User blog comment:Masseffect7/Mass Effect's Strengths and Weaknesses/@comment-5607736-20130926150225/@comment-1074875-20131001120512

I actually disliked the story and character progression in ME2. As for RPG elements:
 * Most of the first game there were many decisions that didn't really contribute to the story at all and most of the game was driving the Mako (which got destryed by Shepard more then once on my many playthroughs).
 * I never understood the second game and why must Shepard waste precious time in recruiting useless squad members when it was never clear what are the Collectors, their relationship with the Reapers, and other quesions. In fact, by the end of the second game you learn very little about the Reapers - for me, it made the role playing elements useless.
 * In the third game, there were many moments that improved the story and characters, but too many decisions were useless (especially if starting a new ME3 character) allot of the events were scripted.

So, I personally would prefer a story that give more freedom and allow different conclusions throughout the game then the ones available in any of the trilogy.