E3 2009 Preview
The first Mass Effect was a huge
success for acclaimed developer BioWare, presenting a fantastic and deep story
and compelling gameplay. Now, EA and BioWare are getting ready to launch the
second title in the proposed Mass Effect trilogy with Mass Effect 2. At the
game’s press demo at E3, BioWare revealed that gamers would in fact take control
of Shepard, the hero from the first game (there have been rumors circulating
after a recent trailer that the hero had perished), as well as showcased some of
the great gameplay elements and story details that we can expect from the
blockbuster sequel.
In Mass Effect 2, humanity is in
dire straits as entire colonies of people are disappearing left and right.
Shepard and crew then must take to the galaxy and discover what and who is
behind the plot. The mission is in fact a dangerous one, a suicide mission in
fact, and could result in the surprising deaths of key figures in the game’s
storyline. In a cool new addition, your character development and story
direction from the first game will transfer over to the sequel if you have a
game saved on your hard drive.
The original Mass Effect did some
excellent things with dialogue, and now it appears that the team will offer even
more revolutionary features to the game’s conversation system. You’ll be able to
carry on conversations in the middle of cinematic sequences (such as riding in a
vehicle), adding a new level to the immersive story. The game also adds a new
interrupt feature, that allows you to cut off people in your conversations and
make a new changing element to your interaction with them.
The game has made some changes to
the tried and true combat of the first game as well. This time around, combat
feels more precision-based, with each weapon appropriately powered up from the
beginning of the game. Additionally, the game will introduce 9 new weapon
classes, including heavy weapons, letting players utilize weaponry like missile
launchers.
There have also been some changes
made to the game’s exploration system. While no real details could be divulged,
BioWare stated that the game will let you explore the galaxy better than ever
before and that the worlds you visit will be richer and more fun.
Mass Effect 2 is on pace to deliver
a compelling blend of fantastic storytelling, deep RPG features, and intense
action. Look for it to release early next year.
