Bioware Shares Mass Effect 2 Details: Better Shootin', Protagonist Not Dead

By now, you've had a chance to see the Mass Effect 2 trailer Bioware put on the game's site. Seeing as how it doesn't give any details of actual game play, the trailer is essentially concept art. The trailer menacingly delivers the bad news that Shephard is dead. Shephard K.I.A!?! Yeah, that's a laugh. As if Bioware would so cruelly render our hours invested in Mass Effect 1 completely purposeless. And while many in the community speculate on the meaning of Shephard's "death," Bioware has made it fairly clear that Shephard will be back in some form or another.

Speaking with IGN, Bioware spilled some details regarding the upcoming space opera RPG. Amongst other things, Bioware said that even though their trailer clearly indicates the death of your avatar, Shephard, your Mass Effect 1 saves will be relevant in Mass Effect 2. That's right, Shephard will rise from the grave. It's still not clear in exactly in what form ME's protagonist will be resurrected. A space-Lazarus, part cyborg Michael Jackson from Thriller? Or an actual chain-rattling Halloween ghost? Too early to say anything for sure.

You'll remember that the action in ME was quite repetetive, even boring. The multitude of unexplored planets in ME were hatefully, numbingly dull too. Bioware is addressing community complaints in this regard, trying to soup up Mass Effect 2 as more of "a shooter RPG." The optional, explorable planets are going to actually have something to do with the storyline and lore of the universe too. Oh and expect a large amount of DLC. Anyone else getting excited here?
Regarding ME2's potential release on the PS3, Bioware was tightlipped: "We haven't disclosed that, but the development efforts are simultaneous," whatever that means.

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