First Mass Effect 2 Review - OXM

The new OXM (Official Xbox Magazine - February 2010) features world first Mass Effect 2 review.

+ Enveloping universe filled with interesting characters and revealing side stories.

+ Outstanding, flexible combat in gorgeous environments.

- Main story is a bit disappointing; dull element mining and hacking.

? Why do characters cry oil slicks?

[Elven6]

Kinda tempted by Mass Effect 2, I was hyped for the first one, even bought it day one but was kind of disappointed by it due to the technical issues, rehashed content (such as reskined planets), etc.

But then again, Assassin's Creed II so far is much better than the first game since it fixed what was wrong with it, perhaps Mass Effect 2 will do the same?

[APOFISBORICUA]

for me ( I SAID JUST FOR ME) was really boring. I didn't like the combat at RPG elements. Graphics were good, even if the framerate sucks. Im going to play the second to see 4 myself if it is really better and not an overhyped game by the 360 fans. If it convince me maybe I buy it. But if you liked the first one this one is really a MUST BUY no matter the score it gets. Its a thing of preference and everybody have different tastes.

PEACE AND GAMING!!!

[topdawg122]

I'm sure it will be much better than the first

[kalebgray92]

i had a 360 first before i got my ps3 and gears 1 and mass effect 1 were some of the greatest games... since then there hasn't been a game on 360 that has shocked me but mass effect 2 might just do it ....

[RememberThe357]

I cannot wait for this game!

[Harry_Manback]

All I remember is loading...crash....pop up textures...loading...crash...e tc, etc.
Got ME2 pre-ordered. Hopefully, I'm not disappointed.

[97gsx]

I have mass effect 2 on pre order and today I decided to replay mass effect since I upgraded to the elite a little over a year ago and lost my save. THE DAMN THING RED RINGED. So sad I wont be able to play this on release.

[WildArmed]

ME1 was amazing imo.
Game just slowed down TOO much sometimes for long non-combat parts.

Other then that It was a great game.
I can see why people could call it boring, but it's really kickass.

[captain-obvious]

cant wait to play it on MY brand new rig
finally im DX11 combatable

[DelbertGrady]

The first Mass Effect was the best RPG I have played this gen. I've replayed it twice and it was rewarding each and every time. Didn't find the minor glitches gamebreaking at all. In fact, I didn't pay attention to them until people started reporting them.

Mass Effect 2 is my most awaited game of 2010. Can't wait!

[Danja]

ME1 was amazing even with the technical probs , it was still a great game and is my fave 360 game so far ... Can't wait to play this one

[Saaking]

The only game I'll be buying this month. Great way to start the year.

[Tony P]

Cool score.

Although I would have picked it up no matter what it scored.

[Socrates]

A lot of PS3 fans in here stealth trolling, so what else is new?
However, a few of them are leaving positive comments with no strings attached and that is appreciated.

Anyway, this is by far one of the games I am looking forward to most this year. The first one is a true gem of gaming and I have no doubt that Bioware have improved many things for the sequel. I can't wait.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

There are some technical issues with the first ME, but you will soon forget them since the game is so darn good. None of the issues are game breaking (not even close), but it is a little annoying. I'm playing it right now in anticipation of the second one. That is a great score so I'm expecting a great experience!!!

The Limited Edition of ME2 is already sold out at numerous places.... This game, Alan Wake and Halo:Reach is the biggest game of the year for me.

[Socrates]

I think the technical issue thing has been latched onto by fanboys and way, way overexaggerated. There was some slowdown in 'places', but um.. that is pretty much true of a lot of games. (I saw similar kinds of slowdown in some parts of Killzone 2, for example). There was also a little texture pop-in here and there, but nothing too noticeable.

All in all, though, I thought it was a gorgeous game. The textures were awesome, the character models were nearly CGI-like, and the effects and overall look of the game was just nice.

[vhero]

Honestly I know the game is gonna be great but was OXM ever gonna give this game under 9.5 no matter how bad/good it was gonna be?? simple answer... NO... They need this game to sell very well on 360 otherwise it would have to come to PS3 as the rights are now owned by never exclusive EA. So they are gonna push it like crazy. You can bet your back side a lot of high up reviewers are gonna get "incentives" too when they review this game like with Halo 3.

[Enate]

I loved the first one but it wasn't without me seeing its flaws. Unengaging pointless side missions and boring planet exploration. An the biggest thing for me was the story wasn't long enough. The majority of the length came from you getting lost in general or in other things besides the main story. Of which you only got a bit of most of the time then it was back to going here an there. Still one of my favorite WRPG's as I've beaten it now 7 times and I'm on my 8th before the 2nd comes out.

[pixelsword]

I want to make sure this runs great. ME1 and Gears for PC were the better choices as well from what I read. So far from his review it seems like there's no problems, so maybe it's not going to be so bad this time around.

[gamer2010]

@ENATE

You know, Demon's Souls has lot of little nit pick issues like that as well but it is the overall experience that matters.
Mass Effect was an amazing experience overall.

[Cold 2000]

Oh shut up already. I bet you take away all the 10/10 for KZ2 from playstation magazines and you get a 80/100 on metacritic. And according to your logic a lot of sites must have got "incentives" for MGS4 for it not to go multiplat.

on topic: 2 weeks left before I get my hands on this master piece!! :)

[White-Sharingan]

@ Socrates- You must of been playing the PC version, the 360 version really does have too much technical issues ;\ they should of delayed it for a few months to fix that, extreme loadings, texture loading. Hell once I saw a "dead" guy shooting at me, i couldnt kill him so I did lift, i killed him while he was in the air and he died in a awkward position (kinda like sitting down), after a few seconds, the body disappeared...saying ME1 didnt have much technical issues (360 version) will just make you sound like a fanboy, you can still like a game while acknowledging its problems. I know every game has these types of problems, but ME1 takes it to another level, alongside Haze. Regardless of that, its still a solid title and one of my fav game son 360, seeing ME2 videos im confident they fixed this, I didnt really see much slowdowns or glitches, looks a lot better this time around. Buying it first day.

EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watc... great example

[heroprotagonist]

Sad to say I played this game late, much after most people had played it. By the way some people talked I thought I would see lots of glitches and stuff in the 360 version I got, but I hardly noticed anything. Just some slowdown and a little screen tearing, which are things many games suffer from. I remember playing Uncharted on my PS3 and I saw lots of screen tearing and some slowdown in some places too, but it didn't hurt things too bad. Mass Effect was just a brilliant game and knowing that they have worked to improve those issues is nice but I would have happily bought the game anyway.

[HighDefinition]

But, this is definitely getting bought by me on day one, this and SC:C. As much as I enjoyed the 1st MassEffect, it did have some pretty ridiculous/annoying problems and I hope like AC2 they fix the problems w/ the 2nd iteration. The biggest problem was the planets w/ side missions literally looked the same and those elevators were annoying.

BTW, Where the F**k is Alan Wake? I haven`t heard anything about that game in a while.

[Solidus187-SCMilk]

even with its problems it was still a great game for 2007.

this one looks like its improving alot of the problems from the first so it should be great.

lots of haters who dont have a 360 in here.

Edit -- hey pixel, dont forget the PC versions of mass effect and gears1 were months and a year later than the games were out on xbox.

[LEGENDARY PELON]

Great game ONLY for the 360!

PS3 fangirls seem to be hella buthurt!!

ps3 fangirl "oh ima play this multiplat on the pc"

ha ha ha! yea right!! How on earth are you guys going to buy a game for the PC if you guys dont even buy your own PS3 exclusives!!! FACT!!!! "look at ps3 exclusives sales"

[lociefer]

any1 who says mass effect sux is a fanboy coz this game is really aweosome, mass effect 2 will be off the chain , +if u hate the 360 so much get it on pc, this game dosent deserve ur fanboy hate

[starchild]

I love all Bioware games. At least all the ones I have played. Started playing their games on the PC and their mastery has only grown over time. Mass Effect 2 will be on the short list for my game of the year.

[Udidntlistenpunk]

Even Ninja Blade received a triple A status from them. They have proven to be untrustworthy.

Especially when they list main story as disappointing, which is the only thing that matters in role playing games.

[Traveler]

Mass Effect is one of my favorite games ever. I can't explain some of the feelings it gave me, so I'll just say that I loved it and leave it at that. ME2 is my biggest game this year so this month is very special to me.

[Enate]

Believe me I know that otherwise I wouldn't have beaten the game as many times as I have. I'm just pointing out the things I hope get better. As for my main point with the story I don't think that is nit picking as the most important aspect of an rpg is the story. An although what was there I loved it I want more of it. Overall it just felt like the story elements were to few an to short with a few exceptions. As for Demon Souls I wouldn't know have not an do not plan to play it currently despite rpgs being my favorite genre I just don't think it looks like the type of rpg for me. As I said I'm all about good long story an as far as I know Demon Souls barely has a story at all. Not saying its bad but its just not for me.

[AAACE5]

I keep trying to finish ME 1 so that I can get ME 2, but this damn MW 2 won't let me go!

[NeoBasch]

Mass Effect 2 is my 2nd most anticipated game of the year. Behind only Heavy Rain. The original was a landmark in storytelling and narrative design. Much in the same way Uncharted was. I like to view those two franchises as the pinnacle of this generation. Microsoft better hold onto Mass Effect. Right now, in my opinion, it is the only franchise worth a damn compared to Uncharted.

Day one buy for me. Can't wait! :D

[Christopher]

I enjoyed the first and really just hope for a better story.

I'm confused because they say in the article one thing and another in the conclusion in regards to the quality of the story.

Also, sad to see so much emphasis on mining compared to the first game. Wouldn't mind having seen some reduction in equipment being gained, but it seems the second game will be more about wasting time looking for components for upgrades outside of the normal story/combat, which is a cheap way to inflate overall game time, IMHO.

Still, can't wait for the 26th.

[RadientFlux]

Good review, I look forward to continuing the story. Only downside is there will probably be another 2 year wait for the next/final chapter in the saga.

[elpresador]

...if you release a game 1 year after its predecessor, you will get the fanboys panties in a bunch saying that it is nothing more than DLC or even just an expansion.

[Mucudadada]

I just bought it for PC and already know I love it. I need to hurry up and beat the first one so I can be ready to play this one on my roommates 360.

[k2d]

'guess there's a bunch of people having a go at ME1 right now?

Playing it on my on my PC and I'm loving the immersion! <3

[she00win99]

360 has no games :)

[LtSkittles]

http://www.n4g.com/NewsCom-...

http://www.n4g.com/NewsCom-...

http://www.n4g.com/NewsCom-...

Haha @ disagrees

she00win99 has no life :)

@1.2

What's wrong with only having a PS3?

[shutupandplay]

Alan Wake, Mass Effect 2, Fable 3, Crackdown 2, Halo Reach, Splinter Cell Conviction, Metro 2033, PD XBLA. Aside from those, your right, no games. Move along folks, just another PS3-only loser.

[she00win99]

360 has no games :(

[N4PS3G]

@Shutupandplay

You can also add

Kingdom Under Fire II
Mechwarrior
Ninety Nine Nights
APB

but please don't! It would be too humiliating for him

[Mo0eY]

@shutupandplay

Please tell me you are kidding. Another Halo game, Mass Effect 2, Splinter Cell Conviction, Metro 2033, all multiplatforms, a remake of Perfect Dark, Crackdown 2 which the first was only popular thanks to Halo, and finally Fable 3, an unannounced game for 2010.

LOL, what a crock.

