[HEADING=1]A Skarin Synopsis of Mass Effect 2[/HEADING]
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[HEADING=2]What's happening?[/HEADING]
Two years after Commander Shepard repelled invading Reapers bent on the destruction of organic life, a mysterious new enemy has emerged. On the fringes of known space, something is silently abducting entire human colonies. Now Shepard must work with Cerberus - a ruthless organization devoted to human survival at any cost - to stop the most terrifying threat mankind has ever faced.
To even attempt this perilous mission, Shepard must assemble the galaxy's most elite team and command the most powerful ship ever built. Even then, they say it would be suicide. Commander Shepard intends to prove them wrong.
Players are expected to:
Prepare for a suicide mission to save humanity
Choose between 19 different weapons
Wield devastating heavy weapons that can end a battle in seconds
Recruit a team of the galaxy's most dangerous operatives
Explore the galaxy ? scan planets to uncover unique secret missions
Train and equip your team to survive insurmountable odds
Control your conversation with physical moments of intense action
[HEADING=2]Platforms[/HEADING]
[HEADING=2]Developer[/HEADING]
[HEADING=2]Publisher[/HEADING]
GENRE | RPG / Third Person Shooter
OFFICIAL WEBSITE | http://masseffect.bioware.com/
RELEASE DATES | US: January 26th, 2010 ? EU: January 29th, 2010 ? Steam Unlock (PC) : January 28th, 2010
XBOX 360 ACHIEVEMENTS | 50 Achievements with a total of 1000 points [http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/mass-effect-2/achievements/] *Contains Spoilers*
[HEADING=2]Rating[/HEADING]
[HEADING=2]PC Minimum System Requirements [/HEADING]
OS: Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
Processor: 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD CPU
Memory: 1 GB RAM for Windows XP / 2 GB RAM for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Graphics: 256 MB (with Pixel Shader 3.0 support)
DirectX®: DirectX 9.0c August 2008 (included)
Hard Drive: 15 GB
Sound: DirectX 9.0c compatible
Supported Chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or greater; ATI Radeon X1600 Pro or greater. Note that NVIDIA GeForce 7300, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, and 9300; ATI Radeon HD3200, and HD4350 are below minimum system requirements. Recommended to update your video and sound card drivers as required
If you pre-order your copy of Mass Effect 2 on PC or X360 you receive an in-game armour set[footnote]North America Only. European content uncertain[/footnote]. If you obtain your copy at GameStop you receive the Terminus Assault Armour and Blackstorm weapon. If you reserve your copy from another favourite retailer then you receive the Inferno Armour, both with their own unique in game benefits!
Teminus Assault Armur with Blackstorm Projector Weapon
Bonuses:
- Increases sprint speed by 10%
- All weapons have +1 magazines of reserve ammo
- Increase shields + 15%
Inferno Armour
Used by officers to monitor battlefield conditions the suit is able to recognize elevated heart rates and pupil movement in people close by, almost acting like a lie detector. This same array also monitors the officer and regulates sub-systems with extreme efficiency to allow for greater response times.
Bonuses:
- Negotiation bonus 10%
- All power damage 10%
- Increases storm speed by 10%
The ultimate Mass Effect 2 experience (according to the Devs). The vast universe of Mass Effect 2 gets even bigger with this limited-run Collectors' Edition packed with unique collectibles and bonus in-game content.
Edition Contains
- The Mass Effect 2 game
- Bonus in?game Collectors' Edition weapon and armour
- 48?page hard cover art book
- Limited Edition Cerberus Network card granting access to bonus content
- Issue #1 of the Mass Effect comic book by Dark Horse comics.
- All housed in a premium tin package with exclusive artwork.
Collectors? Weapon and Armour
Take the fight to the enemy with their own technology! The chitinous Collector armour uses advanced regeneration amplifiers allowing you to move faster, take more damage and recover health quickly. The Collector Assault Rifle is built to strip shields off enemies with little effort, allowing you to turn a well fortified mercenary or mech into a shredded mess in no time.
- Regenerate 10% faster
- Increase storm speed by 10%
- Increase health by 20%
Collector Assault Rifle: Rip through enemy shields and shred the opposition to pieces with this deadly Collector weapon.
