IGN: Mass Effect 2 (PS3) Review

Every generation of game consoles has its defining titles. When one thinks back on a system and its legacy, an association with those games is often made. For instance the NES and SNES eras gave us Super Mario Bros. and Zelda, while the original PlayStation served up Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy VII. Naturally, this generation isn't without its own defining set of games, too, and one of those titles is undoubtedly Mass Effect 2, a project from the minds at Canadian developer BioWare.

[Shanks]

"Mass Effect 2 on the PlayStation 3 is the best, most complete version of the game available. Sorry, Xbox 360 version. You were good. But this is better."

Xbox 360 - 9.6
PS3 - 9.5

ROFL! as expected from IGN.

[Kamikaze135]

idk..there was an incredible amount of hype when it first came out so the reviewer might have been a little too excited? Also, is it the same reviewer?

[ExplosionSauce]

You wouldn't be too far from the truth. I don't think a game like GTAIV deserved a 10. But to each their own, I guess. Maybe they're seeing something we don't(if).

But that aside and on topic.
I might be getting this. I already played ME on PC, but it wasn't able to run as smoothly as I would've liked. So I'll more than likely get it on PS3 (and finish it this time).

[Xulap]

IGN only gives X.0 and X.5's now. That's why it can't be 9.6. It had to be either a 9.5 or a 10.

Anyway, 9.5 is fucking fantastic. I'll be getting this for sure tomorrow alongside LittleBIGPlanet 2, plus the PSPlus update tomorrow... Damn, and my semester begins Wednesday. I'm so screwed.

[thereapersson]

But, as Shanks quoted above:

"Mass Effect 2 on the PlayStation 3 is the best, most complete version of the game available. Sorry, Xbox 360 version. You were good. But this is better."

Xbox 360 - 9.6
PS3 - 9.5

Don't you think that statement would mean that the PS3 version would be a 9.7?

So, in essence, the reviewer is a complete moron. IT ISN'T ABOUT THE SCORE, IT IS ABOUT STANDARDS AND INTEGRITY. There is NO INTEGRITY this generation. How can you say something and not back up your words in your score?

Anyone who points out the triviality of a .1 difference is completely missing the point.

edit @ below:

OK so that makes a bit more sense. You have an extreme case of bad timing, where this version manages to come in at a time where it is guaranteed a lower score.

[ksense]

@thereaperson

they do scores on a 20 point scale now and hence no in between scores. either 9.5 or 10. just go with the statement which says the ps3 version is definitely better and be happy lol
the score will still be under 10 but the way they figure it out is something like this:

96 0ut of 100 is 9.6 (96 divide by 10)
19 out of 20 is 9.5 (19 divide by 2)this way any score divide by 2 will come with a .5 difference. hope u understand that

[BryanBegins]

@Thereapersson: 20-points scale, so 1, 1.5, 2... up to 10. What the 20-points means is that you lose 1/20 every time (like passing from 10/10 to 9.5/10. No possibility of losing only 1/100 for instance.

Geez, was it that complicated?

[-Alpha]

Remember that IGN changed its scoring system. The only options would be to give it a 10/10 or 9.5

ME2 on 360 scored 9.6, and they rounded off.

And second, the game is a year old so there is no reason for the media to treat it like it's absolutely new.

The score is absolutely fine.

[Shikoro]

20 point scale, meaning that going from 0-10 and increasing the score for 0.5 points counts the score 20 times. 0.5, 1, 1.5... :)

And I agree that if it is better than the X360 version as they say in the review, it should have scored higher. Still, 9.5 is an amazing score and the game's a must for shooter RPG fans. :)

[thereapersson]

Anyway, here's the great thing about Mass Effect 2 on PS3: It's running the Mass Effect 3 engine. Based off of the performance of ME:2, the PS3 version of Mass Effect 3 should be guaranteed to run good, and will not suffer the same fate as other multiplatform games.

I'm eager to support Bioware with my hard-earned cash. They are a development studio who gets it, and I respect that.

[gta2800]

They changed their scoring system, but does that mean they changed their glasses too? 9.0 for graphics while the 360 got a 9.5 for graphics even though it's evident that the PS3 looks far better. Am I missing something here?

[TheLastGuardian]

Oh, IGN changed their scoring system did they? I wouldn't know. I stopped caring about IGN's reviews a long time ago.

[NoBias]

Geez, it seems that's all you ever do these days.

[Shepherd 214]

some smart people already pointed this out, but since its not getting through, i'll say it too.

IGN only scores with increments of ".0" and ".5" now. They figured that .1's and .2's didnt mean anything, so they changed it. Theres no way they can fix it and make it a 9.6 like the 360 version.

[blahblah]

don't know about the rest, but i was depressed to see what all the hype was about.

mediocre shooter with mediocre graphics, annoying speech wheel, not to say that i hate when graphics differ between story and action. story has wonderful graphics while action doesn't get to level where games in '95 were. even fallout seems like revelation compared to mass effect and i never liked it very much either.

i'm rpg fan, but this one i'm passing.

[MeanOldman]

nobias you are whining. dont know if you realize it but at least morg had reasons behind his comment. maybe thas the problem. you couldnt debate him so you just attack him. hes right tho. ign didnt say nothin in an article tat was about the game of the year. i also like how they waited right before a flood of big ps3 titles to change the scoring system. wouldnt do it before halo reach, no. lets wait until sonys on the cusp of they biggest year ever.

[jeseth]

Besides the fact that this game is awesome and IGN changed their scoring system about a year ago and the flaming fanboyness going on right now. . .

I am very encouraged to hear IGN say that the PS3 version is superior. Not that ME2 on PS3 is a year later and SHOULD be better by now, and not that I am a primary PS3 player, but the fact that they didn't have to improve it but did.

