I think I'm actually beyond first impressions because I just played it for around ten straight hours.

I always defended the combat in the original Mass Effect and couldn't really understand why so many people didn't like it, though having now seen how much better it can be, I'm starting to sympathize. The duck-and-cover gunplay in the sequel so closely resembles Gears of War that I find myself constantly hitting the right bumper to start up the little reload slider mini-game every time I'm low on ammo. (The right bumper is used for skills in Mass Effect 2, so I keep using them when I don't mean to. Heh.)

The game definitely feels more like a flat-out shooter this time, since they've added an ammunition system and downplayed the RPG elements. I was initially skeptical about the inclusion of ammunition, but it actually forces me to contemplate my options rather than simply blast through everything with the sniper rifle (which is what I eventually did in Mass Effect). Battles unfold at a faster pace but the game is still unquestionably an RPG.

As far as I can tell, the Mako has been removed completely. I've only done two missions on unexplored planets, and they both involved scanning for an anomaly and then dropping down to a designated area. So no more explanation, but it's a tighter, leaner experience.

Liking the story so far, but I hope it really picks up and reaches the level the original did in terms of scope and scale. I'm nowhere near finished with the game so I'll give it some time.

Anyway, that's all I've got. Gonna go get some food because I'm hungry as shit.