gamenorth.ca » Mass Effect 2

Happy New Year, get your controllers ready

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:14:51 +0000

With 2010 finally upon us, gamers around the world have a lot to be excited about. Plenty of quality titles were released during the Fall of 2009, but the number was significantly smaller than what was originally projected this time last year. Many of the blockbuster titles that we expected to have already been playing met with delays, and others simply chose to steer clear of Modern Warfare 2, the largest impending videogame launch in history, and could you really blame them? For many, this shift in the release schedules was disappointing, but for others, like myself, seeing several triple-A titles move from Fall 2009 to the first quarter of 2010 was actually met with relief. The more balanced release schedule would give us more time to enjoy each individual game, instead of juggling four or five over the Holidays, and we’d no longer have to apply for a loan just to bankroll our gaming habits. Furthermore, the first quarter of the year is typically a gaming drought, with only one or two quality titles seeing release, so this means less cold Canadian nights watching reruns of Degrassi.

So just how awesome is this first quarter? Check out the release dates below.

01.05 – Bayonetta
01.05 – Darksiders
01.12 – Army of Two: The 40th Day
01.19 – Dark Void
01.26 – Mass Effect 2 (can’t.. wait.. much.. longer..)
01.26 – MAG (try the Beta now!)

02.09 – BioShock 2
02.09 – Dante’s Inferno
02.16 – Heavy Rain (so looking forward to this..)
02.16 – Aliens vs. Predator
02.23 – Splinter Cell: Conviction (our favourite game of X’09!)
02.23 – Lost Planet 2

03.02 – Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (I know Brad can’t wait for this one..)
03.09 – Final Fantasy XIII (..!)
03.16 – Command & Conquer 4
03.30 – Crysis 2
03.TBA – God of War III (..!!)
03.TBA – Gran Turismo 5 (..!!!)

Is it just me, or is March going to be one of the best months for gaming, ever? Additionally, there are games such as ModNation Racers and Super Mario Galaxy 2 that are projected to be released sometime in early 2010, which may yet land somewhere in the midst of the games listed above. If your New Years resolution was to play fewer games this year, good luck with that.

If there are any releases that we overlooked that you think deserves a mention in this article, let us know in the comments below!

‘Mass Effect 2′ Collector’s Edition Canadian availability

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:39:19 +0000

As my fellow Canadian Mass Effect fans likely recall, there was a bit of a debacle involving the Collector’s Edition of the original Mass Effect here in the Great White North. That is to say it wasn’t available to us Canuckleheads until FutureShop and BestBuy, hearing the pleas of Canadian fans, came to the rescue by offering it through their online stores. It was a victorious day for Canadian gamers everywhere!

With Mass Effect 2 orbiting around the corner, and the new-found marketing budget of Electronic Arts now supporting BioWare’s releases, I am happy to announce that the Collector’s Edition will be available in Canada – no pleading necessary! However, finding it may be a little tricky, especially if you’re a PC gamer and like games that come in boxes. So we have decided to post a short guide to finding the Collector’s Edition, and will update it regularly as new information becomes available.

Xbox 360

EBGames.ca
Amazon.ca

PC

EBGames.ca (boxed retail version)
GamersGate
Steam (officially announced, but not yet available for pre-order)

I was told by both BestBuy and FutureShop employees that the game should be made available soon through their respective online stores, but I have yet to receive official confirmation. Additionally, EBGames will take pre-orders for the Collector’s Edition in their brick and mortar stores as well, but why not make use of their shiny new website?

As stated above, we’ll keep this post updated to include additional retailers as they are discovered. If you know of a retailer that will be offering the Collector’s Edition that is not on our list, let us know in the comments below and we’ll add it as soon as possible. Happy hunting!

BioWare enlists some of the galaxy’s greatest voice talent for ‘Mass Effect 2′

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:04:01 +0000

BioWare has always had strong voice talent in their role-playing games – just listen to Don rave about the performances heard in Dragon Age: Origins. In recent years, their ability to draw in celebrity talent has grown significantly. The original Mass Effect featured the talents of the always entertaining Seth Green as quirky Normandy pilot, Joker, as well as rock-solid performances from actor Keith David as Admiral David Anderson, Lance ‘I was Bishop in Aliens‘ Henriksen as Admiral Hackett, and Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Marina Sirtis as Matriarch Benezia. However, as star-studded as the original Mass Effect’s cast was, the sequel has certainly trumped it.

In addition to the returning cast of Seth Green and Keith David, BioWare has secured performances by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Martin Sheen, Shohreh Adhdashloo of the House of Saddam, Chuck special agents Yvonne Strahovski and Adam Baldwin, Michael ‘Lieutenant Worf’ Dorn, Canadian beauties Tricia ‘Number Six’ Helfer and Carrie-Anne ‘Trinity’ Moss, and perennial Canadian tough guy, Michael ‘Colonel Tigh’ Hogan. That’s more star-power than your typical CBC program!