[shutupandplay]

Mooey, you can try to spin it all you want, but the fact remains: All the games I listed are all part of 360`s lineup, and are not available on ps3...and what are you puffing your chest over? GoW3, GT5 and Heavy Rain? The 360 is bringing way more to the table than ps3 in 2010, including Natal. Stop kidding yourself son.

[Pandamobile]

N4PS3G - All Points Bulletin is a PC exclusive.

[Foliage]

@ shutupandplay
I think he meant good games. You mentioned one good game, two if you stretch facts.

Face it, 360 has very few good games. ME2 score will be inflated, since it is the first game in years that is actually good on the 360 console, and the Eastern media will take any opportunity to mask the limited 360 lineup. Like the first, expect ME2 to be very good in a select few areas, and very very bad in everything else. I hope the mechanics of ME2 are at least fine tuned, since the first was a complete disaster.

[ATi_Elite]

Mass effect on the PC was a great game. Not my style of play, if the FPS part of the game was more FPS than duck n cover I might have kept it.

Mass effect 2 most likely another 360 straight port to PC meaning worse controls and limited gameplay. therefore I won't even buy Mass effect 2 this time.

At this rate with the 360 ports to PC and all, PS3 is looking better and better.

[Socrates]

Wrong! 360 has a ton of games. More, in fact, than the PS3 does.

PS3 has fewer games overall and fewer good games. The 360 has 301 games that have a metacritic score of 75 or better (which is their cutoff for a good game), the PS3 on the other hand only has 207. That is a huge difference.

[Oztheboss]

@shutupandplay

for someone who tells people to "shut up and play", you do a lot of b*tching and moaning on the internet. don't feed the trolls.

[ChrisW]

All consoles have no games!

TRY BEATING THAT TO DEATH ! ! !

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

...the P.C Version(which i can buy)will be a 10/10??? COOL!!! ;-D

[Comet]

Agent
God of War 3
Gran Turismo 5
White Knight Chronicles
The Last Guardian
Heavy Rain
MAG: Massive Action Game
ModNation Racers
The Last Rebellion
Final Fantasy XIII Versus
L.A. Noire
The Agency
Trinity Universe
Atelier Rorona
3D Dot Heroes
Steambot Chronicles 2
Ar Tonelico 3
Trinity: Zill O'll Zero
Kurayami
DC Universe Online
Dynasty Warriors Online
Yakuza 3
Yakuza 4
Eyepet

Soon to come-
Resistance 3
Twisted Metal
New Kingdom Hearts
MLB 10: The Show
NBA 10: The Inside

(List excludes some great PlayStation Network games)

Notice how there's no Halo 6, MW2, or L4D2

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Poor droids nothing in 2010

[starchild]

The 360 list would be massive if you included all the lesser games, but we're talking about major releases, not no name games that nobody cares about. Most of the PS3 list is filled with games that few people will care about. The only major releases on the PS3 that have been more or less confirmed for 2010 are GOW3, GT5 and maybe Heavy Rain.

The 360's lineup just kills the PS3 lineup with example after example of huge AAA games.

[chrisulloa]

He's totally right guise, 360 has like one game.

[Udidntlistenpunk]

I am looking forward into playing the superior mass effect 2 for the PS3.

Hahaha

[bennyace]

As soon as an xbox 360 game gets a good review to see all the PS3 fanboys in full damage control! Just look at the amount of comments on this article, most of them from PS3 fanboys. hahahaha. Even if a game get a good score on the 360 it doesn't take anything from your beloved PS3. So funny. And to read that some fanboys are willing to play it on a PC because it's going to be, according to them, the "superior" version!? You shouldn't bother because the games on the 360 aren't any good, so why play it on a PC. Oh, I know because of the graphics. Because we all know that better graphics = better game. That's why, when we see a top 50 games of all time none of the current generation games are in the top 5. Anyway, I'll play it anytime on my 52" lcd sitting on my recliner before playing it on a cpu monitor sitting on an office chair.

But, if it makes you feel more secured that you didn't miss a chance to bash a good 360 game and it helps you sleep at night, go ahead. But you won't stop anyone from playing it!!! hahahaha.

[sak500]

@udintlisten

"Betatest that game for us, bots.
I am looking forward into playing the superior mass effect 2 for the PS3.
"

Yes i'm sure just like 99% cross plat games look and do better on ps3 /sarc

[Government Cheese]

Technically it is just a timed exclusive for PC.

[The Maxx]

"Notice how there's no Halo 6, MW2, or L4D2"

No but i did notice:
God of War 3
Gran Turismo 5
Final Fantasy XIII Versus
Steambot Chronicles 2
Ar Tonelico 3
Yakuza 3
Yakuza 4
Resistance 3

[ChrisW]

The PC has no games!!! BWAAHAHAAA!!!

[N4PS3G]

what?! 9.5?! not a 10?!

Preorder Canceled!! :D

Who Am i kidding? haha 1st day!! Can't wait!

RPG of the Year and Possibly Game of the Year too!

[APOFISBORICUA]

my copy to a friend of mine. So I hope that my thanks for downloading it from Pirate Network is worth this game. LOL!!!

A bad joke...

Really a great score and a good game to start the year for xbox only owners.

PEACE AND GAMING!!!

[gamer2010]

OMG he is getting disagrees because he said it possibly could be game of the year or is the best RPG. Well, for him it might be. And even among the media I think that might be the case. I think it has a good chance of outscoring Final Fantasy XIII and there really isn't any other RPG anywhere close to the same level. And if you can't see that it has a good shot of being in the running for GOTY then you simply are not aware of bioware's pedigree.

[bjornbear]

WRONG REPLY -_-
EDIT

still, awsum score =) ME was always franchise that interested.

[moneybuyseverything]

Pre-ordered the game yesterday.

EDIT

LOL at the phantom disagree-er

[N4PS3G]

jealousy ;)

[hulk_bash1987]

Mass Effect 2 is gonna be Epic. Can't wait to try out the new and improved Vangard class.

