Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360) Preview
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 07.10.2009
First Look Find out how the highly anticipated game is coming along as well as Commander Shepard’s fate!
While we were at E3, we were led into a small room within EA's booth to get a sneak peek at BioWare's Mass Effect 2.
For starters, as everyone knows by now, Commander Shepard is indeed back as he recruits members to his team throughout the galaxy for a little "suicide mission". It appears as though the human race is missing and it's up to you to find out why.
In terms of the gameplay, you'll notice location based damage so that if you attack the legs or head for instance, you'll encounter different forms of damage. As Shepard, you'll also be able to call out separate moves/attack orders to each member of your team. There will be some new weapons including a missile launcher that was demonstrated to us which is heat seeking. That thing looked pretty sweet and you can imagine the kind of destruction you can cause with it.
One thing that was explained to us right off the bat is something that Bioware alluded to previously regarding your save file from the first game. Well as it turns out, you can import that save file into ME2 so that your decisions come into play and are essentially still in effect in the sequel. Perhaps it'll even entice some gamers to replay the first one in order to change some things they did in the past. It's not a requirement however as gamers can simply begin Mass Effect 2 with a clean slate if they choose to do so.
In the final portion of the demo we see the Normandy under attack by some new unidentified force in the galaxy. To be blunt, shit hits the fan and all hell breaks loose as the ship is slowly exploding into pieces while you try to avoid the surrounding fire to escape the ship…
Unfortunately Commander Shepard takes too long and is killed in the attack. We now see him floating into space dead.
Yep, Shepard dies in Mass Effect 2 but it's up to you to keep him alive if you can. This is one of the many endings that are possible in ME2 and ones that will also affect the third game. Anyone who dies during your campaign will not make it to part three. Talk about pressure! The question is, how will your fate be determined?
Posted By: Iceberg (Guest) on July 10, 2009 at 01:33 AM
So is it worth the $20 to pick up the original even if I usually don't have time or interest in RPG's? I don't think I made it thru KOTOR 1 long enough to get the actual lightsaber.
I did a 1 night rental of Mass Effect back when it came out, but I never felt compelled to go out & buy it or even rent it again. Is this franchise that good?
(Also, I've still yet to play Fallout 3!)
Posted By: Byzdalmyt (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 12:29 PM
@ Byzdalmyt
The game plays mostly like a 3rd person shooter. There are some RPG elements, like stats and upgrading proficiences in chosen fields, but it doesn't really affect flow of the game (you don't need to use a rifle for 3hrs just to upgrade rifle proficiency).
Posted By: Dave M (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Cool, I'm going to try to score it this weekend as I heard rumor Gamestop is doing another Buy 2, get 1. Might get it & Ninja Gaiden 2, then Bioshock.
Posted By: Byzdalmyt (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 03:55 PM
In terms of the gameplay, you'll notice location based damage so that if you attack the legs or head for instance, you'll encounter different forms of damage. As Shepard, you'll also be able to call out separate moves/attack orders to each member of your team. There will be some new weapons including a missile launcher that was demonstrated to us which is heat seeking. That thing looked pretty sweet and you can imagine the kind of destruction you can cause with it.
In the final portion of the demo we see the Normandy under attack by some new unidentified force in the galaxy. To be blunt, shit hits the fan and all hell breaks loose as the ship is slowly exploding into pieces while you try to avoid the surrounding fire to escape the ship…
