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Possibly too much detail, but since text already mentions Legion is optional, might as well also do that for Grunt. Also, ME3 MP "interferes with" single-player? That doesn't seem to be in the given source, which says it's optional...
m →Plot: Grunt is not optional
Line 58: Line 58:
''Mass Effect 2'' begins weeks after the events of the original game. While patrolling for geth resistance, the SSV Normandy is attacked by an unknown starship, forcing the crew to abandon ship. During the evacuation, Shepard tosses Joker into the Normandy's final [[escape pod]] before being blasted into space. After a suit breach, Shepard dies of [[asphyxia]]tion as his/her body is pulled into the orbit of a nearby planet. Shepard's body is recovered shortly after death by Cerberus, who creates the Lazarus Project with the sole purpose of bringing Shepard back to life.<ref name="Lazarus Project"/> After two years, Shepard awakens on an operating table to ringing alarm bells in a research station under attack by its own security [[mecha|mechs]]. Shepard teams up with Jacob Taylor and medical officer Wilson to reach the escape shuttle. However, Miranda Lawson, who was already waiting at the shuttle bay, shoots Wilson, citing him as the station's betrayer. Shepard is brought to meet with the Illusive Man, who reveals that entire populations of human colonies are disappearing all over the galaxy.<ref name="Meeting the Illusive Man"/>
''Mass Effect 2'' begins weeks after the events of the original game. While patrolling for geth resistance, the SSV Normandy is attacked by an unknown starship, forcing the crew to abandon ship. During the evacuation, Shepard tosses Joker into the Normandy's final [[escape pod]] before being blasted into space. After a suit breach, Shepard dies of [[asphyxia]]tion as his/her body is pulled into the orbit of a nearby planet. Shepard's body is recovered shortly after death by Cerberus, who creates the Lazarus Project with the sole purpose of bringing Shepard back to life.<ref name="Lazarus Project"/> After two years, Shepard awakens on an operating table to ringing alarm bells in a research station under attack by its own security [[mecha|mechs]]. Shepard teams up with Jacob Taylor and medical officer Wilson to reach the escape shuttle. However, Miranda Lawson, who was already waiting at the shuttle bay, shoots Wilson, citing him as the station's betrayer. Shepard is brought to meet with the Illusive Man, who reveals that entire populations of human colonies are disappearing all over the galaxy.<ref name="Meeting the Illusive Man"/>


Now working for Cerberus, Shepard is sent to investigate a recently-attacked colony where he/she finds clues about the validity that the Reapers are working by proxy through an [[insectoid]] species called the Collectors.<ref name="Freedom's Progress"/> The Illusive Man explains that Shepard must construct a team in order to stop the Collectors who reside beyond the Omega-4 Relay, a place from which no ship has ever returned. Shepard is also given command of a new starship, the Normandy SR-2, piloted again by Joker and equipped with an onboard AI named EDI. Shepard recruits four new squad members—Mordin Solus, Garrus Vakarian, Jack, and (optionally) Grunt—before receiving intel from the Illusive Man that another human colony is under attack.<ref name="Horizon Intro"/> With the help of Mordin's studies on Collector biology, Shepard successfully stops the attack, but a large portion of the colony's population was captured.<ref name="Horizon Ending"/> Shepard continues to recruit squad members, adding Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, Thane Krios, and Samara, until the Illusive Man contacts Shepard about a supposedly disabled Collector ship.<ref name="Collector Ship Intro"/> As Shepard and the squad board the ship, they encounter no Collector resistance and learn that the Collectors were originally Protheans turned into slaves of the Reapers.<ref name="Collector Ship Protheans"/> With EDI's help, Shepard finds out how to bypass the Omega-4 Relay before being ambushed by the Collectors. Although Shepard and the squad manage to escape the Collector ship, relations between Shepard and the Illusive Man are strained due to the Illusive Man's knowledge of the Collector trap.<ref name="Collector Ship Ending"/>
Now working for Cerberus, Shepard is sent to investigate a recently-attacked colony where he/she finds clues about the validity that the Reapers are working by proxy through an [[insectoid]] species called the Collectors.<ref name="Freedom's Progress"/> The Illusive Man explains that Shepard must construct a team in order to stop the Collectors who reside beyond the Omega-4 Relay, a place from which no ship has ever returned. Shepard is also given command of a new starship, the Normandy SR-2, piloted again by Joker and equipped with an onboard AI named EDI. Shepard recruits four new squad members—Mordin Solus, Garrus Vakarian, Jack, and Grunt—before receiving intel from the Illusive Man that another human colony is under attack.<ref name="Horizon Intro"/> With the help of Mordin's studies on Collector biology, Shepard successfully stops the attack, but a large portion of the colony's population was captured.<ref name="Horizon Ending"/> Shepard continues to recruit squad members, adding Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, Thane Krios, and Samara, until the Illusive Man contacts Shepard about a supposedly disabled Collector ship.<ref name="Collector Ship Intro"/> As Shepard and the squad board the ship, they encounter no Collector resistance and learn that the Collectors were originally Protheans turned into slaves of the Reapers.<ref name="Collector Ship Protheans"/> With EDI's help, Shepard finds out how to bypass the Omega-4 Relay before being ambushed by the Collectors. Although Shepard and the squad manage to escape the Collector ship, relations between Shepard and the Illusive Man are strained due to the Illusive Man's knowledge of the Collector trap.<ref name="Collector Ship Ending"/>


