I may be a cozy gamer, but Mass Effect 2 just helped me get over my fear of shooters

GamesRPGMass Effect 2I may be a cozy gamer, but Mass Effect 2 just helped me get over my fear of shootersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGMass Effect 2I may be a cozy gamer, but Mass Effect 2 just helped me get over my fear of shootersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) The adrenaline from hearing that first shot fired in a dark corridor, the tension felt as you take cover to reload – these things are typically my nightmares incarnate. In general, I’m much more suited to the less stressful side of gaming and have been a fervent cozy gamer for close to a decade now.Give me an abandoned farm, and I’ll make a fortune while saving an adorable town. Hand me a gun and tell me to aim, and I’ll start panic-spraying bullets while silently crying. I never thought I’d ever connect with a shooter, let alone enjoy one as much as I do planting virtual seeds. However, Mass Effect 2 recently came into my life and flipped the proverbial table. My time with Shepard (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Best left forgotten(Image credit: EA)Mass Effect fans are remembering the time somebody used science to prove you can get high on Tali: “Her sweat’s a drug and a natural performance enhancer” Best left forgotten (Image credit: EA)Mass Effect fans are remembering the time somebody used science to prove you can get high on Tali: “Her sweat’s a drug and a natural performance enhancer” (Image credit: EA) Mass Effect fans are remembering the time somebody used science to prove you can get high on Tali: “Her sweat’s a drug and a natural performance enhancer” As many cozy gamers know, there are plenty of crossover game mechanics that we love in RPGs, be it casually completing every side quest, exploring vast open worlds, or forming genuine connections with NPCs. So, one fateful Steam Summer Sale day, I decided to dive intoBioWare’s Mass Effect Legendary Edition – a collection of titles constantly praised as some of thebest RPG gamesin existence (just read ourMass Effect Legendary Edition review, and you’ll see what I mean). While both Mass Effect and Mass Effect 3’s casual modes are forgiving to terrible shooters like myself, Mass Effect 2 hit me with some tough love, forcing me to duck and cover, push forward through enemies, and (the worst anxiety inducers of all time) shoot under a time limit or with the threat of a companion death looming over me. There was no way to make this a stress-free experience via the game’s settings, and I was forced out of my very familiar and safe comfort zone very abruptly because of it. (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) The story of Mass Effect latches onto you, as every choice you make leads to some kind of consequence for your crew and fate. On top of that, all of BioWare’s characters make you care about their futures. Sure, I could leave, but then what would happen to my space bestie Garrus? But potential Garrus guilt aside, what really made me stay is that Mass Effect 2 constantly reminds you of how impossibly difficult and important Shepard’s goal is. When you have to save the entire galaxy from an immensely powerful and giant enemy; and have lost the support of the Alliance you gave your life to, every mission feels important and like the odds are stacked against you. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more There’s no shame in occasionally dying during a level with an overarching story like that, but there is an unspoken push to keep moving forward. With this in mind, for the first time ever, I actually paid attention to the shooting element of an RPG while playing Mass Effect 2. I had to keep my crew alive if I wanted to keep them as part of my story. And I’d be damned if my paragon Shepard would allow any more crew sacrifices to happen. Hell, that would be like joining JojaMart – and I’m no monster. Saving the galaxy (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) Of course, it helped my cozy gamer brain that I could collect ship models and fish as well, but Mass Effect 2 made me play in a completely different style from the ones I’m used to. And, surprisingly, I didn’t hate it. Who would have thought that all it would take is great writing and one of the most immersive RPG experiences to help me overcome my crippling anxiety around firing a gun in a game? While I’m still a cozy gamer, first and foremost (you won’t see me playingCall of Duty: Black Ops 6anytime soon, sorry), Mass Effect 2 really has helped me overcome my fear of shooters and has filled me with the confidence to try every game that tickles my fancy, regardless of a “story mode” option or not in its settings menu. So if you are curious about branching out of the cozy game genre, or just want to get over that feeling of dread every time you see a virtual pistol, Mass Effect 2 is the perfect gateway shooter – and I couldn’t recommend it enough. Check out our breakdown of everything we know aboutMass Effect 5if you are keen to learn more about the franchise. Or head over to our lists of thebest shootersand thebest BioWare gamesthat you can play right now. 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REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its 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wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”