Digital Standard: Same as Disc Standard
Digital Collectors? Edition: Same as Disc Collectors? Edition, with the addition of the Incisor Rifle, Original Digital Soundtrack, and digital art book instead of hardcover art book.
Mankind?s Future is At Stake
Command a unique team of amazing characters on a perilous mission in the most dangerous regions of space. Players of the first Mass Effect can import save games to continue the story of their own Commander Shepard or as a new player one can get a new start and will find a thrilling stand-alone adventure awaiting them
If you're importing your original Shepard then I should mention that you get bonuses based on the level your imported Shepard is at. Examples of this confirmed by a BioWare dev are:
Importing a Level 60 character will have your character start off at Level 5 in Mass Effect 2, plus:
Renegade or Paragon starting at 10% (If you have 100% Renegade or Paragon in ME1)
- Credits: 150,000
- Palladium: 10,000
- Iridium: 10,000
- Platinum: 10,000
- Element Zero: 10,000
Importing a Level 50 character will have your character start off at Level 3,
plus:
- Credits: 100,000
- Palladium: 9,000
- Iridium: 9,000
- Platinum: 9,000
- Element Zero: 9,000
What you get in between Level 50 and 60 it ranges between the bonuses awarded.
Intense Third Person Combat
Take cover, command an elite squad with ease, utilize 19 weapon classes including heavy weapons, and unleash deadly powers against your foes with an all new and improved combat system.
An Entire Galaxy to Explore
Travel the distant and deadly reaches of space to assemble your team for the mission at hand. A cast of amazing characters await discovery on a variety of dangerous and visually stunning worlds
Your Squad
There are ten possible squad mates for you to recruit to your squad in Mass Effect 2 as of pre-release, the first seven are officially revealed, the last three remain classified to discover in the game:
Believing anything can be resolved by a fight, Grunt is a younger Krogan who is excitable and energetic. His Krogan nature drives him to violence and killing, yet not indiscriminately. With his "might makes right" philosophy, Grunt never shies from confrontation nor would he let Commander Shepard do the same. Like his Krogan brethren, he lives for the glory battle and he is yet to know defeat.
Grunt has a youthful sense of invulnerability, but is cunning beyond his years. He joins Shepard's crew because he believes it will help him fight his own personal battles.
A former Alliance marine, Jacob is one of the few survivors from the attack on Eden Prime. Following those events he worked with Miranda Lawson of Cerberus and foiled a Batarian terrorist plot to release a deadly virus on the Citadel, saving countless lives. In the aftermath Jacob joined Cerberus believing that humanity needed to become stronger and be able to protect itself throughout the galaxy. While he agrees with Cerberus' goals, he can be conflicted over their means.
Jacob is also a powerful biotic capable of lifting and hurling enemies with great force. His extensive combat training also makes him lethal with his firearms.
Born on Earth, Miranda comes from a wealthy background. However, underneath her opulent upbringing lies a woman who is calm, collected and driven to accomplish her mission, at any cost. She is quick to judge and values her assignments and goals over people. Miranda is also a powerful biotic as well as a tech specialist. Her unique combination of talents allows her overload enemy shields, leaving them open for a follow-up biotic attack.
Early in her life she approached Cerberus and the Illusive Man and she is now devoted to their cause. She does what needs to be done in order to achieve Cerberus' goals.
Samara is a Justicar, an asari who has forsworn having children and given up all worldly possessions aside from weapons and armour, to wander the galaxy righting wrongs ? as defined by their unwavering code of justice. An extremely powerful biotic warrior, Samara is calculating and resolute in her missions. She has no problem with killing as vindicated by the asari Justicar code, but she disapproves of "unjustified" violence.
Her regal and poised demeanour hides something, something from her past that racks her with guilt.
For every kill she has a tattoo, and she is covered in ink. Subject Zero has been around; ran with gangs, joined a cult, and kept the haircut. A powerful biotic with a mysterious past, not much is known about Subject Zero other than she is drawn to brutality and violence. Her emotional instability doesn't help the fact that she can lift and discard enemies like trash with her biotic powers. She's dangerous, unstable, and extremely violent, exactly what Commander Shepard needs for his suicide mission.
