I know what you’re thinking, “Abraxas, WTF? You were gone for a week?!?”

You’re right, I was. Two reasons, really. The first one, I got called in on another Black Beta Spec Ops mission that I can’t tell you about yet and the second one?

Ever watch a movie or read a book and get so caught up in it you can’t help but wish it was you making the decision or pulling the trigger? Of course you have, who hasn’t.

Bioware, the creator of the Mass Effect series, has taken that idea of being the star of the show and made it happen with the Mass Effect franchise. Mass Effect 2 starts off soon after the first one ended. And, like the first one, you are the star of the show, making decisions that change the flavor of the game.

Now, I know what you’re saying, “Abraxas, what the hell does that mean?”

Well, you play the part of Sheppard, Space Cop. It’s up to you to either be a good cop or a bad cop. Just like the first game. Actually, you can import your character from the first Mass Effect, and that significantly changes how the story starts. That’s right, the choices you made in the first game change what happens in the second game.

Finally, some is producing role-playing games with the idea of consequences in mind! As an example- NPC’s you spared will return but ones you killed are still dead. Whether or not NPC’s trust you right away or if you have to work to gain their cooperation. What you did in the first game has a direct impact on what is happening in this game.

You’re still a Space Cop out to save the galaxy, but your history follows you.

Which doesn’t mean if you didn’t play the first game you can’t play this game. Not at all. They’ll start you out with a history based on what kind of character you make.

Now, the questions I am sure you are asking is, “Abraxas, you bring up a lot of valid points about the failings of various games, but what’s your gold standard? What’s a good game for you?”

And, I am glad you brought that up. Because this game is it.

Mass Effect 2 is what happens when you hire A-list writers, voice actors, and code-monkeys.

Everything about this game is a step up from the high bar that the first Mass Effect set. The graphics are improved, the combat and non-combat menu interfaces have been cleaned up and simplified for use.

Which isn’t to say this game isn’t without it’s problems. It has its share. The sound would cut out from time to time. Characters could get stuck in the environment. The inventory system, which was criticized as being cumbersome in the first game, has become a joke.

In the first game, you found endless amounts of weapons, each with their benefits and drawbacks. By comparison, in ME2 you start off with Gun 1. Later one you find Gun 2. Maybe Gun 3 after that. All with no indication which might suit your needs better, and the game automatically equips the new weapon for you. Even if you didn’t want it.

The Biotics, or “super powers” in the game, which allow you to have Jedi-like abilities, are just a pointless gimmick.

Which, if you’re just joining me now, means that if you remove the Biotic powers from the game, nothing changes. And, that means there’s no reason for them to be there other than the ‘ooooohh, neat‘ factor. I.E, pointless gimmick, like a lightsaber with Force Lightning applied to it. Although, to be honest, the selection of abilities has improved and are a lot more useful in a fight.

But they’re still, you know, gimmicky. And pointless.

The in-depth skill system for combat and non-combat abilities has been dropped for a super simple “I shoot dis here gun” skill tree. Meaning, only the powers and abilities you directly use in combat are listed. All others are assumed and automated in the game.

Much of the RPG style of combat has been streamlined into much more of a Over-the-Shoulder FPS style of game play. Which, if you liked the first game you’ll find the second one even faster paced, and if you found the first game too slow the second one will be much more up your alley.

The personal relationship options ME2 have been expanded over ME1. Instead of getting one member of the opposite gender and an alien to woo, you are given multiple relationship options from same gender to inter-racial/species. Your choices range from genetically engineered super-human women to alien snake-dude assassins.

Or should I let you go on thinking that video games are for kids, and don’t have anything important to talk about? Well, tell you what, why don’t you watch and judge for yourself.

Overall, Mass Effect 2 is an improvement of the original game, offering a compelling narrative that requires decisions on the players part, and introduces consequences for those decisions. Bioware has done a fantastic job of making Mass Effect 2 a personal game. The decisions you made in the first game are carried through, and the decisions you make during the game will determine which NPC’s survive to the end and into the third game.

If you were to ask me, “Abraxas, I only buy one game a year. Which one should I buy?” I would tell you, “ Mass Effect 2.“