this really wowed me at first, but the more i played the more its flaws became apparent. the mass effect powers are cool, but they can't make up for the repetitive encounter design. there is some real characterization in here, but it all suddenly fizzles out in the second half. the skiff is fun to drive, but even this restrained open world can't help feeling like wandering between checkboxes.

that sounds pretty negative, but i do still mostly like the linear parts of this game, and i think the story of act 1 is the best the series has ever been.