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Mass Effect 2

Review · Action · PC · Xbox One · PlayStation 3

Mass Effect 2

Reviewed: 30 Apr 2026

PC · Xbox One · PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360

BioWare · 2010

Ludograph rating

A

Recommended

82 /100

Mass Effect 2 is a story-driven RPG that develops strategic thinking and critical thinking, but is suited for older teens due to mature content.

06010030BenefitLow riskB 75 · R 9
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

75

Risk (RIS)

9

Daily limit

Age guidance

17+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.80
B2Social-emotional
0.73
B3Motor
0.65

Mass Effect 2 offers a rich, story-driven experience that encourages critical thinking, strategic planning, and ethical reasoning through its complex narrative and moral choice system. Players develop empathy for diverse characters and engage in challenging combat that improves hand-eye coordination and reaction time.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.17
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.06

While Mass Effect 2 is a mature-rated game with significant violence, some sexual content, and strong language, it lacks manipulative compulsion-loop mechanics, monetization pressure, or social risks. The primary risks are content-related, appropriate for its intended mature audience.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
1.00
R4.2Sexual Content
0.67
R4.3Language
0.67
R4.4Substance References
0.67
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.67

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSAAssessed: meets criteria·GDPR-KAssessed: meets criteria·ODDSAssessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

Parents ask…

Is Mass Effect 2 safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Mass Effect 2 a rating of 82/100, recommended for ages 17 and up. It scores well on developmental benefits with manageable risks.

What age is Mass Effect 2 appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 17+ for Mass Effect 2, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play Mass Effect 2?

We don't publish a daily session budget for Mass Effect 2: its design-risk score sits in our highest band, where limiting time alone doesn't address the risks. For children we suggest choosing an alternative instead.

What are the main risks of Mass Effect 2?

While Mass Effect 2 is a mature-rated game with significant violence, some sexual content, and strong language, it lacks manipulative compulsion-loop mechanics, monetization pressure, or social risks. The primary risks are content-related, appropriate for its intended mature audience.