#1. MASS EFFECT 2
This is it- the peak of BioWare. And what a peak it is. Mass Effect 2 was designed with a very clear vision- to take all that was good in its predecessor, polish it to the highest degree possible, and shed all the excessive layers that surrounded those good parts. RPG elements were trimmed down, the combat was made slicker and more snappy, while the Mako sections were removed altogether. It was a bold move for BioWare to tinker with what was already a winning formula, but it was a gamble that paid off like very few ever have.
Mass Effect 2 is a masterclass in storytelling, delivering an epic, emotionally-charged, ingeniously written space opera adventure that has heavy stakes, endearing characters, and actual consequences. Commander Shepard’s journey across the galaxy brings him closer to a strong, ensemble cast of characters, every one of whom is written and developed with meticulous mastery, and the entire story culminates in one of the greatest conclusions you’ll ever see in a video game.
Mass Effect 2 was dripping with an excess of personality and a singular focus on an end goal, displaying a clarity of vision the likes of which you don’t often get to see in a game. It also exhibited immense quality in every aspect of the experience- from the stellar soundtrack to the sharp visuals to the strong art design, and so much more. BioWare gave Mass Effect 2 everything they had, and what they ended up with was nothing short of a masterpiece, where everything you did was tied to massive stakes, both large scale and small.
In the end, it would be fair to say that Mass Effect 2 isn’t just the best game BioWare has ever made- it is, quite simply, one of the greatest games of all time.
