Highlights Of Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 is one of the top RPG/shooters to come out recently.  In addition to a fantastic score, graphics, and game design, the game also has a very engaging storyline which keeps you hooked from start to finish.  Here are some of the highlights of Mass Effect 2.

1. Characters

The entire game is driven by each character's storyline.  You basically have to pick up different characters as part of the mission to defeat the evil guys which are revealed towards the middle of the game.  Each of these characters has a unique perspective and backstory, as seen through "loyalty missions" you pick up after acquiring the character.

If you really like games with rich characters and tons of dialogue options with them to dig deeper into their lives, Mass Effect 2 does not fail to disappoint.  Each character has unique dialogue choices that can unlock storyline points for them, so you'll need to talk to them to find out what they want from you.

2. Cinematic storyline

The whole time you're playing this game, you feel like you're playing a movie.  Mass Effect 2 is unlike most shooters in that you're continually making moral decisions for yourself and your crew.  As Commander Shepard, you're in charge of the whole ship - and the fate of the galaxy.

What decisions you make will effect the outcome of the game, including who lives, who dies, and who will persist through to the next game.

3. Continuation of ME 1

If you played the first game, Mass Effect 1, then your Shepard can be imported into Mass Effect 2 in order to continue his or her story. 

Mass Effect 2 has better graphics, better gameplay and combat, and better, more interesting character development.  You'll remember some of the original characters in ME 1, including Liara T'Soni, whom you can learn more about in the DLC Lair of the Shadow Broker.

Ultimately, Mass Effect 2 is a game for RPG fans more than shooter fans.  You don't get nonstop action in this game; instead, the focus is on dialogue and story development, with combat as a secondary thing.  But it's still quite well-designed, and you feel like part of the action the whole time.

The combat's not insanely difficult, so if you're more interested in getting the most action of the game, you can do so by increasing the difficulty and playing around with different class/skill combos.  But if you just want to experience the game without an emphasis on combat, you can set it to Casual difficulty.