After optionally earning the loyalty of the squad, Shepard visits a derelict Reaper and acquires an [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]] transponder necessary for safe travel through the Omega-4 Relay. Shepard may acquire a disabled geth that, if activated, voluntarily joins the squad and is given the name of Legion. The Normandy integrates the IFF into her systems while Shepard and the squad leave the ship in a shuttle. During their absence, the Normandy is attacked and boarded by the Collectors. Only Joker avoids capture and, with EDI's help, is able to get the Normandy away from the ambush. After Shepard's squad returns to the Normandy, the team uses the Omega-4 Relay to get to the Collector base.<ref name="Prima Game Guide p212-224"/> In the Collectors base, the team rescues any surviving members of the Normandy and fight their way to the central chamber. Squad members may survive or perish depending on their loyalty to Shepard, the upgrades made to the Normandy, and the tasks assigned for specific members to perform in the battle.<ref name="GS guide - Stop the Collectors"/>
After optionally earning the loyalty of the squad, Shepard visits a derelict Reaper and acquires an [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]] transponder necessary for safe travel through the Omega-4 Relay. Shepard may acquire a disabled geth that, if activated, voluntarily joins the squad and is given the name of Legion. The Normandy integrates the IFF into her systems while Shepard and the squad leave the ship in a shuttle. During their absence, the Normandy is attacked and boarded by the Collectors. Only Joker avoids capture and, with EDI's help, is able to get the Normandy away from the ambush. After Shepard's squad returns to the Normandy, the team uses the Omega-4 Relay to get to the Collector base.<ref name="Prima Game Guide p212-224"/> In the Collectors base, the team rescues any surviving members of the Normandy and fight their way to the central chamber. Squad members may survive or perish depending on their loyalty to Shepard, the upgrades made to the Normandy, and the tasks assigned for specific members to perform in the battle.<ref name="GS guide - Stop the Collectors"/>

Revision as of 23:33, 26 April 2013

Mass Effect 2
A human male soldier carries an assault rifle. On the right, a woman and a reptile-like extraterrestrial accompany the soldier. The game's logo floats above them, while the background consists of ruins on a planet with orange sky.
Developer(s)BioWare
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Director(s)Casey Hudson
Writer(s)Mac Walters
Drew Karpyshyn
Composer(s)Jack Wall
Sam Hulick
David Kates
Jimmy Hinson
SeriesMass Effect
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Xbox 360
PlayStation 3
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows & Xbox 360
  • AU: January 28, 2010
PlayStation 3
  • AU: January 27, 2011
Genre(s)Action role-playing, third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Mass Effect 2 is an action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. It was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 on January 26, 2010, and for PlayStation 3 on January 18, 2011. Mass Effect 2 is the second installment of the Mass Effect series and a sequel to the original Mass Effect. The game takes place within the Milky Way galaxy during the 22nd century, where humanity is threatened by an insectoid species known as the Collectors. The player assumes the role of Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier who must construct and gain the loyalty of a diverse team in order to defeat the enemy in a suicide mission. With the use of a completed saved game of its predecessor, the player can impact the story of the game in numerous ways.

For the game, BioWare changed several gameplay elements and put further emphasis on third-person shooter aspects, including limited ammunition and regenerable health. In contrast to the exclusive focus on the main story of the original Mass Effect, the developers opted to create a plot where optional missions had as much intensity as the main mission. Mass Effect composer Jack Wall returned to compose Mass Effect 2's music, aiming for a darker and more mature sound to match the mood of the game. Mass Effect 2 also supports a variety of downloadable content packs that were released from January 2010 to May 2011. The downloadable content ranges from single in-game character outfits to entirely new plot-related missions. Notable packs include Overlord, Lair of the Shadow Broker, and Arrival.

Mass Effect 2 received considerable acclaim from video game publications and sold more than two million units in its first week of release. At the review aggregate websites GameRankings and Metacritic, the Xbox 360 version holds an average review score of 95.69% and 96 out of 100 respectively. Critics praised multiple aspects of the game, including its interactive storytelling, characterization, and combat. In contrast, some reviewers expressed concerns about the game's simplified gameplay compared to the previous game in the series. The game received numerous year-end awards, including Game of the Year at the 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, and Best Game at the 2011 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards. A sequel, Mass Effect 3, was released in 2012.