[STK026]

how can it be jealousy, the game is also set to be released on PC, and, according to what I've read on N4G and GT in the last few months, every single non-360 owners have a gaming PC, therefor, every one should be able to enjoy what seems, according to this review, to be a formidable RPG.

Oh well, atleast I hope it is the case, since I, for one, can't wait to play it.

Edit

"What makes you think the hate has anything to do with PC? The game is exclusive the 360 in the console market. " My comment was meant to display what some hardened PS3 fanboys (not all of them, just some) have been saying for months if not year about the 360 exclusives (about most showing up on PC).

"Seems like a poor way of comforting yourself about this AAA not being on the PS3 and exclusive to the 360 in the console market." May I know why I would be so sad about a game showing up on a console I actually own? And, may I add, considering that my PC can actually run the game, why would I care about console exclusivity, even if I didn't possess a 360?

" PC is not in the same market and the two platforms do not compete with eachother. PC/Games for Windows does not effect the 360" If a multiplatform game is released on PC and 360, every copy sold on PC is one copy that is unlikely to be bought on the 360, MS receives royalties from games sold on the 360 (just like Sony and Nintendo do on their own respective consoles), but not for games sold on PC. Also, exclusives are driving console sales, just like PSP-to-PS2 ports affected PSP sales, due to the lack of "real" exclusive to drive the hardware sales, PC gamers are less likely to buy a 360 (assuming they don't already own one) if the bigger titles are also released on PC.

I will add this, my comment wasn't an attack of some kind on the game, nor on the console it is being published on. I guess it was my mistake, as I forgot to add a /s at the end.

[moneybuyseverything]

It only needs to be 360 related and not on PS3. So yeah jealousy!

What makes you think the hate has anything to do with PC? The game is exclusive the 360 in the console market.

Who in the hell mentioned PC in this series of comments? Seems like a poor way of comforting yourself about this AAA not being on the PS3 and exclusive to the 360 in the console market. PC is not in the same market and the two platforms do not compete with eachother. PC/Games for Windows does not effect the 360 but the game not being on PS3 does effect the PS3 so why does it matter? You're not taking anything away from the 360.

[DelbertGrady]

Here come the "Is also on teh PC" brigade.

Why disagree with him if you can play it on your PC?

[Socrates]

It's console exclusive, 'nough said.

The whole PC thing is just an excuse PS3 fanboys use to attack the 360 and make themselves feel better about the game not being on the PS3. It's obvious.

[Pricey]

You know what it makes me feel better, because It being on PC means I get to play a great game. I ask you; if I have a capable PC am I then going to go and purchase a 360 just to play it, no chance. Therefore the game is not a system seller, which is why people are getting b*tchy. Now halo, gears 2 that's a different matter.

[gamer2010]

You claim it isn't a system seller, but how do you know.
Lots of 360 exclusives have also been released on the PC and the 360 still has a lead over the PS3. So yeah, I'd say they are system sellers.
If it really hurt the 360 so bad to have those games also on the PC then I guarantee Microsoft wouldn't put their own games on it.
The strategy seems to be to have some games that can only be found on the 360 and then allowing some games to spread over to the PC.
The market for the PC and consoles is to a large degree very segregated. We don't have articles about how the PS3 or 360 is doing against the PC, the battle is between the HD consoles mainly, and with the Wii secondly.
If you made a visual representation of it you would see two circles representing the PS3 and 360 intersecting to a very large degree, while both circles would intersect with the Wii circle to the next greatest degree, and lastly intersect with the PC circle to the smallest degree.
So, when a game is exclusive in the console realm it has a very important impact on the console landscape, regardless if PC gamers can also get that game on their PCs.

[Pricey]

compare mass effect sales to gears(2) and halo sales over a similar period. Oh and if its easy to pirate 360 games it's even easier to pirate pc games. I don't but thats not to say others wont. Will it sell large numbers of consoles on it's own I don't think so, but maybe a survey would say otherwise. PC sales are deceptive due to piracy, and given that don't you think that will eat into 360 sales. Oh and EA owns mass effect and ms don't get royalties.

[kewlkat007]

It's only natural on a Good 360/Pc game. Anyhow...this is another good franchise and will be rewarded by the fans.

Down Below- "This is why bayonettas review scores are stupid"
huh.....

[heroprotagonist]

@STKO26

All that PC nonsense aside, if it isn't jealousy and they can just get it on their supposed gaming PCs then why are they giving him disagrees for such an innocuous comment?

Sorry, but it looks like jealousy to me.

[table]

you all act like 360 is the only place worth playing the game when in reality WRPGs are far superior on PC e.g KOTOR, Elder Scrolls, Fallout etc. Step down from your high chair people. I'll be playing this on PC and I'll be loving every minute of it.

And btw, you don't need a 'gaming PC', all you need is a half decent spec. Most PCs purchased within the last 2 years should play these games.

[STK026]

It seems I didn't express myself very well, so I'll do it once more. On both N4G and the GameTrailers forums, some die hard PS3 fanboys (then again, only some) have been claiming for quite a while that almost every one has a gaming-capable PC (therefor eliminating the need to buy a 360 since a significant amount of 360 exclusives find their way on PC at some point, not all, but some), something I do not believe to be true by the way.

My comment was meant to be a small jab at these few people, but without the sarcasm tag at the end, I can see how some took it seriously.

Oh, and this wasn't aimed at every PS3 owners or anything like that, just a very vocal minority.

[Solidus187-SCMilk]

ahhaha

[monkey602]

I really cant wait for this game. Working my way through another playthrough of ME1 at the moment to have the perfect save file ready to continue over.

"Main story is a bit disappointing" also choosing to completely ignore ever reading that bullet point!

[peowpeow]

Yeah I'm thinking wtf to that point haha. I would think that ME2's main storyline is epic especially after the first :D. I just finished a save for the pc version that I scored for $5 off steam. (awesomeness!!)

