Mass Effect 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mass Effect 2 across the outlets.
No RPG Lets Players Be As Evil As Fable 2Fable 2 is highlighted as an RPG that uniquely allows players to embody extreme evil, not just through traditional means but by exploiting its in-game capitalism and real-estate systems. Unlike other games with binary morality, Fable 2's mechanics, such as monopolizing housing and charging rent, subtly earn the player evil karma, emphasizing housing as a right. The Fable series, including Fable III and the upcoming Fable by Playground Games, is praised for its innovative and thoughtful approaches to player choice and morality.
Dragon Age's former lead writer thinks the series is probably dead, but he'd be happy to take it off EA's hands and 'go somewhere dark and dangerous' with itFormer Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider believes the series is likely dead under Electronic Arts, citing a consistent misunderstanding of the franchise's appeal and treatment compared to Mass Effect. Despite his past departure from the series, Gaider expressed interest in reviving Dragon Age if given the opportunity, provided it moves in a 'dark and dangerous' direction away from EA's current strategies.
Obsidian was also hit by "the Microsoft sacrificial rituals," says laid-off RPG veteran who previously worked…Obsidian Entertainment has reportedly been affected by recent Xbox layoffs, with narrative designer Jay Turner and other developers confirming their departure. These cuts are part of a larger "reset" by Microsoft, which aims to reduce its workforce by 3,200 by fiscal year 2027. Reports suggest around 25% of Obsidian's staff, approximately 60-70 individuals, were impacted.
I love Baldur's Gate 3's queer representation, but triple-A games can still do so much more to explore lesbian stories with the depth they deserveThis article discusses the queer representation in Baldur's Gate 3, particularly focusing on lesbian stories and the limited options available in mainstream AAA games. While praising Baldur's Gate 3 for its characters like Shadowheart and the Isobel/Aylin romance, the author argues that games often fail to cater to a specific lesbian gaze, assuming lesbian sexuality aligns with heteronormative dynamics. The piece calls for more diverse and nuanced lesbian narratives in games, from indie titles to major blockbusters.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Sony kills game ownership and says it's all your faultSony is phasing out physical game discs for new PlayStation titles by 2028, effectively ending the concept of game ownership as players will no longer be able to buy, sell, or preserve physical copies. This move, driven by business decisions and a lack of competition, raises concerns about game preservation, consumer rights, and the loss of tangible connection to games and their creators.- Games Done Quick Announces Flame Fatales 2026 ScheduleGames Done Quick's Frame Fatales community has announced the schedule for its summer speedrunning event, Flame Fatales 2026, which will benefit the Malala Fund. The event, running from September 13-19, will feature speedruns of games including Mass Effect 3, Slay the Spire II, and Control, with a special VR run of Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot on Meta Quest 3. Frame Fatales has raised over $1 million for charity since 2019.
Exodus' character creator won't let you totally mess up its protagonist's "established look" with nose and brow slider chicanery, but you can still pick a beardArchetype Entertainment is taking a curated approach to character customization in their upcoming RPG Exodus, focusing on established looks for protagonist Jun Aslan rather than extensive slider-based options. While players can alter hairstyles, facial hair, and tattoos, core facial features will remain fixed to ensure a defined character. This decision aims to create a more distinct protagonist, though it may disappoint players who prefer deep customization.
Aether & Iron Nominated for Best Role-Playing Game at the TooManyGames Indie Game Showcase Awards 2026Seismic Squirrel's decopunk noir RPG, Aether & Iron, has been nominated for Best Role-Playing Game at the TooManyGames Indie Game Showcase Awards 2026. The game is available on Steam for Windows and MacOS and features writing talent from Mass Effect and Far Cry, with music by Christopher Tin.
The two best years in video game history were both in the 2010s - Reader's FeatureA reader argues that 2011 and 2013 were the best years in video game history, citing a high volume of quality releases and industry-shifting console launches. The article details numerous significant titles from both years, including The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Skyrim, The Last of Us, and Grand Theft Auto 5, alongside the debut of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Dead Space and Mass Effect trilogy are less than £5 right now in huge saleSeveral Electronic Arts titles are heavily discounted on Steam, with the Dead Space remake available for £4.99 and Mass Effect Legendary Edition for £3.99. Other notable deals include Star Wars: Squadrons, Titanfall 2, Battlefield 1, and Sonic Mania, all priced under £5.
