2010 games you shouldn't miss - playing the hardcore way: Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2
Immersive experience but does have some gaps.

The second Mass Effect biggest merit (which is the same as the first one) is that it totally immerses you in an alternative, sci-fi, fantastic world.

Anyhow have to say I'm a bit torn about Mass Effect 2:

- on one hand when you arrive to the end you cannot help feeling totally part of the experience, "been there, done that" sort of feel.
You really feel you were the Shepard that did it all (especially if you imported your character from the first Mass Effect).

- on the other however there are some things that don't really leave a sweet taste in your mouth.
Mass Effect 2 is defined as an RPG, yet it lacks many RPG elements, also elements that were present in the previous chapter. The character customization is very limited, of course you choose your class and powers but it's nothing that deep. Armors and weapons also are just that.
Anyone that was hoping for a more RPG character sheet style of character won't get it.

Another sore point is that there is too much shooting, almost every scene and every task means long sessions of shooting, there are exceptions, but as said, they are exceptions rather than the game core.
I understand the grim and darker mood but we're talking bloodbath here and as an additional point while the shooting was somehow improved it still isn't so cool that you actually enjoy spending all that time shooting.
In fact in the end it is fairly straight. Go on, look for cover, try to command your mates in a decent way (good chances are they'll just stand in the middle of the scene to get shot at since there is no go there AND TAKE COVER command... sigh).

While the various places you visit are beautiful and really well done and built, with an excellent atmosphere and mood some also feel a bit too limited. The citadel for example, really makes you feel you're playing in a box, so to speak. Of course this isn't a sandbox game, yet a bit more space to explore would have been more than welcome.
And also some variation of NPC dialogue, when you go somewhere you keep hearing the very same sentences over and over and over again, some variation would have added a lot!

To immerse myself more of the awesome game feel (because it really is awesome) I just spent sessions going round the ship talking with everyone and yes, there could have been more dialogues, although the ones present were really good.

But in the end despite the bloodshed, too much shooting etc. you can't but go on because it really is compelling.
The best thing of this game are the characters. They are deep and intense and alive. A bit too grim overall but certainly well done.
You feel into your character, you feel into an amazing world (if partial) and you want to save the universe!
So every sci-fi lover should still play this, regardless of all the downs and let's hope Mass Effect 3 will be even better and that they finally show our most beloved Tali (I don't care about details, just make her pretty :P).

links
game: http://masseffect.bioware.c...
guides: http://www.xbox360achieveme...
developer: http://www.bioware.com/