Mass Effect 2: Hard Sci-Fi Preview

Join Shepard and co. on another massive space adventure of epic proportions.

Mass Effect was easily one of my favorite games of 2007, stealing away dozens of hours of my life and enticing me to explore every corner of the vast Milky Way. From the visually impressive movie-like quality of the characters and cutscenes to the deep RPG elements that kept me striving for just one more level up.

Mass Effect 2: Hard Sci-Fi Preview

Shepard's brutal rocket launcher looks to be as destructive as it is awesome; notice the enemies running scared.

Mass Effect 2 is looking to up the ante with a load of new features. The sequel will utilize a streamlined approach to item and weapon management (which many felt was unwieldy in the first game), and making quick decisions in combat will be much easier, with shortcuts added to manage each character's combat choices. Mass Effect 2 also makes a departure from the past game by doing away with health packs, instead favoring the ever-popular regenerative health system popular in most current FPS games. So far combat in Mass Effect 2 looks to be much more engaging than in the first title, with Shepard having access to uber-destructive weapons such as a high-powered homing rocket launcher. Additionally, Bioware has added more depth to the damage system, with players able to blow the limbs off enemies with strategically targeted shots.

Mass Effect 2: Hard Sci-Fi Preview

The damage system in Mass Effect 2 allows for players to really put the hurt on their enemies, like this Husk missing half his body.

Gamers can expect the same epic approach to storytelling as the past game did, but even here Bioware has make a tweak; many conversations now take place during cutscenes with players making decisions on the fly as the story unfolds, increasing the cinematic quality of the story tenfold. If all bodes well for Mass Effect 2, gamers should be in for a cinematic RPG experience that raises the bar set by the original.

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Foltzie

I hope they fix the god awful cover system. It was just too hard to actually stay behind cover.

BLackdragon201

I can deal w/the horrible cover mechanic as long as the texture popping stops. It was like having a king size Snicker that was smashed. Still great, but just a little off.While I'm not one of those guys looking for uber immersion, I do want quality for 64$.

flyingdonkey

Ever since getting Fallout 3 lpatinum trophy I've been waiting for another RPG. I think I'll get Mass Effect for the PC.

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