off, remembe the loot/inventory clutter nightmare of Me1? well they removed it. I mean literally now I have NOTHING except credits and some weapon upgrades. I did get one new pistol I think. also I didn't see a way to change my squad mates gear, but you can alter the 'loadout' when u enter a mission.Furthermore instead of the level-up choices being a bit tedious they reduced the options. I do not see anywhere to upade weapon skills or decryption or elect onics. just like 4 or 5 'powers' . maybe more unlock later?but, don't get me wrong, the game is awesome..however seems 'streamlined'.

ME2, like Dragon Age is built for the console crowd. Simple is key.

I'm probably not getting this until it drops in price. If I wanted a good console RPG, I will buy a PS3 and get FF13 for a properly done console RPG.

 

[JeffNY35]

what class did everyone choose by the way?I went infiltrator. I think whether or not I regret that choice will be based on squad mate classes and who I like.biotics are nasty. I almost think I should start over as a vanguard. but many of the npcs have biotics including miranda, who is some nice eye candy!one thing I will miss if we can't do it is changing their armor. I mean, I already miss Ashley in light armor....that suit miranda comes with is drab.

 

[Slick5150]

I like how they've reintroduced me to a couple of my old crewmates so far. I'm hoping that continues throughout the game.

 

[Fox5]

It's fun so far, but there is no doubt in my mind they gutted the RPG portion of it. It feels much more Gears of War then mass effect now.

Mass Effect 1 felt like Gears of War. The RPG elements were obviously pointless, I played with the game with auto level on, occasionally spent the half an hour or so to upgrade equipment (wish it had an auto option too), and just played the game as gears of war with a better story.

 

[s44]

Don't know where people are getting "RPG gutted" stuff from. The dialogues are better than ever, unless you try to wear the ^@$&@^$ ripoff DLC armor that is. Lots of interesting character moments.

Infiltrator is excellent for a sniper-rifle fan. The larger battlespaces and increased importance of cover make it much more useful more of the time... Even with the heatsink limitation that makes you switch weapons/tactics halfway in.

 

[Raduque]

what class did everyone choose by the way?I went infiltrator. I think whether or not I regret that choice will be based on squad mate classes and who I like.biotics are nasty. I almost think I should start over as a vanguard. but many of the npcs have biotics including miranda, who is some nice eye candy!one thing I will miss if we can't do it is changing their armor. I mean, I already miss Ashley in light armor....that suit miranda comes with is drab.

When you earn your crew's Loyalty, you can change their outfits. The alternate colors look much better than the default ones, imo.

I'll spoiler this just in case:

Spoiler

Also, I just have to say, ME2 reveals something VERY interesting (something I never saw coming) about the Reapers and their cycle of growth and destruction of sentient organics.

 

[Onita]

Probably a dumb question, but I never played ME1. I've seen people talking about "importing" their stuff from ME1. How gimped is it if I would just start off playing ME2 from scratch?

 

[s44]

Slightly. But you'd really miss out on the story continuity. A lot of the best bits in the early ME2 are looking back at the original.

Go play ME first. ME2 might be on sale by the time you're done.

 

[HumblePie]

Slightly. But you'd really miss out on the story continuity. A lot of the best bits in the early ME2 are looking back at the original.

Go play ME first. ME2 might be on sale by the time you're done.

LOL, only if you do every side quest and visit every planet. If you power through the game you can do it in a weekend. You won't get the "best" stuff but that's not needed.

Now if you do want the "best" stuff you can read an online guide and go only where you need to go to get the things you want. Alternatively, you can get a save game editor and just give yourself the stuff you want.

 

[s44]

Actually, it was a joke about how fast these games go on sale. EA was handing out a $10 off DA:O coupon what seemed like ten seconds after release.

 

[nyker96]

looks like a mixed review, I'm still waiting for more review site to review this game, played me1 liked it so is thinking if I should get this one as well. does it still have all that alien romances? I hope they have more classes with variety, somehow me1 I play same way for the character classes in me1. anyhow I just love the ending, blew me away, hope the me2 has the same climatic endings.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

The levels are all very linear and dumbed down, but overall I still love the game. I hate the weapon reloading thing though. Kicking out the heat clip should be an option in addition to waiting for your weapon to cool. If you're in the heat of battle and really can't wait for the gun to cool down, you can eject the heat clip as a way to continue firing without too much pause. Heat clips should just naturally cool down on their own when the gun's not firing.

I don't like the Citadel.

Spoiler

The nightclub in the Citadel advertises exotic dancing but there are no exotic dancers to be found!!!! Grrrrrrrrr....

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/reviews/1424-Mass-Effect-2-Review-Supplement

Despite her dry voice the review was amusing.