I was a bit skeptical about all the excitement surrounding MASS EFFECT 2 never having played the first. After installing the game my worries were instantly vaporized into nothingness after just the first ten minutes of play. I was blown away by the unbeliveable galactic scale of detail put into MASS EFFECT 2. From graphics to character interaction to the unparrelled realism of the MASS EFFECT 2 universe everything is just so alive with immersion. Its not just feeling like your there but actually being there with only your monitor screen in the way of actually reaching out and touching what is before you. BioWare has created a virtual reality one can hardly find the words to describe.
Graphics- Ultra realistic even at 1024x resolution models on characters, creatures, robotic entities, environments all look spectacular making me feel like i just woke up on the deck of the starship Enterprise or some wild sci-fi fantasy of a young child who would be drawing sci-fi comic books when the teacher wasnt looking in school. The world is so there in its high visual quality it gives one that intense personal immersion of feeling part of it from the get go. Only Bethesda's Elder Scrolls and Fallout 3 have ever made me feel like this before.
Sound- Voice acting is the best i have heard in any rpg with excellent emotional delievery conveying perfectly what everyone around you feels. Music comes in many flavors while fitting into the MASS EFFECT 2 universe. It never distracts or overwhelms. Combat and environmental effects ooze with sci-fi personality never breaking the magic spell of immersion MASS EFFECT 2 has cast on the player.
The combination of sound and graphics makes npcs feel completely alive making me actually care about my responses to them. I almost expect them to reply with an insulted tone if i were to fast click through most of the conversations thats how alive and responsive they seem.
Gameplay- Is very easy to learn and get into as there are tutorial pop ups guiding one in the begining teaching you how the world of MASS EFFECT 2 operates. It is all done seamlessly never feeling intrusive or in the way. If only real life was this intuitive :D There are tons of things to interact with in the environment and while futuristic it doesnt confuse the player and i was always able to tell right away what i can mess with in the world and what i cant.
Combat is very detailed but like everything else about MASS EFFECT it all feels very natural. One can target different body parts on enemies and tear em apart with ones weapons or biotic powers. Npc companions can be ordered to do things and they followed my orders with no problems while still being more then capable fighting on their own while never getting in the way or ending up dead. Excellent ai and path finding.
There is so much i could say about MASS EFFECT 2 but it would truly take forever. All i can do is recommend this perfectly crafted work of game design and art which is true marvel of software. Revolutionary is just too small a word for something this well done.
Thank you BioWare and all involved. May your riches be many and success always be yours.