The award winning makers of Mass Effect are bringing the Mass Effect franchise to Playstation 3. Two years after Commander Shepard repelled invading Reapers bent on the destruction of all organic life, a mysterious new enemy has emerged. On the fringes of known space, entire human colonies are vanishing. As Commander Shepard, you must assemble the galaxy's deadliest team and stop the most terrifying threat humanity has ever faced.
Features:
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Space based RPG action as you create your version of Commander Shepard, customize your appearance and tailor your own abilities and strengths
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Take cover, command an elite squad, utilize over 20 weapons including new heavy weapons
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Explore an entire galaxy of unique planets and embark on side missions to uncover more secrets in the Mass Effect universe
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Exclusive Dark Horse digital comic allows PS3 players to experience the events of the first game and make choices related to them
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The three previously released DLC packs and one-time access code to the Cerberus Network, where additional content can be downloaded
Average Customer Review:
( 193 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
264 of 284 found the following review helpful:
AWESOME TERRIFIC AMAZING GAME ... that got a patch!Feb 03, 2011
By archive_contingent UPDATE:
On 2/22/11, Sony distributed patch 1.01 for this game, fixing memory fragmentation & corrupt save file problems. Buy with confidence!
I've left my original (2-star) review below in unaltered form, just as a record that BioWare kept their promise and I, in turn, kept mine. Obviously, the warnings in the second half no longer apply.
And thanks to everyone who gave this review a "helpful" rating - if it saved even one person from buying this game before the patch arrived and having the same problems myself and others did, then it served its purpose.
For some reason the reviews that try to guide potential customers to make informed choices are getting voted down here, whereas 5-star reviews are getting 5:1 or 10:1 ratio "helpful" ratings. This is really distressing.
Would it help if I heaped on some praise first? That's easy to do. Mass Effect 2 is a fantastic game. So here:
PROS:
- Best storytelling I've seen in a game, ever, hands down. Ambitious yet nuanced, and neither sacrificing polish for interactivity or interactivity for polish. - Most of the game looks fantastic - Voice acting is, on the whole, superb - An almost overwhelming array of things to do, and your actions have real consequences
BUT ...
If you are thinking of buying this game this instant, my advice to you is: wait. The game needs a patch. It currently has a problem with memory fragmentation during saving that corrupts save files--and all save files are bundled together, making entire careers and countless hours disappear with a single game freeze.
And a patch is coming--at least BioWare has promised it. When the patch does hit, I will immediately edit this review to acknowledge it, and change my rating to five stars. It's all in BioWare's hands now. | UPDATE: The latest word from BioWare is that they've completed the patch and sent it to Sony. Hopefully Sony's review process will go smoothly and this patch will be in the hands of gamers within a week. | I just think that potential customers should know to save their money until this game has been fixed.
And if this review gets voted down like every single other one that's tried to inform customers of a legitimate issue, so be it. But for the record, I tried to give it a shot--just like I tried to give this game a shot, before it ate 15 hours of my precious down time.
43 of 47 found the following review helpful:
Awesome Game!!!Jan 20, 2011
By D. Nguyen
"Secret Asian Man 007"
I never played this game on XBOX 360 before so I read some reviews before I brought it. All the reviews I read stated this game was amazing. With that being said, I went into this game with high hopes....
You know how when you go into a movie with high hopes you often leave thinking, "Well that was kind of a letdown.. I thought you said it as AMAZING!" Mass Effect 2 for the PS3 actually met my high standards. I have been playing this game for 2 days straight and I can't get enough of it. It combines two of my favorite gaming genres: FPS (technically, it's third person) and RPG. If you love the Uncharted Series... I think you would love this game too.
PROS:
- Great Storyline (it's like you're watching a movie... there is character development) - Beautiful graphics (The worlds you travel you are gorgeous... too bad the game is only in 720p and not 1080p resolution. But it's ok, it still looks great!) - Customizable player (You can make the main character look just like you. Before you start the game, you get to customize the face of the main character) - Upgradeable weapons, equipment, skills, teammates, etc. - There are so much to do. Basically you aren't just going through a level... picking up ammo, collecting money, shooting everything that moves, everything is predetermined, etc., etc. You actually get to choose what to do and say. For example, when you are in a interacting with another character, there are multiple responses you can select. Saying one thing will give affect you one way and saying the other will affect you differently.
