Mass Effect 2 Launch Reviews, Wave Four

While rounding up another set of ten launch reviews, it dawned on me that calling Mass Effect the biggest disappointment of 2007 might be the reason why BioWare has yet to send us a review copy of the sequel despite our numerous requests. Or it might not.

The first is at XXLGaming with a score of 97/100:

Mass Effect 2 delivers action, suspense, and intensity at every point throughout the game. Plenty of surprises await you with every decision you make and every mission you undertake. You will not find a dull moment and the replayability is off the charts with this game. There is so much detail in this game that it’s impossible to cover it all in this review. I edited this review down quite a bit so it wouldn’t run to long, so I apologize if I left out a detail you were looking for. What I can tell you is that Bioware has refined and redefined the Mass Effect series in every way possible. Not only will this game most certainly be up for Game of the Year come December 2010, but this could be one of the classic games of all time. The guys really have their work cut out for them in the third installment of the Mass Effect trilogy to top what they have accomplished to this point. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and grab a copy now! You will not regret the purchase one single bit. Now I got to get back to playing the game.

The second is at Gaming Union with a score of 9/10:

An improvement from the first game in every single way, Mass Effect 2 continues to seamlessly blend action, drama, and intrigue in one of the most anticipated titles of 2010. Though inter-planetary travel can get a little monotonous, the overall storyline and improved combat system make the game well worth it. Fans of the first will have quite a few surprises in store for them while newcomers should feel right at home taking advantage of all the game’s improvements.

The third is at Colony of Gamers with a perfect score of 5/5:

There is no doubt that Mass Effect 2 is a must buy whether you played the first one or not in my opinion. I’m sure BioWare does a good job of catching the people up that didn’t play the original, although I have to test that out in yet another play through. I personally think the game has been honed from the first game for the better, but others may think differently. This game grabbed me and didn’t let me go until the credits rolled. Even then I had the wish to continue on finishing missions or starting up a new game (through my saved ME2 profile, the ME1 profile again maybe going Renegade or starting from scratch). This game has a lot of replay value in my opinion and is simply a top notch game. Highly recommended.

The fourth is at About.com with a perfect score of 5/5:

In the end, Mass Effect 2 is everything gamers have expected and more. It is a far better game overall than the original Mass Effect and shares the same great story and great collection of characters and overall universe that made the first game so memorable, only now with much better gameplay. I had issues with the original Mass Effect, notably the combat that felt disconnected from the player and driving the Mako vehicle around repetitive bland planets. Those things are completely fixed here. Exploration is amazing and the combat is visceral and meaty. You really feel in control of everything this time around, which makes the stuff that was good to begin with story and characters and sense of exploration and freedom even better. This is without question one of the best games on the Xbox 360 and I highly recommend it for a purchase.

The fifth is at GamerNode with a score of 9.5/10:

Mass Effect 2 is a captivating experience that begs to be played and replayed. Its phenomenal presentation is augmented by its enjoyable combat, deep character development, and epic narrative, and only minor quibbles exist in each of these areas. Play this game; you’ll be treating yourself to greatness.

The sixth is at ABC News with a perfect score of 4/4:

Overall, “Mass Effect” is sophisticated, thought-provoking science fiction that makes “Avatar” look simple-minded. So soon after last year’s “Dragon Age: Origins,” it confirms the status of the BioWare team as the best storytellers in video games.

The seventh is at GameInformer with a score of 9.75/10:

The loss of RPG elements may hit some people hard, and the repetition in minigames may lead to yawns and tired eyes, but none of these faults hold Mass Effect 2 back from being a work of bold ambition, and one of gaming’s most exciting sequels.

The eighth is at Game Revolution with a score of “A-“:

Looking only at the pros and cons (the report card), you might find the grade suspect. I would too. But despite all my gripes, Mass Effect 2 does more than enough to live up to its predecessor. You won’t give much attention to the unintuitive HUD, and the low level cap won’t stop most from playing the game again with added difficulty or for multiple story options. You’ll get frustrated, you’ll ask yourself why, but you’ll still love it. Facing the dark reality of Mass Effect 2 has its stumbles and slips, but it’s a trip worth taking, no matter the destination.

The ninth is at ActionTrip with a score of 9.3/10:

BioWare’s work continues to amaze us with brilliant writing, exceptional direction and story presentation, and compelling gameplay. Most people will undoubtedly get swept away by Mass Effect 2 due to the sheer scope of the storyline, great characters and numerous choices you can make every step of the way. Everything BioWare did to improve the game has lead to satisfying results. Such efforts actually redefine how sequels should be made. This was one of the most memorable gaming experiences we’ve had in recent history.

And the tenth is at Evil Avatar with a perfect score of 5/5:

Mass Effect 2 is quite honestly everything you would hope it would be. An epic story full of interesting characters within a huge universe with all the problems from the first game fixed. Whether you’d rather go prospectin’ for some minerals on planets or just stick to the game’s story, there’s plenty of content to keep you busy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a second character to import while anxiously awaiting ME3.