When BioWare told us to hold on to our save files from Mass Effect for use in the highly anticipated sequel, our minds drew simple conclusions. We figured it would determine our character's appearance, for example. However, a recent PC World interview with Mass Effect 2 lead producer Casey Hudson reveals the save file's true purpose: it keeps track of your every decision during the first game, which in turn will affect the plot of the second.
Not just the big decisions, either -- Hudson says that the player made "hundreds" of choices in Mass Effect that have an impact on the sequel. For instance, Commander Shepard superfan Conrad Verner made a brief appearance in the first game. Players could respond to his fandom in a number of ways (ignoring him, threatening him, supporting him) -- however you decided to treat Conrad will ultimately affect his subplot in the second game. Us? We sent him to hostile alien territories to go snipe hunting. We're worried he'll have a bone to pick with us.
This all sounds very cool, but we're still curious whether or not our characters' stats, abilities and equipment will carry over from the first game. Screw the story elements -- we're attached to raw, unbridled power.
[Via VG247]
Reader Comments (85)
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:36PM (Unverified) said
No it hasn't and it will probably not come out around the same time.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 1:27PM iHavePants said
Racist? The PC version of Dragon Age is being held back so it can have a simultaneous release with the console ports that are still being developed, the reasoning being only that they want a simultaneous release. I'll say also that Dragon Age was touted as a PC exclusive in the past and in their own words, it was then revealed last year that it would be also coming to consoles, at a later date and they would not effect anything to do with the PC game, then they delayed.
I hope ME2 also receives a simultaneous release.
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I hope ME2 also receives a simultaneous release.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:07PM (Unverified) said
I was wondering that too I was wondering where my relationship with ash has gone too.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:06PM (Unverified) said
They already said your stats and weapons will not carry over.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 3:02PM (Unverified) said
@Dwell
Not everyone is so fortunate because my 60g PS3 broke day 2, at least my launch 360 had the decency to wait a year and a half.
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Not everyone is so fortunate because my 60g PS3 broke day 2, at least my launch 360 had the decency to wait a year and a half.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 8:05PM maveric101 said
but what if you do multiple playthroughs with the same character? which playthrough carries over?
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:18PM TheMainProtagonist said
Down voted for being a stupid fanboy. Having the game 'non-exclusive' just means more people will be able to enjoy it you selfish bastard.
That's like saying, "I'm glad this part of the world doesn't have much food and I have a whole lot."
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That's like saying, "I'm glad this part of the world doesn't have much food and I have a whole lot."
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:21PM RKN said
This is the email I got back in early July when I asked Chris Grant to ban his last account.
"oh wow – what a nice guy!
Thanks for the heads-up – he nabbed himself a new IP. Just banned him again. If you see him pop back up, just let me know and I'll ban him again pronto. What a creep!"
I just emailed him again about banning Sprinkles.
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"oh wow – what a nice guy!
Thanks for the heads-up – he nabbed himself a new IP. Just banned him again. If you see him pop back up, just let me know and I'll ban him again pronto. What a creep!"
I just emailed him again about banning Sprinkles.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:21PM MystileArmor said
I was thinking the same thing Tmac, a dumbass comment like that can only mean one thing: Sprinkles.
Atleast this time it's easier to make fun of his new username: KnightOfAssclown
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Atleast this time it's easier to make fun of his new username: KnightOfAssclown
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:42PM MystileArmor said
Don't you have anything better to do then to spew your bullshit on a blog where you're not wanted?
It's too sad for words, man. Grow a pair and go find a hobby. Collect stamps, comic books, whatever.
If I were AOL I'd sue your ass for whatever I could sue you for. I'm sure there is some sort of law you're breaking by still posting here.
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It's too sad for words, man. Grow a pair and go find a hobby. Collect stamps, comic books, whatever.
If I were AOL I'd sue your ass for whatever I could sue you for. I'm sure there is some sort of law you're breaking by still posting here.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 1:06PM DWells55 said
Whatever. At the end of the day, I'm on my ninth Xbox 360 and my PS3 has been going strong since day one. I also have four other Xbox 360s because I buy broken ones off friends for parts and repair and let me assure you, there is no shortage of broken consoles amongst my friends. Also, Killzone 2 still looks better than any Xbox 360 game yet.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy playing on my Xbox 360, but the PS3 is a great system.
