Okay, this is not a review, I just couldn't come up with a better word. It's basically just my impressions, including a summary/comparison to ME1. Also, if people want more information or have specific questions, just ask.
I write this based on two playthroughs, one as a Sentinel, and one as an Infiltrator. I'm currently doing a Soldier game, and will do one with a Vanguard as well (by the end of the week). I have tried most classes though.
I'll just add a section per element, and my thoughts on it. Let's get the easy stuff out of the way first.
Sound
The voice acting is quite possibly the best I've heard in a game, and the music is fairly good as well. Seems like there is more variety in terms of music and sounds than in ME1, which adds to the various planets and quests.
Graphics
As expected - upgraded version of ME1. The faces, in particular, are better. Combined with the sound, it creates the best cinematic experience I've ever encountered in a game. However, you could read all about this in the gazillion reviews that are out, so you all knew this already.
Gameplay
This is where it gets interesting. It's definetly more shooter than it was before. The use of abilities has been toned down a bit, especially biotics. Basically, most powers have little or no effect on enemies that are using some sort of defense (you have to break the defense first). There are a few abilities designed to break down defenses, but the most consistent way of doing this is shooting. Of course, once the defenses are down, the enemy is practically helpless, so if you just continue shooting..
Which brings me my biggest geef with ME2 - the lack of variety in terms of ability usage. Whether you use Throw or Pull or Singularity or whatever, you're always faced with the same problem - break down defenses first. Once that is done, however, the enemy is practically dead (health drops really fast once defenses are gone), so you might as well put a few extra rounds in'em for good measure and call it a day.
Some abilities, like Charge (Vanguard), Adrenaline Rush (Soldier) or Tactical Cloak (Infiltrator) are very useful, and have a unique feeling. However, they are in the minority, and it's fairly obvious to most classes where you get the most bang for your bucks (in terms of levelling a character).
Also, most gun fights end up exactly the same - the enemy lines up behind crates, your team lines up behind crates, and then you duke it out by shooting them whenever they pop up from their crates. While certain fights are very exciting, the formula gets repetitive and tedious, especially compared to ME1 where "rushing" the enemy was a viable tactic for some of the tougher classes (primarily Soldier and Vanguard, but also Adept once you had enough biotic powers).
Generally, I still find ME1 gameplay superior to ME2, simply because I prefer the use of abilities that ME1 offered. I'm just not a shooter fan; I consider it tedious unless you add something to it.
Story
It's fairly solid. A nice twist along the way. A lot of options that will certainly affect ME3. I am somewhat dissappointed at how little certain decisions in ME1 affected ME2, but it still added a nice touch here and there.
Nothing out of the ordinary though. Also, I strongly suggest playing ME1 first, as it will make no sense at all otherwise.
NPCs
You can gather a total of 11 NPCs (including Zaeed, the DLC). Most of them are actually somewhat interesting. Some are even very good in a gun fight, especially if you order them around a bit. The only drawback here has to do with the gameplay issue - their special combat abilities remain unused a lot of the time since all the tough enemies are so well protected.
I still find Wrex a better companion than any of the companions in ME2, but he's also the only one. The rest is generally better than the usual BioWare setup, especially Thane and Dr. Solus. I also consider Legion a very interesting addition, one that is certainly not stereotype.
Final thoughts
All in all, I consider ME2 a worthy successor to ME1. If you enjoyed 1, you'll enjoyed 2. If you didn't, you won't. To me, the game has been streamlined a bit too much, and still has a feeling of "console" (more so than 1 did, especially the clunky interface that requires far too many clicks, since there are very few shortcuts). It's definetly more shooter than RPG now, though you do make some tough choices from time to time that has huge consequences/impact on the people around you.
That was all I had time to add for now. Like I said, if you have any questions or want some info, feel free to ask.
I write this based on two playthroughs, one as a Sentinel, and one as an Infiltrator. I'm currently doing a Soldier game, and will do one with a Vanguard as well (by the end of the week). I have tried most classes though.
I'll just add a section per element, and my thoughts on it. Let's get the easy stuff out of the way first.
Sound
The voice acting is quite possibly the best I've heard in a game, and the music is fairly good as well. Seems like there is more variety in terms of music and sounds than in ME1, which adds to the various planets and quests.
Graphics
As expected - upgraded version of ME1. The faces, in particular, are better. Combined with the sound, it creates the best cinematic experience I've ever encountered in a game. However, you could read all about this in the gazillion reviews that are out, so you all knew this already.
Gameplay
This is where it gets interesting. It's definetly more shooter than it was before. The use of abilities has been toned down a bit, especially biotics. Basically, most powers have little or no effect on enemies that are using some sort of defense (you have to break the defense first). There are a few abilities designed to break down defenses, but the most consistent way of doing this is shooting. Of course, once the defenses are down, the enemy is practically helpless, so if you just continue shooting..
Which brings me my biggest geef with ME2 - the lack of variety in terms of ability usage. Whether you use Throw or Pull or Singularity or whatever, you're always faced with the same problem - break down defenses first. Once that is done, however, the enemy is practically dead (health drops really fast once defenses are gone), so you might as well put a few extra rounds in'em for good measure and call it a day.
Some abilities, like Charge (Vanguard), Adrenaline Rush (Soldier) or Tactical Cloak (Infiltrator) are very useful, and have a unique feeling. However, they are in the minority, and it's fairly obvious to most classes where you get the most bang for your bucks (in terms of levelling a character).
Also, most gun fights end up exactly the same - the enemy lines up behind crates, your team lines up behind crates, and then you duke it out by shooting them whenever they pop up from their crates. While certain fights are very exciting, the formula gets repetitive and tedious, especially compared to ME1 where "rushing" the enemy was a viable tactic for some of the tougher classes (primarily Soldier and Vanguard, but also Adept once you had enough biotic powers).
Generally, I still find ME1 gameplay superior to ME2, simply because I prefer the use of abilities that ME1 offered. I'm just not a shooter fan; I consider it tedious unless you add something to it.
Story
It's fairly solid. A nice twist along the way. A lot of options that will certainly affect ME3. I am somewhat dissappointed at how little certain decisions in ME1 affected ME2, but it still added a nice touch here and there.
Nothing out of the ordinary though. Also, I strongly suggest playing ME1 first, as it will make no sense at all otherwise.
NPCs
You can gather a total of 11 NPCs (including Zaeed, the DLC). Most of them are actually somewhat interesting. Some are even very good in a gun fight, especially if you order them around a bit. The only drawback here has to do with the gameplay issue - their special combat abilities remain unused a lot of the time since all the tough enemies are so well protected.
I still find Wrex a better companion than any of the companions in ME2, but he's also the only one. The rest is generally better than the usual BioWare setup, especially Thane and Dr. Solus. I also consider Legion a very interesting addition, one that is certainly not stereotype.
Final thoughts
All in all, I consider ME2 a worthy successor to ME1. If you enjoyed 1, you'll enjoyed 2. If you didn't, you won't. To me, the game has been streamlined a bit too much, and still has a feeling of "console" (more so than 1 did, especially the clunky interface that requires far too many clicks, since there are very few shortcuts). It's definetly more shooter than RPG now, though you do make some tough choices from time to time that has huge consequences/impact on the people around you.
That was all I had time to add for now. Like I said, if you have any questions or want some info, feel free to ask.