Mass Effect 2

[Shadow Fire]

<br /><br />Director: Casey Hudson<br /><br />Producers: Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk<br /><br />Music: Jack Wall, Sam Hulick, David Kates, Jummy Hinson<br /><br />Starring: Mark Meer, Jennifer Hale, Kieth David, Seth Green, Martin Sheen, Yvonne Strahovsky, Adam Lazarre-White<br /><br />Rating: <br /><br /><br />Plot<br />The threat from Saren's ambitions are over and the galaxy seems to be returning to normal. However, even after your victory, strange activity seems to be happening in the Omega Nebula. The Normandy is sent to investigate possible geth activity in the region. However, after four days of scouring the area, no geth appear to be around. Suddenly, an unidentified vessel intercepts the Normandy and fires on it, causing massive damage. The resulting explosion kills Executive Officer Pressly. An order is given to evacuate, with heavy casualties as the crew rush for the escape pods. Shepard remains on board to help Joker escape. Just as Shepard manages to get Joker inside the escape pod, the unidentified ship fires again, sending Shepard into space. Joker's escape pod launches just in time. The ship is fired upon again, obliterating it, the debris tumbling down towards the nearby planet. Shepard's suit is damaged, and decompresses. Out of oxygen, the commander's lifeless body falls through the planet's atmosphere.<br /><br />Time passes, and the commander's body is recovered, a woman's voice explaining that "The Lazarus Project will proceed". Although not much is left of the commander's body, cybernetics are used to bring the Spectre back to life. Awakening prematurely, Shepard is able to hear the voices of a man and woman, both concerned over the commander's condition. The woman gives the order to sedate the commander, to restore lifesigns to normal. However, sometime later, the commander is awoken once more, to find the facility under attack. Shepard manages to secure a pistol and fights past hostile mechs, meeting two operatives, one of whom Shepard recognises as being with the woman in the med-bay. The other admits he works for Cerberus, an organisation the commander is well-aware of. As the three make their way through the facility to evacuate, they nearly manage to make it to the evac area, when a woman, the same from earlier, appears behind the doors and kills Wilson, revealing him to be the cause of the attack. Shepard and the Cerberus operatives leave the station.<br /><br />After being taken to a Cerberus base, Shepard is introduced to the Illusive Man, leader of Cerberus. He explains that human colonies have gone missing, and he is the one who spent countless resources on restoring Shepard to life, and that two years have passed since Shepard's death. Shepard and the two Cerberus operatives, Miranda and Jacob, are sent to the human colony of Freedom's Progress, where they quickly come under attack from reprogrammed mech units. Shepard is reunited with Tali'Zorah nar Rayya (now known as Tali'Zorah vas Neema), who explains that a quarian called Veetor is on his Pilgrimage, but is unstable. Shepard finds the quarian, and learns some unsettling information. The Collectors, a strange race, are behind the abductions. Armed with this information, the commander returns to the base, relaying the findings to the Illusive Man, who instructs Shepard to investigate, and build a new crew. He also has another surprise for the commander. Joker walks in and shows the commander Cerberus' new innovation... a brand new Normandy. The ship has been recreated by Cerberus, with some special upgrades, including an artificial intelligence known as EDI. Shepard is then instructed to recruit the new squad. The mission to save the galaxy continues...<br /><br /><br />Review<br />Mass Effect 2 is a huge step up from the first game. It brings back the amazing gameplay of the previous title, but it also adds a whole bunch of new, unique features. More worlds to explore, additional assignments and new pathways to choose.<br /><br />First of all, if you've played Mass Effect, you can import your character from the first game (only if you've finished it). The game will remember certain aspects from the first game, such as your appearance, background history, class, and mission information. If Urdnot Wrex wasn't killed on Virmire in Mass Effect, he will be alive in Mass Effect 2. Also, whichever character you sacrifice on Mass Effect will not be seen in Mass Effect 2. Additionally, any romance that you engaged in will be remembered. This won't stop you from pursuing a romance in Mass Effect 2, but remember, all your choices in Mass Effect will have an affect on how the Mass Effect 2 story proceeds, and likewise, your Mass Effect 2 choices will effect Mass Effect 3, when the game is released, should your character survive the final mission of this game.<br /><br />A big plus for me is the removal of the Mako. Understandable, since the original Normandy is gone, and technology is a little more updated. Secondly, the battle system has had a total overhaul. In Mass Effect, you essentially had an infinite supply of "ammo", although your weapon overheated after extended use, upon which you had to wait for it to cool down before you could continue using it. Mass Effect 2 extends upon that, introducing an ammunition-based system. Your weapons have thermal clips, which are needed. When your gun fires a specified amount of rounds, your gun can no longer fire until you replace your thermal clip. This is done automatically after you've exhausted your rounds and still have enough "ammo". Otherwise, simply press the X button, and you'll reload. Be wary though, for if you have no extra "ammo", you can't use the weapon. Luckily, many enemies drop thermal clips nearby upon being killed. Another addition to the battle system is the really cool veins that appear onscreen which indicate how close you are to death. The denser the veins, the closer you are to being killed. Take cover to restore health.<br /><br />The visuals in this game are stunning. Although Mass Effect had an awesome graphical detail, this game extends on it. The many environments on different locales do well to compliment the feel of the location. You can actually feel as if you're right there. The music also adds to the mood, some of the melodies allowing you to feel different things at the appropriate times. For example, some provide an ominous feel, which to me, made my skin crawl. I was cautious in my movements, whereas others felt sad. The story was well thought up, and is a much darker change from Mass Effect's. Replayability is also an option, so if you finish Mass Effect 2, surviving the final mission, you can save, and continue to finish incomplete assignments, and start a new game, choosing to import your completed ME2 save, allowing you to keep your level, skill points, and money.<br /><br /><br />Overall<br />I totally recommend this game for those who enjoy the sci-fi/adventure genre of games. If you've played Mass Effect, by all means, this game is a must-have. Hours upon hours can be spent experiencing total enjoyment. With a great replay factor, it's easy to see why this game is a diamond in the rough. Bring on Mass Effect 3!