Mass Effect 2 launched on January 26th, 2010 to the delight of fans. While that means the game is now over ten years old, as fans revisit and explore the title, new details about it are still being experienced for the first time. A fan on Reddit paid a visit to the beloved Game Shop on the Citadel, finding the salesman had something to say about the Grand Theft Auto series.
In the popular science fiction roleplaying game Mass Effect 2, fans who decide to see what all of the Citadel has to offer may encounter a game store on the 28th floor. While there isn't much to do there, nor can games be purchased, the salesman is an NPC the player can interact who shares information on what he thinks of the games he sells.
As Reddit user aganymc approached the countertop to presumably talk to the seller, one of his lines when idling played. The line in question has the alien worker comment about the "Grim Terminus Alliance" games. He says he doesn't understand the complaints about them, saying that "it's just a game." While it may seem like a throwaway gag, the initials reveal just what the complaints are about. GTA also refers to Grand Theft Auto, which is a series that has seen its fair share of criticisms and complaints from parents and politicians over the years.
This isn't the only good joke the Game Shop has to offer, as well, as the NPC also offers quotes about buying extra protection that may backfire, and that you can only get 5 credits at most for a trade-in towards a new title. It's very obvious with these quotes just what the entire store is a reference to, which fans have caught onto as they call the Mass Effect 2 Game Shop "Galactic GameStop" affectionately.
Even though this joke may have only just now gotten attention, players are still laughing at the creative wording of the joke despite how old the title it's from is. It may have been written a decade ago, but it still remains funny in regards to things like GameStop's business practices. It makes gamers wonder if the Game Shop had been made in a more recent game if there would be a joke about Fortnite as well.
It's rather great to see that something as simple as one interactable NPC brings back many memories and still gives players plenty of laughs. It's details like these why gamers continuously replay the series' best titles while looking back fondly at Mass Effect's NPCs.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.