Gameplay

Mass Effect 2 is a single-player action role-playing game where the player takes the role of Commander Shepard through a third-person perspective. Shepard's gender, appearance, military background, combat-training and first name are determined by the player before the game begins.[1] The player may choose to import a character from a completed saved game of the original Mass Effect or start the game with a new hero.[2] Importing an old character allows several decisions the player made in the original game to impact the story of Mass Effect 2.[3] The game features six different character classes for the player to choose from.[4] Each class is proficient in a different set of powers and weapon types.[4] For example, the Vanguard class is specialized in close-range combat and shotguns, while the Infiltrator class relies on stealth combat and the use of sniper rifles.[5]

The world of Mass Effect 2 is a galaxy map that the player can explore to find and complete quests.[6] Most quests consist of combat missions, but some involve the player interacting with local characters during visits to settlements.[7] As the player progresses throughout the game, different locations and new squad members become available.[6] Experience points are gained by completing quests.[6] Each time a sufficient amount of experience is obtained, the player "levels up" and is awarded Squad Points that can be used to develop powers for both Shepard and the members of the squad.[8] Powers provide enhanced combat capabilities, with each power having four ranks that can be unlocked.[6] Each rank costs the same number of Squad Points as its rank. For example, unlocking the first rank of a power requires one point, but unlocking all four ranks of a single power requires a total of ten points. Upon raising a power to its fourth rank, the player must choose to evolve the power into one of two given forms.[8]

The player's primary mode of transportation is a starship which serves as Shepard's base of operations.[6] Aboard the ship, the player can interact with the squad members, customize the player's armor, travel to numerous planetary systems, and scan planets for mineral resources.[4] These resources allow the player to research numerous in-game upgrades that are found in the missions, providing benefits such as increasing weapon damage, fortifying the player's health, or extending the ship's fuel capacity, among others.[9] Scanning requires the player to move a reticle over a planet and launch a probe when an oscilloscope warns of near resources.[6] Additional upgrades, equipment, and nonessential items such as magazines and decorations for the ship can be purchased from merchants in settlements.[6][10]

Combat

In combat, the player can pause the action to calmly target enemies and select different powers for the squad members to use. The enemy's life bars are shown in a frame at the top of the screen.

Combat in Mass Effect 2 is squad-based and a maximum of two squad members may accompany the player on the battlefield. The player has direct control of Shepard while the squad members are controlled by the game's artificial intelligence.[11] Battles take place in real-time, but the player can pause the action at any time to calmly target enemies and select different powers for the squad members to use.[8] The game uses an over the shoulder perspective akin to a third-person shooter, and places strong emphasis on using cover to avoid taking damage while fighting enemy forces.[11] The player may also issue commands to the squad members, such as sending them to take cover behind a manually picked object or focus their fire on a designed target.[6]

Unlike the original Mass Effect, where weapons overheat if fired continuously for prolonged periods, the weapons of Mass Effect 2 have a finite magazine and must be reloaded after a certain number of shots.[12] Shepard and the squad members are protected by a damage-absorbing shield. When the shield is fully depleted, further damage reduces the hit points of a secondary health meter. Both the shield bar and health meter automatically regenerate when not taking fire for a brief period.[7] The player can revive fallen squad members with the use of the Unity power.[11] However, if Shepard dies, the player must start the game again from the last saved point.[6]

All enemies are protected by health, shields, armor, barriers, or a combination thereof.[9] Each type of protection has its own vulnerabilities.[9] For example, armor is usually vulnerable to powers such as Incinerate, which burns enemies over time, and to weapons with a low rate of fire such as sniper rifles and heavy pistols.[9] In contrast, shields are vulnerable to powers such as Overload and to rapid-firing weapons like submachine guns and assault rifles.[9] Barriers are typically used by boss-type enemies and are vulnerable to certain weapons and powers.[9] When the shields, armor, or barriers of an enemy have all been depleted, the player can use status-effect powers such as Pull, which temporarily levitates targets into the air, incapacitating them.[9] Other powers may temporary benefit the player; for instance, Adrenaline Rush puts the player in bullet time.[5] Powers do not require any sort of expendable resource; they only have a global refresh time period.[13]

