Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 arrived on PlayStation 3 in 2011, a year after the other platforms, but came bundled with most of the downloadable expansions and an interactive comic that let PS3 owners stand in for decisions from the first game. Commander Shepard literally dies at the outset and is brought back to life by the organization Cerberus in order to investigate the disappearance of human colonies at the edge of the galaxy. The game is built around assembling a team: practically the entire middle section revolves around recruiting specialists, completing their personal missions, and earning their trust, and it's these characters that people still remember the game for today.

Compared to the first game, combat is much closer to a classic cover shooter, with a tighter feel to the weapons, ammunition in the form of thermal clips, and abilities tied to both class and companions. The tactical layer lies in combining effects, where you first need to strip away shields, armor, or biotic barriers before stronger abilities can land. Planet exploration is done through scanning and resource mining, which are used to upgrade the ship Normandy and its equipment. The crucial moment is the final mission, where insufficient preparation and poorly assigned roles can cost the life of anyone in the crew, including Shepard themselves.

Technically, the game was solidly above average on PS3, with strong cinematic color grading and carefully directed dialogue that handles the camera like a television series. The music leans on a cold synthetic atmosphere and accompanies one of the best-built sci-fi worlds of its time. Contemporary reception was extremely favorable, and many outlets named it the best game of the year. The influence of Mass Effect 2 can be seen in how action RPGs still handle companion characters and carry decisions across sequels today. PS3 owners also got the game in a more complete form than it originally shipped elsewhere. Today it still works brilliantly, mainly thanks to the character writing and a pace that never stalls.