I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I shook my head in disbelieve. This is not a game, it's an experience!
BioWare is known for creating large, well thought out universes, this one right at the top. I have not seen a game that is as balanced in everything that makes a great game. Sound design (especially tricky for scifi), visual design, soundtrack, cinematic direction, game play and most of all (a thing that many games neglect) outstanding story telling.
All this had me hooked from about ten minutes into playing the first game and they did not tune it down for this one. On the contrary.
The changes made however were all too obvious. I read a great many reviews of the first one and noticed certain recurring complaints. "the MAKO sucks" "the side missions all look the same" "the elevator rides are too long" "too much talking, not enough action" "the inventory system is confusing"
While I personally only agree with the first one of those complaints (I actually liked the inventory system and tuning my weapons and armor just the way I liked them and the talking was what made the depth of the game), BioWare certainly took the wished of their gamers to heart.
The MAKO is gone and replaced with a shuttle. After you land, you're on foot (not a problem since there's no more far distances to travel on planet surfaces).
The elevator rides were replaced by loading screens. The long rides were used to load the next segment of a large map, i personally found it to be a creative solution. But if people are more comfortable with a loading screen, that's fine by me and fine by BioWare apparently ;-)
Every planet that contains a side mission now has a unique map and task to fulfill. That of course means that there's a lot less of them than in the first which in turn means you'll get to finish the game sooner. If this is a good thing, decide for yourself. I personally thought it was a shame (even though I understand the need to turn down the number of side quests if you have to actually design an entire map from scratch for them).
A shame also that it was sort of dumbed down in the RPG department. A less complex inventory and character developing system that leaves little room for customization. I loved that about the first. However the crowd wants it (it will indeed be more accessible for the more casual gamer) I don't object. I'm in it for the story more than anything else.
Which brings us to the main appeal this game brings to the table, what makes it unique. It's story telling. It is sooo guuuuud. I sound like a junkie ;-)
I want to give my congratulations to the writers of this game who created a universe that is as deep as it is diverse. As innocent as it is rotten. Outstanding dialogs and character development of each one of the many people one meets. You will hear their stories, you will help them through their trial and when the time comes to face the Big Bad, you will NOT want them to die (Jack in particular I found to be an exceptionally well written character). Moral dilemmas of the tough variety will jump at you again and again, though not as heart wrenching as in the first (i.e. the Ashley/Kaidan decision which was just nasty - means I loved it).
In the second part you will find yourself exploring places that were only talked about in the first, expanding the universe even further. And while part one was concentrating on the brighter, more civilized aspects of this galactic society (the Citadel, the Council, the Alliance) you will crawl through the darkest corners of the galactic civilization, getting a good look at criminals, crooks, and many unfortunates who have fallen through the cracks. If you like to play your character as rogue (making the morally questionable decisions to strengthen your intimidation skills) you'll probably feel more at home in this game than in the first. It's easier to loose your temper with these here folks, far away from the council or the alliance.
My last shout out goes to whoever directed the cinematic sequences. At times I was thinking "that guy should be in the movies" but then I realized he is right where he's supposed to be, making outstanding games like this one. Cuts, camera angles, voice acting, all extraordinary in a way that you get sucked into the action unlike anything else I have seen. Even casual conversations (and there still is a significant amount) are put together in a way that it is always fluid and pleasing to the eye.
This is the kind of game that I pay the extra buck for if the give out a collectors edition (got it) just to show the developers and their sales graphics that this is the way games are done. And for the love of *enter deity of your choice* make a third part.
Here's my wishes for part three: don't water down the RPG elements any further and make the moral choices more painful (like in the first). I love it when things are gray and I have to either think twice OR regret a choice made, compelling me to begin a new round after I'm done. That's all the criticism I have to offer ;-)
As you can see, a game of this magnitude can not be summarized in three words. Wait. It can.
MASS EFFECT ROCKS!
