None straight minutes of Mass Effect 2 gameplay [update]
by Randy Nelson 
{ Nov 6th 2009 at 4:15AM } 
Update: Due to a faulty interstellar communications array (read: a misunderstanding), EA has asked us to jettison the footage.
Original post:
We get the feeling someone at BioWare has proclaimed this "Epic Week," what with the release of its fantasy RPG stunner Dragon Age: Origins and now an epic new video from its next big game, Mass Effect 2. This isn't a trailer or developer diary -- you're in for nine minutes of unedited, uninterrupted gameplay footage from the most recent build of ME2. In fact, it's the same mission -- set inside Omega's "Inferno" nightclub -- that we ourselves got to play earlier this week. (And yes, we can confirm it looks that good.)
You'll get a sense of the sequel's leap in environmental detail, character modeling and dialog scene camerawork in this clip, along with loads of intense combat. There's even an appearance by returning character (and total badass) Garrus from the first Mass Effect, plus a joke that manages to poke fun at rumors of Commander Shepard's death and the fact players can make him/her look like anyone they choose. Again -- nine minutes.
_thumbnail.jpg "Lunar: Silver Star Harmony")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
stray_dog_strut @ Nov 6th 2009 5:01AM
looks nice. wish i had an xbox 360 or a half-decent pc.
Satn @ Nov 6th 2009 5:14AM
I bought a 360 because of the first game, no regrets
Victor @ Nov 6th 2009 7:25AM
I bought the first game for 150 dollars, and then it came out on PC for 45 dollars :(
I wish they'd tell me this kind of shit sooner, prices aren't exactly friendly in Brazil :T
whylekat @ Nov 6th 2009 7:56AM
Geez Victor!
Don't you have any American friends who can airmail you a $60 copy??
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Nov 6th 2009 9:48AM
If Brazil is anything like my third country of origin the mail system is shit and the game will probably get lost.
phinnvr6 @ Nov 6th 2009 11:51AM
Most people have a half decent pc that'll run 360 / PS3 games these days. I thought Dragon Age might not run well and was gonna get it for PS3 (since Gamespot said its the best console version). However I tried it on my PC with which is 4 years old with a $50 video card bought a year ago and it runs fine totally maxed out looking better than any console version. As far as Mass Effect 2 goes, it looks less like an RPG now than ever and more just like a mediocre shooter, not sure if I'm interested anymore.
K1LLER HORNET @ Nov 6th 2009 12:09PM
@ Victor
Play Asia is your friend.
Jonathan @ Nov 6th 2009 5:04AM
Now that Dragon Age: Origins is finally out, ME2 is getting the "Release new media every day until launch day" treatment.
Azerael @ Nov 6th 2009 7:28AM
I'm not complaining.
Udabenshen @ Nov 6th 2009 5:13AM
Looks good! I'm liking the tighter shooting mechanics. With this and dragon age (which has so far been great), its looking like Bioware may be at the top of their game. Maybe EA buying them helped. Or Coincidence.
Also, the Asari at the club, was the voice actor Katey Sagal?
whylekat @ Nov 6th 2009 8:05AM
Nothing is listed on her IMDB page...
But also Mass Effect 2 isn't listed at all either.
Exemplar @ Nov 6th 2009 5:49AM
Ammo and reloading now? Interesting.
Spartacus @ Nov 6th 2009 11:52AM
My thoughts exactly. Talk about taking a step backwards.
I mean they had ammo types in the first game, but they had a nice explanation as to why reloading was ancient history in terms of kinetic weaponry. How are they going to explain this?
fohf @ Nov 6th 2009 12:32PM
I agree, seems like technology got worse which doesn't make sense. I don't want to have to manage ammo. Having the weapons overheat was a very good way of addressing this issue in the first game.
finnith @ Nov 6th 2009 1:36PM
It's called a retcon.
Bluebreaker @ Nov 6th 2009 4:25PM
Fallout 3 has reloading and ammo so it doesn't bother me, but they shouldn't retcon something as important as this.
Blah @ Nov 6th 2009 4:55PM
its not ammo guys, i remember reading somewhere that it is like a cooling mechanism. Like in ghostbusters
Gamerg @ Nov 6th 2009 5:52AM
Is the video from the 360 version or PC?
Don't suppose there is any news on Xbox Live achievements being in the PC version>
nriveraexpress @ Nov 6th 2009 6:13AM
still needs work but damn that was great, every one is a bad ass,cursing and at first i was uncool with the idea of reloading but now i see there are cool ways to switch the ammo types in battle to your advantage, good shit
Anthony @ Nov 6th 2009 6:21AM
Im still playing mass effect 1 right now.
I like what they are doing with the sequel! a must buy!
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Nov 6th 2009 6:35AM
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck, I can't believe there's still two months before it comes out! Why do they have to tease us so much?!
Premature ejaculation man @ Nov 6th 2009 7:24AM
It'll come quickly! I can't wait!
Premature ejaculation man @ Nov 6th 2009 7:24AM
UGH!!!!