Bioware could have just done a direct port and made plenty of $$$. The fact that they took the time to improve it on PS3 is encouraging and comendable. Some reviewers said the PS3 version of Dragon Age was a smidge above 360's version. . .which shows that Bioware is a dev that will put in the time to program on PS3. ME2 solidifies that and the fact that ME2 came out so good makes me even more pumped for Dragon Age 2.

I'll definitely be picking ME2 up this week and just got even more excited for Dragon Age 2.

[Christopher]

***idk..there was an incredible amount of hype when it first came out so the reviewer might have been a little too excited? Also, is it the same reviewer? ***

IMHO, doesn't matter. As a sign of a site's score, which is what each review on IGN is, they need to make the scores match up when a game plays the exact same and shows the same (or better) quality.

Unless this game is a lesser version of the game on the 360, which all signs point to it being a better version of the game, then they have a duty to uphold the score.

That's my perspective of IGN as a business. As far as the score itself, it's a good one.

Edit: I didn't know about the "scoring change", but it would still make sense to make an exception when precedent is already set.

[ForzaGT]

perphaps the standard of gaming improved in a year but I still believe that the sheer amount content added to the PS3 version of Mass effect 2 and (as they say)the use of MS3 engine in comparison to the 360 version warrants at least the same score if not higher

[SoapShoes]

I'm sorry but standards only change significantly over 5 years or more. I doubt that is the case, but I really don't care about the score. lol

[digitalivan]

It's a 0.1 difference.

[starcb26]

Multiply that .1 difference by 10 and it becomes a 1 point difference!

[Tjernobieleke]

They should give it a 10 for not working today!!!

[visualb]

yes.

the numbers don't matter. the words do.

[Boody-Bandit]

It's IGN, what did you expect?
This has been going on this whole generation now and I'm not talking about one console to another but even with sequels this happens. You will read captions like, "this sequel takes everything that was wrong with the first and made it right plus all that was right and made it better. Than they go on to give the newer gave a slightly lesser score than it's predecessor.

Review numbers are meaningless. I just read them for the content even though that usually isn't much better than the grading.

[NYC_Gamer]

IGN is full of crap like always

[Raendom]

I agree man but this is under their new scoring system.

For example a game can only be ".5" not ".6", ".7", ".8" etc.

Therefore there are only scores :

1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5 etc.

http://uk.games.ign.com/rat...

[trounbyfire]

yeah ign only gives whole numbers or .5 numbers
but if they fixed so much shouldn't it get a 10

[Raendom]

@trounbyfire

Actually, and I'm probably going to fail due to my complete lack of knowledge when it comes to maths... Should this actually be a 10 anyway?

Assume they'd give it 9.7 on the old scale... 9.7 rounds up to 10 doesn't it?

Heh. Doesn't make sense, but this is IGN...

[-Alpha]

9.6 rounds off closer to 9.5, not 10/10

People are complaining, it's incredibly childish. I'm thankful the game made its way on to the PS3 and is actually a solid copy instead of a hand-me-down

[FrankMcSpank]

@AlphaMale

In America we round up to the next highest score. If this is the ultimate complete edition, which is superior in everyway, giving 2010'2 GOTY a 10/10 is not at all unfair. If IGN can give Halo 3 and GTA IV 10s, this one can get it.

[-Alpha]

IGN didn't give Halo a 10/10 first of all.

And how does it make sense to round up? You round off to the CLOSEST number to the original, not the highest. A 9.5 is closer to the original 9.6

Your logic that it deserves a 10/10 just because other games got it doesn't make sense.

[despair]

seriously guys, complaining first that it did not get the same score as the X360 and PC versions, then realising(from other posters) that the score system is now in .5 increments and finally debating that if it was to get the same score as the other versions it should be rounded up to a 10/10. lol talk about serious nitpicking.

[thereapersson]

The mathematical way of rounding works like this:

1-4: Round down to 0
5-9: Round up to 10

So, 9.4 would round down to 9 in a 20 point scale, and 9.5 would round up to a 10 in a 20 point scale. That is the way it works. It might not make sense to some, but that's how the system has been set.

[-Alpha]

@reapersson

But we are using 0.5 intervals. It makes sense to round off to the closest to that interval. In this case we are working between 9.5 and 10

If we were going by 1's I could understanding rounding off in between 0.1-4 and 0.5-9.

It also doesn't make sense to give a game a perfect 10/10 when it didn't score that way the first time through. Mass Effect 2 was 9.6 according to IGN. To say that it is suddenly perfect really doesn't make sense.

I never heard people complain when IGN and other reviewers gave the PC version the same score as the 360 version despite the PC version having clear superiority. Yet the PS3 version deserves to be 10/10?

[FrankMcSpank]

Alphamale

look at the scores. if they were exactly the same and the PS3 took the rounded down score from 9.6 to 9.5 for the sake of the 20 point rating system then fine, whatever.

But they gave a lower score for presentation, graphics, and sound after calling it superior on the PS3. This is biased and completely unprofessional. You want to explain that one? I call it BS to review a game better and intentional demean the score. Xbox got 9.5 in grpahics, but the superior PS3 verision is only a 9.0? Spin it, you have enought bubbles to explain why you feel IGN can justify their failing attempts to damage the PS3 in everything, regardless of what game it may be.

[-Alpha]

Both reviews are by two different people. If it was by the same person I'd agree with you.

Regardless, this is besides the point. Regardless of if you feel IGN is trying to undermine the PS3, it doesn't change the fact that it makes no sense to give the game a perfect score after it is not only a year old but doesn't add much to warrant an additional 0.4 points aside from looking slightly better.

