The Game of the Year is always a debatable topic, and it should be. After all, such a title is based on opinion, as enjoyment of a game is very subjective. Many media outlets and publications nominate several games, the editors debating between the nominees to determine which deserves the award. There were several games that could qualify this year, in various genres. Popular nominees are “Red Dead Redemption” (a second choice), “NBA 2K11” (a rarity for a sports game), “Call of Duty: Black Ops” (not deserving of a nominee in this writer’s opinion), “Super Mario Galaxy 2”, and various others. Another leading candidate, though, and first pick, is “Mass Effect 2.”

No other title in 2010, or perhaps any other time, brought what “Mass Effect 2” did to the industry. Bioware’s sci-fi role-playing masterpiece improved on the original, which was already a groundbreaking effort in almost every way. The same amazing fiction, lore, and rich background created for the first game is back, in an even more detailed, well polished way. The game focuses less on a grandiose plot that has the attention of the entire galaxy, substituting that for a secretive critical mission by a covert team. In a way, that can be a criticism of the game. The plot doesn’t feel as pressing or important, because Commander Shepard’s team’s mission is quiet and secret, and so the player may feel less important.

The objective until the final mission is to recruit new specific crew members of various races scattered across the galaxy, each of which has a set of skills necessary to complete the ultimate objective to help preserve humanity. There’s the Salarian scientist, genetically modified Krogan warrior, psychotic Human biotic, and a few surprise returns from the original “Mass Effect.” This can admittedly make it seem like one is simply traveling the game’s universe rounding up a team (which is still, in itself, a rich experience), until they can go complete the main objective and finish the game. However, it does bring a benefit to the story. The game becomes very character driven, since Shepard’s team is the focus of the majority of the game.

The characters in the sequel are much more fleshed out and realistic than those in its predecessor (even the returning characters, because they have been slightly reinvented, had dimension added to them). They offer meaningful conversation, the morality choices and various response options the player can pick of course making their returns. Introduced are conversation interrupts, wherein, when a prompt is shown, the player can choose to take sudden action during a conversation, jumping in to threaten, help, or otherwise depending on context. It’s not a huge addition, but it makes an already immersive experience better.

The combat has been overhauled as well, as well as the inventory. The game is now paced to be better and more fun when fighting enemies—combat abilities have more ‘bang’ and are more visually effective. It fits the game’s new polish; it looks flashy and sharp, something that could be lacking at times in the original.

What makes a game of the year is not a single thing, but a combination of many factors. “Mass Effect 2,” rises above its competition in its execution, even being the swinging point in the trilogy that is supposed to feature less immediacy and action, as it builds towards the climax of the yet to be released third installment. The other nominees—good, solid games—are lacking the same level of execution. “Red Dead Redemption,” does offer an interesting, varied gaming experience, but the connection to the characters and story are not the same. The script is chosen for the player, and the plot will play out the same every time, not that the entertainment value of the game is in question.  Players cannot alter the characters, whereas in “Mass Effect 2,” the player can affect something as major as a character dying, for good, in the game’s ending mission, if he is not properly prepared, or puts a character in the wrong role.

The ability of the title to immerse the player in the game world, and have them alter the outcome, is unparalleled. The flash, sharpness of visuals and dialogue, and the quality of the sound and voice acting, coupled with the fun of the combat and character progression, come together to form game of the year for 2010. “Mass Effect 2,” is truly a master class in game design from Bioware.