Dialogue and morality

During conversations with characters, Mass Effect 2 employs a radial command menu, called Dialogue Wheel, where the player's dialogue options depend on wheel direction.[4] The left side of the wheel is normally reserved for options that will continue the conversation in depth, while options on the right side tend to move the conversation towards quicker completion.[4] Responses at the top are generally more polite and selfless, while those at the bottom are more aggressive and hostile.[4] The game also introduces a context-sensitive interrupt system, allowing players to interrupt the conversation with direct actions at certain times.[14] Dialogue choices impact how others react to Shepard, the rewards for completing missions, possible discounts from merchants, romances and, most importantly, the Commander's morality.[4]

Morality is measured by Paragon (charm) and Renegade (intimidate) points. These points affect the availability of new special Paragon and Renegade dialogue options with significant impact in the game.[4] For example, the game features some missions to gain the loyalty of the squad.[15] What the player does during one of these missions will determine whether they gain the loyalty of a squad member. Gaining the loyalty of a squad member will unlock a special power and also help in the final battle.[15] Endings range from the entire team surviving to the entire team being killed, and everything in between.[16]

Synopsis

Template:Mass Effect chronology

Setting

Mass Effect 2 is set within the Milky Way galaxy during the 22nd century where interstellar travel is possible through the use of mass transit devices called Mass Relays, a technology claimed to have been built by an extinct alien race known as the Protheans.[17] A conglomerate body of governments known as the Citadel Council controls a large percentage of the galaxy and is responsible for maintaining law and order among races of the galactic community.[18] Races that belong to the Citadel Council include humans, asari, salarians, drell, and turians. Other alien races seen in the game include the reptilian krogan, the environmental suited quarians, and a hostile race of networked artificial intelligences called geth.[19]

During the events of the original Mass Effect, a geth army attempted to open a portal for a highly advanced machine race of synthetic-organic starships known as the Reapers. It is believed that the Reapers eradicate all organic civilization every 50,000 years.[20] The galactic community has since lived in fear of another possible invasion. Meanwhile, a pro-human organization called Cerberus believes that humans deserve a greater role in the galactic community and supports the principle that any methods of advancing humanity's ascension are entirely justified, including illegal or dangerous experimentation, terrorist activities, sabotage, and assassination.[21] As such, the Citadel Council has declared Cerberus to be a terrorist organization and will prosecute Cerberus agents accordingly.[22]

Characters

See also: Characters of the Mass Effect universe

The protagonist of the game is Commander Shepard (voiced by Mark Meer and/or Jennifer Hale),[23] an elite human soldier who is the Commanding Officer of the SSV Normandy and Normandy SR-2 starships. Shepard's squad members include human Cerberus officer Miranda Lawson (Yvonne Strahovski),[23] human Cerberus operative Jacob Taylor (Adam Lazarre-White),[23] salarian scientist Mordin Solus (Michael Beattie),[23] turian security officer Garrus Vakarian (Brandon Keener),[23] human criminal Jack (Courtenay Taylor),[23] genetically engineered krogan soldier Grunt (Steve Blum),[23] quarian engineer Tali'Zorah nar Rayya (Liz Sroka),[23] drell assassin Thane Krios (Keythe Farley),[23] asari Justicar Samara (Maggie Baird),[23] and geth mobile platform Legion (D. C. Douglas).[23] Two additional squad members, bounty hunter Zaeed Massani (Robin Sachs)[23] and master thief Kasumi Goto (Kym Lane),[23] appear in the game's downloadable content packs Zaeed - The Price of Revenge and Kasumi - Stolen Memory respectively.[24][25] Other characters include Normandy's flight Lieutenant and pilot Jeff "Joker" Moreau (Seth Green),[23] Cerberus leader the Illusive Man (Martin Sheen),[23] and Normandy SR-2's artificial intelligence EDI (Tricia Helfer).[23]

Plot

Mass Effect 2 begins weeks after the events of the original game. While patrolling for geth resistance, the SSV Normandy is attacked by an unknown starship, forcing the crew to abandon ship. During the evacuation, Shepard tosses Joker into the Normandy's final escape pod before being blasted into space. After a suit breach, Shepard dies of asphyxiation as his/her body is pulled into the orbit of a nearby planet. Shepard's body is recovered shortly after death by Cerberus, who creates the Lazarus Project with the sole purpose of bringing Shepard back to life.[26] After two years, Shepard awakens on an operating table to ringing alarm bells in a research station under attack by its own security mechs. Shepard teams up with Jacob Taylor and medical officer Wilson to reach the escape shuttle. However, Miranda Lawson, who was already waiting at the shuttle bay, shoots Wilson, citing him as the station's betrayer. Shepard is brought to meet with the Illusive Man, who reveals that entire populations of human colonies are disappearing all over the galaxy.[27]

