Ok so basically, I'm not really the kind of person to make a big long dissertation over a video game so here is here what i think in short sentences.

I like all the new characters and I like that they kept the two best (Tali and Garrus) from the first one.
I like the combat system now, however they did go a bit extreme in removing all choice from inventory regarding companion armor and weapons. I just thought they were going to allow similar items to stack in stead of having everything take up a spot requiring you to go through each one.
Story is amazing, better then the first in my opinion and sets it up nicely for the final game.
I'm glad they got rid of the Mako, it sucked. Seriously, no offense but anyone who enjoyed that friggen thing is crazy.
Element scanning on planets is tedious, but (http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/to...index/825862/1) a BioWare developer posted in a forum that you really shouldnt be trying to get every last element on every last planet. Totals for all the upgrades with the exception of the med bay upgrades are this:
Iridium- 200,000
Palladium- 195,000
Platinum- 205,000
Element Zero- 42,250

Basically they did what I think was needed, a drastic shift in priorities in terms of gameplay to see what worked and what didnt, because when people usually look back on a trilogy they remember the beginning and finale more then they do the middle child. I trust that they will have a satisfying story for the third game so all you guys should be pushing for in ME3 is to reincorporate the inventory with stacking allowed, and greater customization of all characters armor. I think that will give the perfect GoW cover/RPG blend that will satisfy the actioner's and the RPGer's, because I think we can see that FPS people enjoy having a nice inventory of various options for their character and gun as well (MW2).

I am up in the air when it comes to points. Personally I preferred having each skill advancement be just 1 point in ME1, but I also enjoyed the evolution part in ME2 and the removal of weapon skills in exchange for various bullet types. I guess I would say take the ME1 system, swap out the gun classes with bullet types, add in an evolution to the tenth/final point upgrade to a skill and I will be happy.