Mass Effect 2

by Electronic Arts

• Space based RPG action as you create your version of Commander Shepard, customize your appearance and tailor your own abilities and strengths
• Take cover, command an elite squad, utilize over 20 weapons including new heavy weapons
• Explore an entire galaxy of unique planets and embark on side missions to uncover more secrets in the Mass Effect universe
• Exclusive Dark Horse digital comic allows PS3 players to experience the events of the first game and make choices related to them
• The three previously released DLC packs and one-time access code to the Cerberus Network, where additional content can be downloaded

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002I0J5YW
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches ; 3.7 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: January 18, 2011
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (246 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,809 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #40 in Video Games > PlayStation 3 > Games > Action > Shooter

Product Description

Platform: PLAYSTATION 3 | Edition: Standard

Amazon.com Product Description

Mass Effect 2 is the sequel to BioWare's hit space-based role-playing game (RPG), Mass Effect. The first release in the Mass Effect franchise available for play on the PlayStation 3 platform, Mass Effect 2 is a single player third-person oriented adventure that allows players to experience the adventures of the fully customizable series hero Commander Shepard, as you take on a whole new adventure and a new cast of supporting characters. PS3 specific features include: a digital comic providing backstory and customization details related to the first game in the series which was not available for PS3, six hours of bonus missions in the form of three previously released DLC releases and access to all additional game content published to date on the Cerberus Network.

The Mass Effect Saga Comes to PS3

Two years after Commander Shepard repelled invading Reapers bent on the destruction of organic life, a mysterious new enemy has emerged. On the fringes of known space, something is silently abducting entire human colonies. Now Shepard must work with Cerberus, a ruthless organization devoted to human survival at any cost, to stop the most terrifying threat mankind has ever faced. To even attempt this perilous mission, Shepard must assemble the galaxy's most elite team and command the most powerful ship ever built. Even then, most say it would be suicide. Commander Shepard intends to prove them wrong.

The RPG action of the Mass Effect universe comes to the PS3.
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Exclusive Dark Horse digital comic bridges the gap between the first and second game.
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Gameplay

Mass Effect 2 is a space-based third-person oriented RPG revolving around the player's particular version of the game's hero, Commander Shepard, and their continuing development of this character. As the game opens a variety of character classes are made available to the player, with talents, both exclusive and general, associated with each. With experience these talents are leveled up, resulting in the unlocking of related abilities and/or entirely new talents. The player has the ability to customize their Commander Shepard in a number of ways including physical appearance, gender, and certain aspects of their personal history, with the rub being that these choices can influence things like available missions, dialogue choices with non-player characters (NPCs), and character background.

Accompanying this main character are a number of preset supporting characters that the player can direct and develop relationships with, which again, will alter the outcome of the story. All the characters from the original game -- for PS3 players referenced via the included digital comic -- make an appearance in Mass Effect 2, but the immediate characters surrounding Commander Shepard are new. Additional new features that players can expect to experience include new alien races, a more realistic damage system, a new heavy weapons system allowing for maximum damage, a regenerative health system, a dramatic increase in the number of character animations available to Shepard and updates to the dialogue mechanic used when conversing with NPCs.

Mass Effect 2 Dark Horse Comic

Mass Effect 2 for PlayStation 3 includes a digital comic backstory created by BioWare and Dark Horse comics. This 15 minute interactive experience allows PS3 players to make the key choices relevant to the events and situations seen in the original Mass Effect game throughout the story which will result in the creation of a save file. This brief retelling will allow players to have their backstory choices reflected during their play through of Mass Effect 2.

6+ Hours of Bonus Missions Included

Beyond the Mass Effect 2 game disc, PS3 players are also provided with access to more than six hours of bonus mission play in the form of the three previously released DLC packs: "Kasumi: Stolen Memories", "Overlord" and "hiding the Shadow Broker." In addition to this, players will also receive a one time use code allowing access to the "Cerberus Network," where players can download additional DLC missions and other content related to the Mass Effect universe.

Key Game Features

• Take cover, command an elite squad, utilize over 20 weapons including new heavy weapons, and unleash deadly powers against your foes with an all new and improved combat system
• Increased intensity with precision shooter controls -- including a new location based damage system -- deliver gripping action as you overcome insurmountable odds
• Travel the distant, deadly reaches of space to assemble your team of amazing and diverse characters in a desperate attempt to save mankind
• Create your version of Commander Shepard, customize your appearance, and tailor your own abilities and strengths
• Explore an entire galaxy of unique planets and embark on side missions to uncover more secrets in the Mass Effect universe
• Exclusive Dark Horse digital comic allows PS3 players to experience the events of the first game and make choices related to them that will influence the events of the current game
• Bonuses included in the PS3 version include: the three previously released DLC packs "Kasumi: Stolen Memories", "Overlord" and "Hiding the Shadow Broker," as well as an one-time access code to the Cerberus Network, where additional content can be downloaded

Additional Screenshots

6+ hours of DLC included. View larger.

Create a unique Cdr. Shepard. View larger.

Explore the galaxy. View larger.

A variety of character classes. View larger.

Product Description

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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

283 of 306 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME TERRIFIC AMAZING GAME ... that got a patch! February 3, 2011

By archive_contingent

Platform for Display:PLAYSTATION 3|Edition:Standard

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

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.

* * * * * * * * * * * *
ORIGINAL REVIEW FOLLOWS
* * * * * * * * * * * *

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.

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Game!!! January 20, 2011

By D. Nguyen

Platform for Display:PLAYSTATION 3|Edition:Standard

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

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!!!!

70 of 88 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The PS3 Version January 18, 2011

By Kevin L. Williams

Platform for Display:PLAYSTATION 3|Edition:Standard

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

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.