Mass Effect 2 Message Board older than one year ago

Not satisfied with its analysis of the PS3 Mass Effect 2 demo -- which was apparently based on old code -- Digital Foundry has posted a lengthy comparison of the PS3 and Xbox 360 retail editions of Mass Effect 2. There's a lot of information to digest in the article, including several videos and screenshots. The upshot: Most gamers won't notice the differences between the two games, though it seems the 360 version barely edges out the PS3 one in terms of a consistent frame-rate.

The only significant difference, which boils down to personal preference, is the lighting in the two games. DF notes that the PS3 version's lighting is generally brighter than the 360 game, though not necessarily improved from a technical standpoint. The article also examines the effectiveness of the PS3's "Genesis" comic intro, as opposed to actually playing the original Mass Effect on 360.

In the end, if you just have to own the most technically impressive version, DF suggests you choose ... the PC version, of course.

See what the PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2 has to offer! Sporting the new Mass Effect 3 engine, is this an indication of what we can expect from the next chapter on consoles?

After watching the initial cut scene and playing through the first bit of gameplay in Mass Effect 2 on PS3, those who have a Cerberus Network code will experience the interactive comic, Genesis.

The time has finally come and you can now play Mass Effect 2 on your PS3 via Blu-ray Disc or PlayStation Network download. Thanks for being patient and we’re thrilled that you can finally enjoy the full Mass Effect 2 experience.

The Mass Effect team is very proud of the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2. Mass Effect 2 has already won multiple awards, including IGN’s Game of the Year and Gametrailer’s Game of the Year as well as Best Sci-Fi Game, Best Blockbuster Game, and Best Story, among many others. And early word on the PS3 version is extremely positive with a 5/5 rating from The Toronto Sun, 5 stars from The Guardian, a 9.5/10 from IGN and Official Playstation Magazine giving it 10 out of 10!

Now, I hear you ask “Won’t I miss out since I didn’t play the first game?” Well, the truth is that Mass Effect 2 is an incredible standalone game whether you have played Mass Effect 1 or not. Yes, there are some story choices from Mass Effect 1 that do give some background and flavor to the story of Mass Effect 2, but the Mass Effect team has worked out a very cool way to ensure you don’t miss either the back story or these story choices.

BioWare and Dark Horse Comics, the same studio that has created the Mass Effect Redemption and Mass Effect Evolution comics, have created an introductory motion comic narrated by Mark Meer, the voice of Commander Shepard, that provides you the story of what happened in the first Mass Effect and enables you to make important choices, like who lives or dies, and creates a starting point for your playthrough of Mass Effect 2. This way, you not only learn the background story from the first game, you also directly get to choose the important story options that carry over into Mass Effect 2.

PS3 users also get a huge heap of extra content (plus an upgraded game engine featuring enhanced graphics, the same technology used for Mass Effect 3 in Holiday 2011). Over the past year of Mass Effect 2’s release, we released downloadable content that enabled players to continue their Mass Effect 2 experience. For the PS3 version, we bundled much of this DLC into the game, so you get the Normandy Crash site, Firewalker, Overlord, Zaeed: The Price of Revenge, Kasumi: Stolen Memory, the Blood Dragon Armor and the award-winning Lair of the Shadow Broker as part of your game right from the start.

So there you have it. Mass Effect 2 for the PS3 is a multi-award winning game, with an interactive, motion comic introduction to keep you current with the story that allows you to make key storyline choices, plus a huge amount of bonus content bundled into one awesome package. This is the game that PS3 fans have been waiting for. Don’t just sit there — head out to your favorite game store and buy a copy on Blu-ray Disc, or go to the PlayStation Network and download your digital copy of Mass Effect 2 today.

The highest rated game on Xbox 360 and PC in 2010 comes to PS3, including six hours of bonus missions and new exclusive Mass Effect Genesis interactive comic.

Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network is currently down on PS3. Joystiq has an email from EA support saying that the publisher is aware of the problem, and sources at Sony tell us it is working on a fix. There is also this EA support log which states: "The Cerberus Network and comic part of the Cerberus Network is currently down and hope to be up and working in next 24-48 hours."

We've contacted Sony and EA of an official explanation of the situation. Normally we'd guess this is a classic example of the "PSN hasn't updated yet" issue, but at the moment, neither corporation will confirm that.

[Thanks, Luke]

#ps3 BioWare is giving PlayStation 3 owners a chance to play Kotaku game of the year contender Mass Effect 2 next week, priming them for sci-fi excitement with a new launch trailer for the game. How does it compare? More »

"This is not a simple port," BioWare claims.

You'll be able to buy Mass Effect 2 for PS3 without bringing another massive Blu-Ray box into your house. You may have noticed advertising to this effect on the PlayStation Store, and now BioWare has confirmed via the PlayStation Blog that the game will be released simultaneously on both Blu-Ray and PSN, next Tuesday, January 18. No price has been announced for the downloadable version, which also includes the "Overlord," "Lair of the Shadow Broker" and "Kasumi" DLC, but the disc-based release carries the standard $60 MSRP.

