mass-effect posts

Some Mass Effect 2 save games might not work in Mass Effect 3

by John Callaham Feb 8th 2010 @ 8:00PM

BioWare's cool way that they incorporate save games from the original Mass Effect into the new Mass Effect 2 will continue when BioWare comes out with Mass Effect 3 in two year's time. But Game Informer points out that not all Mass Effect 2 save games will work with the third game in the sci-fi RPG trilogy.

The reason? If the main character Shepard gets killed at the end of Mass Effect 2, well, that's a problem. BioWare's Casey Hudson states, "If you have a dead Shepard at the end of Mass Effect 2, that saved game won't import into Mass Effect 3. You can play Mass Effect 3 if you died in Mass Effect 2 of course, but you'll have to create a new Shepard." That means Shepard is supposed to appear in all three games so players should not be cavalier about using him in Mass Effect 2.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2 Screenshots

Filed under: RPG, Mass Effect Series

Mass Effect 2 PC now available in stores and via download; massive praise for game

by John Callaham Jan 26th 2010 @ 2:00PM

Unless you have been under a rock for the last few weeks, you know that today is the day that Electronic Arts and BioWare ships Mass Effect 2, their sci-fi RPG sequel, to stores. The PC version of the game is also available to download via services like Steam, Impulse, Direct2Drive and GamersGate in both regular and Digital Deluxe versions.

As EA mentions in their own press release, Mass Effect 2 has already generated nearly unanimous praise from various media outlets including our own sister site Joystiq who played the Xbox 360 version of the game and called it "the best game BioWare has ever made and the best action RPG in history." We will have our own review of the PC port in the near future.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2 Screenshots

Filed under: RPG, Mass Effect Series

Mass Effect movie gaining interest in Hollywood

by John Callaham Jan 24th 2010 @ 5:00PM

With Mass Effect 2 looking like it will be taking over our lives when it ships on Tuesday, it seems natural that talk should turn to making a movie out of BioWare's sci-fi RPG franchise. MTV chatted with BioWare's Casey Hudson who stated, "Obviously we have a tremendous amount of interest from people in Hollywood to make a major motion picture about Mass Effect."

It does sound like BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts doesn't want a Mass Effect movie to turn into, say, a Wing Commander movie. Hudson states, "We're just looking at our options there, but waiting to make sure we have something really right before we do it." In 2008, Variety reported a rumor that former Marvel Studios head Avi Arad had optioned the Mass Effect movie rights but those rumors were never confirmed.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2 Screenshots

Filed under: RPG, Mass Effect Series

Mass Effect franchise to continue after RPG trilogy

by John Callaham Jan 21st 2010 @ 11:00AM

BioWare has already started working on their plans for Mass Effect 3 even as they get ready to ship Mass Effect 2 next week. The final game in the sci-fi RPG trilogy should be out in the the next couple of years but once Mass Effect 2 is released does that mean the end of the franchise.

Not according to BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk. In a chat with Kotaku this week, he states, "We're actually going to continue to use it (the Mass Effect universe) for stuff and we're going to continue to make games there." Exactly what kinds of games are not known but perhaps with BioWare's emphasis on shooter combat in Mass Effect 2 perhaps there's room for a more pure FPS game set in the Mass Effect universe.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2 Screenshots

Filed under: RPG, Mass Effect Series

Mass Effect 2 prequel novel revealed

by John Callaham Jan 13th 2010 @ 9:00AM

BioWare's upcoming Mass Effect 2 is just the tip of the iceberg for the sci-fi RPG game franchise. Besides the two games there's been two prose novels, a current Dark Horse comic book series and even an upcoming action figure line. Now comes word that a third novel, Mass Effect Retribution, is in the works.

