Game Review: Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2Xbox 360Single playerRs 2,499Bioware is back with the second part of this sci-fi RPG (role-playing video game), and it doesn't disappoint. Once again, you assume the role of Commander Shepard in the continuing battle to save humanity from extinction. This time round, you fight the Collectors, a mysterious alien race that has been abducting entire human colonies. How you do it is pretty straightforward -- by assembling a team of skillful warriors from around the galaxy to take on the Collectors. The narrative lacks the complexity of the first game, but the characters are well-developed, and gorgeous graphics along with a rousing score enhance the experience; it's almost cinematic. It's the gameplay, though, that makes this tick. Blast through hordes of enemies with guns, rip them apart with a cocktail of biotic powers, or use stealth to take them out -- it's mayhem any way you like it. A complete play-through can take above 25 hours; and with six classes, each encouraging a different style of gameplay, there's plenty of replay value here.At its core, ME2 is still an RPG, with heavy focus on story and character development. Casual gamers looking for some quick action will need to look elsewhere, but for those who enjoy RPGs, this is a must-have.