Now working for Cerberus, Shepard is sent to investigate a recently-attacked colony where he/she finds clues about the validity that the Reapers are working by proxy through an insectoid species called the Collectors.[28] The Illusive Man explains that Shepard must construct a team in order to stop the Collectors who reside beyond the Omega-4 Relay, a place from which no ship has ever returned. Shepard is also given command of a new starship, the Normandy SR-2, piloted again by Joker and equipped with an onboard AI named EDI. Shepard recruits four new squad members—Mordin Solus, Garrus Vakarian, Jack, and Grunt—before receiving intel from the Illusive Man that another human colony is under attack.[29] With the help of Mordin's studies on Collector biology, Shepard successfully stops the attack, but a large portion of the colony's population was captured.[30] Shepard continues to recruit squad members, adding Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, Thane Krios, and Samara, until the Illusive Man contacts Shepard about a supposedly disabled Collector ship.[31] As Shepard and the squad board the ship, they encounter no Collector resistance and learn that the Collectors were originally Protheans turned into slaves of the Reapers.[32] With EDI's help, Shepard finds out how to bypass the Omega-4 Relay before being ambushed by the Collectors. Although Shepard and the squad manage to escape the Collector ship, relations between Shepard and the Illusive Man are strained due to the Illusive Man's knowledge of the Collector trap.[33]

After optionally earning the loyalty of the squad, Shepard visits a derelict Reaper and acquires an IFF transponder necessary for safe travel through the Omega-4 Relay. Shepard may acquire a disabled geth that, if activated, voluntarily joins the squad and is given the name of Legion. The Normandy integrates the IFF into her systems while Shepard and the squad leave the ship in a shuttle. During their absence, the Normandy is attacked and boarded by the Collectors. Only Joker avoids capture and, with EDI's help, is able to get the Normandy away from the ambush. After Shepard's squad returns to the Normandy, the team uses the Omega-4 Relay to get to the Collector base.[34] In the Collectors base, the team rescues any surviving members of the Normandy and fight their way to the central chamber. Squad members may survive or perish depending on their loyalty to Shepard, the upgrades made to the Normandy, and the tasks assigned for specific members to perform in the battle.[16]

In the central chamber, Shepard discovers that the Collectors have been constructing a new Reaper made from the genetic material of the abducted humans, but EDI is unsure of its true purpose.[35] Shepard destroys the machine powering the human Reaper and prepares to destroy the Collector base. However, before doing so, the Illusive Man contacts Shepard and gives the order to sterilize the base with a radiation pulse so that its information can be used against the Reapers.[36] After choosing to destroy or sterilize the base, Shepard destroys the awakened human-reaper larva and, if enough squad members survived, escapes the base before the bomb detonates. If no squad members survive, Shepard will be unable to escape the Collector Base and will die. Back on the Normandy, Shepard speaks with the Illusive Man, who either praises or condemns Shepard's decision. As Shepard meets in the Normandy's cargo bay with the survivors of the mission, Joker gives the Commander schematics of a Reaper. Humanity now has the full attention of the Reapers, who awaken in dark space and descend upon the galaxy, setting the stage for Mass Effect 3.[34]

Development

System requirements
Minimum Recommended
Microsoft Windows[37]
Operating system Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, or Windows 7
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 or equivalent AMD CPUIntel Core 2 Duo E4700 or equivalent AMD CPU
Memory 1 GB RAM (2 GB for Vista and 7)2 GB RAM
Free space 15 GB
Graphics hardware NVIDIA GeForce 6800 256 MB or ATi Radeon X1600 Pro 256 MBNVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512 MB or ATi Radeon HD 2900 XT 512 MB
Network Internet connection not required for activation. Required for one-time Cerberus Network activation and extra content download(s).

Mass Effect 2 was developed by BioWare and directed by Casey Hudson, who previously led the production of the first Mass Effect game.[13] Before production for Mass Effect 2 began, BioWare created a list of goals to work towards based on feedback from fans, reviewers and internal people.[38] The development team's main goal was to "create an experience that was less about being a game and more about being an experience."[39] In contrast to the exclusive focus on the main story of the original Mass Effect, Hudson explained that BioWare was interested in a plot where side stories had as much intensity as the main story and decided that the idea of recruiting people and making them loyal to the player so that they could survive a suicide mission allowed to explore these possibilities.[39] He noted, "the funny thing is that people will say 'other than gathering your crew and building your team and getting ready for this mission, there's not much story there.' But that is the story."[39]

The game was originally planned as an Xbox 360 exclusive,[40] but a Microsoft Windows version was confirmed when the game was formally unveiled in March 2009.[41] BioWare stated that both versions were being developed simultaneously and with the same level of dedication.[38] Around the same time, a new development team of 30 people was set to work at the EA Montreal studio to supplement the teams already working on the game.[42] The new team was composed of a number of people who worked on the original game but the majority was new hires.[42] Mass Effect 2 contains voices from 90 voice actors who play 546 characters and speak over 25,000 lines of dialogue.[43] Voice recording for the game took twice as long as the original Mass Effect.[44]