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Don't get me wrong, I enjoy playing on my Xbox 360, but the PS3 is a great system.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 1:07PM (Unverified) said
Notice how seven of the top page's articles are all Xbox 360-centric. You picked a piss-poor day to claim bias friend.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 1:12PM (Unverified) said
I can't believe you sensitive sally's want this guy banned for saying this.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 3:44PM The Blank Mage Returns said
Too bad, i really did like Escaflowne. Well, the series, the movie was slightly lame.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:12PM (Unverified) said
What if you don't have a save file from the first game to carry over? I wonder if there'll just be a default story arc in this case or if the game will ask you some questions like at the start of the first one?
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:29PM latin trident said
Now would be an excellent time to get the game if you haven't played it already. It doesn't do ME any justice if you play the sequel and not the 1st. I am still playing the game and I forgot why I stopped playing it (oh right, COD 4 and Burnout Paradise and Prince of Persia...) I really like this game and plan to play through it at least one more time. Trying to get the renegade achievement is a bit harder than I thought.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:35PM Jestsap2 said
I'm right there with you. I picked it up at Gamestop last week for 10 bucks and since then have already logged more than 24 hours playing time (I'm a pilot on reserve, what else am I gonna do). My question is, I've heard after beating ME you can replay as the same character on a harder difficulty setting, so should I be beating the game over and over again trying to get the best Shepard I can get?
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:13PM Lucas Fenix said
I hope they bring the Rachi back considering you had the chance to kill them off or let the queen live.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:13PM copa said
The problem here is I played the game two years ago. By this point, I don't remember which of my companions died. There was some major decision you had to make at the end about supporting one group or another, and I don't remember what that was. I'm sure not going to remember conversations I had with minor characters.
It boils down to this. I had a choice of banging the nerdy blue chick, or the white chick who was mouthing off like Sarah Palin at Jesus Camp. I went blue, and that's really the only decision or plot point I remember from the game.
If they are going to put that much work into carrying over decisions from the first game, then I hope the second one begins with a plot summary that reminds you what choices you made.
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It boils down to this. I had a choice of banging the nerdy blue chick, or the white chick who was mouthing off like Sarah Palin at Jesus Camp. I went blue, and that's really the only decision or plot point I remember from the game.
If they are going to put that much work into carrying over decisions from the first game, then I hope the second one begins with a plot summary that reminds you what choices you made.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:18PM MystileArmor said
I was kind of thinking the same thing, but then again, I'll probably play through the whole thing again right before ME2 comes out.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:29PM spid said
For me the question is not if I remember, but if they tell a compelling story even if I do not remember. If i do not remember what happened when I tried that diplomat is fine as long as when the time comes for that ramification of that choice to play out it means as much to me as a player if knew what happened or not. If I remember what happened then it should be an extra sprinkle of nuts on top of my already delicious chocolate sundae.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 1:51PM Chief Oddball said
This is exactly what I was coming here to post. I played Mass Effect when it came out and not since. I remember a few things -- choosing the blue chick (hee), one of my squad dying violently, the major stuff -- but before I get ME2 I am probably going to go back through the first game again. Which I've been meaning to do anyway.
But the problem with that is, I have a HUGE backlog of games to play right now. Sigh. Oh well, there's time yet.
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But the problem with that is, I have a HUGE backlog of games to play right now. Sigh. Oh well, there's time yet.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 3:42PM The Blank Mage Returns said
For the record, who here DIDN'T pick the blue chick?
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 5:17PM TheIcemanCometh said
Just go back into one of your games to the point where you have to pick a squad. That screen will tell you who is still alive and you can pick from.
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Posted: Jul 27th 2009 8:44PM (Unverified) said
Not only did I pick Liara, I sent Ash to her death because I couldn't stand that woman.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:19PM MystileArmor said
Snape killed Dumbledore in mine, so I guess we won't see him in ME2.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:18PM (Unverified) said
I ended up deleting all my save files cause I couldn't remember what I did in each (I had like 6 different profiles) and which ones I replayed after finishing. When games on demand launches I'm probably going to rebuy it and just go through with 1 guy for the sequel.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:31PM (Unverified) said
Ummm...I played through the game three times with the same character and made different decisions everytime. I banged all the chicks. This feature doesn't make any sense to me.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:41PM Jestsap2 said
I think at the start of ME2 it asks which save file you want to play off of. Also, if you replayed the game, none of the decisions made in earlier playthroughs will matter. Soooo, make sure in your final playthrough of ME you make all the decisions that you want to effect ME2.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 12:23PM RKN said
I just started playing the game last month on the PC, had a really fun 9 hours of playing it before I got the elevator glitch on Feros, it affects 360 and PC versions and I'll have to start all over again. Serves me right for not having backup save files and only using one save file.
I dunno whether to start again or to play ME1 right before ME2's release date. : /
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I dunno whether to start again or to play ME1 right before ME2's release date. : /
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