“Emotionally engaging narrative is a key design pillar for BioWare, and the top-notch voice talent in Mass Effect 2 helps drive this goal,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of EA. “Credible, powerful personalities are vital to delivering a compelling story experience in BioWare’s games, and we have assembled an amazing ensemble cast that surpasses the very high bar set in the original Mass Effect!”

Martin Sheen plays a significant role in the game as the mysterious Illusive Man who commands Cerberus, a secretive paramilitary organization dedicated to protecting human interests throughout the galaxy. Yvonne Strahovski plays a deadly Cerberus operative, Miranda Lawson, who has been genetically engineered for superior mental and physical traits, and hopefully, her sexy, native Australian accent. Tricia Helfer plays EDI, the voice of the new Normandy; Carrie-Anne Moss plays the role of Aria T’Loak, the crime lord that rules planet Omega; Shohreh Aghdashloo plays Admiral Shala’Raan vas Tonbay; Michael Hogan plays the hard-assed Captain Bailey; Adam Baldwin laces up the combat boots of Kal ‘Reegar; and Michael Dorn lends his baritone voice to Gatatog Uvenk.

This game sounds better and better by the day – and yes, that pun was intended.

BioWare reveals the enemies of ‘Mass Effect 2′

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:50:04 +0000

Despite what the women aboard the Normandy may say, Commander Shepard isn’t the most social and friendly guy and doesn’t make a lot of friends in his galactic travels. In fact, in BioWare’s upcoming space opera sequel, Mass Effect 2, it seems that he’s made quite a few new enemies. The latest video posted on BioWare’s YouTube channel reveals that not only will Shepard have to deal with the ever looming threat of the Reapers, but also contend with The Collector’s, a race of insect-like beings that are experimenting on human beings throughout the galaxy, several new, more dangerous looking Husks, and a Geth by the name of Legion, who in addition to looking like a total badass, has somehow grown independent of the hive mind and holds a personal vendetta against our protagonist.

Here’s hoping that Commander Shepard saw that episode of Star Trek: the Next Generation in which the crew of the Enterprise found the Borg drone named Hue, and that he’s able to make the decision that Captain Picard could not.

‘Mass Effect 2′ Collector’s Edition revealed, sales will be limited

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:09:19 +0000

If you already put some money down on Mass Effect 2 after hearing about the game’s pre-order bonuses, you may want to drive yourself back to the store and request the Collector’s Edition. Announced this morning, the Collector’s Edition of Mass Effect 2 will hit shelves alongside the standard edition of the game on January 26, 2010, but will be sold in very limited quantities. Packaged in a premium, tin case, the Collector’s Edition includes the full version of the game, a 48-page hardcover Art of Mass Effect 2 book, the first issue of the Mass Effect Redemption comic book, and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes and making-of videos. Additionally, and as to be expected these days, the Mass Effect 2 Collector’s Edition will include exclusive in-game weapons and armour for Commander Shepard and his disgruntled band of spacefarers.

“We’re really excited to roll out this Collectors’ Edition featuring so many unique items, including special Collectors’ Edition armor and weapons and content that will surprise Mass Effect fans,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of EA. “The limited edition comic book and bonus DVD will really enhance and expand the overall Mass Effect 2 experience.”

The Mass Effect 2 Collector’s Edition will retail at an MSRP of $69.99 CAD on the Xbox 360 and $59.99 CAD on the PC.

‘Mass Effect 2′ arriving on January 26, pre-order bonuses revealed

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:26:01 +0000

Mark your calendars, Mass Effect fans, as the second game in BioWare’s award-winning sci-fi role-playing game trilogy has just received a release date: January 26, 2010. With intriguing new characters, an improved combat engine, an engaging storyline, and the potential for more virtual orgasmic rape, Mass Effect 2 is going to kick off the New Year with a bang. In support of the launch, BioWare will be offering unique Mass Effect 2 pre-order bonuses at key retailers throughout Canada. Unfortunately, the pre-order bonuses are all digital in nature. There goes my dreams of a cloth map of the universe!

“Our fans are in for a genuine thrill in the New Year with Mass Effect 2 – the second installment in the trilogy will be of amazingly high quality,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of Electronic Arts. “BioWare’s fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting this epic sequel, and we couldn’t be more excited to reward them for pre-ordering by delivering some awesome bonus content!”

Players that pre-order their game through EBGames will receive a download code for a set of Terminus Gear, which includes the powerful Terminus Assault Armor and the M-490 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon.

The Terminus Armor is designed for use in extreme planetary conditions, increasing run speed and personal shields, and augmenting weapons with an additional magazine of reserve ammo.

