WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME ?
Mass Effect 2 is a 2010 action role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts and Microsoft Game Studios. Released for Windows and Xbox 360 in January 2010 and later for PlayStation 3 in 2011, it is the second entry in the Mass Effect series and a direct sequel to the original game. Set in the 22nd century Milky Way galaxy, the story follows Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier tasked with assembling a skilled team to confront the Collectors, a mysterious insectoid alien race abducting human colonies. Players can import a saved game from the first Mass Effect, allowing their previous choices to shape events, relationships, and outcomes in Mass Effect 2.
BioWare refined many aspects of gameplay from its predecessor, emphasizing third-person shooting mechanics while streamlining certain role-playing elements. Ammunition management, cover-based combat, and health regeneration replaced the overheating weapons and manual healing systems from the first game. The developers also restructured the mission design to make optional side quests feel as significant and cinematic as the main storyline. Composer Jack Wall returned to create a darker, more mature score that complements the game’s tone. Mass Effect 2 additionally offers a variety of downloadable content (DLC) packs, ranging from cosmetic upgrades to fully fleshed-out story expansions such as Kasumi – Stolen Memory, Overlord, Lair of the Shadow Broker, and Arrival.
Upon release, Mass Effect 2 received universal critical acclaim. Reviewers praised its storytelling, character development, dialogue system, and cinematic presentation, considering it a vast improvement over the first game. The game earned multiple accolades, including Game of the Year at the 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards and Best Game at the 7th British Academy Games Awards. It is frequently listed among the greatest video games of all time. The story continued in Mass Effect 3 (2012), and a remastered version was included in the Mass Effect Legendary Edition released in 2021.
--- Gameplay Overview
Mass Effect 2 is a single-player role-playing game played from a third-person perspective. Players control Commander Shepard, whose gender, appearance, combat class, and backstory are customizable at the start. Importing a completed save file from Mass Effect carries over past decisions, affecting character relationships, political dynamics, and even which allies are alive. Players can select from six character classes, each with distinct combat styles and biotic (telekinetic) or tech-based powers. For instance, Vanguards excel in close-range combat with shotguns and biotic charges, while Infiltrators rely on stealth and sniper rifles.
The galaxy map serves as the overworld, allowing exploration of various star systems and planets to undertake missions. Quests often involve intense combat, dialogue-based interactions, or loyalty missions for squad members. Completing missions grants experience points, which level up Shepard and the squad, earning Squad Points to unlock or enhance powers. Each ability has four ranks, and the final upgrade branches into two evolved forms, letting players specialize in offensive or defensive playstyles.
Shepard’s starship, the Normandy SR-2, functions as the player’s hub. Onboard, players can interact with squadmates, customize armor, and manage ship upgrades. Planet scanning—a new feature—allows the collection of minerals used for research and crafting upgrades such as enhanced weapons, armor, and ship defenses. The Normandy can also be personalized with purchasable decorations, magazines, and non-essential items.
--- Combat System
Combat in Mass Effect 2 is tactical and squad-based, allowing Shepard to bring two companions per mission. Battles unfold in real time, but players can pause the action to assign powers or issue squad commands. A cover system is crucial for survival, emphasizing strategic positioning over aggressive rushing. Unlike the first game, weapons now use thermal clips (ammo magazines) that must be reloaded, adding tension and pacing to gunfights.
Shepard and squad members are protected by shields that regenerate after avoiding damage for a few seconds. If shields fail, health begins to deplete; it, too, regenerates when out of harm’s way. Players can use the Unity power to revive downed teammates, but Shepard’s death results in reloading from the last checkpoint.
Enemies possess different defensive layers—health, shields, armor, or biotic barriers—each requiring tailored tactics. Certain powers and weapons are more effective against specific defenses: for example, Incinerate burns through armor, Overload disables shields, and Warp or Disruptor Ammo can tear down barriers. Once defenses are down, enemies become vulnerable to crowd-control powers like Pull or Throw, which leave them helpless in midair. Shepard also wields temporary combat boosts such as Adrenaline Rush, slowing time to line up precision shots.
Overall, Mass Effect 2 blends RPG depth with shooter intensity, combining cinematic storytelling, squad strategy, and moral choice to deliver one of the most celebrated science-fiction experiences in gaming history.
- CPU: 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD CPU
- RAM: 1 GB RAM for Windows XP / 2 GB RAM for Windows Vista and Windows 7
- VIDEO CARD: 256 MB (with Pixel Shader 3.0 support). Supported Chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or greater; ATI Radeon X1600 Pro or greater. Please note that NVIDIA GeForce 7300, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, and 9300; ATI Radeon HD3200, and HD4350 are below minimum system requirements.
- TOTAL VIDEO RAM: 256 MB
- PIXEL SHADER: 3.0
- VERTEX SHADER: 3.0
- HARDWARE T&L: Yes
- OS: Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
- FREE DISK SPACE: 15 GB