Why the disagrees for people saying they can't wait for ME2? >.<

[monkey602]

Yeah me too. The version I'm playing at the moment I got for 4 euro off steam. I have the 360 version too but I plan on getting 2 on my laptop and just ignore the dissagrees from a few sad individuals :)

[Catmurderer]

I cannot wait to remake German Shepard.

[monkey602]

haha Commander German Shepard! Brilliant!
That there is one of those things I wish I had thought of

[DelbertGrady]

I have an evil sentinel that looks like David Niven :)

[stuntman_mike]

what you do in your own time is up to you, but were all talking about mass effect dude. lol

[Mo0eY]

Congrats, Mass Effect 2. I can't wait to play the vastly superior version on my PC.

[Lou Ferrigno]

Surperior PC version COMFIRMED! cant want to play this MULTIPLATFORM game :)

[AliTheBrit19]

Enjoy playing on your Microsoft OS :)

Either way, Microsoft wins, you can spin it anyway you like :)

Enjoy never being able to play it on your PS3 :D

[captain-obvious]

"Enjoy playing on your Microsoft OS :)"

maybe pirated
maybe he got it free with the PC

you maybe right
but at the same time you might be wrong

cus im a PC gamer and i play all my games using a pirated windows XP
no matter how new my rig is
i always use XP

[AliTheBrit19]

^^ Wow, you need DirectX 11 my friend, get Win7

And you never pirate an OS LMAO, everything else but an OS? good luck with that :)

[PopEmUp]

Oh Who Said you can't pirate an OS and Windows 7 happen to be the next in Line lol :)

[Socrates]

The PS3 is a decent console, but if you guys are any indication, its fanbase is comprised of complete morons.

[Rhythmattic]

Sour Crates. (Yes the old Bill & Teds Reference)

Looking at your posting history, I feel you need to Preserve and Protect,

Fair enough... But there is something worse than a moron, and thats a Shlthead....

Now , OT.... I'm sure I'll have a Great deal of fun with ME2 on my 360....

[gamer2010]

PS3 fanboys act like complete A-holes on the internet. 360 and Wii fanboys can be bad, but they are nowhere near as bad as PS3 fanboys.

Mooey, grow up and move out of your parent's basement.

[heroprotagonist]

I hate pirates. There should be harsher punishments for you thieves.

[bennyace]

I'm sure no one here ever downloaded music that they didn't pay for, or copy a cd from a friend! You shouldn't throw stones if you live in a glass house.

[jakethemuss]

.

[gunnerforlife]

explain please... what does bayonetta have to do with this????

[Staircase]

What happened to Shepard's face? D:

[gunnerforlife]

the sheep's ate a quarter of it.

[chrisius]

I'm guessing he went the dark route, like in KOTOR, but i'm just speculating here. Didn't get chance to play ME1, i'm solely a PS3 owner, so I don't know how many similarities they share with one another. However, after playing Dragon Age and loving it, I'm hyped up for some more Bioware.

ME2 intrigues me and now that I've got a decent PC, I might just pick this one up, hopefully I can run it at decent settings. Pity the Mass Effect PS3 rumours weren't true. Oh well.

[monkey602]

Thinking all the way back to the first ME2 teaser they said Shepard was dead! Guessing it has something to do with that

[peowpeow]

In the beginning of ME2, Shepard dies and Cerberus (the 'bad' organization from mass effect) makes him a cyborg basically :P

[DailyAddict]

I'm sorry, but this review was lame - and no, I'm not complaining about the score, but rather the fact that they never really say why it deserved its score. Hell, they don't really say anything about the game at all really except for possibly ruining the game's ending boss battle a little. I played the first and quite enjoyed it, but felt that the story took way too long to get interesting (which continues to be a problem according to OXM) and overall I would have given the first game an 8 due to its many problems.

Now, in OXM's review they not only complain about a weak storyline (which many would argue is the backbone of an RPG), but say it also still takes way too long to get interesting. This review doesn't really say "why" they gave it the score they did and ultimately it was more negative than positive and they imply that they gave it the score simply because it's the middle game in the series and there will be another one that "has" to be the best of the series. That sounds like an excuse to me.

I have no doubt that this game will be good, but this review from an editorial standpoint was pretty crap and I'm now actually just sort of waiting to read someone else's review because theirs wasn't helpful at all.

[Consoldtobots]

well when you're looking to inflate a score you don't really provide a way for people to call you on your BS.

[CoffeewithChess]

I never did play the first one, and I probably won't play this one either. Though if I do, it would be on PC.

[Mr Marbles]

then why did you comment, why did you even click on this story!?!?!

Buy the way, I wouldn't brag about being a PC gamer, PC gamers are stupid, why pay a fortune to play at your desk on a tiny screen, when you can pick up a 360 for less than 199, and play on your couch in front of a 65inch screen

[pansenbaer]

65 inch televisions are free then? Or might they also cost a fortune?

[zagibu]

You don't pay a fortune to play at your desk, because most intelligent people already own a PC, and to turn this one into a gaming machine costs like 150-200$. The desk and "tiny" screen (which is actually bigger when you factor in how close you are) are not disadvantages either, but this might be something you can't understand.

But back to topic: ME1 is a good game, if you don't go to the generic planets and only do the story missions and quests on the citadel. The generic planets and side quests in space are very boring and repetitive. It's also not really worth it, since after having done it all, you have a huge surplus of credits and nothing worthy to buy.

I hope ME2 will correct this. They should just skip the 20 hours of generic content and replace it with 2 hours hand-crafted missions.

[gamer2010]

Why do some people act like you can just upgrade any old PC. "If you are typing this you must have a PC", they say. Well lots of us have weak laptops that we surf the net with and I guarantee that trying to upgrade it to something useful for gaming would be pointless. So, for many people getting into PC gaming would be at least a $500 or $600 investment.
Besides, you would miss out on all the good games that can only be found on the 360 like Gears 2, Fable 2, Halo 3, Crackdown, Forza 3, Lost Odyssey, Alan Wake, Halo Reach, etc.