Notice that the game is still expensive at $60 when you can get it for cheaper on the PC WITH the DLC included too.

I think it's silly for people to fight over such a petty difference and act as if everybody is out to get the PS3, yet I never saw anybody attack IGN or any other site when they rated the PC version the same, despite it too having superior graphics to the 360 version.

[Christopher]

That's the thing I disagree with as a concept, Alpha.

Yes, they're two different people, but they are one site in which they are representing the score of the site/business. IMHO, all reviews should be a business decision that involves a group of people and not an opinion of just one person. Otherwise, the point of saying it's "IGN's Review" is pretty incomplete.

Even most movie reviewers aren't associated with just a newspaper heading but are recognized as individuals for their reviews.

I believe if they call it IGN's review then they have a duty to uphold a baseline concept. Even when they start changing how they review games.

This isn't necessarily specific to ME2 on PS3, but on all reviews of this sort.

[digitalivan]

nvm

[Dsnyder]

Um has everyone already forgotten that IGN olny grades with a .0 or .5 at the end now? They cant rate it higher without giving it a solid 10.

[Megaton]

They don't grade on the 100-point scale anymore, they dropped it to 20-point. Everything's gotta be a solid or a .5.

I certainly won't defend IGN's glaring inconsistencies with their review process, but that's why the scores are what they are for ME2. If they hadn't switched to the 20-point, it would have likely been 9.7 - 9.9.

[elbeasto86]

IGN changed their scoring to just .5's or .0's. So rather than give the game a perfect 10, which I don't think ANY game should get, they gave the score the next best thing. Hence it .1 lower score. And it's not like .1 is that much of a difference. It's literally almost no difference.

[ksense]

hmm don't they do it on a 20 point scale now and hence it is either 9.5 or 10. so lets not get carried away with that analysis of yours

[jjl]

Sure it might be better on PS3, but that doesn't mean it will get a higher score. It just means there are more quality titles on the PS3 and to earn a higher score is difficult as a result of that ;)

[joydestroy]

rofl nice

[Ducky]

Am I the only one who finds this score-comparison childish?
O.o

Congrats guys, you foiled IGN's plot to undermine the PS3 yet again. They were trying to give the Xbox version 0.1 point higher to coax people into buying 360's instead of PS3s... but oh, they couldn't get it past your vigilante eyes.
I'm pretty sure they're writhing their hands in anger right now for failing their attempt to bash Sony.
Again, congrats.
>.>

[silkrevolver]

1) New scoring system. It was either this or a 10.
2) It’s out a year later. Even if it’s on 1 disc, runs better, looks better and has all that DLC, it’s still a year later.
3) Why should the difference of .1 points even matter to you?

[Eyeco]

Ign score 9.5

+ Revamped Engine
+ DLC Included
+ Epic storyline
- Late to the ps3 (im dead fuckin serious on that con)

[zeddy]

he gave it a 9.5 and your're still complaining?! anything 9.5 and over is a must buy.

[eferreira]

ign only incrments by .5 now so it could either be a 9.5 or 10

[ABizzel1]

@Shanks

They reviewed Mass Effect on 360 before they changed their rating system to a 0.5 scale only.

On to the review. I really liked the world and story of Mass Effect 2, but the TPS gameplay is the weakest point. Everything else about the games is great.

[ambientFLIER]

"Xbox 360 - 9.6
PS3 - 9.5

ROFL! as expected from IGN."

1: IGN does not score in .1 intervals anymore.

2: PS3 scores are not comparable to XBOX scores, because they are different platforms. This has been said a billion times, and yet idiots like you STILL don't understand it.

[TBM]

well shanks they did have a different scoring system then. im sure if the new one was in place then the score would have been a 9.5 for the 360 version.

[hatchimatchi]

IGN uses a 20 point scale. It's impossible to score a 9.6 now.

[pain777pas]

They changed their scoring system at IGN. What is funny is the individual scores for presentation, graphics etc... There are major differences in that regard. ME2 for the 360 is one of the best looking and playing games and will be on the PS3. There is more competition in the "wow me" department for PS3 owners though. I really want to see what PS3 only owners think of this game if they did not play the first at all. I believe that the best game in the 360s library is on the PS3 in all truth and honesty.

[xCaptainAmazing]

IGN now rates on a 20 POINT SCALE. Last year, this was not the case. The highest score they could give ME2 PS3 is a 9.5. If the core game wasn't a perfect 10/10 last year on PC/360, it still isn't now.

In this case 9.5 = 9.6

The reviewers are different, as well. Some people need to have their posting privileges revoked... I mean, look how many agrees the first post got, and it's based on faulty logic!

Looking forward to playing this through on my PS3 after finishing it 3 times on 360. ME is a premier franchise, no doubt about it. There is no other third person shooter as tactical when you play through on Insanity, either. Well worth it for those looking for a satisfying challenge.

[Jamegohanssj5]

Shanks wtf? Are you retarded.

TGSI

[Darkfiber]

PC > either console version. Better graphics and better gameplay. Being able to map way more skills to your number bar using mouse for aiming alone make the gameplay better. The first game was also designed this way for PC, so essentially the game played the same in the first for PC as it did in the second, both being superior to the 360 version. I realize the obviousness of comparing the PS3 version to the 360 version as they are both consoles with essentially identical controls and very similar graphics, but to not compare the PS3 version to ALL other versions of the game is just silly, particularly in the sentence implying that it's almost better that PS3 owners don't play Mass Effect 1 because the gameplay was bad, but not clarifying that it was bad only on the 360, and the gameplay on the PC version was VASTLY superior to the 360 version of Mass Effect 1. That just indicates that the reviewers didn't play the game on all platforms and essentially only did half their job. That's game journos for you.

