User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1348 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Aug 17, 2023
    8
    Mass Effect 2 is a great sequel and I can't wait to see what's gonna happen in the third game.
  2. Jun 21, 2023
    10
    Truly a game that was ahead of it's time. The characters and the story are both amazing, and be careful when making decision, because they will matter.
  3. Apr 22, 2023
    6
    The gameplay is pretty nice but the writing of the game can get pretty bad. Some of the characters are sci fi knockoffs or depend on overused sci fi movie tropes. The Collectors seem to just be exactly the same as what the The Geth were in the first Mass Effect. The game doesn't really establish why its important to destroy The Collector base until the end of the game. Only that "They'reThe gameplay is pretty nice but the writing of the game can get pretty bad. Some of the characters are sci fi knockoffs or depend on overused sci fi movie tropes. The Collectors seem to just be exactly the same as what the The Geth were in the first Mass Effect. The game doesn't really establish why its important to destroy The Collector base until the end of the game. Only that "They're working for The Reapers, stop them!".

    There's outright fanservice in the form of sensual shots of Miranda, and pointless annoying characters like Jack and copies of squad members from the first Mass Effect like Grunt (essentially a carbon copy of Wrex). For a game that puts such a strong focus on the backstories of the squad members, it seems that some of them hardly have stories at all like Jacob. The game also does a poor job of giving an explanation as to why these people are joining you on a mission that will almost certainly lead to their deaths when they hardly know you. They also charge a hell of a lot of money for the DLC.
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  4. Apr 9, 2023
    10
    Final Thoughts:

    Mass Effect 2 is a focused, more personal epic space opera compared to its predecessor, but it’s this intimacy that sets it apart as one of the best sci-fi RPGs. Characters shine and develop in stunning ways, and decisions affect them and the plot in such satisfying fashion that you’re forced to think about your choices or face the consequences in an exceptional finale.
    Final Thoughts:

    Mass Effect 2 is a focused, more personal epic space opera compared to its predecessor, but it’s this intimacy that sets it apart as one of the best sci-fi RPGs. Characters shine and develop in stunning ways, and decisions affect them and the plot in such satisfying fashion that you’re forced to think about your choices or face the consequences in an exceptional finale. Developers the world over should use this game as the template of which to follow, the standard for a hooking RPG that’s both grand and streamlined where it’s needed.

    For the full review and more posts like it, visit my site: https://thephoenixprjct.com
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  5. Feb 28, 2023
    9
    A huge upgrade to the first game, which delivered on all negatives that arose in the previous installment. The new weapon-system is clearly better and very easy to understand. All main and side-missions feel very fresh. The scraping of the mako parts leads to a better playing experience. The new cast of characters are mostly interesting and lead to fun and engaging sequences. I love thatA huge upgrade to the first game, which delivered on all negatives that arose in the previous installment. The new weapon-system is clearly better and very easy to understand. All main and side-missions feel very fresh. The scraping of the mako parts leads to a better playing experience. The new cast of characters are mostly interesting and lead to fun and engaging sequences. I love that the shopping and interacting hub was now split up into multiple hubs which lead to easier access and more immersion. All collecting mission of the first part have been scraped which was very nice. But there are also some problems, the last mission is not that great, the scanning for materials was tedious and boring, some of the crew members could have been scraped and because of the lack of mobility and speed in the battle sequences, the main shooting and skills game-play got a little bit stale in some parts. But the huge positives in dialog and world building from the first game got even improved. This is nearly perfect and i'm highly anticipating to play the third game in the series. Expand
  6. Dec 4, 2022
    10
    Arguably the best game of all time. Arguably the best writing and dialogue in gaming.
  7. Nov 11, 2022
    10
    El mundo más rico que jamás ha creado la industria de los videojuegos. Las posibilidades eran infintas e infinitas fueron las cualidades de esta segunda entrega de la saga. Perfecto en todos los aspectos.
  8. Mar 10, 2022
    10
    Mass Effect has become one of the most iconic franchises in the growing field of gaming, and it's easy to see why: it feels like a franchise that's always been there and it has a self-constructed history that we buy, just like the worlds of Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who. However, Mass Effect 2 is debate-ably more ambitious than those franchises combined. And dare I say it: MassMass Effect has become one of the most iconic franchises in the growing field of gaming, and it's easy to see why: it feels like a franchise that's always been there and it has a self-constructed history that we buy, just like the worlds of Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who. However, Mass Effect 2 is debate-ably more ambitious than those franchises combined. And dare I say it: Mass Effect leaves the Halo franchise for dead (but that's just my opinion).