The M-90 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon generates a high-powered localized gravity well, accelerating particles to near-infinite mass, and ultimately expanding the selection of heavy weapons available to players when they gear up for combat missions in Mass Effect 2.

Players that pre-order a copy of the game at other retail outlets will receive a suit of Inferno Armour, which is apparently used by officers to monitor battlefield conditions by recognizing elevated heart rates, and it regulates sub-systems with extreme efficiency to allow for a greater response time. In-game, that translates into a negotiation bonus for Commander Shepard, as well as an increase in running speed and augmented damage from combat powers.

I have never been keen on the idea of different pre-order bonuses being made available to different retailers, because gamers shouldn’t be made to choose where they will spend their hard-earned gaming dollar, but knowing Electronic Arts, each of the pre-order bonus items will be made available for purchase as downloadable content, regardless.

Bioware and Dark Horse Comics team up to produce ‘Mass Effect’ comic

Mike Roberts — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:13:36 +0000

BioWare and Dark Horse Comics announced yesterday a new comic book series based off the renowned Mass Effect franchise. The comic entitled Mass Effect: Redemption, is designed to be a prequel to Mass Effect 2 starting with Commander Shepard’s disappearance in the depths of the Terminus Systems. The story is written by lead writer of Mass Effect 2, Marc Walters and drawn by Omar Francia (Star Wars Legacy).

“Fans of Mass Effect are going to be pleasantly shocked by the events of this comic,” says Marc Walters. “We worked with Dark Horse to make sure this story was built into the Mass Effect 2 story arc, right from the ground up. Reading the series won’t just add to your experience of the universe, it will change the way you look at Mass Effect 2…and beyond.”

Dark Horse Comics has had many successes adapting other franchises such as Aliens and Star Wars into the comic universe. It looks to be a must read for fans when the first issue in the four part series hit shelves in January 2010.

BioWare lifts the curtain on their ‘Mass Effect 2′ E3 footage

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:20:52 +0000

Prior to this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, BioWare sent us a video detailing the Mass Effect 2 footage that they would be showing behind closed doors during the event. With E3 now behind us, BioWare has decided to reveal that footage to the rest of the world.

In the following video, Project Director Casey Hudson and his team walk us through some elements of the sequel’s plot, as well as some new gameplay features. Amongst other features, new to Mass Effect 2 is a fully-realized space exploration system, complete with real-time fuel consumption and detailed planetary scans. As huge fan of Star Control II, I cannot tell you how excited I am to have such a similar exploration system appear in my favourite role-playing game franchise.

In addition to the exploration, BioWare previews the expanded dialogue interruption system, as well as the new cover system during combat. Furthermore, it is revealed that Mass Effect 2 will employ multiple endings, and that some endings may have shocking ramifications in future instalments of the franchise.

Stop reading and watch it already!

Click here to watch the video

New ‘Mass Effect 2′ trailer is explosive, awesome

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:14:48 +0000

Commander Shepard is kicking butt and taking names in the latest trailer for BioWare’s Mass Effect 2. Seriously, he’s all out of bubblegum. Packing some new weaponry, the kind that kill you a thousand times when they hit, Shepard looks tougher, meaner and a little more anti-social in his new role as the first human Spectre. The trailer also gives us a glimpse of life aboard the Normandy, revealing that Joker still remains at the helm. Still voiced by Seth Green, I can’t wait to hear his sarcastic quips in Mass Effect 2.

Click here to watch the video

E3 2009 – Captain Shepard looks alive and well in these ‘Mass Effect 2′ screens

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:59:27 +0000

Six new Mass Effect 2 screens emerged from the Electronic Arts press conference yesterday showing off some of the game’s intense combat, and more importantly, Captain Shepard. Previously thought dead due to trailer hinting at his demise, Shepard can be seen battling the likes of space zombies and androids in the following screenshots. Quarian scientist Tali’Zorah, a non-player character from the original Mass Effect, is also shown in the screenshots.

Now give me Wrex, Garrus and Liara and my party will be complete.

BioWare preludes their E3 preview for Mass Effect 2

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:13:18 +0000

Eager to show off the many improvements made to Mass Effect 2, BioWare has given us a video prelude to their E3 preview presentation. Not being able to attend the annual gaming expo has never been more agonizing.

Amongst the improvements are the inclusion of heavy weapons. According the Art Director Derek Watts, this new class of weapons was added because the game needed “something that when you hit somebody you kill them a thousand times.” I firmly believe that this is true of most games.

The character models and dynamic lighting have also seen a significant upgrade, and combat animations will be much more fluid and realistic. But perhaps the most impressive revelation in the video is that of Lead Cinematic Animator Parrish Ley’s moustache. It’s awesome.

Click here to watch the video