Now I knew the story before playing the game since I watched someone's renegade playthrough. I'm also playing the games with 3 characters. Paragon Male, Paragon Female, Renegade Female. So I've played all 3 games 3 times in one sitting.
Synopsis
After saving the galaxy, Shepard goes on missions to hunt down Geth (semi-sentient robots) and find more evidence of the return of the Reapers (more robots coming to wipe out advanced organic life in the galaxy). One of the missions tragically ends in Shepard's death but s/he is brought back by the questionable organization Cerberus and the Illusive Man. Human Space Colonies are disappearing, supposedly by an advanced species known as the Collectors. Shepard must form a team to take on this newest threat.Virtues
More of the moral dilemma goodies like the first game of the series.Humanity's Self-Interest vs Getting Help, Justice vs Mercy, and so much more.
I really liked Mordin's loyalty mission for medical ethical goodies.
Pretty good philosophical questions to think about, although responses are limited and very simplified.
No Vehicle sections.
More fun alien designs and cultures. Story depth and immersion.
More Organic environments.
Better gameplay, graphics etc.
Good choices can often make something more difficult if you wish to keep your ideals. Bad choices can offer short term rewards and make more sense.
Vices
Still a lot of weird sexualized situations. The sex scenes are tamer or only implied...mostly. Still kind of soft-porny. But all optional. But dear lord, do I hate Miranda's outfit or Jack's lack thereof. (Thank you modding community for giving me an alternative outfits.)Again, no organized religion, only crazies or "safe" nondescript spirituality.
No Souls. Not so much a vice as it is a criticism. The whole premise of "bringing Shepard back" with all memories, personality, etc. using science is not convincing to me. But fictional story, fine, I'll go with it. I'll just say Jesus was undercover there all along. /sigh/ But now I'm thinking of C.S. Lewis' "That Hideous Strength". ...I want to make a game for that book series. It would be awesome. Crap...project idea pinned. Curse you Mass Effect!!
Limited ammo is not my friend. Okay not a vice just whining.
Violent. The story requires it but there's a lot of needless violence and petty violence. Add realism I guess but eh.
Conclusion
The story, myth and so on still suffers the same vices as the first game. So there really isn't too much to add on that. This story I found (well, sans the beginning "Lazarus" project) more engaging. The world is established, my choices in the previous game seem to have made an impact and old characters come back.Still a lot of poo-poo on religion and women.
So, I like this game but it's definitely for a mature minded person. Lots of opportunity to weaken the will are present.