    This game is one of the most phenomenal experiences I've ever seen play out before my eyes, and I'm happily replaying it now. The whole series is immersive, deep in character development and freedom of player-choice: I can't fault this game if I tried. It's gorgeous, fun, exciting, and it's got an engrossing story that can take you on so many side-quests that are necessary to your choices as the player.

    The characters are three-dimensional, graphically and figuratively speaking, and they don't bore you; they compliment the world of Mass Effect even more with their presence. No character is a carbon copy of the other; they're all their own persons, something that a lot of developers wish they could say; but most cannot.

    Mass Effect 2 is a masterpiece of the video game medium and I think it's even suitable for non-gamers who want to try something new in the world of sci-fi.
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  9. Mar 7, 2022
    8
    Mass Effect 2 (LE) on PS5
    Game completed : March 6, 2022
    Playtime : 32 hrs. Writing my review in comparison with Mass Effect 1 Legendary Edition. it was an upgrade in almost all aspects particularly with its gameplay, graphics, and content but it was not groundbreaking. With its reviews and reputation, you would as well have a very high expectation before you play the game. It did
    Mass Effect 2 (LE) on PS5
    Game completed : March 6, 2022
    Playtime : 32 hrs.

    Writing my review in comparison with Mass Effect 1 Legendary Edition. it was an upgrade in almost all aspects particularly with its gameplay, graphics, and content but it was not groundbreaking. With its reviews and reputation, you would as well have a very high expectation before you play the game. It did deliver and it is super fun specially it is a remake from a decade old game but it was not the same level as i was expecting as it was hyped. After 10-15 hours of playtime, its complexity became predictable which would lead you to wanting to finish the game already. The story is great and have a good ending but again it was predictable. perhaps if you are playing this game decade before your experience would surely be a masterpiece.

    Remaster : 9/10
    Story : 8/10
    Overall gameplay : 8/10
    Progression : 7.5/10
    Phasing and replayability : 9/10
    enjoyment : 9/10
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  10. Jan 12, 2022
    10
    An incredible game with great characters, a great story, and that stress on the player's decisions that so many love about this series.

    The overall appearance of the game is weirdly dark. I don't know why, and it might just be me, but it does not take away from the game at all and it can be easily fixed if your TV has basic display settings. Overall, though, If you're looking for new a
    An incredible game with great characters, a great story, and that stress on the player's decisions that so many love about this series.

    The overall appearance of the game is weirdly dark. I don't know why, and it might just be me, but it does not take away from the game at all and it can be easily fixed if your TV has basic display settings. Overall, though, If you're looking for new a game to play, this is it.

    11/10
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  11. Oct 25, 2021
    8
    A great game on its own, not to mention a great sequel to the fantastic original, but like that original the technical issues on display here sour the experience noticeably. I can't remember the last time I had to restart a game so much because the gravity stopped working, or an interactable object refused to interact. However, it is a testament to the rest of the game's quality that IA great game on its own, not to mention a great sequel to the fantastic original, but like that original the technical issues on display here sour the experience noticeably. I can't remember the last time I had to restart a game so much because the gravity stopped working, or an interactable object refused to interact. However, it is a testament to the rest of the game's quality that I never gave up and pushed through.

    In terms of changes to the ME formula based on the first game, ME2 is an improvement in almost every regard. The environmental and artistic design are just as impressive, but now grounded in more player-friendly level design. Getting around is much less of a chore, given the frequent backtracking. Missions are more cohesive and clear, and more forgiving in their length. The dialogue and personality systems are unchanged from the original's great foundation, and the more diverse cast is overall a bit stronger than ME1.