Also, how is it any more complete than if people have all the DLC (like me) already? And have saves carried over that literally adds more content in the game, like Conrad Verner for example, who wont even appear in the PS3 version of the game since you never encountered him in the first game? If anything, compared to the 360 and PC versions with all DLC that's available, you are getting the least amount of content because a bunch of things simply wont be in the game because you don't have save files from the first. /boggle

[ufo8mycat]

Superior graphics yes, but definitely not superior gameplay and immersion. I can pretty much confirm this from playing the PC version of ME1 first.

Nice try though.

[Darkfiber]

How can you confirm that the gameplay from 360 for Mass Effect 1 was better than the PC gameplay? The game had way better control, ran at a much smoother framerate, let you map far more abilities to your bar so you didn't have to pause the game every 2 seconds and fixed big issues like the inventory system? Also, how can one version of a game be more immersive than another? It's the same damn game. If anything, the PC version is more immersive simply because of the better graphics and gameplay.

[renegade]

Ign not do scores like 9.6 anymore they are now doing by half for example: 8.0,8.5,9.0,9.5,10 in this case with mass effect on the xbox 360 they make the review before implanting the new score system... Any way IGN is a joke right now IMO.

[Clarence]

Of course. Even with all the DLC that came on One Blu-ray disc. Plus you don't have to worry about circular scratches that you get from playing it on the 360

[SLAYMANIO_ULTIMATE_1]

Lol, if you go on the xbox 360 mass effect2 review page you see the number 9.2/10 on the side but 9.6/10 at the bottom but the ps3 mass effect2 review page says 9.5/10 on the side and 9.5/10 at the bottom of the page.

PS3: http://ps3.ign.com/articles...
XBOX360: http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/a...

[ChrisW]

Hmmm... And I thought people here considered the PC as a console.

[alster23]

you guys do realize that IGN changed their review system so that only .0s or .5 will be given to accompany the whole number right? they had a whole article a couple months back announcing it and giving legit reasons for the change. one being the 9.6 score for ME2 and the 9.7 for RDR

[SonyPS360]

Coming out a year later will do that.

[Three_Sisters]

Maybe the reviewer of the ps3 version didn't know what score the 360 version had last year...

[DigitalAnalog]

IGN's review feels like a statement to advertise the game rather than a review in itself.

-End of Line

[femshep]

if any of you compared the 360 and ps3 side by side playing it 360 deffenetly had the upper hand tho the ps3 to some small degree

[BlackTar187]

LOL what?

[femshep]

ps3 has some small feats but 360 is the better

[MazzingerZ]

Don't get it...what's the problem with the score? I recall when a game getting an 8.0 was a must play...really guys, take a look to review score 10 years ago.

[strickers]

They only do a .5 scale now.There are now no .1,.2,.3,.4,.6,.7,.8,.9.
This is a different reviewer and I tell you now that Colin Moriarty has played both and loves the 360 version.All the reviews are saying this is the best version,with the best graphics.Deal with it.

[BYE]

@thereapersson

You cannot compare a 2010 with a 2011 score, standards keep changing.

[Timesplitter14]

I think this is allright. It's pretty incredible that the PS3 version got such a good score even after all that time.

Don't forget that scores depend on the time the game was released. If DOOM was released today as a new game, it certainly wouldn't get a 9 or a 10.

[elpresador]

....you are getting a great game EXCEPTthey no doub kept the planet mining in this game which is cool at first but then sucks ass fast. I reccomed that you search online for the planets with the most minerals and get them out of the way fast as it will otherwise drag the story and game down in a hurry

[otherZinc]

It isn't the "Definitive" version.

A 15 minute comic cant replace a 60 hour game.

If the story & character development matters & it does, you know I'm right.

However, if youre a fanboy, you'll think
15 minutes = 60 hours.

If you think this^^^, go back to the 3rd grade.

Period.

[bviperz]

Regardless of how they round out the score now, it still makes the reviewer look like an idiot.

[turgore]

LoL it got an 8.5 from gamespot. .5 lower than the 360 version.

[SoapShoes]

I really wasn't impressed with the demo, does it get better than that? I'm not going to write it off but I would like to know if it gets better. I'm guessing it's really good because of its story?

[MysticStrummer]

My feeling exactly. That must have been one of the worst demos ever, if you want a demo to represent the final game well. That demo knocked the game from day one status to when it's on sale and I'm bored status. I'm very confused by the high scores.

[iamgoatman]

How can you be confused by the high scores when by your own admittance you've only played the demo, in which the reviews are not based on. For all you know everything after the demo is absolutely brilliant, you can't really question someone else's opinion on the full game when you yourself have only played a small snippet, that could or could not be an accurate representation of the finished game.

Just to clarify, I'm not saying your feelings of the game based on the demo are wrong, everyone is different, but that last sentence makes about as much sense as saying "I've looked at a few videos of a game, I didn't like it and am now wondering why it reviewed so highly".

[kanetheking]

yer i found it funny when the ship is on fire and your standing there talking.i did not relly see what so amazing but i get it when it's cheap then make my mind up.

[Ducky]

Aye, it picks up once you start assembling a team.
I was hooked after meeting the scientist and finding out Archangel's identity.

The intro sequence probably isn't that interesting to most people that haven't played the first, but it picks up quickly enough and the characters/story should motivate your progress.

[Darkfiber]

Except to PS3 players, they wont even know who Archangel was or the meaning behind it :P

[ABizzel1]

It gets better story wise, and the big draw to Mass Effect is the whole world/universe. The problem I have with it, both on the 360 and PS3 is that the gameplay (the shooting aspect of it) is only mediocre. Everything else about the game is good.