CONS:
- So far, there is really nothing I can think of.
As for glitches.... I had to restart on PS3 system only ONCE because during one of the loading windows the game got stuck. But after that... everything was fine. So far it hasn't happened again.
I highly recommend this game to any person who owns a PS3. I can't wait for Mass Effect 3!!!!
67 of 84 found the following review helpful:
The PS3 VersionJan 18, 2011
By Kevin L. Williams
"K Skate"
Having played through the first Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 on the 360, I don't have to tell most what a great game this is, but for those who don't know....Welcome to a great RPG/shooter experience. Now, when you hear someone talking about Mass Effect 2 on the PS3, it more and likely will be a "which is better" type of conversation. Well, from what I see so far in the PS3 version, the two still look almost the same. True, the PS3 version IMO does have better graphics...clearer, smoother, better lighting...but, its nothing to "WOW" about. I am not a fanboy of either console, but I think both has something going for itself while the other version doesn't. The good thing about this version of the game, is that you get all of the major DLC missions integrated in the retail version of the game. This is where the game has the 360 version beat, but being that ME1 is still exclusive to the 360, you will get a better gameplay experience on the 360 version. The comic that is included in the game, only has major decisions that you can alter to affect how your game turns out in the beginning, middle, and the end. However, anyone who has played the 360 version will notice that they left out the "smaller" decisions that can affect your game as well. Does this mean that you are missing out on anything? Yes and no. It won't ruin the experience, but to me, Mass Effect is a unique game and I want to get the MOST out of it. I highly suggest that if you haven't played the first one, LISTEN TO THE CODEX! I personally bought this game on PS3 because there were things that I would have liked to do different in my first playthrough on the 360. At first I thought it would be weird playing this on PS3, but it actually feels really good. If you would like a review on what the story is about, read some of the 360 reviews...its the same exact game...nothing different at all with the exception of the comic and the graphics are upgraded. Mass Effect is one of the greatest games of all time and I know you will enjoy this game if you haven't played it before. Don't let anyone talk you out of getting this game just becuase you can't play the first one...if you don't have a 360. Like i said...if you read/listen to the CODEX you will be fine.
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Fun Gameplay, but too ScriptedNov 04, 2011
By Matt Lenhart Mass Effect 2 is a great game when viewed as a shooter with RPG elements. The shooter gameplay is a lot of fun - as someone who doesn't normally play shooters, I found it easy to pick up. The cover system works well, commanding squadmates is easy, and the ability to use "powers" (biotics) instead of guns is a nice option for those who aren't masters of aiming with a joystick.
For those looking for more of the RPG side of things, you may be a bit disappointed. The progression of missions and conversations is completely scripted from start to finish. That is, new assignments and conversation options only become available when you have completed a certain number of missions. It doesn't ruin the game, but it makes all of your choices feel shallow since they have no impact on how the story develops.
The missions themselves get a bit repetitive, simply because every character follows the exact same template. Recruiting, which involves fighting until you locate them, and their "loyalty" mission, which involves fighting until you track down whoever they're looking for. The loyalty missions follow the same scripted sequence mentioned in the last paragraph: after a certain number of missions, every character will start asking you to help them with something.
Dragon Age: Origins (also from BioWare) handled these RPG elements a lot better. Conversation options and requests for help with personal missions depended on how much a character liked you, or what you had talked about before. Talking with your companions just felt more organic, and the personal quests didn't always involve fighting. They were meant to develop the character, whereas in Mass Effect 2 they feel more like filler to make up for the main plot having only five missions.
Despite these issues, the game is a lot of fun. The story is fast-paced - I never felt like any part of the game was dragging like I did with some parts of Dragon Age. The downside is that the game is a bit short (I completed in about 30 hours compared to 60+ with Dragon Age). However, most casual gamers will appreciate this, and there is a lot of side content to lengthen the game if necessary.
Overall, I would recommend this game to anyone that likes shooters, science fictions, or RPGs. Even if you are looking for more RPG depth than the game offers, the gameplay is so solid that it makes up for it.