During the first stages of development, the designers' priority was purely on streamlining and polishing the shooting aspects; RPG elements did not start until this process was complete.[13] According to lead designer Christina Norman, "we wanted more satisfying combat and a big part of that is making weapons more accurate and powerful at level one – basically saying 'let's take the RPG out of the shooter.'"[13] Since BioWare had no experience with shooter games, the team spent roughly three months tuning how combat would work using the original Mass Effect as a basis.[13] The inclusion of limited ammunition was not initially part of the main game design and was simply implemented for some playtesting.[13] However, the developers eventually felt it improved the tension and pacing of combat.[13] The powers were balanced with a unified recharge time since the earlier system where powers could be used sequentially was considered "ridiculous and endgame easy."[13] The game's HUD was revised eight times during development.[43]

Mass Effect's inventory screen was criticized by video game journalists and players, and designing a new inventory system for Mass Effect 2 was one of the main concerns during development.[45] The idea was to be able to handle a large number of characters with simplicity.[45] To this end, Norman spent time examining various RPG inventory systems, though none could be applied to support such a large number of characters.[45] The team ultimately decided to implement a unified system where a character could use a weapon without taking it away from someone else.[45] Norman explained that the inventory of Mass Effect 2 is "so simple some people say it's not an inventory system."[45] Hudson also mentioned two significant challenges that interfered with the development: the 2008–2012 global recession limited the game's budget, and the team had to get through it without impacting their ambitious goals.[46] Additionally, due to the spread of the 2009 H1N1, a significant part of the team was ill during the last months of development, resulting in a loss of a man-year of time.[46] Despite these factors, Hudson described the development of the game as successful "on time, on budget, and exceeding quality goals."[46]

The first teaser trailer for Mass Effect 2 was released in February 2009. In the trailer, Commander Shepard is declared "killed in action."[47] In June 2009, Mass Effect 2 was presented at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.[48] New features were shown off and, for the first time, fans were shown a guided demo. The demo also confirmed that Shepard would be alive and playable in Mass Effect 2, but the character could die at the end of the game.[48] In the months leading to the game's release, BioWare launched six class walkthroughs narrated by Norman and released a final cinematic trailer.[49][50] In August 2010, seven months after the release of the game, BioWare announced that a PlayStation 3 version of the game was in development.[51] BioWare stated the game used a modified version of the Unreal Engine 3 called Mass Effect 3 engine; the same engine they were using for the then-upcoming Mass Effect 3.[52] In this new version, character models were slightly improved and controls were updated to support the PlayStation 3 controller, although an option which allowed to switch back to the Xbox 360 layout was also added.[52] Unlike the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows versions of the game, which span two DVDs,[53] the PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2 fits on one Blu-ray Disc.[54]

Technical issues

Shortly after the game's release, it was reported that the game's font-size had been formatted in such a way as to make in-game text difficult to read on standard definition televisions.[55] Representatives from BioWare stated that the issue was "a design choice, not a bug."[55] Mark Barlet, president of the website AbleGamers, which advocates for making games more accessible to the disabled, observed that "It's not just the size of the text of Mass Effect 2 that is the problem, it's the coloring of the text" that is the problem.[56] After investigating the complaints further, BioWare released a statement acknowledging that "on some standard definition TVs the smallest text in Mass Effect 2 can be difficult to read", and concluded that they were unable to resolve it through a title update. However, they stated that they would take it into consideration for future games.[57]

Other issues with regards to crashes, temporary freezes and long load times were found on single core computers, but these were ultimately addressed in a patch.[58] A second patch, which reduced the amount mining time required to acquire upgrades, fixed some saved game loading issues, and addressed other minor bugs, was also released.[59] On PlayStation 3, a concerning number of players reported that their save files can become corrupted if the game crashes unexpectedly.[60] Community chief Chris Priestly of BioWare responded with: "Just to make it clear, we are aware of this issue and are working to understand what is [occurring] and how we can fix it. If you are encountering this issue, please provide details about your PS3 and your playthrough."[61] On January 27, 2011, BioWare released the first details of the patch designed to combat save bugs, game freezes and crashes experienced.[62]

Music

See also: Music of the Mass Effect video game trilogy

The music of Mass Effect 2 was primarily composed by Jack Wall.[63] His previous work with BioWare was as the main composer for Jade Empire and the original Mass Effect.[64] The score also features some pieces by Sam Hulick, David Kates, and Jimmy Hinson, with additional editing and in-game implementation by Brian DiDomenico.[63] Unlike the original Mass Effect, the composers aimed for a darker and more mature sound to match the mood of the game.[63] The music incorporates both orchestral and classic sci-fi arrangements which were inspired by the soundtrack of the cult classic film Blade Runner and music by German electronic group Tangerine Dream.[63] The harmonic structure of Wendy Carlos's Tron soundtrack also represented significant influences.[63] To complement each character, the composers gave them their own theme song to convey their personalities and backgrounds.[63] According to Kates, "it was one of our mandates to create a dynamic score that expressed a wide range of emotions."[63]

