Mass Effect 2: Latest Trailer, Deconstructed
By TheKidNixon 19 Comments
So BioWare has released another trailer for Mass Effect 2. Neat. Lets take a closer look at it though and see what all can be taken from the video. While it seems strange to say this for a game not yet released, this might constitute as "spoiler" territory if you don't wanna know anything about the game before it comes out. You've been warned.
First, lets just post the video in here for reference, from the fine folks over at GameTrailers:
Hot. But what all is going on here?
"Shepard...But Your Dead": Of course the biggest talking point is the confirmation that Shepard is in fact going to be in the game and playable. Which is a relief, but not that much of a surprise. The previous OXM article (which I'll be referring to a lot in this discussion of the trailer) already more or less let that cat out of the bag, though it also seems like you might be creating another character as well. Raiden-scenario possibly? Either way, Shepard is back and will be playable.
Illium: The majority, if not entirety, of this trailer seems to take place on and around Illium, an Asari colony world that had already been confirmed as one of your main locations. BioWare has talked the most about this mission, with almost every demo taking place on it. The talking points seems to be that an assassination attempt is going to occur, and Shepard must make the decision to either stop it or help the would-be killers. This offers a little more fuel to the Raiden-esque rumor, as it is entirely possible that Illium is a "prologue" world not unlike Eden Prime where something happens to Shepard, and you then take the story over from a different perspective. More info promised at E3. The world is supposedly based on Dubai, and looks like a very different setting from the previous game. It certainly is much more detailed than locations like Noveria. Very promising.
A Little Old, A Little New: Perhaps the most surprising, albeit blink-and-you'll-miss-it, feature in this trailer is the inclusion of what looks like a quarian hanging with Commander Shepard as part of his crew. Could this be Tali? Certain players of the original Mass Effect will know from a side-mission in that game that Tali made very clear that, win lose or draw, she was returning to the Flotila after the battle with Saren was done. Of course it is impossible to know thanks to Quarian's enviro-suits if this indeed everyone's favorite quarian pilgrim, but it does raise the possibility. Also featured in the trailer is Thane, a member of a new race called the drell introduced in Mass Effect 2, doing his assassin neck-snapping thing. Also, a black alliance officer is also with Shepard's crew. This could possibly be the Jacob of "Jacob's Story" fame, though impossible to tell with the different art styles between the two games. Oh, and we have a new evil asari hissing at Shepard in her best villain-rasping voice as well as some new enemy types, as well as blowing away some good old husks.
New Weapon: As mentioned in the previous Pre-E3 video, a new heavy weapons class has been added. This seems to function similiarly to a rocket launcher, possibly similiar to the rampage ability you can aquire with shotguns. It is primarily used seemingly for long distance blasting of foes and looks awesome. And speaking of weapons, this video marks our first official look at Mass Effect 2 combat which looks...a lot like Mass Effect 1 combat. Not a bad thing, persay, though BioWare has said they have changed things up be having an ability for you have conversations while actually in battle.
And Oh Yeah...It Looks Amazing: Despite its graphical pop-in, when Mass Effect was running smoothly it looked incredible. The same level of visual quality is on display here, and it seems to even outdo it predecessor. The amount of detailing on the Illium environments is really stunning to see, and it makes me all the more excited for a game I'm already hyped to moon about.
Anything I missed?