The Mako is still around, you just don't use it (just did a mission where I saw it :P).

Aside from the two starting humans, the rest of the characters are bloody awesome. Zaeed (downloadable character) is basically Clint Eastwood, Mordin has some excellent lines (and talks like Captain Kirk), and Archangel is just slick.

I'm kind of disappointed to find out that the 'bonus' from playing the iPhone game is just some extra dialogue between the two characters involved. Want my $2 back.

'Nother part of the RPG 'downgrade' is in your actual stats. It seems everyone has only 5 abilities to upgrade. Much like the inventory system though, compared to the first game each single upgrade makes a big difference compared to adding individual points.

The ability combinations are pretty sweet too. They did it in Dragon Age as well, if you combine certain techniques they are more powerful. I froze a guy while he was suspended in mid-air, and when he fell he shattered to pieces. I actually defeated the krogan Garm while defending Archangel by freezing him after his protection was down (with full health) and shooting him to shatter him. Great stuff.