    Overall, a must-play but maybe not on this platform unless you are very patient.
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  12. Jul 25, 2021
    4
    *I recently replayed this through the Mass Effect legacy edition*

    I did not enjoy any of this on a replay after about 7 years. The sucidie mission is amazing, and hasn't been done before in gaming (as far as im aware) but damn, this game feels sooo messy and just very disconnected and has lost so much of the experimental weridness of the first Mass Effect. It's not like a terrible
    *I recently replayed this through the Mass Effect legacy edition*

    I did not enjoy any of this on a replay after about 7 years. The sucidie mission is amazing, and hasn't been done before in gaming (as far as im aware) but damn, this game feels sooo messy and just very disconnected and has lost so much of the experimental weridness of the first Mass Effect.

    It's not like a terrible game, but it's really bland retrospectively. The coorider shooter elements don't have as much weight compared to the first games. Understandbly this is more streamline and fluent. But like, the first game has this really odd clunky charm and creative this is lacking. I miss the exploration in the first game, the world building. This whole game is narritive dumps, short story collection kinda stuff with mixed results.

    Not a fan at all on a reply. Absolutley not.
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  13. May 26, 2021
    10
    One of the best games ever created.
    I was astonished by the graphics, the story, the sheer size of the open world and possibilities to influence the story.
    Just played for the first time and finished a few days before the remaster was announced. I enjoyed playing every second of it and already look forward to play the game on future consoles.
  14. Mar 18, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game, as the other two chapters of Mass Effect trilogy, is pure perfection. If someone thought that the end of Mass Effect (1) could be an end once and for all BioWare showed him how wrong he was. Immersive story, very interesting side-quests and those little recalling to the previous chapter (I think, for example, about Shiala, the green Asari you saved on Feros and that you meet in Illium) and of course the new characters which are pure fire. In addition the soundtrack is very pleasant. The Overlord DLC is also worth to play. If you still haven't played Mass Effect I strongly recommend you to do it as soon as possible. Expand
  15. Dec 21, 2020
    10
    "Mass Effect 2": Amazing game, it provides an amazing experience for the player. 7 out of 7. Played it on PlayStation 3,
  16. Dec 7, 2020
    10
    Absolute masterpiece in every way.
    Its 2020 and these graphics are more than good even for PS3 this game looks so good.
    Level design.... man, i just wanna say "thank you" to all these people who designed it. Mini games (hacking, bypassing etc.) were funny, i like it a lot. Combat system is excelent (only thing i didnt like was absent of being able to jump with your character). Story is
    Absolute masterpiece in every way.
    Its 2020 and these graphics are more than good even for PS3 this game looks so good.
    Level design.... man, i just wanna say "thank you" to all these people who designed it.
    Mini games (hacking, bypassing etc.) were funny, i like it a lot. Combat system is excelent (only thing i didnt like was absent of being able to jump with your character).
    Story is catchy, maybe i´ll read some extra lore in future.
    Also recruiting crew members and gaining their loyality, doing their side quests. Each quest is unique (loved it).

    Last boss was terrifying i dont know why, but im 22 yo and i had weird feeling during this encounter (not scared but i dont know how to describe it).
    PS network achievements - well designed as well, it motivates you to do every extra mission in game.

    I can hardly guess what could be better in this game. Its pure perfection and after long time its a single player game i know i´ll play again.

