Mass Effect 2 is regarded as one of the best RPG's of all time, according to the press much better than other RPG's of the current generation such as Oblivion, Fallout 3, Fable 2, Final Fantasy XIII & more.

But its sales are extremely disappointing. I remember when Xbox 360 exclusives used be massive breakouts but what went wrong with this game? Its stalled in sales & doesn't seem like it will get to Mass effect 1's total.

Was the word of mouth ultimately negative? Why isn't it showing legs?

This is one of the biggest mysteries this gen.

Piracy and not releasing during a holiday season probably hurt some sales.

I would say piracy as well played a small factor. I was able to get the PC version three days in advance off the internet. (I did purchase the 360 version)

When i see mediocre New IP RPG's like Dragon Age Origins outselling it I get angry. (PS3 xbox combined numbers for dragon age)

Would being multiplat have helped its sales?

didnt mass effect 2 sell 2 million in its first week?

Good Question, ME 2 is my favorite RPG hands down, I think if it was on PS3 also , sales would be doubled, there are many PS3 owners who want the game and would buy it on PS3 if it was out, but they will not buy a 360 for ME2. Other then that I don't know, its a superb game. It deserves much better sales closer to U2 on PS3.

Shipped 2 Million in it's first week.

EA released actual sales numbers a short while ago. 1.6 Million sold from Xbox 360 and PC (Including Downloads)

OT:
Piracy (Especially on PC)

Not releasing in the Holidays.

Backlash from Mass Effect 1's boringness. Not that i found it boring, but i know a lot of people who did...

             that sucks alot!! mass effect 2 is one of the best rpgs ive ever played it takes a huge shit on final fantasy and it only sells 1.6 million?

              but one complaint that many people had with the game was that the gameplay is way to much like gears of war but imo it was gears 

              done better

No multiplayer