Release: April 2021
Genre: Action RPG
Developer & Publisher: BioWare & EA
Platform: Series X/S PC PS5
Graphics
Now BioWare chose to approach this as a remaster to sort of keep the original framework of the trilogy giving us the nostalgic experience but with a modern touch. The trilogy that I am a still playing does look above average and I would even say its within the realms of a current gen experience. Still on visuals I do not think since the PS4 era that video game graphics is going to have big generational leaps but rather how your hardware in particular can bring on-board added features like RT,DLSS,AMDFSR other upscaling methods and how far they can go on your hardware as opposed to vast pixel and texture improvements we would see like from the PS1 to 2 etc. Mass Effect 1 and 2 don't feel as fluid during gameplay but still the combination of good visuals and decent gameplay which we shall talk about in a moment gives an overall satisfying experience.
The overall presentation of the game itself to the menus is simple, straightforward and nice not far from Mass Effect 1 but just a slight step-up sticking to the original elements.
Speaking of menus I would have had preference with how before every mission in Mass Effect 1, you could change your character and teams helmets on whether you want to go with them on or off to a mission. In 2 you can do this but at specific points like your captains cabin for yourself and dependent on the mission you don't have total freedom to keep helmets on or off. Not a big deal but just a nitpick let down from the previous game.
Gameplay
Despite the gameplay feeling at times rigid especially when kind of shimmying when avoiding bullets during a gun fight its overall decent and playable. It will obviously not be on the level of Mass effect Andromeda however you will not feel like you are losing much but rather tapping back into the original experience with ease. You do get a good 4k 60fps experience on console I myself played on the Series X and it was solid as a rock no graphics and performance issues.
For first time players you have nothing to scratch your head over and if you have played the original games the mechanics here will feel a bit elevated in a positive way.
Story
I believe this is the heartbeat of the entire trilogy and what determines if its worth playing. One thing for sure Mass Effect games are only meant to be played chronologically. You have to start with one to carry over your saves and have a meaningful experience. Do not do what I initially did which was playing the original Mass effect 2 and skipped to Andromeda. That made the game lack any sense at all. So start from scratch if you are a first time player till you reach Andromeda.
So as you know me by now I do not spoil the elements of the story for you but just give a generic overview to inspire you either sacrificing your time and money or not for a game title. At the end of the day its all about your own decision but with that mentioned its definitely one of the best RPG games in the Industry.
Mass Effect 2 takes you to a whole new level by introducing new characters to you and their side of the story and also mixing the previous old team on Normady (Mass Effect 1), all this giving depth and purpose to the story. Your romance options are even wider, there's a bit more controversy as to who you work for and a lot of conflicting interests brought to the table.
In closing I just want to mention that I am now officially a pirate with good gaming PC hardware and I should be able now to share more insight into PC games but one challenge for sure is what the dev's are doing to our Vram's more on that in the future.
Cheers!
Pros
good graphics
Fair gameplay
great story
Cons
rigid gameplay feel
menus helmet changes could have been implemented better
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