Commander Shepard is dead. Or was. Rebuilt by the shadowy Cerberus organization and handed a nearly impossible mission, Shepard must assemble a team of specialists across the galaxy to strike at the Collectors before they can erase humanity. Mass Effect 2 narrows its focus from epic sweep to intimate loyalty: each squad member carries a personal mission, and earning their trust is the point. BioWare's writing here is sharp and character-specific, the third-person shooter mechanics are tight, and the sense of a squad worth fighting for is genuine.