[Blacktric]

@MysticStrummer and @kanetheking

If you've never played Mass Effect 1, and gonna make a wild assumption about how the second game is bad just by playing the demo that roughly covers %2-%3 of the game, then don't buy it. Please, for the love of God, don't buy it. You obviously don't know anything about the universe, characters, etc. And since that cheap interactive comic will not be able to give you most of the information you need, either wait until it gets a price drop or don't buy the game. Ever.

[Darkfiber]

I didn't play the demo but from what I've heard it's the first "level" or so. What exactly didn't you like about it? Yes, the game does get "better" (though I guess it depends on your definition of "better") but I didn't think the beginning was bad at all, particularly the intro movie that really started the game off with a bang. You get more abilities, more powers, more armor and weapons as you go along, more squad mates that are a LOT more interesting than Jacob and Miranda, neither of who I used in any of my playthroughs because they are terrible characters (though Jacob gets okay later on, abilities-wise and his loyalty mission is pretty cool).

The game is phenominal, but not just because of its story. Gameplay is fun, locations are varied and some are breathtaking, voice work, choices and conversations are all great. I don't get what people aren't liking about it other than just having a built in bias against it because it was on 360 before or something.

Like MysticStrummer said below me, it was one of the worst demos ever? That seems like an extreme exaggeration.

[CrzyFooL]

The best just got better.

[mushroomwig]

The 360 version scored 9.2, both very awesome scores.

UK version of the site, no need to disagree.

[CynicalVision]

So depending on where you're from the PS3 version either scored higher or lower than the 360 version.

[zerox505]

the comic recap sucks balls however, but nonetheless, it's the best we got

[Kon]

ME2 Xbox - 9.6
ME2 PS3 - 9.5

hmmm

[mushroomwig]

Where are you getting 9.6 from?

http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/o...

[Kon]

are you blind or something?
http://xbox360.ign.com/obje...

[NYC_Gamer]

he's talking about ign north america

http://xbox360.ign.com/obje...

[PirateThom]

US and UK sites, remember.

UK gave it 9.2 on 360, US gave it 9.6.

[GiantJedi]

mushroomwig, your on the uk site.

[mushroomwig]

I see 'IGN UK Score 9.2'

[mushroomwig]

GiantJedi

So? I'm only on the site that was linked in the article, if it comes up as the UK edition then so be it, it doesn't make the score any less irrelevant now does it.

[mushroomwig]

@TirateThom

Thanks for clearing that up, it's the default version I get when I click on the link...because surprising I like in the UK.

[ksense]

god people they do reviews on a 20 point scale now so it is either 9.5 or 10 and no in betweens

[ABizzel1]

Doesn't IGN use a 0.5 rating system now, which is why the 360 version got a 9.6 instead of a 9.5?

[strickers]

Jesus!Get this through your heads.There are only .0 and .5 scores on IGN now.There are no .1,.2,.3,.4,.6,.7,.8,.9
They changed the scale to a 20 point only.

[tony6767]

ps3 review :Colin Moriarty xbox 360 review:greg miller

[visualb]

exactly =)

point is, its awesome on PS3. buy it.

[ISKREEM]

The Xbox 360 version was reviewed by Erik Brudvig, not Greg Miller.

[tony6767]

yea u right i just relized that but hey its still not the same reviewers so its not a fair score they can F themselves the reviewer is just an xbox fanboy

[Esena]

@tony

Really? Wow, you obviously don't know Colin then...

[hatchimatchi]

HA, Colin is a 360 fanboy? Listen to one episode of podcast beyond. Colin is a huge ps3 fan.

lol

Some people are so pathetic. IGN has a 20 point scale now, who gives a shit if the 360 got .1 higher than the ps3 version. Play the game, not stupid review scores.

[tony6767]

@esena wow u have no life stfu

[Agheil]

this is bull what the hell how does it get a lower score when on ur review it makes it seem better, jus WOW ign wow

[distorted_reality]

Thank God you're not entrusted to blow up buildings or something, would probably end up blowing yourse......oh wait.

[hatchimatchi]

Can you not read? IGN no longer uses the 100 point scale, they use a 20 point scale. Which means, a game can no longer score a .6, .7, .3, .2, etc. Only whole numbers and .5, so you can stop crying anytime now.

[DEADEND]

Great score for a one year old port and it looks like we got all the extra goodies. I can't wait to get this on Friday I'll be playing the hell out of it and LBP 2.

[khushand]

it got 01 lower because IGN now use a 20 point scale rather than a 100 point scale that's why it got 9.5 instead of a 9.6.

[mrv321]

Yeah but since ME2 is better on PS3, it's longer better graphically etc. Now the 360 version received a 9.6 and the PS3 version which in review is superior receives a 9.5 this can be explained away by a change in points system, but to receive a 10/10 which makes more sense the PS3 would only have to receive 0.15 more points whuch is quite a small margin, seeing as they where willing to reduce it by 0.1 already means the PS3 version only has to 0.05 point better than the 360 version, which with the DLC and Graphics and no disk swap it kinda is.

[khushand]

ya i agree it is the better version but because of the way IGN reviews games now it could only have gotten a 9, 9.5 or 10.

[A LIVING LEGEND]

the contradictory scores are a tad confusing considering the contradictory praise of the game but nevertheless this should be a quality experience.

[goku32359]

Cant wait for tomorrow! got this preordered and everything!

[N311V]

Based on the demo I wouldn't give it a 9 for graphics. Was good but not excellent.

[CynicalVision]

Apparently the demo was from an old build.

[Bgibbs]

Demo was a 2 month old build. It looks / plays better now.