Subject Zero's skills and abilities will be a valuable asset to Shepard's team.
Tali, the Quarian machinist returns. Following the Geth assault on the Citadel, Tali returned to the Migrant Fleet and joined the crew of the Neema. Renowned for her technical and engineering abilities, she is an important and respected member of the Quarian fleet. Tali's unique insight allows her to hack mechanized opponents, overload shields, or deploy an automated Combat Drone.
Her resourcefulness and tech skill set will prove to be a useful asset to Commander Shepard against not only the Geth but also the Collectors.
A deadly assassin born of the Drell race, Thane is a warrior-monk. He is stoic, collected, and very spiritual. He ardently believes in his religious path and its accompanying rites and prayers. From Thane's perspective, his body is the weapon wielded by his employers, however he does not believe in killing indiscriminately. Once his services were up to the highest bidder, but something happened; something changed him. Now he has shifted his professional philosophy; he no longer takes contracts for pay, but rather he chooses his targets based on his moral and religious beliefs.
While Thane is lethal with any firearm, he is also a powerful biotic who is able to manipulate foes at will. If Commander Shepard can convince Thane to join his mission, he will have one of the galaxy's most dangerous assassins at his side.
[HEADING=2]Robust Character Customization[/HEADING]
Players can choose between six player classes, customize their appearance, and tailor their own abilities and strengths. As one progress, so do Shepard?s abilities. Take note of the abilities listed in the description below to help your with your choice, and watch the spoiler-free videos by clicking the link to see the powers in action, narrated by Christina Norman, Lead Game Play Designer of Mass Effect 2
[HEADING=1]Class: Adept[/HEADING]
The Adept, outfitted with L5x implants, is a biotic specialist, capable of disabling and killing enemies with raw biotic power. With their unique talents, Adepts are the only class able to deploy the Singularity power, a lethal biotic trap capable of snaring multiple enemies. When enemies hide behind cover Adepts are able to Pull them, exposing them for a deadly follow-up attack. Additionally Adepts are able to throw the opposition with their Push ability, making cliffs and ledges lethal opportunities. While they lack advanced combat training, Adepts are the best class at defeating enemies without firing a shot.
Video [http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/masseffect2_trl_adept_112309.html]
[HEADING=1]Class: Infiltrator[/HEADING]
Infiltrators are tech and combat specialists and the only class able to cloak themselves from detection. They are deadly at any range, with a wide variety of weapons, equipment, and powers that can take down even the most fortified of defenses. With their training in Sniper Rifles, Infiltrators can eliminate foes from safety before moving in. Additionally, with a combination of ammo types at their disposal Infiltrators can handle both organic and synthetic enemies with ease.
When combat gets heated, Infiltrators are able to deploy a Tactical Cloak and evade enemies before rejoining the battle and disposing of any remaining opposition.
Video [http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/masseffect2_trl_infiltrator_122109.html]
[HEADING=1]Class:Vanguard[/HEADING]
Vanguards are outfitted with a L5n implant giving them powerful biotic capabilities; coupled with their weapons training, they become lethal at close range. Vanguards are capable at closing the distance instantly on an enemy with their unique Charge ability. Gathering immense biotic power, Vanguards will Charge toward an enemy, passing over chasms and through obstacles where upon they collide with their target, sending them flying through the air. Additionally Vanguards are able to release an explosive Shockwave, tossing enemies and knocking them from cover. If Vanguards find themselves in trouble, they are also able to use their Charge ability for a quick escape to safety.
Video [http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/masseffect2_trl_vanguard_10510.html]
[HEADING=1]Class: Sentinel[/HEADING]
Sentinels are unique, bringing both tech and biotic abilities to the battlefield. They are versatile and always equipped to deal with any situation. After overloading an enemy shield, Sentinels have no trouble throwing the opponent with their biotic powers. Additionally when battles become too heated, they can Cryo Freeze an enemy buying the Sentinel precious time eliminate foes or take cover.
Sentinels are also equipped with the most advanced Tech Armour to keeping them safe in hostile situations. If overloaded, the system discharge and stun all enemies within a short distance.