PROS: - Excellent gameplay, easy to pick up - Detailed and interesting story/universe - "Interrupt" option for conversations to perform heroic/renegade actions before the character finishes talking - Lots of ways to combine powers and user tactics - Large number of squadmates and missions
CONS: - Events are too scripted overall - Most choices have no real impact on the game - Missions are repetitive - Characters do not interact with each other outside of scripted cutscenes - RPG elements have been simplified/streamlined to appeal to a casual audience
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
One of the Greatest Games of all TimeMay 19, 2011
By Dalton McTeague I have just finished playing Mass Effect 2 for the PS3 and felt I had to put in my two cents about the game. To me it ranks with the greatest video games of all time--the Resident Evil series, Halo, Call of Duty, Half Life 2, etc. However, in some ways ME2 is superior to those beloved games because (1) of its being an role playing game, (2) its variety of engaging characters and missions, (3) and the many philosophical questions it raises, in part because distinct qualities of the characters.
Perhaps the strongest feature of the game is its characterization. Not only can you create the protagonist into a character that, for whatever reason, you feel a strong connection to, the other characters are equally appealing and engaging--physically and psychologically. To my mind, outstanding examples of unique characters would be Jack, Kusumi, Garrus, Grunt, Legion, Illusive Man, and Thane. But really they are all very interesting in their own way. Whether you like them or find them annoying, you recognize that each is character is his or her own person with distinctive feelings and attitudes. Video games rarely gets a player so emotionally and intellectually involved with characters, in part because it's the nature of the medium. Video games move quickly and focus much more on action than conversation. And I know gamers who find Mass Effect too slow for them because of the amount of conversation that goes on in the game.
Some gamers I know also find aspects of the game (surveying planets for minerals) too slow, but I enjoy them because not only are they relaxing but appeal to my acquisitive nature. I love to play games in which credits, powers, weapons, ammo, etc. are to be found and collected. Another engaging feature of the game is the hacking of various devices.
Some gamers complain that the movements of the characters are stiff and awkward, reminiscent of the older Resident Evil games. It's not always easy getting Shepard to do exactly what it is you want him/her to do. Certainly the motions of the characters are not nearly as realistic as those in Call of Duty or Dead Space--hyper-realistic games, that are both incredible and great for that reason. But I find I have an affection for that aspect of the game as well. It's simply part of the idiosyncrasies that defines the game. I suppose it's a commitment to the distinctiveness of the game that Halo fans feel for Halo.
The artificial and natural environments are often quite remarkable. One I found particularly amazing is encountered during the Lair of the Shadow Broker mission. I should also mention that the game is full of good humor derived from the comments made by characters. The comments of the cynic Jack are especially fun. And it goes without saying that the combat scenarios are varied and engaging.
Because I had played ME2 on my 360 I decided that when I played it on PS3 that I would play it at the insanity level the first time through. Doing so was challenging. At one point (the Collector Ship) I had to back out and complete other missions (to upgrade health, weapons, shields, etc.) before I could get through. I also tried to beat it with an all female crew. I eventually had to bring Garrus on board to complete the mission. At this difficulty level I often felt a high level of frustration, but I believe if I'm not feeling frustrated a lot of the time then I'm not playing the game at the appropriate difficulty level. Insanity required replaying a mission a number of times to discover the best strategy--the one(s) that I believe the game designers want you to discover. The Husks are especially annoying. In one encounter there is an optional box to be open before completing the mission, but there are also Husks all over the place. The task of opening the box and completing the mission seemed impossible until I discovered that running (in this case) was better than gunning (a good strategy in many video games such as Resident Evil and Dead Space).
Mass Effect is great space-opera science fiction. And I believe it is one of the very few games that rank with the best of literary (and cinematic) science fiction--in part because of its characterization and philosophical content. And of course it has the additional appeal of being interactive sci-fi. I am looking forward to ME3 but also hope that perhaps BioWare will consider updating (especially the first ME) and repackaging the entire series and releasing it as a set. Because of the length of the game and variation of characters it has great replay ability. If I were stuck on an island and had to choose between the Bible, Shakespeare and the Mass Effect series, my choice would be the video game.
P.S. I did encounter a few glitches with the PS3 version but nothing as serious as those I read about other gamers encountering. I did take the advice of a BioWare representative to reboot the game after 3 hours of play. I did that. The game froze a few times and Shepard got stuck in a few places but the game never crashed with its saved information lost. (That did happen to me with Fable 3 and the experience 30+ hours into the game was so frustrating I didn't bother to go back to it.)
based on 193 reviews
( 193 customer reviews )
