First Reactions: Mass Effect 2

Welcome again, reader. Today, I am musing about the first impressions of a big title game: Mass Effect 2. Note: I was hesitant to buy this game due to how it has been advertised as a "sex sim." It's actually thanks to Bennet the Sage from thatguywiththeglasses.com that I actuall got interested in this game.

Controls:

Pros: Mostly tight. The aiming and gun play is better, the dialogue trees aren't changed (a good thing). The addition of Paragon and Renegade QTE's may seem like a little much, but they actually fit in pretty well.

Cons: Combat, and I'm the only one that may think this, is a bitch. ME1 did a clever thing with the non-reloading weapons, ME2 does away with that... mostly. It's explained that you have to reload a thermal clip when it overheats. The problem is that most of your weapons need to be reloaded after only a few shots. Oddly enough, it reminds me of Borderlands' combat, but in third-person, and not as well developed. Movement is way too slow, the sprint is too short of a distance, and for some inexplicable reason, some cover you can't shoot from, nor hop over.

Aesthetics:

Pros: No pop in graphics (mostly). Great voice acting. The return of some characters looking different is a good touch.

Cons: It's painfully obvious that the Hollywood stars, i.e. Michael Dorn, Martin Sheen, and Keith (Badass) David, steal the show from the "unknowns." Yvonne Strahovski (Miranda) seems to be there only to be a sex symbol or an absolutely annoying, condescending bitch who can't act. Some graphic pop ins, and major graphic errors (wanna see the inside of a Krogan's mouth?)

Characters:

Pros: Mostly better developed that ME1. Garrus and Tali are always welcome back to the series as far as I'm concerned. Jacob Taylor is freaking awesome. Joker and Dr. Chakwas return, with some humorous events along with them. Grunt is more interesting than I thought he'd be, and Mordin is funny and cool as hell. AI is pretty good. The addition of a human female love interest for both genders of Shepard is fine... but what about the occasional gay gamer?

Cons: Miranda and Jack are both annoying. Miranda can fight, but usually dies first due to bull rushing the offense. I haven't used Jack for fear that she might have sex with the enemy instead of killing them. I haven't gotten Thane, Legion, or Samara yet. Enemies like to target you, and leave allies alone. The game is obviously meant for teenage boys and men with nothing better to do, due to the fact that you have more relationships that appeal to straight male gamers or lesbian gamers than a straight female or gay gamer.

Player:

Pros: Importing your Shepard is awesome. Being able to change class and looks is good too. The Adept class is very well done.

Cons: Um... what about the scars in the first game? Changing your looks seems counter-productive in the story if you import.

Story and Etc:

Pros: Good writing and execution. Loyalty quests had a more TV show feel to the game. The return of some characters is a good addition... but...

Cons: The end mission stat screen pulls away from the games feels. The loyalty missions seem tacked on at points. The enemy is never really developed like Saren was. The game is on the short side for an RPG. I'm half-way through it in 10 hours. The return of some characters seem forced and very against who they are.

Overall so far: I'm not done with it yet, but it's not a bad game. The first was better by far, though, in the story area. The characters in this have the much needed development that only a few had in the first (i.e. Tali had a interesting backstory and culture, but Ashley did not). But, the writers seemed to have forgotten how real people (much less their characters) would react if they saw someone who was dead for two years. If you liked the first, this is worth a play. More on it later.