Music from the game has been released in several albums. BioWare released the main soundtrack album, Mass Effect 2: Original Videogame Score, on January 19, 2010. The soundtrack spans two discs and 27 tracks, covering a duration of 1:55:43.[65] Major downloadable content packs for the game, which include Kasumi - Stolen Memory, Overlord, Lair of the Shadow Broker and Arrival, feature new music. The soundtrack from Kasumi - Stolen Memory and Arrival was composed by Sonic Mayhem duo Sascha Dikiciyan and Cris Velasco,[66][67] while the music from Overlord and Lair of the Shadow Broker was composed by Christopher Lennertz.[68][69] Mass Effect 2's score was nominated for Best Original Music at the 2011 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards[70] and Best Soundtrack Album at the 9th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards.[71][72]

Release and downloadable content

File:Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition.jpg
Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition with all the extras.
See also: List of Mass Effect 2 downloadable content

Mass Effect 2 was initially released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 on January 26, 2010 in North America and January 29, 2010 in Europe.[73] The game was released in multiple editions. Alongside the standard edition, a digital deluxe edition and a collector's edition were also made available for purchase.[74] The collector's edition featured a different packaging, an artbook, bonus in-game content, behind-the-scenes DVD, and one issue from the Mass Effect: Redemption comic series.[74] If the game was pre-ordered at certain retailers, players could receive special items such as in-game armors and weapons.[73] Players could also redeem codes on specially marked Dr Pepper products for one of three pieces of headgear,[75] and on registered copies of Dragon Age: Origins for a new armor.[76]

Mass Effect 2 also supports additional downloadable content packs that were released from January 2010 to May 2011. The downloadable content ranges from single in-game character outfits to entirely new plot-related missions. Major packs include Lair of the Shadow Broker and Arrival, which are vital to the series' plot. In Lair of the Shadow Broker, Shepard helps former squad member Liara T'Soni to find an information dealer known as the Shadow Broker.[77] In Arrival, Shepard investigates evidence of a Reaper invasion, leading to events that bridge to Mass Effect 3.[78] Other plot-related downloadable content packs include the loyalty missions Zaeed - The Price of Revenge and Kasumi - Stolen Memory, and Overlord, which adds four new missions to the game.[24][25][79]

The PlayStation 3 version was released on January 18, 2011 in North America and January 21, 2011 in Europe. Unlike the Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 versions, the PlayStation 3 version includes the Kasumi - Stolen Memory, Overlord, and Lair of the Shadow Broker packs.[80] Since the first Mass Effect game was originally not released on PlayStation 3, BioWare also released a new downloadable content, titled Mass Effect: Genesis, which allows players to impact the story of the game with several major plot decisions of the first game. These decisions are made through an interactive comic book which appears at the beginning of the game.[54] Mass Effect: Genesis was eventually released on May 17, 2011 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 users.[81] In 2012, a compilation featuring the three main games of the series, titled Mass Effect Trilogy, was released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.[82]

Reception

Mass Effect 2 received considerable acclaim from video game publications and sold more than two million units in its first week of release.[101] At the review aggregate website GameRankings, the Xbox 360 version holds an average review score of 95.69%, making it the third highest rated Xbox 360 game released to date, behind The Orange Box and Grand Theft Auto IV.[85] Substantial praise was given to the game's diverse characters, interactive storytelling, voice acting and art design. IGN reviewer Erik Brudvig called Mass Effect 2 a very personal game, with a lot of emotion involved.[3] He praised the option of importing a character, stating that the overall experience changes as different saved games from the previous game are used.[3] Tom Bramwell of Eurogamer highlighted positively the weight of social interaction on the outcome of events and that players feel actual pressure for their decisions.[97] Further praise was given to the game's characters. Edge credited them for their complex personalities and great characterization,[89] while Game Revolution pointed out that the loyalty missions "reach deep enough into their characters to make you empathize with all of them."[92]

