b.balance

It's true, Shepard doesn't die in Mass Effect 1. What people are refering to is the first Mass Effect 2 teaser trailer where it shows Shepards status as KIA. Then the other trailers that are out now, where they refer to a 'suicide' mission. It's pretty much confirmed that you'll start as off as Shepard in ME2 but halfway through the game you can die. My assumptions based on the new trailer (trailer spoilers here) is that the Normandy gets blown up in space but his crew exits via escape pods, and shepard stays behind so everyone presumes he's dead.

I don't know reviewers care too much about the combat, KOTORs comba system was horrible yet it's not why people play the game, it's just a break up from all the talking. Sure it's fun to use a biotic lift on an enemy then snipe his head off but i'm sure most people play the game for the conversations and storyline. My personal favourite part is ''Say goodnight Manuel'' then you knock him out, or the crazy salarian trapped in the cell on Virmire. Awesome stuff.