LittleBigPlanet 2, Mass Effect 2 Impress Critics Everywhere
We told you it'd be a difficult choice.
Both LittleBigPlanet 2 and Mass Effect 2 for the PlayStation 3 are here, and both are dragging down some of the highest scores of the generation. If you check the Metacritic rundown for each, you'll see that less than 24 hours after the arrival of both gems, ME2 is averaging 95 while LBP2 comes in at 93. As you can see, both are two of the best you'll find on store shelves in any given year, and with Dead Space 2 launching next week, your bank account may suffer. As for us, you've already seen our LBP2 review and we're currently working on ME2. You'll have to grant us a little leeway on that; we want to give it an appropriate amount of time; we don't really believe in issuing hasty reviews. But if you absolutely must read an analysis, the above Metacritic link will certainly help you out.
We love the fact that the first quarter of 2011 is looking so darn spiffy. Historically, it has been a pretty bland part of the year but recently, with more games escaping holiday competition, Q1 is often jam-packed.
Related Game(s): Mass Effect 2
Tags: me2, mass effect 2, lbp2, littlebigplanet 2, me2 ps3
1/19/2011 9:11:34 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (68 posts)
Jawknee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:37:23 PM
GuernicaReborn
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:44:13 PM
I suppose DS2 will take me about 2 weeks to complete, at which time I'll look into LBP2. I don't know if I'm gonna get that, ME2 or Killzone 3 in February. I'm getting backlogged already.
I'd get ME2 or LBP2 now, but I don't want to be in the middle of a game when I start Dead Space 2. I'm getting it Tuesday morning, and if I can make it I will play straight through to Wednesday morning(yes I took Tuesday off from work for a video game).
FM23
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:44:36 PM
big6
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 10:47:55 PM
If you play the first hour demo of ME2, does your savegame or stats stay when you get the full game? That way, you don't have to re-play the first hour again?
I'm curious, because I'm considering playing the free hour demo, but I don't want to end up having to re-play it again after I buy the game.
Jawknee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 10:59:53 PM
Temjin001
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 2:04:05 AM
Each of these pillars hold together the structure of the game and each of them are fleshed out in detail. The plot will give you your purpose behind your actions. The decisions you make during the journey can have prolonged consequences and altering outcomes in result of these choices. Choices can affect the lives of others or the relationships, both intimate and professional, as you engage in this virtual universe. A good majority of the game revolves around these elements alone.
The action in the game is primarily structured after the manner of a third person shooter. It's more tactical than something like Gears but less real-time-action oriented as Uncharted. You can direct your two team mates and pause the action to assign tactical decisions (ammo-type/biotic/tech abilities). A person can choose to play with less brain and more brawn, or vice-versa. But there's no doubt that intelligent choices in character building/combinations and equipment load out can have a significant affect on how the action plays out. The strengths and weaknesses of individual characters will manifest themselves as you progress through the game. ME2 will eventually allow you to, with a cost, re-assign ability points to custom configure your characters as you see fit. The game doesn't delve into specific class based attributes like you would observe from a more traditional RPG. Typically, advancement means increased health and more and stronger abilities.
It's important to understand that ME2 is a hybrid of several modern popular gaming components. But despite that, ME2 is a complete package unto itself that doesn't feel half baked or underdeveloped. It's a significant stride in expanding the boundaries of modern game design, and is an indicator that the convergence of older already existing genres with more social oriented interactivity within a virtual existence has created a new way to experience this medium of entertainment.
DIsmael85
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 4:11:50 AM
Looking Glass
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 4:59:21 AM
I'm not saying that Mass Effect 2 is a bad game. It's just that Bioware seems to like to think of itself as a champion of the RPG genre. So it's funny and a little frustrating that they then go and pull something like this.
Last edited by Looking Glass on 1/20/2011 5:03:55 AM
Bjorn77
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 5:17:22 AM
On the XboX it took me about 30 - 40 hours to complete my first run, I was very diligent and was making my allies "like" me. Do things for them and stuff, but you don't have to.
La_Bete12
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 6:58:00 AM
The reason I asked the question earlier was that I saw on wikipedia that it was an "Action RPG" so I thought that the RPG aspects were a little more prevalent.
Looking Glass
Friday, January 21, 2011 @ 10:29:58 AM
Jawknee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:42:12 PM
Reply
As for Mass Effect 2. I played the 60 minute Playstation Plus trial. They really did fix those problems that were present in the demo so that's great for those who bought it. As for me, I really tried to get into it...but, I couldn't. Oh well. Annoying, now that I downloaded that trial. The game showed up on my trophies list and will forever be stuck at 4% since I am not getting the game. Wish we could delete games from out list.
Last edited by Jawknee on 1/19/2011 9:47:30 PM
GuernicaReborn
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:58:42 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 10:33:57 PM
Alienange
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 10:59:43 PM
Jawknee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 11:01:44 PM
Alienange
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 11:06:08 PM
Lawless SXE
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 1:08:59 AM
shadowscorpio
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 2:50:02 AM
How is that possible?
BTW I personally wish there was a way to get rid off trophies you weren't ever going to try getting 100% on.
I think a good idea would be if you were asked if you were going to play suggested game and answered NO, it would then remove it from list. But if you for some reason decided to give it a go it would actually revive it from where you left off.
This way no one could truly erase it but if you weren't going to attempt platinuming it it would be taken off your list and not counted toward your percentage.
Underdog15
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 9:40:11 AM
Jawknee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:46:14 PM
FlyingKickPunch
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 5:51:05 PM
aaronobst
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 7:16:13 PM
Jawknee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:51:10 PM
FM23
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:53:33 PM
SmokeyPSD
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 12:18:12 AM
Temjin001
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:55:38 PM
Reply
Believe the critics and the ratings--it's something special.