EA announces advertising platform to launch ads 'directly into gameplay'Electronic Arts has launched EA Advertising, a new platform designed to integrate advertisements directly into gameplay. The system aims to connect brands with engaged audiences through various ad formats, including in-game signage and custom content, with initial partners like Visa, Lowe's, and Red Bull. While sports titles are a primary focus, other games like The Sims 4 are also being pitched as advertising opportunities.
BioWare's co-founder fought to make Baldur's Gate 3 for over a decade, then Larian did it instead: 'I…BioWare co-founder Trent Oster discusses the long and difficult journey to get Baldur's Gate 3 made, with multiple studios like Black Isle, Obsidian, and Beamdog attempting and failing to secure funding over two decades. Beamdog, led by Oster, pitched a version to Wizards of the Coast but ultimately could not secure the necessary $20 million budget, leading them to pursue other projects. Oster reflects on Larian Studios' success with Baldur's Gate 3, acknowledging their greater capital and ability to execute their vision at a high scale.
How to be a dad and a gamer and still get a good night’s sleep - Reader's FeatureA father of two young children shares his struggle to balance gaming with family life, finding that long, time-consuming games are no longer feasible. He details his process of organizing his extensive game library by length to better manage his limited playtime and rediscover enjoyment in shorter, more self-contained experiences.
Archetype Entertainment founder and BioWare veteran wishes Exodus didn't look so much like Mass EffectJames Ohlen, founder of Archetype Entertainment and BioWare veteran, expressed regret that his studio's upcoming game, Exodus, bears a strong visual resemblance to Mass Effect. While acknowledging Mass Effect's influence, Ohlen hopes the team can further differentiate Exodus's look and highlight unique elements like the 'Awakened' intelligent animals and a time dilation mechanic.
EXODUS looks like a good fit for Mass Effect fans wanting something moreEXODUS, a sci-fi action-adventure RPG from Archetype Entertainment, is slated for release in 2027 and aims to fill the void left by Mass Effect. An extended gameplay reveal showcased the game's combat, exploration, and narrative elements, with Game Director Chris King providing commentary. The developer's ties to BioWare suggest a strong lineage for the title.
Mass Effect Fans, Feast Your Eyes on a Full 20 Minutes of Exodus GameplayArchetype Entertainment has released 20 minutes of gameplay for their upcoming sci-fi RPG Exodus, showcasing its similarities to the Mass Effect series. Director Chris King detailed the game's story, characters, dialogue, exploration, and combat, which features cover-based shooting and player choices impacting the narrative. Exodus is slated for an early 2027 release.
Summer Game Fest no-shows: The big games that were absent from 2026's showcasesSeveral highly anticipated games were notably absent from the Summer Game Fest showcases, leaving fans speculating about their development status. Titles like Arkane's Blade, the Witcher 3 DLC, Injustice 3, and the Divinity sequel were among the expected reveals that did not materialize. The article highlights the absence of these games and discusses potential reasons or future reveal opportunities.
Exodus narrative director dives into its inspirations from Interstellar to Star Wars to, yes, Mass EffectExodus narrative director Drew Karpyshyn discussed the game's diverse inspirations, ranging from classic sci-fi films like Star Wars and Interstellar to the Star Trek experience and the Dune novels. While Mass Effect is a natural comparison due to shared BioWare DNA, Karpyshyn emphasized that Exodus builds its own unique universe, with time dilation from Interstellar being a particularly strong narrative influence. Matthew McConaughey voices the mysterious character C.C. Orlev.
Exodus somehow looks even more like Mass Effect than it did before it dropped a big gameplay reveal at the Future Game…Exodus, a sci-fi action RPG from Archetype Entertainment, revealed extended gameplay at the Future Games Show, drawing comparisons to Mass Effect. The game features a protagonist with unique genetic traits, moral choices impacting alignment, and a cast of companions reminiscent of Mass Effect characters. Exodus is slated for release in early 2027 for PC.