[kewlkat007]

Playing a PC game on High resolution only scales the game down with sharper image.

I'm not sure how you compare a 60+inch HDTV and the "scale" of what your looking at, to a 21 inch monitor.

I think, "High Resolution" goes better with a much bigger screen.

[mistergaga X]

who gives a crap if the game get 9.5 , 8.5 or even 6.5 ?

ITS STILL MASS EFFECT ! I cant wait to get my copy of Mass Effect 2 for my 360 ! Mass Effect 1 was in my opinion 1 of the top 3 games in THIS generation of gaming ! It was THAT good ...B1tch ass good !

Mass Effect you rule ......

Go Xbox 360 !

[Socrates]

So true, my man. Mass Effect was one of the best games I ever played.

[Gameplay999]

This particular review isn't very detailed whatsoever but I'll be buying the game regardless of reviews anyways. As far as the accusation of a weak story goes... well Mass Effect 1 didn't have the most original main storyline either but your crew members and NPCs you met gave the story a much fuller, rounded feeling which gave the journey legs to stand on. This is what seems to be the situation here except even more elaborated upon which equates to a deeper story altogether if you choose to discover it. Awesome, can't wait to start playing.

[Hudahudahuda]

Probably gonna get this.

[Chuk5]

An anticipated game that happens to not be on the ps3 gets disagrees for no reason. These damn trolls.Mass effect 2 earned it's hype! Why people are trying their hardest to kick up dirt on this games is beyond me. BTW that whole "It's not an exclusive it's multiplat!" is getting old. Really that fact that there is no ps3 version insight, means it's microsoft exclusive trough and through.Also the " pc version is superior" doesn't make sense. I'm not knocking it it's just obvious that the 360 is the lead platform and this will enjoy what that entails.

[DelbertGrady]

I sense this is the first of many 360 reviews in 2010 where people smash the disagree button like crazy. And that's a good thing :)

[unknownhero1123]

they are mad because they don't get to play as the RPG version of jack bauer.

anyways, the reviewer said the story was dissappointing? I wonder if he got the ending where everyone dies?

[Heartbroken-Menace]

Mass Effect has always been awesome, I would play it over that overhyped Halo any day. :) Now will you disagree that Mass Effect is awesome or agree that Halo is overhyped. :)

[Socomer 1979]

Dull story?

I really liked the story of mass effect 1.
When bioware announced they were having this new girl charachter full of bad cliches & cartoon network formula personality I knew mass effect took a turn for the worse. Now with the first official review from a xbox only site not even leaving a detailed review about the game I can see clearly now that mass effect got hurt by remaining to be limited by xbox360 weak graphics power & DVD capacity.

Another small unfinished game that will be played once & traded quickly.
Bring on Heavy Rain!

[MajestieBeast]

I just hope the game is longer this time classes are looking good probably playing a vanguard or adept. Got it preorderd for my pc already cant wait to play it.

[xTrueLegendx]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[kraze07]

Already got my Collector's Edition Pre-ordered for PC of course, but I think I'll by an extra copy for my lil bro to play on the 360.

[AliTheBrit19]

On my rent list, I usually love western RPG's but I just couldn't get into the first game.

[thereapersson]

lol, you're getting disagrees from your fellow 360 fanboys...

[awi5951]

You guys are ps3 fanboys in disguise i call BS. Your not Pc gamers whats your specs, your motherboard, your power source,and your cpu. If your not playing on max settings you might as well be playing on 360 your a bunch of pretending haters thats all. Your not Pc gamers real pc gamers build their own rigs upgrade them to perfection. For 450 dollars we can build a pc that can rape any console to shape.

Sorry ps3 fanboys killzone looks like crap compared to crysis no matter how big of a tinfoil hat you create. Sorry its not close killzone 2 doesnt look better than stalker clear sky. Well to get even more crazy i say killzone 2 doesnt look better than fallout 3 on pc at max settings.The graphics of killzone 2 are way overrated. Most of the game reviewers are console guys and dont play games on high end pc. The fact it keeps coming up is a joke. Anything on ps3 cant compare to anything im running on my 4870's 1gigs and when im in crossfire mode its no contest at all.

[The real killer]

Is that so, you are just a 360 fanboy and speak about PC you don't understand it.

First of all, Killzone 2 blow Crysis out of the sky, In Killzone 2 is much more happening than boring Crysis way less smart of reality.

And Uncharted 2 blow Killzone 2 out of the sky, say goodby with only one game what the PC have that use the graphics.

I like Mass Effect and i like also Mass Effect 2, and i will buy this game FOR THE PC without any worry for RODD or gimped graphics and visual.

Don't pretend you have a PC with a CRAPPY ATI card.

[kraze07]

You can look at my xfire profile if you want my specs.

[DelbertGrady]

Crysis running on the highest settings (and a bit lower even) looks better than any console game to date. Only someone who hasn't seen it or is a massive fanboy would deny that.

A high-end PC runs games on resolutions not possible on current consoles and newer graphics cards are much more powerful than what you'd find in the PS3. Some of you really need to stop listening to PR talk and use your eyes a little.

[The real killer]

Dude, i don't know what you smoking.
Crysis graphics match graphics from Killzone 2, but visual/ligthing and physics is Killzone 2 way better than your beloved Crysis, fact that Crysis is a game without the intense like in Killzone 2 happened, you really need some fact before you blabbing about the different and only talk graphics, there is more than graphics that make a game nice.

Killzone 2 is also look realistic than Crysis.
Fact, Killzone 2 is a real warzone with many effect like weather (wind) unlike Crysis.

PS, don't use words like (fanboy) you are also a fanboy without any arguments.

