And as usual, we’re treated with Bioware RPG goodness. I don’t really have enough time these days to play as much as i’d want, but i think i can definitely spare a few nights for ME2. The first thing you see about it is that it went a lot more action and a bit less RPG…I’m not talking about dialogue or choices, but about the removal of the inventory system and upgrades per se as we were treated to in ME1. While i do agree it’s a nice change from micromanaging the inventory, i think it went a bit too far. You can still upgrade weapons, in a permanent-stat-boost kinda way, and you do have a bit different armor pieces to choose from now, but still. Another small nitpick, is the fact that you can customize your look now. I thought this was a pretty nice feature but they mucked it up a bit later on when you actually find armor pieces upgrades that you actually have to have on you. So now my Neon Saida is wearing some ugly funky “10% more damage from headshots” headset and some nasty-ass leggings.

Another nice addition are the heavy weapons. They actually seem to fit as a “pull it out when you REALLY need it” kind of thing, since ammo is a bit scarce and upgrading them is expensive. As such, i use it only when i need it, which so far, was never, aside from the tutorial. I’m playing on Veteran and i can’t say i’m having too hard of a time with it. Hope it picks up more later on.

Also, in the vein of more action, we get reloads back, gave away the concept of overheating, and introduced ammo. Which.. i am not exactly that fond of. If you remove inventory clogging, why put in ammo clogging? I mean, if i use ammo from 3 guns, i have to pick up ammo from the group with each of the guns in my hand, to make the clip i pick up go into that gun’s reserve. A bit of a shot in the foot but i can live with that. (Ignore that, ammo is given to all weapons when you pick it up, which promotes using more then one gun).. though i do miss my limitless ammo.

One of the best features is the improved star map. You can now actually move around with your ship, scan planets, drop probes manually and so on and so forth. Mix this with a diversity of hacking minigames and you end up with a lot less ’same old same old’ that you got in the first game.

As for level designs, while unique so far.. so far.. i am baffled that i don’t have access to a map while in ‘dungeon’ areas. Just in towns. What?  Why? Especially since you now have 2-3 doors to go through and you often end up backtracking simply because you went the ‘right’ way and you wanted to explore some more.

Wow.. i’m making this a review again.. anyhows, i’ll end it saying i like the dialogues, i like the animations, i like the way the story is played along, Collectors aside.. and i think this will be a fun weekend.