Mass Effect 2 – The First Few Hours

Bioware's sprawling space opera returns

It seems odd to see quite a few big-budget triple-A titles launching this early in the year, but with a fair few slipping from the 2009 release schedules, the gaming calendar is looking pretty packed for January / February. The arrival of Mass Effect 2 isn’t going to help matters either. Bioware’s sprawling space opera gets a second outing, establishing itself as an RPG series with an arcing storyline and familiar characters returning for the second outing.

Last time we saw Commander Shepard, she (or he, I just happened to pick a female lead in Mass Effect 1) was putting the universe to rights, but not quite getting to the nitty gritty of who (or what) was behind attacks on human outposts, and what sinister force was disrupting the tranquil peace that had existed for so long.

The sequel doesn’t give you a moment to breathe, pouring on the action from the word go. Without straying too far into spoiler territory, you get to see (and play through) a neat interactive pre-credit scene before you’re let loose on the game proper.

Your commander can be imported from your Mass Effect 1 save, and once you’ve given her (or him) a tidy up appearance-wise, and perhaps even changed to one of the new game’s new classes, it’s time to hit the ground running.

The first improvement you notice to Mass Effect 2 is in the visual department. The nasty texture draw-in and V-Synch tearing of the original Xbox 360 version are gone, and the new character models and scenic details are very nicely done indeed.

Next you’ll notice just how fluid the combat system is this time around, with a proper (and very easy to use) cover system for armed combat, and weapons that feel like they pack a proper punch this time round. Squad and team movement and ordering is also slicker, and finally the whole combat section is rounded off with some nice weapon enhancement powers that give you the edge in a firefight.

The game is still as chatty as Mass Effect 1 was, so if you’re not a fan of extended dialogue scenes, you can thankfully skip through but that sort of negates the point of playing a role playing game over a straight-up action title. The dialogue scenes and character interactions are further embellished by split second decisions you can take action on, to further your character’s impressions and effect on others. Taking a rogue stance in a particular situation can reap rewards though, so it’s worth balancing out how nice or nasty you want to come across as.  For once, Bioware seems to have got the balance right without unjustly punishing your character should you decide to play bad cop rather than good cop.

Though it’s difficult to describe the game without giving away plot elements, your unique skills are called on once again to avert a galactic catastrophe. This time, it seems the nefarious reapers from the first game are intent on eradicating humankind and you’ve been recruited to stop them.  The way this happens makes for some jaw-dropping moments in the initial stages of the game, but you really have to go and play it and go through them yourself.  Suffice to say that the plot takes more twists and turns than a corkscrew, so be prepared for some excellent moments of “Did that just happen?”

Ultimately Mass Effect 2 shows that Bioware has honed its craft to perfection, and has once again presented a living breathing and believable game world to get truly immersed in.  From the design of the Normandy’s “hub” as game interface, to the intense cinematic fight scenes, it’s a real treat and like a really good book, something you’ll want to savour and take your time with.

Early adopters get rewarded with a couple of free unlockables via the game’s Cerberus Network; an in-game information hub that ties neatly in with the DLC store.

Boasting a stellar cast of voice actors from Martin Sheen to Tricia (Galactica) Helfer, Mass Effect 2 should swell EA / Bioware’s coffers satisfyingly while providing gamers with weeks of entertainment. For fans of the original it’s a “must have” and even if you swear off RPGs normally (as I do) you’ll find plenty here to keep you playing, even if you like to rattle through your games swiftly.