[Consoldtobots]

bwahahahahaha

Pentium Duo Core QUAD
EVGA 680i SLI motherboard
4GB DDR2 RAM
2 BFG GTX260 Maxcore 55 OC in SLI config
1 TB 7200rpm HDD

it's VERY hard for me to play games on my 360 after seeing them in their full glory on my rig. That said PS3 exclusives are the only thing that compete with my pc visually.

[heroprotagonist]

No, Crysis annihilates Killzone 2 in every way: textures, lighting, geometric complexity, character models, everything. It is delusional to say otherwise.

Killzone 2 is about on par with Gears of War or something like that. Crysis is on a whole nother level. I seriously doubt some of you have seen it running on a capable rig if you can even begin to think that Killzone 2 compares.

[The real killer]

Those 360 fanboys (suddenly transform to PC fanboys) disagree with me without any arguments :) Keep going guys with disagree without any sense :)

[The real killer]

"No, Crysis annihilates Killzone 2 in every way: textures, lighting, geometric complexity, character models, everything. It is delusional to say otherwise"

I don't no what type of people give you so much agree, we all know that GPU from the PC never will supported by the old PC architecture where the GPU still in the disadvantage than the Cell architecture use the GPU for 100% unlike GPU cards from PC architecture, think about that before you talking about delusional.

What lighting or textures are you talking about? I play very often Crysis at high resolution and i see barely lighting in the game, but the Textures is always not fully supported by the GPU, talking about delusional right?

"geometric complexity" You talking rubbish without any sense, you talk only the power of the grafiche card otherwise you don't talk so strange about Textures or geometric complexity and don't don't say about character quality, Killzone 2 character quality is a little bit better than little blocking textures in the character models from Crysis. And i have the best Nvidia card they offer.

[BYE]

I will play soldier just like in ME1. I know, it's cheap :D

Hopefully this time the dialogue options have more effect on the story, it's good to have plenty of options but if they don't do much, what's the point.

[Oztheboss]

Thankfully, I have a perfectly good gaming PC :)

[awi5951]

Are you joking your the faker. And that nividia crap is bull i got both and for the money the ati cards are way better for less money and doesn't suck up a stupid amount of power ati has been kicking there butts for awhile and for way less. I got builds of both kinds and the ati cards is way better and costs way less. Sorry as long as the games runs silky smooth all the theoretical benchmarks dont mean crap.Its the performance of the game that matters and thats what ati looks for. And the ps3 fanboys talk about paying more for live but pay 80 dollars more for a graphics card that the cheaper ati card already maxes out every game it makes no sense. Max settings is max settings lol.

[Alan Wake]

ONLY 360 get AAA Titles .. wow
Micrsoft make believe once again
ps3 no games in 2010 hhhhhhhhh

[gamer2010]

No, the PS3 does have some good games this year, just not as much as the 360.

[N4BmpS]

If there was one singular reason for me to get an XBOX 360, it would be for this bad s.o.b. and I'm not really an RPG type person

[Dev8 ing]

Why not just get a decent graphics card for about $100 and play it. The PC version will be the superior one anyway.

[xyxzor]

The technical issues in the first game were not exaggerated, there was terrible frame rate, pop in, loading issues, just to name a few. Even Bioware acknowledged them, it looks like Bioware's learned from their mistakes, and made a much better game this time around, can't wait to play it later this month.

[OpiZA]

Great score, nothing like coming back from hols and knowing ME2 is around the corner

[RealtorMDandDC]

Not really too excited about the second........Played the first and was bored out my mind.....played an hour and a half and called it quits.....besides my 360 broke-----> DVD tray would not come out tried to fix it and I made it worst so I threw it away(launch day system).....luckily I have my PS3.....

[heroprotagonist]

Why do I have trouble believing you? Hmm...

*Looks at posting history*...oh, that's why.

[Gigalol]

Mass Effect 2 Game Of The Year Edition 2010

AAA QUALITY Possible and available ONLY on Microsoft Platform.

Jump In

:)

[peeps]

gonna have to try out the first again and c if i can get into it. i just got bored after a few hours and haven't been arsed to go back 2 it.

what will ppl mostly get this for anyway? i got the first for pc cus it was cheaper and my mate said the 360 version was much buggier in comparison. i'd quite like me2 for my 360 tho just for achievements

[Baka-akaB]

I liked the first game (and currently replaying it just for ME2's arrival) but it was no way the perfection people claimed back then .

Still great when you make the sums of it's part .

For starters the gameplay was imo very weak . The fps part reminded me of the horrid nomad soul fps sequences . Basically somthing realy badly done , but with wich you deal with in an otherwise marvellous game .

As usual with bioware games (save kotor) the romances dialogue were very basic and lame .

As mentioned by everyone the planet exploration and the mako was meh .

Finally i didnt get a really good feel about most of the classes , some being quite useless . Especially when you can only have 3 guys in the squad , you included .

Technical issues ? meh i chalk it up at weirdly obsessed fanboys from both sides , and blind followers of hype , negative or not .
I've seen many people repeat ad nauseam when a game is known for screan tearing and a few slowdonws , and blowing it out of proportion ("bu-but i can feel and see it! it affect me when i play!" etc etc) , and yet , when you place them in front a game with far more nefarious effects , and more noticable screen tearing , pop in textures or slowdowns , but far less known and documented ... they miraculously see nothing .

All of the above seems revamped enough judging by ME2 vids and previews . ME1 had issues but was awesome , i expect ME2 to be even better , even if probably with issues of its own .

[heroprotagonist]

Look, I noticed the screen tearing and slowdown and I would really prefer that it not be there (that is why I prefer that multi-platform games have the least amount possible), but it was otherwise such a fantastic game that it was easier to overlook that stuff. You know, Uncharted had screen tearing and some slowdown too, but you don't hear PS3 fans trying to call that game a buggy mess. The issues you talk about are there in Mass Effect, yes, but they are exaggerated by fans of the other console.

