Too me a 8/10 is an amazing score.

I think that your opinion could change for favoring it even more though over time. My opinions change over time, that's 100% true. Sometimes I end up playing a game and don't truly appreciate it until later. Some after a while I like the game less though. It's perspective I guess.
It's a concept I'm really beggining to notice with myself escpecially though.

Great read. I think im with you on most points, and to me Mass Effect deserves a 9/10. Can't wait to read your thoughts for ME2

I don't know how people can say Mass Effect 2 is a TPS. A third person shooter is just that a shooter, Mass Effect has all the elements of a WRPG and combines it with TPS combat. It still has areas to walk around in, accept quests, talk to NPCs, learn about the world and make choices. And its leveling and skill systems are still more complex then that of the average JRPG and even of RPG such as Fable 2. Bioware has been using the same formula with different combayt system since KOTOR and not until it was combined with a shooter did people start to say it was NOT a RPG. C'mon ME2 is far more complex then Jade Empire in all its RPG elements and Jade Empire is known as a great RPG!

Personally I though ME1 was massively overrated. The combat especially was easy and repetitive. I made it quite close to the end and then just sort of moved on without ever returning.

That said ME2 is brilliant. It really takes a lot of the good stuff from the first one and nails the stuff that didn't work. Combat is fun and varied, and the storyline is much deeper and fun. I was hesitant to pick it up for my PC, but thankfully it also doesn't share some of the massive technical shortcomings of the first one on 360 (which is the version I played). The screen tearing on the original was a game ruiner for me in many ways. I hear ME2 is quite improved on 360 as well, but I haven't played it there.

A good (lengthy) review of a game many of of love. It's a little late, though.

One thing: Copy and Paste this review and post it on the VGChartz user review section. This thread will eventually get lost (every thread except for "Mario Kart vs. Crash Team Racing" eventually fades away). In "User Reviews", it could help someone years down the line.

I enjoyed the OP and largely agree on all points. I did, however, have additional grievances over technical issues on the PC version and the load times (which aren't even necessary in the PC version but aren't removed) are ridiculous.
The final score would be around an 8 for me too, perhaps a tad higher with a couple of patches.
I'm not sure why I wasn't infatuated with this game the same way the rest of the world was, I have a good friend who loves this to death and when he talks about it I almost feel like we played two completely different games.
It could be that I'm not really that into science fiction or it could be that I enjoy more depth in RPG's but I just couldn't fall in love with it and I certainly can't identify with the people who see this as the best game of the generation (or even best RPG).
No matter though, it was a good read!

Yeah, I just decided recently to pick it up. and since Mass Effect 2 was coming, I figured that I should try to the first to even see if I would have any interest in the second.

Started playing today, and i'm happy to say that so far I am really enjoying it. I kind of like how they decided to make it more into a TPS. Cut-scenes are nice, and Miranda is a cold hearted hot ass woman.

hey Wagram, what's your gamertag ?