That comment coupled with my name will probably spawn at least 5 comments laughing at me, filling your inbox...Sorry.
I'm just really looking forward to this game.
PedoJokerBear [Planeteer | Power of Gall Bladder] @ Nov 6th 2009 10:11AM
you always live up to your name
thebartyone @ Nov 6th 2009 7:58AM
Did they change the voice actor for Commander Shepard?
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Nov 6th 2009 11:46AM
nope, still mark meer.
Brian Fantana @ Nov 6th 2009 8:03AM
Man it's going to suck waiting for this game if I keep on watching these videos.
And at least this time it'll deserve it's M rating. I like to hear the F bomb dropped a few times during a game, when it's necessary and is in context with whats going on.
Danthok @ Nov 6th 2009 8:16AM
I love how you can change bullet types on the fly. This game will be epic!
atrimus @ Nov 6th 2009 8:50AM
looks as good as ever! simply cannot wait.
embassy @ Nov 6th 2009 9:03AM
I'm not sure how I feel about these "instant game over" sequences. It leaves no option for the player, and the outcome has nothing to do with user skill - meaning, it's just random stuff that you may just casually decicde to do and *bam* dead, now you have to reload a save from GOD knows where. I think the player should at least have the option (maybe a QTE, or mini-game) to escape these death scenarios, maybe even with a penalty (like decreased or slowly-draining health for the next encounter or something). Something to keep the flow of the game, and to keep the game completely interactive and user-driven without feeling like 21st century Mario pits.
Arnie @ Nov 6th 2009 9:25AM
1 sure fire way of avoiding death, dont accept drinks from Batarians.
TheBlahMasta @ Nov 6th 2009 9:33AM
I know I'm going to probably get flammers to reply to me, but...I just have to say that the video sequences, when the camera is on someone talking, it all looks way too...Over acted...Especially during the part with that chick in the nightclub. It didn't look natural at all. But besides that, the game looks absolutely fantastic and if I can ever get hired instead of turned away, I'll more than likely buy this game. :D
Vcize @ Nov 6th 2009 9:43AM
Is this spoiler free?
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Nov 6th 2009 11:05AM
I haven't play the first game but this seems like an early level, the enemies die pretty fast and it might be in fact the very first one, also some guy that apparently was dead is alive but he is one of the good guys.
jsterry @ Nov 6th 2009 9:55AM
Why do all videogames have to have awkwardly long pauses in their cutscenes? Are we waiting for the disc to spin up and load the next line of dialogue or something?
Rhamsey @ Nov 6th 2009 10:31AM
It looks so nice, I would trade the assassin creed 2, modern warfare 2, and all of the other 2s coming out this year to get this thing tomorrow.
Louis @ Nov 6th 2009 10:41AM
SOLD.
youvehadyoursix @ Nov 6th 2009 10:44AM
ugh, I don't mind it being more of a shooter, but it seriously goes directly against the fundamental technology of the mass effect universe to introduce ammo. I'm really unhappy about that change.
Dreaded Fear @ Nov 6th 2009 11:13AM
I believe it isn't actually ammo but, a heat sink that needs to be replaced after a number of shots being fired. I'm sure they can say that weapons' power has improved, and there is a need to change the heat sink every so often because it builds up too much heat. The game does take place two years after the first.
fohf @ Nov 6th 2009 12:34PM
oh! so it isn't ammo it's a heat sink that you have to reload, that changes everything. But seriously, why the hell did the weapons get worse?
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Nov 6th 2009 11:03AM
The battle system confuse me, I though this was an RPG.
embassy @ Nov 6th 2009 11:18AM
It's completely real-time, very gears of war-like, but you can also pause the action at any time and be more strategic if you so choose, giving it a semi-turn based feel at times. But the leveling, item management and skill upgrades make it very much a western style RPG.
Prof_Chaos @ Nov 6th 2009 11:19AM
It's not. There's leveling and actions with consequences, but the action is all shooter. For me it's a great mix. I've never been able to stick with a turn-based RPG for long. Personal preference I guess.
OMGOMG @ Nov 6th 2009 11:04AM
10x better for Sheppard drinking on the job.
Soviet Song @ Nov 6th 2009 11:45AM
Is it just me or does the music for the game sound kinda odd. There was a weird bubbling sound that was just annoying to me.
fohf @ Nov 6th 2009 12:34PM
Yeah, I heard it too. The music sounded excellent, but then that warbly bubble sound on top of it just ruins it.
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Nov 6th 2009 11:48AM
the rapid trance music makes the probably the best death scene ever
Mitochondria @ Nov 6th 2009 11:57AM
Thats crazy, the music is this scene was also used in a old NFS game. I can't believe I remember that. I think it was High Stakes
seb640 @ Nov 6th 2009 4:58PM
Callista for High Stake yes ; From the showcase menu ...
It's cool they're re-using old classics !
Candlejack @ Nov 6th 2009 12:18PM
WHERE'S WREX! I WANT WREX!