Video Game

Mass Effect 2

There is a lot of different things you can and cannot do that change the aspect of the game especially the last mission. The fact that choices throughout the game, choices right before that mission, and finally choices you make about who leads each part of the mission make massive changes

Garrett

Dec 28, 2025 — 5 min read

Overly Dramatic Review in One Sentence

The epic continuation of the attack coming toward Earth from the overwhelming force coming form the Repears.

The Actual Review

Game time:

PC: 18 hours
Xbox: 47 hours

Gameplay

This was my first time playing this game on mouse and keyboard, and I am still mad at the lack of controls. Using the same button for running, interacting, and probably something else is just frustrating. I know, I know that this game was ported over form console and I get that. Doesn't mean that when the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which is what I am playing, came out they couldn't add some decent M&K support.

All that aside, this is still an overwhelmingly amazing game. The changes to the gunplay are really good. They moved to a reloadable clip for "heat management" rather than just a heat bar and having to wait. You also get more fluid movement for sure. The Normandy also got a good change and while it is the same, it is not that slow elevator to help with loading the game.

The overall level design does help with that gameplay too. The world is much more interactive and there is a lot of space for you to run around in. The level that speaks to this the most off the top of my head is Omega. There is a set area that is the market, there is the underworld area, and then the club itself. It just feels like a living place rather than just some computer code.

Again, the choices matter in this game. There is a lot of different things you can and cannot do that change the aspect of the game especially the last mission. The fact that choices throughout the game, choices right before that mission, and finally choices you make about who leads each part of the mission make massive changes throughout is crazy. It also against isn't something that we see very often.

Graphics and Sound

Again, the graphics are going to be a bit hard to distinguish compared to how it should normally be since I am using a couple mods that enhance the videos mostly. However, even back in the day the game was awesome. The husk design and fighting the human Repear was so cool that you just didn't miss it and you felt overwhelmed by it.

The sound is well rounded. I really don't think that there was much I have to say about it either way. One of the most impressive parts might be during the suicide mission as their is layer and layer of sounds as you have so much going on while working through the swarm.

Story and Characters

This story is outstanding. There is a lot of politics that play huge parts the Mass Effect 3 game that you don't really notice until then. You also get to have a chance of being a different character even if you imported your last character which is so nice. I really like "The Illusive Man" as he is just this cool ominous character. I have always liked his eyes and the contact/digital portion. Also, just his office of looking at the star is so fun.

The investigation that Shepard has to go on really does build the tension of the Repears throughout the game. You run into some old characters and you can see their hatred and confusion of you speaking that the group you are working for is a group that you investigated in the first game for crazy experiments. It is such a small thing, but it makes the conversation choices so interesting.

All the new characters are good. I am not a big fan of Jacobs, he feels whiney to me. This becomes more pronounced with the mission with his father and I think that is what has always sat in my head. Miranda is a surprise character. She is annoyingly faithful to Cerberus and The Illusive Man in the beginning and then you see her start to see how biased the direction is. Grunt is fine, he is a typical Krogan. Samara doesn't add a lot and is a replacement for Liara really and I just feel like Liara was a better character. I did enjoy the additional culture that we learn from her and her story, but don't care either way for her. Zaeed is a warlord that I am not sure why we helped. He is just selfish at all times and I never use him after I have others. Garrus is visually the coolest still and is just more badass from the first game. Jack is ok. I find her to be just the complete opposite of Miranda and poorly written at times. Then you have my three favorite companions. Thane, Mordis, and Legion. Legion in general was just a cool concept. I also really liked the reference for his name and the way that he and EDI came to it. Mordis's and the genius that he is really helps to add weight to the final battle in Mass Effect. All the work they do and did is crazy. They kind of feel like Bothans in Star Wars and it feels weird to see them around since they are mostly known for the STG (Their special forces/spy group). Thane is the pinnacle of awesome. His character is probably what made me really get into the idea of long range tactics. Just this warrior monk almost. I have always thought he was an amazing character.

My Rating

This game is outstanding. The fighting and the story are intense and pull you into what is going on. The choices in the game constantly make you feel that you are going to miss something or there is a ton of weight for each one. It does make you want to play it. I cannot recommend this game enough. This is a must play. GET THIS GAME!

Parental Rating

There is some language in this game. There is also a steamy sex scene if you romance a character. The violence is there and sometimes pretty aggressive, I am thinking of when you first meet Mordis and he executes someone basically. I think with all of this, they would not be happy about it, but the ability to see the morality of choices being made.