The game's visuals and atmosphere received similar praise. GameSpot reviewer Kevin VanOrd remarked that Mass Effect 2 is more detailed and darker than its predecessor.[7] He wrote that "deep reds and glowing indigos saturate certain scenes, making them richer and more sinister; eerie fog limits your vision in one side mission, while rain pours down upon you in another. Subtle, moody lighting gives certain interactions great impact."[7] Reviewer Adriaan den Ouden of RPGamer credited the conversations and cutscenes for being better shot than the first game, stating that "it's hard to imagine them becoming much better in Mass Effect 3."[98] Critics also gave high marks to the game's extensive cast of voices, in particular Martin Sheen's performance of the Illusive Man, which was singled out for "steal[ing] the show."[3] Andrew Reiner, reviewer of Game Informer, opined that the music "flows beautifully" in both the story and action sequences.[94] Brudvig concluded that the game's presentation and direction are "miles ahead of the competition."[3]

Numerous publications declared the gameplay was an improvement over the original.[3][7][95][97] John Davison of GamePro wrote "BioWare has done a spectacular job moving the role playing genre forward, and blending disparate gameplay styles into genuinely exciting sci-fi epic."[100] VanOrd praised Mass Effect 2 for possessing an identity, which was something that its predecessor lacked.[7] He noted that the shooting is "more immediate and satisfying, which keeps the pace moving and intensifies the violence of each encounter."[7] Similarly, GameSpy's Gerald Villoria observed that, while the original Mass Effect "walked the line between RPG and shooter [...] Mass Effect 2 has become a much more focused shooter experience."[95] Jeremy Parish of 1UP.com credited the combat for being more balanced, stating that the game encourages players to use different weapon classes and squad abilities when the situation requires it.[93] Despite the praise, some publications such as GameCritics and RPGamer expressed concerns about the game's simplified gameplay compared to the previous game in the series, calling it "stripped-down" and with a "dumbed-down feeling."[98][99] Some reviewers also criticized the slow planet scanning.[7][92][99] Game Revolution felt it was a "chore, mandatory if you want upgrades and boring because there is no tension or challenge", but ultimately concluded that the game as a whole "does more than enough to live up to its predecessor."[92]

Reception for the PlayStation 3 version was similar. Colin Moriarty of IGN described it as "the best, most complete version of the game available" due to the upgraded game engine and the extra downloadable content packs.[102] In contrast, VanOrd criticized the inclusion of the character Kasumi Goto from the Kasumi - Stolen Memory pack, stating that "she never fits in with her more fully developed cohorts."[103] He also remarked that the PlayStation 3 version suffers from technical issues such as frame rate inconsistencies, graphic glitches, and other minor bugs, which are mostly present in the downloadable content sections of the game.[103] Joe Juba, reviewer of Game Informer, reacted negatively to the lack of save importation from the original Mass Effect, which was originally not released on PlayStation 3, and pointed out that the decisions made in the Mass Effect: Genesis interactive comic book "have practically no context."[104] Despite the criticism, he stated that the game itself is equally as good on PlayStation 3 as it is on Xbox 360.[104]

Accolades

Main article: List of accolades received by Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 collected numerous year-end awards. At the 14th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, formerly known as the Interactive Achievement Awards, Mass Effect 2 won awards for Game of the Year, Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement in Story.[105] At the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards, the game won for Best Xbox 360 Game and Best RPG;[106] BioWare was also recognized for its work on the game and was awarded Studio of the Year.[106] At the 2011 Canadian Videogame Awards, the game was awarded Game of the Year, Best Console Game, Best Game Design, and Best Writing.[107] Mass Effect 2 also received several other notable awards, including Best Game at the 2011 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards,[108] Best Writing at the 2011 Game Developers Choice Awards,[109] IGN's Game of the Year,[110] GameTrailers' Game of the Year,[111] and two Golden Joystick Awards: Best RPG of the Year and Ultimate Game of the Year.[112][113] In 2011, Mass Effect 2 was selected as one of 80 titles from the past 40 years to be placed in the Art of Video Games exhibit in the Smithsonian American Art Museum,[114] and IGN ranked it #1 on its "Top 100 Modern Video Games" list.[115] The game was also included as one of the titles in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die.[116]

Sequel

Main article: Mass Effect 3

The Mass Effect series was envisioned as a trilogy from its inception,[117] and production on a sequel to the game began shortly before Mass Effect 2 was released.[118] The sequel, entitled Mass Effect 3, was released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 on March 6, 2012,[119] and for Wii U on November 18, 2012.[120] The game begins on Earth with Commander Shepard having been detained following the events in the Arrival downloadable content pack.[121] The story of the game is influenced by decisions the player made in the original Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2.[122] However, if Shepard dies at the end of Mass Effect 2, the character cannot be imported into Mass Effect 3.[123] BioWare stated that the game ends Shepard's story arc and that future games in the series would feature a different context.[124] Unlike the previous games in the series, Mass Effect 3 also features a multiplayer cooperative mode in addition to the single-player campaign.[122] The game received critical acclaim from video game publications, with an aggregate score of 93 out of 100 for the Xbox 360 version at Metacritic.[125]

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