Video games I'm currently playing

I'm on an RPG kick lately. Just finished Assassin's Creed. Finally. After playing off and on for 2 years. My impetus for finishing was my desire to get to Assassin's Creed 2, which is a rare case of the sequel being better than the original, from what I hear.

I've been playing Dragon Age on the PC. I started on the PS3, made a bunch of different alts, didn't even get past the beginning segment with most of them.  Playing more on the PC these days, for various reasons. Great story, great production values, great game.

Playing Mass Effect 2 on Xbox 360. This is my favorite game of the moment, lately getting much more time than Dragon Age. Some have protested how this game is more "action-y" than the first. But I love the changes. They've done away with most of the tediousness, streamlined it down to the good stuff.  Combat seems to be closer to Gears of War in this one.. without cover you're toast. The story is somewhat hit or miss.  I'll try not to spoil here, but I've gotta share my main gripe so far in the story.  Of course the main plot deals with saving the universe again, no surprise there right? Part of preparing for that is finding all the people you want on your mission, like how you had Ash, Tali, Liara, Garrus, Wrex, etc. in the first one.
Every single one of these characters has unfinished business, a side-quest that needs to be resolved for that character to fully reach their performance potential (it unlocks a unique special ability for each). The story emphasizes that you're running out of time, but then all these characters need X, Y, and Z. You don't have to do every one of them, but still, it's a bit cheesy. Personally, I've just _got_ to see the side stories for all the characters, so I can't help but think about how long it's going to be until I proceed forward again in the main storyline.  In spite of that minor quibble, I'm loving this game.