Mass Effect 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mass Effect 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
BioWare Shutting Down, Next Mass Effect Canceled
BioWare is reportedly shutting down, leading to the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game. This news comes from a recent report detailing the studio's closure.
"Sexy sorceresses" and "bare-chested fighters": Dragon Age's original artists wanted to base it on Conan the Barbarian, much to the outrage of the designers
Former BioWare lead writer David Gaider discusses the internal conflicts during the development of Dragon Age: Origins, where art and design teams clashed over whether to draw inspiration from Conan the Barbarian or Lord of the Rings. He explains how the lack of a singular vision led to significant overcorrection between sequels, contrasting it with the more cohesive development of Mass Effect under Casey Hudson.
"I wanted to make the show I wanted to watch": how Galaxies found a place in the crowded showcase landscape
Galaxies Showcase, founded by Chris Thomas, has carved a niche in the crowded digital showcase landscape by offering a tightly curated, hour-long program of game trailers. The "tapas-style" approach aims to respect viewer time and has seen significant audience growth. The venture, bootstrapped by Thomas, leverages his industry connections to secure game placements and co-streamers, balancing paid slots with free exposure for indie developers.
I Ranked Video Game Houses By How Much I’d Actually Want To Live In Them
This article ranks various video game properties based on their desirability as a place to live, considering factors like layout, facilities, location, and potential dangers. Stardew Valley's farmhouse and Animal Crossing: New Horizons' player house received high marks for customization and outdoor space, while Resident Evil 7's Baker house was rated extremely low due to its dilapidated state and horrific inhabitants. The Sims 4 was praised for its ultimate customization fantasy.
Beyond Graphics and Gameplay: What Makes a Video Game Truly Memorable?
A memorable video game transcends impressive graphics and gameplay by fostering emotional connections through compelling characters, meaningful choices, and rewarding challenges. Experiences become lasting when players feel personally involved, whether through character development, impactful decisions, or shared moments with others. The most memorable games offer more than technical prowess; they provide unique, personal experiences that resonate long after playing.
Now this is spelhelg!
Several individuals share their gaming plans for the weekend, spanning various genres and titles. Plans include playing Control, Gears of War: E-Day, Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, My Summer Vacation, Tyranny, Resident Evil 4, Galactic Racer, and the new puzzle game Order of the Sinking Star.
Jason may or may not appear fully nude in GTA 6, but either way we've now seen his dong
A new 25-minute development build leak of Grand Theft Auto 6 shows protagonist Jason with fully modeled genitals, and co-protagonist Lucia topless. It remains unclear if this level of nudity will be present in the final game or if it's due to developer tools. The article also touches on the changing public perception of nudity in games, referencing past controversies like Mass Effect's alien boobies and GTA's Hot Coffee incident.
14 years later, Troy Baker is still embarrassed by his Mass Effect 3 role: "There's so many reasons why I shouldn't have played that character"
Actor Troy Baker expressed embarrassment regarding his role as Kai Leng in Mass Effect 3, citing numerous reasons why he felt he shouldn't have played the character. Baker's sentiment mirrors widespread fan criticism of Kai Leng, who is often cited as one of the franchise's most disliked characters due to his design and actions.
"If the player trusts you enough, they are not going to savescum": Why the makers of some of the best RPGs on PC want you to get used to failing
Several RPG developers discuss the concept of player failure in digital versus tabletop role-playing games. They explore how game design can encourage players to embrace failure as a narrative tool rather than something to be avoided through savescumming, emphasizing trust and agency.
Exodus lets you do polyamory, but the Mass Effect-like RPG's companions won't all be happy about it
The upcoming RPG Exodus will feature a complex romance system where players can pursue multiple companions, but not without consequences. Narrative director Drew Karpyshyn explains that not all companions will be comfortable with polyamory, and these choices will impact affinity and story progression, aiming for a more realistic approach to relationships than typically seen in games.
BioWare crunched "21 days on, one day off" making Mass Effect, says former dev: "That was really, really…
Former BioWare cinematic designer Armando Troisi revealed that the development of the original Mass Effect involved extreme crunch, with teams working "21 days on, one day off" to meet impossible goals set by director Casey Hudson. Despite the grueling conditions and technical challenges of using a new engine, IP, and console, Troisi expressed pride in the final product, calling it a profound interactive film.
Exodus is a great modernization of Mass Effect, with only awkward dialogue letting it down
Exodus, a new RPG, shows promise as a modernization of the Mass Effect formula with engaging third-person combat and a compelling world. While the core gameplay mechanics and character abilities are strong, the dialogue is noted as awkward and cheesy, potentially hindering the narrative's impact.
Dragon Age Origins is a broken mess. Thankfully, six devs are trying to change that
Dragon Age: Origins, a beloved fantasy RPG, suffers from significant performance issues on PC, making it difficult for new players to enjoy. A dedicated team of six developers is working to decompile its source code for modernization and improved modding support, aiming for a community-managed release without direct profit motive.
GTA 4 Was the Xbox 360’s ‘We Mean Business’ Moment Against the PS3
The article argues that Grand Theft Auto IV's release and subsequent exclusive downloadable content on the Xbox 360 marked a cultural peak for the console in its competition against the PlayStation 3. This period, from Fall 2007 through April 2008, is highlighted as one of the best six-month runs for any console, featuring a strong lineup of titles including Halo 3 and Mass Effect.
Exodus’ Relationships Can Be Affected by Player Choices in Optional Content, Says Narrative Director
Narrative director Drew Karpyshyn of Archetype Entertainment discussed the relationship system in the upcoming RPG Exodus, drawing comparisons to Mass Effect. He confirmed that player choices, even in optional content, will significantly impact character relationships and can lead to companions leaving the player's party by the end of the game. Exodus is set for release on April 7th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn swings for the Mass Effect crown, but struggles to match my enthusiasm for the TV show
Despite Owlcat Games' pedigree, an hour with The Expanse: Osiris Reborn failed to impress, struggling to showcase its RPG elements and instead focusing on combat and TV show ties. The demo highlighted solid cover shooting mechanics but lacked depth in role-playing choices and character interaction, leaving the reviewer unenthusiastic about its potential.
Mass Effect Team Can Make a Great Game if Left Alone, Says Former Cinematic Designer
Former Mass Effect cinematic designer Armando Troisi believes the current BioWare team can create a great new Mass Effect game if left to their own devices, citing the presence of original developers. He contrasts this with the challenges of the live-service era and corporate interference, expressing optimism for BioWare's ability to excel at narrative-driven RPGs. However, concerns are raised about Electronic Arts' financial situation and potential focus on live-service titles.
A hobby dev built a free, 3D galaxy map for Warhammer 40K that loads like lightning in your browser
A hobby developer has created a free, 3D interactive galaxy map for Warhammer 40,000, accessible via a web browser. The tool, named Cartographia Imperialis, allows users to explore planets and regions, offering lore entries and loading quickly without ads. The creator, Sami Gashi, is considering making similar maps for other fictional universes.
2026 is the best year ever for video games and GTA 6 isn’t even out yet - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that 2026 will be the best year for video games, despite industry challenges, citing a packed release schedule including titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered. The author highlights numerous anticipated games across various genres and platforms, suggesting a peak in gaming quality.
Ex-BioWare designer says doom and gloom about the next Mass Effect is overstated: 'I think that they can do…
Former BioWare designer Armando Troisi believes skepticism surrounding the next Mass Effect game is overstated, asserting that the studio excels at single-player, narrative-driven RPGs when left to their own devices. He suggests that the studio needs to return to its core formula, free from the pressures of live-service development and external stakeholders, to recapture its former glory.
