Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360)

It’s been two whole years since Commander Shepard prevented the Reapers from destroying organic life, but it’s peace has been taken away once more by something wiping out human colonies. Joining up with Cerberus, a group of humans dedicated to ensuring mankind’s survival, Shepard will collect the best team and ship he can to take on what seems to be an impossible mission.

If you kept your save games you’ll be able to import your character, along with his decisions, into the second game. Side quest characters will have more of an effect on the main story this time. Be wary of what you did in the first game, because someone might just be more apprehensive about helping you later on. Healing your character now regenerates over time.

The voice-actors in this game include big Hollywood names like Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix series), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) and Adam Baldwin (Serenity).

BioWare Montreal’s Mass Effect 2 is more improved, more animated and more visually stunning. Epic battles, struggles with love/s and a larger selection of weapons await you in the sequel to one of the most popular action role-playing games around.

- © Gerard Ward