The novel is written by Drew Karpyshyn, who also wrote the first two Mass Effect novels. The book centers on the Illusive Man's plan to fight the destructive Reaper race by outfighting a human with Reaper tech. While Mass Effect 2 is due for release in late January, Amazon.com has listed Mass Effect Retribution to be released on July 27.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2 Screenshots

Filed under: Culture, RPG, Mass Effect Series

Friday's Steam holiday sales ring in the new year

by John Callaham Jan 1st 2010 @ 1:00PM

With 2010 now well underway, Valve's holiday sale on Steam is starting to wind down. While their overall sales will end on January 3, they continue to hold some one day sales. On this New Year's Day you can get the following games for the rock bottom prices for the next 23 hours.

The sales include both "seasons" of Sam and Max in one bundle for just $14.99 and the Doom Complete pack (all of id's Doom games) for just $13.59. Capcom's Devil May Cry 4, which was just made available via download a couple of weeks ago, is now on sale for $22.49. The first Mass Effect game is priced at $4.99 as is Valve's puzzle shooter Portal. Finally the motocycle game RedLynx Trials 2: Second Edition can be yours for a mere $2.49.

Filed under: Downloads, Adventure, FPS, RPG, Sports

All You Need To Know: Mass Effect 2

by James Murff Dec 30th 2009 @ 9:00PM

Games that are coming out soon have a lot of unknowns that the average person might not know. Who is this character inspired by? Is all the talk of volumetric fog or cel-shaded graphics really worthwhile? Do the game mechanics really seem solid, or are they lackluster? In All You Need To Know we provide information to help you fully appreciate what these upcoming games have to offer.

Feed your head after the jump.

Check out our collection of Mass Effect 2 related downloads here on Big Download!

Gallery: Mass Effect 2 Screenshots

Continue reading All You Need To Know: Mass Effect 2

Filed under: Features, Action, RPG, Mass Effect Series

More info on Mass Effect's save system in Mass Effect 2

by John Callaham Dec 28th 2009 @ 10:00AM

As some of you may know already, the folks at BioWare have told players of the first Mass Effect RPG to keep their save games as they can be incorporated into the upcoming sequel Mass Effect 2. Previously we were told that the save game will influence the storyline in the sequel but apparently there's even more to it than that.

In a post on the game's official message board, BioWare's Chris Priestly states, " If you finished ME1 as a high level character you will receive greater bonuses than those who finished at lower levels." Extra money might be one of those bonuses but don't expect a massive advantage. You will also be able play the same character again after you complete Mass Effect 2. And BioWare has already confirmed that, "what you do in Mass Effect 2, will have consequences in Mass Effect 3!" So we suspect that you should keep your ME2 save games for the final chapter in the trilogy.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2 Screenshots

Filed under: RPG, Mass Effect Series

Mass Effect action figures coming in August

by John Callaham Dec 22nd 2009 @ 10:00AM

With just three days before Christmas, we know that a lot of you have been thinking, "Boy, we sure would like to get a Commander Shepard action figure under our tree on Christmas morning." Well, that's not going to happen this year. But next year . . . that's a horse of a different color.

This week, DC Comics announced they will be releasing action figures based on BioWare's Mass Effect RPG series. The figures from the DC Direct collectibles division (the same ones that also make the World of Warcraft action figures) and the first set are currently scheduled to ship on August 25, 2010. Unfortunately there are no pictures yet of what they look like but we do know that the first set will include Shepard along with Tali, Thane and Grunt. If you are good in 2010 maybe Santa will slide a set down your chimney.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2 Screenshots

Filed under: Culture, RPG, Mass Effect Series

Direct2Drive prices Mass Effect for $5 on Cyber Monday 2009

by John Callaham Nov 30th 2009 @ 2:00PM

When the folks that run Direct2Drive posted up their Thanksgiving-themed PC game download sale, they held out on one game that would be revealed today to "celebrate" Cyber Monday 2009. Now that game has been revealed and will be sold at 75 percent off its normal price for the next 12 hours.

And just what is that mystery game? As it turns out it happens to be the original Mass Effect. BioWare's first game in their sci-fi RPG series can be yours for a mere $5 if you act quickly. Five bucks is a pretty tiny amount to pay for one of the best games in the last few years.

Filed under: Downloads, RPG, Mass Effect Series

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