[N311V]

@CynicalVision & Bgibbs

Hope your right, I did notice inconsistancies in the demo, sometimes the graphics were excellent and other times less so.

Have to wait till the 27th now to find out, god damn one week delay in Australia!!!

[Allowen]

Funny is that the Xbox360 got a better score then the PS3 version . 9.6 VS 9.5
The PS3 version can be the definitive version of ME2 but did not recieved the best score.

Also the 360 version got 10 for presentation and sound while the PS3 version got 9.0 .

I would like to see a Big magazine such IGN to dare to say (with no but but but ...) if the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2 is better or not then the Xbox360 version.

[JoshuaN4G]

Read the comments at the top... IGN changed its 100 point scale to a 20 point scale.

[MysticStrummer]

That doesn't explain the Presentation score, assuming Allowen is right about that. Doesn't matter to me either way, since I was so underwhelmed by the demo.

[testerg35]

Great score, but of course it turns out to be another bitch session. Why even compare.. its a damn 9.5!

[iistuii]

Let's have a party it's 0.1 better or worse whoever side you sad idiots are on. To the PS3 trolls it's a great game, now with all the DLC and a newer engine, enjoy it. To the 360 trolls you've played it done all the DLC and it's an old back catalogue game now.... There you go both are happy, sigh.

Us sensible people with both consoles can buy something else as we've already played it.

[Bordel_1900]

Looks great, good review from IGN this time, a solid 9.5 is an awesome score.

Think I'll be getting this as soon as it hits the stores.

[SuperStrokey1123]

I cant wait for this game, got it on preorder. Very much looking forward to it.

[memots]

You can't spell ign.......

Ok ok this one been overdone :P

[divideby0]

I cant believe so many comments about 0.1 score diff...

[maverick40]

I know it's hilarious!I'm just so glad we ps3 owners get to play this gem.

[darren_poolies]

They have a 20 point system now therefore if it was scored any higher it would get a 10 and maybe they don't think it deserves a 10 even though it totally does ;)

[gamingisnotacrime]

if bioware made a PS3 exclusive ign would give it a 10

[maverick40]

Wicked, a great review too! Now I want my DC universe review IGN!!!!

[Tjernobieleke]

If you haven't played it on 360 yet, this is a must buy! I started my third campain since it launched (as Lt.Sissy von Shepard :) this week. Even after a couple playthroughs the game is still awesome and there's a shitload of exploring to do. Especially when it comes to Story and interaction between characters. It has everything that made Knights of the old republic (last gen) shine and polishes it up with amongst others a healthy dose of new gameplay mechanics :) Can't say I can see a real upgrade in the graphics department. The engine isn't really evolving like UE3 did and the game certainly deserves that. Nice score IGN!

[despair]

"Everything you say, everything you do, and everything you decide upon has lasting, real consequences in the game -- both for the better and the worse."

I don't really see it but that's from ME1 to ME2, they boasted of something like 60k choices from very minor to major affecting ME2 but they were all aesthetic in nature other that a few different conversations. ME2 - ME3 need to take a lot of the choices, and there are many that can be used to change the game completely, and make practical changes to the world.

An example would be, this is fictional so no bearing on ME2 story, if I had the choice to defend a colony from invasion and maybe lose someone on my team, or leave it to die and not risk losing them.

Then from that choice I might have that person on my team in ME3 and a brand new string of events and conversations, weapons, missions and such with them, but since I left the colony to die I gave a foothold to the enemy into our territory and thus missions around the affected area would have more and tougher enemies and maybe some new missions for that as well.

The opposite would result in none of the missions etc. with the dead character, as they are dead obviously, but saving the colony might mean the enemy is prevented from penetrating friendly space and some missions easier and maybe even a new character from the saved colony and thats a whole new set of missions.

Thats what I need to see in ME3 to believe all the choices I made in ME1 and ME2 actually mean something. As of now they are just there for the sake of being there.

[testerg35]

What?? No "oops we're sorry.. We didn't realize gin changed their scoring system" from ps3 fans?

[dragon82]

On behalf of all PS3 fans I am sorry for the mistake. Will you ever be able to forgive us???

Go away!!!

[dkgshiz]

Yet they score it a tiny tad lower then the 360 version...WTF? Inconsistent review scores...its time to fix them.

[MoreRPG]

the ps3 review was made by another guy

[dkgshiz]

Oh well, at least score it higher then the 360 version. It only makes sense.

[ME1989]

IGN changed their rating system last year man. It's in .5 increments.

Relax, it's not some conspiracy. It's either 9.5 or 10.0, and they're sure not going to give it a perfect 10.

[zero_cool]

that's because the majority of video game journalists are not very technology savvy & 90% of their review is based on their own personal opinions.

[distorted_reality]

I would hope 100% of their review is based off of their personal opinion.....kinda the point of a game review....

[ColinZeal]

"90% of their review is based on their own personal opinions."

Heeyyyyyyy, Captain Obvious!
OFC they are!

[YOUR-MUM]

Enjoy this epic game ps3 fans. I did last year!!!!

[P_Bomb]

No time for 2010 leftovers. Too many great NEW games this year, and the demo bored me.

[shadowknight203]

dont go by the demo, that part of the game doesn't even do it justice.

[Masterchef2007]

9.5 is a great score for a game thats a year old.

[evrfighter]

Do the ps3 fanboys even realize how stupid they are making themselves look?

In all my time here at n4g, I've never seen so much crying and nitpicking.... Well besides the ff13 multiplat announcement.