    10/10 and definitely a MUST PLAY game.
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  17. Sep 9, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 10/10
    Best one of the franchise.
    Love the story, characters, choices and the way it affects the whole ending with the suicide mission.
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  18. Jul 29, 2020
    9
    Excellent adventure. Great space opera history. I missed exploring planets in a vehicle like in first game, but I think the combat mechanichs were improved in this second part. The history is also better in this game. If you are a player that, like me, loves space adventures like Star Wars, or Star Trek, you must play this games.
  19. Jul 22, 2020
    10
    One of the best games ever. Played it for days, years. Awsome story, characters, quests... Awsome game
  20. Jun 26, 2020
    10
    Incredible RPG and highlight of the trilogy, incredible characters and world building players can really get invested. Must Play.
  21. Feb 17, 2020
    10
    По моему скромному мнению лучшая игра в серии, если не во всем жанре. Переигрывал уже раз 6.
  22. Jan 31, 2020
    10
    The best game in the Mass Effect trilogy. This time they reduced the RPG elements, increased the action, put a focus on the characters (development, interactions, backgrounds and side quests) and story telling. The main story arc is about the suicide mission. You will go to a place no one has ever returned to fight an enemy that most people believe is a myth. The whole game is practicallyThe best game in the Mass Effect trilogy. This time they reduced the RPG elements, increased the action, put a focus on the characters (development, interactions, backgrounds and side quests) and story telling. The main story arc is about the suicide mission. You will go to a place no one has ever returned to fight an enemy that most people believe is a myth. The whole game is practically a preparation for this intense mission that will have impacts to the whole galaxy. Like I said you will recruit old friends from Mass Effect 1 and new members. Each one has his own back story, motivations, world-views and missions. You will learn a lot about them and yourself. I will praise the development team for the characters. This is the best cast since Baldurs Gate 2. I like Archangel, Jack, Mordin, Thane, Joker, Legion and David Anderson. Then there is the Illusive Man. He is a great character and you will always question his true motives or what his agenda really is. You can view him as antagonist, anti hero, protector of mankind, leader of a criminal organisation, racist, someone who has looked behind the mirror or as the person that makes the decisions that others refuse to make but must be done. Bonus for Aria. She is not the kind of person you want as enemy. All characters are well integrated into the story and their side quests give them depth and personality. I will say they grow on me like real persons (Good immersion). Be warned this time you can die and receive a bad ending. You can always reload an earlier save files but there are points of no return (Use multiple save files!). You can win the game without any casualties or get your whole crew killed. It depends on you and your choices / preparations. The unique feature of the Mass Effect trilogy was that you can import your decisions from earlier games. For PlayStation it was only possible after the release of Mass Effect 1 in the Mass Effect trilogy with a patch. I did not test this for Mass Effect 1. You can of cause use an in-game method to determine some choices. It does work well. While you don't get total different outcomes you get a variety of differences and additional content. They fixed and polished the battle system. Now you have full control and there are no complaints. It works smoothly. I recommend the use of Biotics (space magic / the force;-). It is so rewarding to pummel your enemies with it. There is even a way to learn some of your teammates abilities (Not all or multiple at once). Like I mentioned earlier they reduced the RPG elements. You still have a level system and choices in ability paths but I have no problem with it because it works well. I have no complaints for this game except that I wanted more options for Mass Effect 1 decisions. Overall this is a game with great characters, side quest, lore and the suicide mission is a highlight in video game history. It is done so well and has so many possible outcomes. Critical warning: It is my duty to warn you of the conclusion of the trilogy in Mass Effect 3. Before I planed to replay all games to get my favourite outcomes. After it I haven't touched the games again (I am the kind of gamer that replays his favourite games once in a while). I wont go in details but it was even in the mainstream media. For details the famous YouTuber Angry Joe has made a list what is wrong with the ending. Expand
  23. Jan 8, 2020
    8
    Another 50 hours it took me for the second game. The story and gameplay improved, however, there were mechanics that were left behind and I felt "limited" in the progress of my characters.

