mass-effect-2 posts

It's unusual for a publisher to go back and redesign the box art for a game. Yet that's what Bioware and Electronic Arts have decided to do with the artwork for the Mass Effect 2 retail release. You can check out the original artwork in our earlier August 2 story.

We are not quite sure why the companies decided to go back and do a revamp of the box art. Quite frankly the original looks more dynamic and action packed to us. This new version seems to have the characters in less dynamic poses. Oh well, marketing was never our strong point.

In this developer video, the development team at BioWare shocases some of the gruesome creatures players will encounter in Mass Effect 2. Some of what you may have experienced in the first game will prepare you, but it looks like the malevolent aliens will be pulling out the big guns for the sequel. Mass Effect 2 will release in 2010.

Download HD Mass Effect 2 'Enemies' Video (292 MB)
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It's not exactly a shock at this point but today BioWare and Electronic Arts announced plans to release a Collector's Edition of their upcoming sci-fi RPG sequel Mass Effect 2. Due out on January 26 alongside the standard edition the PC version will cost $59.99.

So what do you get for that extra $10? Well we do like the tin case packaging that you can see to the right. You also get an extra behind-the-scenes DVD, a 48 page art book and the first issue of Dark Horse's upcoming Mass Effect Redemption comic book. The Collector's Edition will also have some unique in-game weapons and armor to use. We just hope that stuff isn't as hard to redeem as the Dragon Age: Origins extra content is turning out to be.

Some of you may remember that BioWare hyped up all the downloadable content plans they had for the release of the original Mass Effect. However all we got after the game shipped was one downloadable mission and another release, over a year later, that added a combat arena. In other word, the hype didn't live up to the reality.

Now the hype has started again as Destructoid reports they have gotten a look at a quiz from Microsoft designed for retailers. According to their story, the quiz says that BioWare's upcoming sequel, Mass Effect 2, has plans for all sort of downloadable content after the sci-fi RPG is released in late January. The downloads are supposed to include small additions like weapons and characters all the way to new downloadable worlds and campaigns. Frankly we have heard this song and dance before. We will welcome anything we can get, of course, but in this case we will believe it when we download it.

BioWare is celebrating Halloween today with special holiday themed wallpapers for both of their upcoming games: the fantasy RPG Dragon Age: Origins and their sci-fi RPG Mass Effect 2. The Dragon Age: Origins wallpapers are pretty blatant but the one for Mass Effect 2 is a little bit more subtle.

Meanwhile the Warden's Quest tournament for Dragon Age: Origins that was held in London earlier this week is long over. The four man team from Hungary emerged as the winner of the tournament as they beat a four man team gathered from the BioWare community. The team from the US came in ninth out of 10 teams. Bummer.

Gamers won't have to wait for much longer to finally head back to space, BioWare style. The developer has just announced that their sci-fi RPG sequel Mass Effect 2 will ship to stores on January 26 in the US. Europeans will have to wait a few extra days; the game shows up in that part of the world on January 29.

In addition to revealing the release date, BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts announced some special in-game items that will be available via pre-orders. GameStop will offer two items, the Terminus Armor (increases run speeds and personal shields) and the M-90 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon (fires off a local gravity well). You can see both items in the screenshot to the right. Other retailers will offer the Inferno Armor for pre-order offers.

[Via email press release]

Last summer Dark Horse Comics announced plans to release Mass Effect: Redemption, a four-issue comic based on BioWare's sci-fi RPG series. Now the Comic Book Resources web site has secured the first six pages of the first issue for everyone to check out.

Co-written by BioWare's own Mac Walters, the first issue of the monthly four issue mini-series ships to stores in January 2010 As we reported on earlier this month, BioWare's other big RPG game, Dragon Age: Origins, will also be getting a comic book series in January via IDW Publishing. The regular monthly comic is scheduled to be written by Orson Scott Card.

Gallery: Mass Effect 2

BioWare's next game is, of course, Dragon Age: Origins but they are also working hard on their sci-fi RPG sequel Mass Effect 2. In a new preview of the game over at IGN, the team is hinting that this sequel will be the series's version of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

You may have forgotten that the series is supposed to be a trilogy of games but BioWare hasn't. It's co-founder Greg Zeschuk is quoted as saying, "If you recall, Empire Strikes Back was the darker chapter and that is how we designed the ME2 story and experience: to try and make the player reflect on the challenges of the character. If you put ME2 next to the original it is definitely a darker, harder game."

That's cool with us. If we get to see some kind of hand-getting-chopped-off-at-the-wrist scene we will be all set.

Nothing shows off how badass a character is like their armor, and BioWare is capitalizing on that by offering the Blood Dragon Armor with the purchase of Dragon Age: Origins. In a big fantasy to sci-fi crossover, gamers who also buy Mass Effect 2 when it releases in 2010 will be able to don the futuristic version of the armor. However, the trailer does not reveal what kind of stats or bonuses this special armor will offer. Players will just have to find out for themselves when the Dragon Age: Origins releases in November.

Download HD Dragon Age: Origins 'Blood Dragon Armor' Trailer (60 MB)
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One of the all-new characters making a debut in Mass Effect 2 is Subject Zero. She's a powerful biotic with a predisposition toward extreme violence and she's completely off her rocker. That means she's the perfect addition to the collection of characters traversing the galaxy in search of action. Play things out right, and the player could get some action with her too. Step aside, Liara or get shoved.

Download HD Mass Effect 2 'Subject Zero' Trailer (77 MB)
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