[theafroman]

this entire thread is completely ridiculous ps3 and xbox fanboys are fighting for the most retarded reason it's a 0.1 score of difference seriously get over it.
holy shit i know some people here are smart and know that ign change their review score,still getting this game tomorrow on my ps3 get over the review score most of you are making yourselfs look like a joke.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

IGN changed their scoring system last year, they go by 5's now instead of the full number system.

so yea, people are kinda blowing this out of ridiculous purportions

[mike9077]

Ya seriously a 9.5 is pretty much the same score as 9.6? It most likely would have been a 9.6 but like most people here are saying they changed their grade point scale a little after Mass effect 2 came out. 9.5 or 9.6 doesnt really matter the Ps3 version is the superior one.

[Aloren]

The N4G crowd is complaining about a 9.5...
I think we've reached a new low.

[SonyPS360]

I've seen the full range of the human brain on N4G.

[Bolts]

It's N4G, where it's all about the fanboys and a .1 tangent is a grievous insult.

[elpresador]

.....not being rude, just saying that the PS3 fanboys (not fans, they are fine, the fanboys suck though) are just that way. Wat is worse is they seem to think that ANY exclusive that gets less than a 9.5 shows that ign is biased. I mean you shoulda been here 2 years ago whe KZ2 came out and it got less than a 10 (though still above a 9) they went into full nerdrage.

I know both fanboys are bad but ps3 fanboys have to be the worst. You will not see a 360 FB complain about an exclusive getting a 9 or 9.5 but you do with the PS3 side.

To the FANS of the PS3 Ive no beef with you as you are all sane and realize that anything 9+ is outstanding, but even you guys have to be tired of the fanboys who do things like complain about a 0.1 point diff.

[giovonni]

This is excellent for the ps die hards, It deserves all it gets. I've played the hell out of this game when it first came out, and is an excellent game. The possibilities for this game are endless The last part away from the ending was one of the best sequences I've played in a while.

[BABY-JEDI]

I was planning on getting this. The review has just sold me on a day 1 purchase. I'm now a happy chappie LoL

[Xfanboy]

lol $60?

[ReBurn]

Agreed. $40 would have been more fair.

[Philoctetes]

That's what I paid for my copy. Amazon offerred a $20 credit for my preorder.

[ReBurn]

Nice!

[Toman85]

I had kinda bad luck with my Mass Effect 2 on 360
When I was planning to play it once more, just to be an Adept and day after something happend.

I have customized my character and had a save about 2 hours into the game. The day after I started my new save on 360, PS3 version was confirmed.

Then I got to think: Why shall I play it trough once more, for only getting 90 Gamerscore when I can get it on PS3 and get around 70% completion on trophies.

Thats why I preordered ME2 on my PS3, even still I had finished my first save on 360 about 40 hours :)
Great game it was, sure this will be it again with all DLC for free!

[hoops]

People are complaining about a 9.5?
For god sakes people.

[ColinZeal]

But hey, did you hear IGN changed they scoreing to 0,5 increments?
10, 9,5, 9, 8,5 etc
;)

[The_Great_D]

Look at these third party companies drop their panties to the ps3 now! if i want to enjoy a huge action game and gonna play the ps3 exclusive killzone 3. not that HORRIBLE graphic BORING gameplay title in mass effect 2.

[Aloren]

Well, then why don't you play some PS3 exclusive instead of wasting your time on a mass effect 2 article ?

[Paralex]

What's wrong? The game is equally as boring on PS3 as it was on 360.

[zu4G]

"Mass Effect 2 on the PlayStation 3 is the best, most complete version of the game available. Sorry, Xbox 360 version. You were good. But this is better."

nuff said..

[ArchangelMike]

I cannot wait for my pre-order. I'm on my third playthough of ME on PC, and I've got the Redemption comic as well. Loving it.

[ReBurn]

Great game!

[Bonerboy]

Holy shit...what a bunch of nit-picking whiners. You---> "Pfft it got the same score as the 360, WTF is up with that...stupid ign." Who gives a flying shit about a score meted out by some random dude who doesn't happen meet your retarded fanboy expectations of whatever a proper review is supposed to be. What matters in the end is that its a great game. Who made a reviewers word so godly? You do for some unforseen reason and its retarded. So stop your fucking endless complaining and play it. For christ sakes, fucking kids today are pathetic whiners who dont know just how good they've got it.
You---> "Mom you dumb bitch! You didnt cut the crusts off my grilled cheese, and wheres my f'n junior juice and pudding cup?!" Whine whine whine whine whine

[SonyPS360]

I'm just happy more people get to experience this masterpiece of a game, even if they were silly to wait this long.

[Manberg900]

This is BS. I am so sick of IGN being pro PS3 lately. Why even chose a side? I mean is it really neccessary to specifically point out that this game is better than the 360 version? This should have gotten no higher than a 7 simply because it's a year late and $60. For anyone who hasn't played ME2, be smart and but it for like 20 bucks on Xbox. No need to buy a PS3 just for this game.

[Hozi89]

Who cares about the score IGN gave it? This game is seriously a must have for all PS3 owners!

People complain about the diff. with the xbox version in terms of quality, and that ME1 isn't on PS3 but what you all fail to realize is that ME2 came to PS3 and thank God for that, otherwise you'd still be wishing they made it multiplat.

Main lesson here is. Be grateful for what you get/have.

[IHateYouFanboys]

oh this is just too good lol.

