Mass Effect 2 allows the player to import their characters from any completed Mass Effect playthrough. This means that all decisions made by the player in Mass Effect will carry over into Mass Effect 2 and have the potential to impact the story. Decisions confirmed to have an impact on the game include:

* The decision to save either Kaidan or Ashley.[5]
* Whether or not the player kills Wrex on Virmire.[6]
* Whether or not the player decides to save the Citadel Council at the end of Mass Effect.[7]
* The player's choice of love interest.[8]
* Whether the player spares or destroys the Rachni Queen at Peak 15.[9]
* The player's treatment of Conrad Verner.[10]
* Whether or not the player completed the UNC: Asari Diplomacy sidequest.
* Whether the player chose to allow the Alliance to conduct experiments on Nirali Bhatia's body.[11]

Due to massive gameplay redesign, your level will not transfer over to Mass Effect 2 and you will start out with basic abilities.[12][13][14] However, the game will acknowledge if you were a level 60 character and if you were a Renegade or Paragon and adapt it in ways that map across to the new system.[15] Also, the physical appearance and class of imported characters can be changed at the start of the game, if desired.[16][17]

If a player has no Mass Effect save files, Mass Effect 2 will start with an introduction sequence which, in combination with interactive decisions made by the player, introduces new players to the storyline and establishes a “canon” backstory.[18]

There are certain restrictions to transferring save files. Concerning the Xbox 360 version, the main restriction is that the gamer profile, career and related saves must be located on the original device it was first created on. Also, one must use the same profile in which save data from Mass Effect was saved. Specifically for the PC version, players will use the Mass Effect Configuration Tool to select the .MassEffectSave files they wish to import.[19]

Chris Priestly - community coordinator at the Mass Effect Forums - initially said there was a limit of 11 end-of-game saves that could be imported into Mass Effect 2 (i.e. if a player completes the first game 12 times, only completions #1-11 can be imported). However, in a later post he corrected himself and stated that it was no longer the case. [20]

Transfer of a Mass Effect Save file will allow the player to start with more experience, credits, mineral resources and Paragon or Renegade points depending on the previous Shepard's behavior and level. [21]

100k credits, 900x each material, 190x renegade/paragon points, started at lvl 3.

Graphics:
Game looks amazing. Better than the first in every respect. This time, you don't have to manually turn off film grain either. Facial animations are top notch this time.

Gameplay:
Controls are more responsive. Little bit of a bummer that there isn't an equipment section of the menu. You can customize Shepard's armor looks from the start, though, so you can look badass all the time. You also have casual clothing options for when you aren't in combat zones. Long elevators have been replaced with loading screens. You still have to wait, but the upside is that there's no texture pop-in so the game looks 100% at all times. I haven't installed to HD yet, will have to do that tonight to see how it compares.

Combat:
Much faster. I started on Veteran so the enemies are probably a little smarter. You can map three abilities (Y, LB, RB) so you don't have to open the power wheel which is really nice. I'm finding very quickly that if you're overwhelmed with soldiers, the fastest way to clear them is to take out the knees. A downed enemy is still alive but no longer a threat. Headshots do work well otherwise, though, and I've already gotten the achievement for 30 of them a couple hours into the game.

Same as part one with one notable edition. Sometimes after a discussion decision, you'll be able to hit LT (paragon) or RT (renegade) for a little added conversation or action. It's pretty neat.

You can continue your romance from ME with a transfered save or...

Males: Miranda, Subject Zero and....TALI!!!! WOOO!! YEAH!!!

Females: Jacob, Thane and...Garrus! Neat.

Plus, you can apparently have a fling with your secretary on the new Normandy. Not sure if female Shepard can, though. Oddly, there are no same sex relationships, which seems like a step back. But, the game was made by a different team and the lead developer said that ME1 didn't have same sex, either(he said that since Asari are monogendered, it didn't count). But if you carry over the save, you can continue your Liara romance with Female Shepard anyway.

They also said that you can start a new romance regardless of your previous relationship, but if you do carry over, it will have negative consequences in Mass Effect 3, if you choose to carry over your save.