Here's a subversive question... is there any story-important reason to play the first Mass Effect before starting ME2? Or does the introduction bring one up to speed on the history and world setting?
Every time I think about playing ME, I keep flashing to the Penny Arcade gag about the game
(elevators....)
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/11/16/
And just for completeness - all the other Mass Effect strips:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/9/19/
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/11/14/
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/11/19/
And, of course, a pertinent comment on the dreaded "Secu-rom":
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/5/9/
Please tell me they don't have Securom in the Steam purchase of the ME or ME2 ..... (yes, there have been games sold with securom onboard via Steam because the game makers couldn't be bothered to strip it out for Steam).