12 months ago all the PS3 fanboys on here said Mass Effect 2 was rubbish and that they didnt want it. now it comes out on PS3 and theyre all having a cry that it got 0.1 less than the 360 version DESPITE the fact that they are rated on 2 different scales, meaning the PS3 version COULD NOT POSSIBLY HAVE GOTTEN THE SAME RATING AS THE 360 VERSION.

if Mass Effect 2 came out for the 360 today, it would either get a 9 or a 9.5. it COULD NOT get a 9.6 like it did 12 months ago, because they no longer rate games x.1-x.4/x.6-x.9. its either x.5 or x. thats it. no in-betweens.

because theyre rated on different scales, you have to actually READ - that thing theyre trying to teach you all in school (since most of you still go to school) - the reviews to see which is better. they SPECIFICALLY say that the PS3 version is better, so its case closed. sure the 360 version got 0.1 higher, but its like comparing an apple to an orange. one is on a 20 point scale, the other is on a 100 point scale.

and to the people saying 9.5 rounds up to 10 - no, it doesnt when youre using a scale of 0.5 increments lol. if 9.5 rounded up to 10 then it would only be a 10 point scale lol. you round UP OR DOWN to the nearest INTERVAL, not always up like you seem to think. in a 20 point scale, 9.2 rounds to 9, but 9.3 rounds to 9.5. similarly, 9.6 rounds to 9.5, but 9.8 rounds to 10.

for once just do what the rest of us GAMERS do - just enjoy the game, dont get on the internet and have a cry because game x for your favourite and only console scored 0.1/100 less than it did on your mortal enemy console. just f#$^ing play the game!

[Superbeast8111]

Cant wait it's almost here!!!

[Tigan]

I might just have to pick up the pirated version of this game to show my support for the ps3.

[Ronster316]

Better overall on PS3 but a year late.

Same thing scorewise happened with Castle Crashers, Bioshock ect. (a notch below the 360 version's scores)

When a game gets released at a later date for another console that pretty much always tends to be the case.

But if a 9.5 score can't convince RPG/PS3 fans to buy it then nothing can.

[zero_cool]

@distorted_reality I disagree because video game journalists should have a proper understanding on technology & game design.Opinions are debatable where as properly educated analysis is more effective & accurate way to review & grade games.

[ps3rider]

hey gurls why u r crying, it arrive the PS3 and we gona enjoy it more that other did.

[Raptura]

You people complaining have sunk N4G's already sad reputation to a whole new low..

Buy the game. Enjoy a masterpiece. Shut the fuck up.

[Dellis]

IGN very smart, they wanted the N4G HEAT so they

made sure to make it lower on PS3

[jalen247]

Can't wait...took advantage of Amazon's $20 credit for purchasing Mass Effect 2.

[AnonUser5555]

A) different people
B)20 point scale
C) they SAY PS3 is better
D) you xbots are dumb as hell

[felidae]

Mass Effect 1+2 are overrated

[kramun]

This picture sums up everyone complaining about the score

[Rikuson1]

People stop bitching and look at it this way.
As a Xbox 360 game and everything out on the 360 its a 9.6/10.
But as a Ps3 game we have higher standards and compared to all the other high quality ps3 exclusive games out their its a 9.5/10. That doesn't make the 360 version better. It just depends on what system it came out on. Imagine is Mass Effect 2 came to wii it would be a 10/10 get it? The weaker the system the higher the grade.

[Loner]

9.6 > 9.5

[mrmikew2018]

Your stupidity is beyond words

[tigertron]

Good review, this is definatly a day one buy for me on friday, you lucky Americans, getting to play it now. :P

[Vortex3D]

A few questions if anyone has the ME2 installed and checked the DLCs:
1. The box says MINIMUM hard drive space is 5.3GB. What is the actual or MAXIMUM hard drive space used after installed all the DLCs?

2. What DLCs are locked until you activated the Cerberus Network? Is the activate code required to activate the Cerberus Network?

3. Does the ME1 interactive comic give you enough character details that help you to make decision if the character should live or die especially the "tough warrior" because this character cannot be kept alive unless Shepard has enough Paragon points. I'm very curious how this can be done just by a comic.

4. As for ME1 romance interest, does the ME1 interactive comic give you good enough impression which character to better choice to romance?

5. If you played ME2 demo, has the framerate been improved?

[tigertron]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTrAK1 1sFck This is part 1 of the comic with femshep's voice. That'll answer your questions.

[Vortex3D]

Thanks. Watched the part 1 of the comic (couldn't find part 2). Just watching the comic, it felt empty when coming to make decisions because it's like a commander sitting behind the desk reading about the story without any experience with the characters and then make decisions what to do next.

Having played ME1, not all my decisions were the most logical or best for the military because from interacting with the characters on the missions, I felt differently coming to make decisions.

The youtube video is with female Shepard but the Shepard in the comic is still male. While Bioware keeps saying there are uniqueness of playing as female Shepard, all the marketing including the comic remain focused on the male Shepard. Even today, female still can't be advertised as the choice of the heroine unless there's no option to play as a male character.

[tigertron]

Yeah it annoys me that the default male shep is getting all the attention, but I'm just glad theres the option of having the femshep (because I find her voice far more interesting).

The comic just does what its meant to do, provide a summary of what happened in ME1 and make some important decisions, but it would have been better if they gave us a better look into the characters.

I completed ME1 last month so I'm just going to repeat the choices I made (apart from Wrex), but it would be great if there were a few more choices in the comic, but overall its done a decent job (not great, but decent). Although I'm not sure if Bioware will choose the paragon or renegade scenarios for the smaller things.

[Lets-Game]

only retards rely on reviews these days. people still dont realize that whole gaming media is manipulated and controlled by corporations that are in business relations with various gaming companies.

[RudeSole Devil]

Looks like someone got PAID. Yea IGN you just got owned.

Digital Foundry "Technologically it still feels like the Xbox 360 version has the edge"

IGN "Sorry, Xbox 360 version. You were good. But this is better."

Lies, lies, lies.

[Phusion8]

Can't wait for Gametrailers aka XBOTS to review this...

[xi_comet_ix]

i want it <3