And for those who have paused for concern of a shoddy PS3 port. Information has been revealed that many of the caveats from the ME2 have been ironed out for the final release: no more choppy FMV, and the screen tearing has now been eliminated.
FM23
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 10:00:26 PM
big6
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 10:55:09 PM
Does ME2 have much fast shooting that requires right stick aiming skill?
Jawknee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 11:02:35 PM
Beamboom
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 1:31:13 AM
In addition there's the "freeze-time" effect when selecting and trigger special attacks (like in Dragon Age), and if you select one of the less gun-focused classes you should be all set up for an awsome experience.
Temjin001
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 9:31:26 AM
Last edited by Temjin001 on 1/20/2011 9:32:02 AM
YesterdysRising
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 10:26:15 PM
Reply
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 10:40:09 PM
Reply
The Butler commercial for LBP2 is saweet. I wonder what Media Molecule will be up to next. How about an extremely customizable old school RPG with the play, create, share model in mind?
Jawknee
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 11:06:07 PM
shadowscorpio
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 2:57:28 AM
coverton341
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 12:47:03 PM
Given MM work on LBP and from what I am seeing with LBP2 (haven't bought it) I think they could give us something terrific in the customisable RPG department.
Even if you are no good with the customisation aspect or simply don't like RPG type games why would you issue a definite no to them making an attempt?
sha4dowknight05
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 11:14:11 PM
Reply
Beamboom
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 1:53:00 AM
Temjin001
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 9:39:36 AM
Oxvial
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 10:41:22 AM
___________
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 12:48:07 AM
Reply
on one hand you have a fantastic well thought out combat system, great character development, fun gameplay, FANTASTIC story.
on the other hand you have a poorly controlled game, with, well really no story!
easiest decision i have ever had to make!
well it would be, but ME2 is not releasing here till next week, so i wont be getting that because ill be too busy graphically dismembering aliens!
a friend of mine got me LBP2 today as a late Bday gift, and im sad to say its exactly what i was expecting.
repetitive tripe, with really sluggish poor controls just like the original.
its official, the 2D platformer genre is officially dead!
Last edited by ___________ on 1/20/2011 12:51:00 AM
Looking Glass
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 5:01:16 AM
Lotusflow3r
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 7:14:01 AM
FlyingKickPunch
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 5:52:35 PM
DIsmael85
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 1:07:25 AM
Reply
Lawless SXE
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 1:13:45 AM
Reply
Veitsknight
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 1:53:46 AM
Reply
Lotusflow3r
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 7:29:14 AM
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If you have a problem with the jump, you can create whole new physics, even rid Sackboy for your very own made from scratch character.
Any genre, ANY THING. If you want a classic platformer, you can make it EXACTLY as you see it...hell, someone did Mario spot on, complete with mushroom/flower transformation powerups.
If you want an RPG with turn based battle system, it's there. FPS, there. Puzzle games, there. Arcade games, there. Dungeon crawlers, there. Alternatives, there.
ALL with your own customisable EVERYTHING right down to the controls and music.
Merge them too! Make an epic MGS4 style mix of genres in one game, with full cutscenes, sneak gameplay, action etc...and have the gameplay change in that one level say, for a snipering bit, boss section, vehicle section, let's say you take to the skys at one point on a Jet and turn it into Afterburner!
When you hear someone criticise, say, LBP2's jumping mechanic, fix it yourself and personalise it yourself.
And if you don't want to do that, there is a community for LBP2 that's the most dedicated on the PS3, they'll do it for you...daily!
LBP2 is the biggest benchmark this gen and everything else is playing catch up. I know it's pulling stunning reviews and i enjoyed the one here, but i think it deserves more. I don't think people know just how much you can do with these tools and how much the game will offer any type of gamer or casual alive. It deserves to be the most successful game of the generation.
Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 1/20/2011 7:31:31 AM
telly
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 9:37:19 AM
Reply
Underdog15
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 9:44:56 AM
Reply
The game isn't new just because it's out for the PS3 for the first time.
I still haven't written it off, but you can forget it at full price for a game that isn't new.
I'll wait until the price is reasonable before I make a purchase.
Temjin001
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 9:58:58 AM
Underdog15
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 10:20:25 AM
kraygen
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 12:51:46 PM
Reply
However on the playstation store there is over $30 worth of downloadable content. Do you get a voucher to download all of that for free? If yes, why wasn't it just on the disc, and if no, why is the game $60?
kraygen
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 9:03:23 PM
Lairfan
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 3:46:57 PM
Reply
As for Mass Effect 2, I'm not really interested. I tried to get into it, but it wasn't really all that fun and felt like the definition of meh gameplay (at least to me). Plus I didn't think the story was as good as the first's (mostly cause of how much they focused on the characters in your group instead of the actual plot), but that's IMO.
Beamboom
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 6:11:04 PM
Reply
Sure, there are no integers floating around above target heads to display the outcome of the damage calculations, but you really have to be the kind of player who frenetically skip any cutscene and all dialogue just to get to the next battle to put this game ont he same shelf as the pre-scriptet, nobrainer action shooters whose entire story is just a string of poor excuses to fire a gun.
DIsmael85
Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 7:45:00 PM
Reply
Last edited by DIsmael85 on 1/20/2011 7:46:10 PM
Beamboom
Friday, January 21, 2011 @ 12:52:26 AM

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La_Bete12
Reply
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 @ 9:31:13 PM