Video [http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/masseffect2_trl_sentinel_121109.html]
[HEADING=1]Class: Engineer[/HEADING]
The Engineer is a tech specialist, the only class able to employ combat drones on the battlefield. Summon combat drones to harass enemies, knocking them out of cover and drawing fire away from you. Additionally Engineers can hack mechanized opponents turning deadly enemies into powerful allies. With the ability to use tech powers to manipulate combat, they turn difficult battles into victories. Upgrade your drones, giving them a powerful energy blast or turn them into a deadly bomb. Additionally Engineers have potent offensive capabilities including Incinerate and Overload.
Video [http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/masseffect2_trl_engineer_120309.html]
[HEADING=1]Class: Soldier[/HEADING]
Soldiers are outfitted with an ocular synaptic processor allowing them to fire with heightened focus at their targets. Whether they are picking off Geth at long range, or disposing of a pack of Vorcha up close with a shotgun, Soldiers can overcome any obstacle with sheer firepower. They are the only class capable of wielding assault rifles, and are masters of all other forms of weaponry and ammunition types. When Soldiers utilize their Adrenaline Rush ability, they seemingly slow down time around them giving them precious moments to eliminate foes with lethal accuracy. Additionally when battles get heated, Soldiers can deploy an explosive concussive shot to knock down multiple enemies.
Video [http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/masseffect2_trl_soldier_11210.html]
Mass Effect 2 includes a code granting access to additional bonus content via the in-game Cerberus Network, which is an up-to-date news stream directly to the console, and a periodical updating stream of free downloadable content, including day-one DLC, and the upcoming release of the Hammerhead, the replacement of Mass Effect 1?s Mako. Again, all DLC that arrives at the Cerberus Network is free.Electronic Arts Inc. January 19 said:
Important Note: The Cerberus Network code is included free in every new copy of Mass Effect 2. This means both Standard Edition and Collectors? Edition for both 360 and PC. It is a unique one-time use-only code, it most-likely will not be found within a used or rental copy of Mass Effect 2. However, if you do not have this code, you are able to buy access to the Cerberus Network, via the Xbox Live Marketplace for Xbox 360 for 1200 Microsoft Points, or ?15/$15 suggested retail price, likewise for the PC.
Cerberus Network Armour
This armour will be gained through the free Cerberus Network
Zaeed Massani
Zaeed will be a downloadable squad member, he and his accompanying mission will be the first DLC available only from the free Cerberus Network.
Zaeed served in the Alliance military before building a reputation as one of the deadliest guns-for-hire in the Terminus Systems. For 20 years he waged war for profit, but now he wishes to retire from his life of bloodshed and mercenary work. Download Zaeed and his mission on planet Zorya and then utilize his lethal skills to eliminate the Collector threat.
[HEADING=2]MISSELANEOUS INFO:[/HEADING]
- Mass Effect 2 will be shipping on two discs to accommodate the size of the game compared to the original, which means you will have to disc-swap in some point in time throughout the game. It is not however a point-of-no-return when you come to this point.
- Mass Effect 2 does in fact feature New Game + as the first Mass Effect did. Initially it did not, but the devs changed their mind near the end of development.
- After beating Mass Effect 2, you can continue to complete any previously -undone missions and side-quests, unlike the first Mass Effect.
- You can import as much saved Shepards from Mass Effect 1 as you like from the first game, there was some brief confusion about having a limit to 11 saves but this was cleared up.
- There is no limit to the amount of times you can import characters as well.
- You can change the appearance, as well as the class your Shepard specialized in when you import your character ? you are not bound to your previous appearance and class.
Videos
Official Launch Trailer (SPOILERS to the sensitive) [http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/me2_trl_launchtrailer_12010.html]
Mass Effect 2 Full "Blur" CGI Cinematic Trailer [http://masseffect.bioware.com/video/246/]
Official Mass Effect 2 Screenshots from BioWare [http://masseffect.bioware.com/media/screenshots/]
Soundtrack
The digitally available soundtrack for Mass Effect 2 contains 27 tracks composed by Jack Wall. Available on Itunes [http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mass-effect-2/id347714861]