[Dev8 ing]

There was no screen tearing in uncharted. Another big difference between uncharted and ME is that ME paused everytime it needed to save whereas uncharted did it in the background. Also uncharted had no loading besides starting the game.

[Baka-akaB]

@heroprotagonist

Hum arent you basically repeating my point ? That is that it's hardly that noticable and important as people mention . They just blindly repeat stuff they heard or read ... when truth be told , most of them dont notice a big glaring tearing or a slowdown in most beloved games .

And uncharted is really scraping the barrel here . Every got bugs , but in that area , you'd have to seek those tearings out to find them .

[gameman]

nothing new i just give them a week then will return to halo as always getting this on the pc by the way you know i want the best game experience and the 360 will not give me that in this game for sure

[heroprotagonist]

Just because Halo is one of the most well received exclusives ever on a console does not mean that the 360 fan base does not play other games. One look at the game sales show that 360 owners buy all kinds of games. Fable 2 and Mass Effect are RPGs and they have done very well, just to name a couple.

And let's not even mention that most of the best selling games on the PS3 are also shooters. MW2 anyone?

[no_more_trolling]

cant wait

gives 360 high 5

[jkhan]

I played Mass Effect 1 on 360 first. Gorgeous looking game at it's time, still holds up pretty well. But the framerate was very uneven. I recently played the game on PC. It runs smooth 60 fps. It's a whole new experience. Mass Effect 1 was one of the best rpgs of this gen. Hopefully Mass Effect 2 will live upto it's name.

[Dev8 ing]

I only played ME on the xbox but will get it for the PC since I plan to get the second one for PC. If it wasn't for everyone saying how good the story was I wouldn't have played further than the first couple of hours.

[divideby0]

scored as I was expecting...will buy in the near future
as with all SP only games for me there is no rush to pick this up at full price...will wait for the price drop...just to many games in the next couple of months..

[SHOTGUN MANIA]

Great score i'll buy as long as the taken out the elevator cut scenes :).

[kraze07]

You do know those were loading screens right?

[Veneno]

I want to play this because the storyline in ME is really great. But I got RROD an I wont be suckered by MS into getting another 360.

[divideby0]

I was a fool...I am on my 3rd 360 but it did cost me 120 bucks with GS walk in and exchange program before GS cancelled that program due to the high rate or returns...a friend is a manager at GS and when I replaced my 2nd 360, he let me look in the storeroom/inventory room (small EB at the mall). The 360 returns were stack upon stack and he said "industry failure rates...my a$$)

wont buy natal until MS guarantees it wont overtax my launch 360..which wont happen so no Natal or new 360 for me

[starchild]

I love when PS3 fanboys start busting out the RROD stories. That is when you know they feel nervous. Bu.. bu.. but.. the RROD.

[jalen247]

Great score. Bioware are great developers.

[Bluemaster77]

I cant wait for this nice score though i expected nothing less

[RetroPietro]

and I'll buy it :) No way am I gunna buy a 360 for one game though.

[divideby0]

add AlanWake and possible Halo Reach......now I have 3 games to buy for my 360 this year...assuming Reach aint another ODST ripoff and AW..who knows...we have seen games in development for that long of a time, suck

[Counter Strike]

GoTy - Only on Xbox 360 !

[The Iron Sheik]

PC says hello. Look at the box art. There is no "Only on 360" sticker on it.

[divideby0]

"disappointing story"...thats what ME is all about...

[ThaGeNeCySt]

I can't wait.

[Veneno]

I would get another 360 i f they lowered the Arcade to $100. Or better yet they should just come out with a whole new SKU called Xbox 360 RROD that contains ONLY the console and ZERO accessories, that way it could be cheaper LOL.

[jackburton]

Pre-ordered mine ages ago ! bought a 360 just for the 1st one [ Amazing game finished twice already ] can't wait to be release in the u.k .. i'm a multi console owner and this game is a must have ... ;) Peace

[wingman32x]

Good score. I was expecting a 10 personally, but 9.5 is good. Man, I can't wait to get my copy. Come January 26th my 360 will be working overtime lol.

[KiLLUMiNATi_89]

ps3 fan boys just start hating. O i forgot it already started

[B00M]

Haha, heroprotagonist, Killzone 2 on par with Gears? Ye Gears looks good, but you are delusional to think Killzone 2 looks graphically the same as Gears. However, Crysis does blow Killzone 2 away, but thats becasue its on PC =D Back to Mass Effect, bought the first (a bit late), and it just wasnt my game. Might rent this to see if it sucks me in. Mass Effect was too slow I felt =(

[asdr3wsfas]

Wow, you correctly ranked the graphics in 3 highly fought after games. Having played all 3 I must say I'm impressed you didn't lie.

[Veneno]

The story is brilliant yes, so it could snatch some awards there, but ME2 won't have the total package as far as technical feats. this games is no Uncharted 2 in that area. And let's face it, the gameplay was the least impressive part of ME1. Many game authorities have expressed the same thoughts. I would look more towards Alan Wake as 360 game of the year.

@Starchild

I think that maybe you're the one that is scared. I praised Mass Effect in my earlier comment. I bashed the hardware failure of the 360, but you construed my RROD story into a fear for ME2? Paranoid much?

[josh14399]

cant wait for this because i heard they eliminated all the technical problems from first game which ruined the experience for me. Not sure whether or not to preorder online or just pick it up from the store on release date yet though

[Druarc]

Glad they're releasing this on the PC, as I'm not about to buy a 360 for one or two games, like I did for the Xbox & Halo.

[wingman32x]

"Main story is a bit disappointing; dull element mining and hacking."

This concerns me. I hope the story isn't too much of a letdown.

[gameman]

THE GAME IS GREAT BUT IT'S NOT GOTY LEVEL AND THE GAME IS ALSO ON THE PC AND SOON ON THE PS3

[drzmvp554]

damn i hate negatives comments, they worry me about the game, hopefully the story is really good and not disappointing like this guy says