So I beat ME1 and I am now around 6 hours into ME2. This game is definitely worse than ME1 but some things things are better.
ME1 was a decently fun game but some stuff was baffling, like how much they recycled some interiors. When it comes to those side quest locations and other optional places, there's like three different layouts and 95% of the locations are one of those, identical or near identical. Also, even after finishing the game, I never understood the point of searching for those materials on planet surfaces. There was some checklist for them in the quest log but I never bothered to finish it so I guess it was all pointless?
When I heard ME2 stripped away almost everything that is RPG and went full shooter, I assumed that it was just typical Codex hyperbole and only somewhat true, but oh boy was I wrong. When I started the game, I was really confused when I tried to find my inventory, weapon skills, dialogue skills, crouch button and a myriad of other things. I thought that they were just missing because I was still in the tutorial section but the reality sank in eventually. If ME1 was 60% shooter and 40% RPG, this is 90% shooter and 10% RPG.
The game runs beautifully even on max settings and the companions are much less useless than in ME1 but most of the other "improvements" don't really improve much. Like it's obvious that they tried to make this a better shooter instead of a half-assed shooter-RPG hybrid, but I think ME1 gameplay was in fact better. Not only because it was actually possible to run and gun in that game, but just moving around felt so much better. ME2 has this annoying "realistic and cinematic" movement where, if my finger slips away from the w key for a fraction of a second, Shepard stops because there's that short acceleration time before you start running. It might be more realistic but it's annoying. Also, maneuvering around in the battlefield is more of a hassle too because use, cover and sprint are all tied to the same key, in addition to the new, "improved" movement. I often have to fight against the controls and have Commander Retard do all kinds of stupid, clunky shit during combat. I'm not sure if it's my fault for not learning the controls properly or if the game really wants you to stop moving during fights and just sit behind same cover, popping moles until the enemies stop coming. Aside from the obvious, "the enemy retreats for a minute so you can run around, collecting ammo" breaks, of course.
ME2 is giving me some great, unintentional enjoyment though. I just completed Kasumi's heist quest and it was just incredible. After hearing the briefing and the premise, I kinda expected that before the inevitable action finale, first the 50-66% of the quest would involve some light sneaking around and avoiding guards, some light "dialogue puzzles" where you have to pick a few correct options to get required information and not blow your cover etc. (especially since Kasumi warns you not to talk about business or something), but the whole thing was literally "talk to the owner and press
one color-coded dialogue option, then walk around a few places and press use when prompted from a mile away". Nobody cares when you walk through security doors in full sight of everyone, nobody hears once you start shooting just outside the main hall, even though the scripted guards hear you if you accidentally activate the alarm clock in the owner's room. And then you just shoot them and still nobody cares.
And after that patronizingly easy and simple start, it's just cover shooting and Michael Bay explosions till the end. It was so dumb and laughable that it was actually hilarious
I might actually have some great time if the rest of the game delivers similar retardation.
