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It’s here. It’s finally here, proclaimed the fanboys and RPG fanatics. Mass Effect 2, the second installment in BioWare’s epic space trilogy has finally landed on the Xbox 360. All of the sci-fi action and role-playing goodness is back. You once again take on the role of the heroic Commander Shepard. And after experiencing one hell of an uncomfortable start to the game, you make a quick recovery in order to save humankind just like any hero. And thus begins this title’s attempt to solidify the Mass Effect universe that the original title did so well to create.

ME2 is a huge game. The massive story is interwoven with narratives that organically branch off in multiple directions. There’s no limit to the twists and turns packed into ME2’s story. Trying to break it down here would never do it justice. To even try would take weeks after you pursued the wide variety of options, analyzed everything and wrote it down. This sequel isn’t like any other game you’ll find on store shelves right now. The best description would be if you took a classic run-and-gun shooter and combined it with an epic RPG that all took place in an ever-evolving world more similar to what you’d find in a MMORPG than you’d find in a console title. If it sounds like this game has me wrapped around its little finger, it’s because it does. So instead of talking about the story and plot which are great, let’s get down to the mechanical aspects.

You still use the conversation wheel which provides the choices for the conversations that will steer the story. You have the choice of being a good guy or dick in how you handle things. This isn’t a Final Fantasy RPG. Your choices and actions have real consequences. On occasion you’ll get surprised by sudden “QuickTime” button sequences that will require you to act fast in the midst of a conversation. These choices are everywhere and around every turn. Something that is as seemingly unimportant as having a drink at a bar might result in getting poisoned, which may then result in a-whole-nother situation. It’s the open-ended choices around every corner that make this game epic from the very beginning.

In just the first few hours of play, you’ll have already traveled across multiple galaxies in your starship, the Normandy 2. And just like a scene out of Star Trek, if you have to go boots to the ground in a hostile situation, you‘ll select two teammates who’ll follow you and respond to the basic orders you give like duck and cover, fire at will, etc..

Speaking of firing, there’s quite a bit of strategy to shooting in this game. A lot of the strategy revolves around power-ups which effect different enemies….. differently! Yes RPG fans, here’s your part of the game. While some weapons are perfect for disabling shields, others allow you to drag enemies through the air into your line of fire. Yes, you can use weapon power-ups to throw an enemy into the line of fire instead of lining them up in the cross-hairs. And my, oh my is there a wide variety of weapons and add-ons.

Graphically, everything in Mass Effect 2 is absolutely gorgeous! Unlike some of the technical hiccups that plagued the original on the Xbox 360, the latest edition is cleaned up and runs smooth. A lot of people complained about clipping and occasional missing textures, but none of that is present in ME2. The catch is that loading times feel a little longer this time around. So you have to figure out what takes you out of a game more. Is it loading times or occasional missing textures that ruin the experience. I’m not saying the load times are 5 minutes or anything, but they are noticeable. For me however, it was worth it. ME2 is bursting at the seams with amazingly beautiful sci–fi environments that would make Trekkers (or Trekkie if you prefer) jealous.

Mark Meer returns as Shepard and an all-star cast makes Mass Effect an amazing auditory experience. Major names like Martin Sheen and Adam Baldwin round out some of the big names you’ll hear throughout the game. And hear them you will. The craziest thing about this game is that every single conversation pulls you in. I never once skipped or hurried a situation. My editor might have an issue with that, but this is a game that draws you in and has you wanting to learn everything about this fictional universe. So to say the least, the voice-acting is great.

All of this and I haven‘t even touched on the different class systems. But there is a lot I skipped over. You want to know why? Because I want to get back to playing Mass Effect 2. And you will understand what I mean when you pick this one up. This game is the first game to earn a perfect score in 2010. The graphics have improved over the original, which for many was the only complaint. The sound and voice-acting is spot on. And the story will keep you busy for tens of hours worth of gameplay, not just hours. In case you haven’t gotten what I mean yet, get this game. Mass Effect 2 is a must have for Xbox 360 fans.