I think ME2 deserves praise, but not that much. I am one of those who like the first one better. The story felt more intense (content wise) and the battle system in ME2 feels stripped down to ME1. In ME1 you had to learn to use a weapon and you got better with it through skill points. ME2 in comparison is "just" a shooter with rpg dialog options.
But i guess that's the way, the majority wants it.