I recently purchased Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2 in preparation for the release of Mass Effect 3. 
I have to say, I can easily see why people respect these games. The vast expansions to the universe is breath-taking, and the amount of content on the disc is astonishing. 
The character building and stories in both games is amazing, although there is a large different between Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2. The changes have improved game-play alot. Although, they may have swung more towards a shooter then a RPG in the second, but that's just my personal opinion. I truly respect the Mass Effect series, and am very excited about the up and coming Mass Effect 3, and hoping it has great balance between the shooter game-play, and RPG mechanics. 

I recently purchased Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2 in preparation for the release of Mass Effect 3. 
I have to say, I can easily see why people respect these games. The vast expansions to the universe is breath-taking, and the amount of content on the disc is astonishing. 
The character building and stories in both games is amazing, although there is a large different between Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2. The changes have improved game-play alot. Although, they may have swung more towards a shooter then a RPG in the second, but that's just my personal opinion. I truly respect the Mass Effect series, and am very excited about the up and coming Mass Effect 3, and hoping it has great balance between the shooter game-play, and RPG mechanics. 

Yeah, my favorite part of Mass Effect is the universe.  Its very interesting and nothing seems like its there just to be cool i.e. a lightsaber.  

boning is mostly what I remember from the ME series....sadly

It is quite unbelievable how intricately woven the ME universe is.  If they pull it off right; it may challenge Middle Earth in years to come.

" It is quite unbelievable how intricately woven the ME universe is.  If they pull it off right; it may challenge Middle Earth in years to come. "

I just hope that ME3 stays on the same line as ME2 and not ME1. Everything was much smoother in the second game.

" I just hope that ME3 stays on the same line as ME2 and not ME1. Everything was much smoother in the second game. "

yeah, i just want a little bit of a leveling up spec character mechanic, but thats it, nothing changed from the combat from the second game.

Mass Effect 2 plays way better than 1, but the stories created are cool for everyone. Maybe one day, they will create a game based off the latest gameplay and call it Mass Effect Complete or something.