    The great thing about Mass Effect 2 is that it respects your decisions from the previous game and that's something I had never experienced before at least.
  24. Jan 18, 2019
    10
    Uno de los mejores videojuegos de la historia sin ningún tipo de duda. Mezcla perfectamente historia con jugabilidad y nos proporciona un universo rico en culturas y personajes.
  25. Oct 10, 2018
    7
    rrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllll
  26. Apr 20, 2018
    9
    I've just finished game and I can say this is a gem. This is with no doubt the best scifi game for ps3. I wanted to play the first Mass Effect but it's difficult to find it for ps3 so I decided to read and watch some summary of the first game to know the plot. I recommend you to do that. Also, I was afraid I wouldn't like this game (in fact I didn't like the cover of the game. I found itI've just finished game and I can say this is a gem. This is with no doubt the best scifi game for ps3. I wanted to play the first Mass Effect but it's difficult to find it for ps3 so I decided to read and watch some summary of the first game to know the plot. I recommend you to do that. Also, I was afraid I wouldn't like this game (in fact I didn't like the cover of the game. I found it tacky, but you never have to judge a book for its cover. The same you could say for games). I also was afraid that it would be too difficult but there are several modes to play. So yes, I almost miss one of the best games I've ever played for ps3. Graphics are great for 2011, sound, music, voices are also very good but I think that the most catchy thing apart of its plot is that you can choose to speak a lot and take real decisions. I mean you have so many options and sometimes you can take important choices. Here goes some advices to fully enjoy this game: feel free to ask and answer what ever you want (at first I wanted to do only good things but in the middle of the game I decided to choose what ever I felt that day), when the enemy is cover don't use the powers as if it was a gun, use it as it was a grenade, otherwise you'll fail. Subtitles could be bigger although they are not so tiny like in Sleeping Dogs. Also you can customize your character and your equipment. It took me 39 hours to beat with all the allies and with most of them "loyals". So, it can take you less time if you don't do this extra missions. Before going to Omega 4 is good to do this optional tasks, of course, if you want to go fast you can go directly to Omega 4 but I would recommend you to do some of this extra missions because they are worthy. I just want to start with Mass Effect 3 because I'm curious about the characters that will appear. Tu sum up: great game. Expand
  27. Mar 15, 2018
    10
    Man.... I didn´t played the first one originally so i have to watch a couple of videos on Youtube to know about the history, then i learned there was some kind of add-on that allowed me to choose some of the important decisions of the first game, so i buy it. When i started to play it, i was like: Dude, this game looks awesome... And it was freaking awesome, one of the best histories ever,Man.... I didn´t played the first one originally so i have to watch a couple of videos on Youtube to know about the history, then i learned there was some kind of add-on that allowed me to choose some of the important decisions of the first game, so i buy it. When i started to play it, i was like: Dude, this game looks awesome... And it was freaking awesome, one of the best histories ever, and everything about it too: Soundtrack, gameplay, atmosphere, you name it. So in small words, everyone should play this RPG masterpiece Expand
  28. Oct 29, 2017
    10
    Otro excelente título de los dioses de BioWare. Los mejores personajes que he visto en un juego.
    I'm the commander Shepard, and this is my favorite game in the Citadel.
  29. Jul 30, 2017
    7
    One of the better games ever made- not as good as the first ME, but still fantastic. Great job on story and making the series look absolutely epic. Side quests were very well done, and the combat is smooth and works well.
  30. Jun 23, 2017
    9
    Never played mass effect 1 , but I think it can't be better then this level
    The graphics ( I think ) are very great for its time , the combat was already pretty deep , the story the enemies all of it was perfect, my second favorite ps3 game
    The only thing is that i saw bugs and the loading was pretty long.
    Still , if you don't have this game , you have no life
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 62 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 62
  3. Negative: 0 out of 62
  1. May 24, 2011
    90
    Mass Effect 2 is a masterpiece of Sci-Fi-Storytelling. The characters in the Mass Effect universe are offering a deep background. The Game is exciting until the very end.
  2. Mar 29, 2011
    95
    Mass Effect 2 is still a game you shouldn't miss at all costs, and one of the best RPG's of this generation of consoles. You need an internet connection to download all of the contents which EA didn't include on the main BR disk.
  3. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Mar 17, 2011
    100
    Yes, ME2 isn't perhaps the most technical RPG ever created, but it's easily one of the slickest, bearing the unmistakable master craftsmanship of RPG luminaries, BioWare. Not only is this supersized Sony edition of ME2 outstanding value for money – it also represents a sound long-term investment. If the Mass Effect 3 reveals are anything to go by, the conclusion of this saga will be similarly unmissable and the galactic apocalypse will be decided in our own backyard: Earth. [March 2011, p70]