Not only is the PS3 catching up with the other console, but Mass Effect 2 for PS3 will actually come out ahead of the Xbox 360 release -- the Xbox version has yet to be made available via Games on Demand.

Shepard returns for Mass Effect 2, now on PlayStation 3.

Mass Effect 2 for the PlayStation 3 goes on sale in stores on January 18th in North America, and will also be available in downloadable form through the PlayStation Network in North America on January 18th.

Mass Effect 2 is an amazing game. It has all of the benchmarks of a truly great science-fiction epic: a heroic main character, memorable companions each with their own personalities and abilities, terror-inducing villains, vast galaxies to explore, exotic alien races, strange worlds and locations, high-technology weapons and vehicles, and a story that will have fans talking about it and replaying it for ages.

In Mass Effect 2, you play as Commander Shepard who has to lead a crack team of mercenaries, scientists and soldiers on a mission to investigate the disappearances of human colonies throughout the galaxy. Who lives, who dies and the ultimate success or failure of the mission, is up to you. Now BioWare and the Mass Effect team are proud to bring Mass Effect 2 to the PlayStation community.

PlayStation fans have been asking for Mass Effect for years and we are very pleased to finally be bringing it to a new branch of Mass Effect fans. However, what I think Mass Effect fans on the PS3 will be most appreciative of is that this is not a simple port. The Mass Effect team has taken the time to utilize the PS3 hardware to the fullest in order to maximize your gameplay experience. It was also extremely important for the team to make sure playing with the PS3 controller worked and felt good. You will also see that the in-game graphics and cinematics are clearer and more vibrant on the PS3. As an added bonus, the PS3 version includes previously released DLC missions: Overlord, Lair of the Shadow Broker and Kasumi.

Mass Effect 2 takes place after Mass Effect 1 and some fans were concerned they would miss out on some of the important story choices available in the first game. The Mass Effect team, working with the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics, has created an interactive in-game comic that allows players new to the franchise to experience Mass Effect 1 while making the story choices that have repercussions in Mass Effect 2.

There is a demo of Mass Effect now available on the PlayStation Network. You can learn more about the demo here. This demo lets you play the start of Mass Effect 2 as well as introducing you to one of your potential party members, Dr Mordin Solus. Dr Solus, or Mordin to his friends, is a salarian scientist who can not only heal the sick; he can create new exotic weapons to use in battle. Finding Mordin and recruiting him to join you and your suicide mission will not be easy.

Look for Mass Effect 3 to come to the PS3 in Holiday 2011.

If you found The Illusive Man just a bit too illusive, the upcoming Mass Effect: Evolution seeks to shine some light on the galaxy's mysterious puppet master. BioWare has posted a seven page preview from the four issue comic.

ME: Evolution was written by Mass Effect 2 & 3 lead writer Mac Walters and John Jackson Miller (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), with Omar Francia, who drew the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 comic adaptation, handling art duties. The series will cover The Illusive Man's role in "humanity's first deadly days on the galactic stage."

The previous Mass Effect comic series, Redemption, concluded with The Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC.

In its first annual "High Scores" ranking, our friends at Kill Screen broke down 2010's releases into two main categories: "Big Games" (including blockbusters, full retail releases and subscription-based MMOs) and "Small Games" (including indies, downloadables, DLC and expansions, mobile, social, free-to-play and completely free titles). Then, a whole gang of critics, Joystiq's Andrew Yoon and myself included, were elected as judges, each allotted 100 points per category and able to award any game 2-40 points. (Yes, a judge, for example, could have totally given 1 vs. 100 all 40 points it rightfully deserved!)

Taking home the top spot in each category were two games that also appeared in our own Top 10: Mass Effect 2 (the "big" game) and Limbo (the "small" one). Notably, Minecraft landed in the #3 "Small Games" position, just below Super Meat Boy, showing how much critical love there's been for the just-in-beta world-building game. Also of note: BioShock 2's "Minerva's Den" and Mass Effect 2's "Lair of the Shadow Broker" charted, representing the only DLC to earn a "High Score."

"I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite free DLC on the PlayStation Network." When you start the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2, you'll be able to start off looking sharp -- as sharp as someone who pre-ordered the original versions of the game from GameStop, in fact.

The Terminus armor (which increases running speed and shields, and augments ammo capacity) and the M-490 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon (which creates tiny black holes), offered with Xbox 360 and PC pre-orders of ME2, will be distributed to PS3 Mass Effect 2 players for free via PSN through February 23.

Mass Effect 2 be released for PS3 on January 18.

Cerberus Daily News taking a break.

Cerberus Daily News taking a break.

You've seen our "best of 2010" and (some of) our "best of the rest" for 2010. What were your favorite games this year, and will you be playing any of them this weekend?

The Advertising Standards Authority on The Citadel greets every visit from Commander Shepard with a deep, disgusted sigh and a disdainful eye roll. The moment that guy sets foot inside the galactic nexus -- home to millions of aliens and bustling market to many more -- is when all the complaints start rolling in. Yeah, he's saved a planet or two, but the man's obviously a duplicitous douchebag who loves nothing more than inflating his ego through endorsement. Seriously, how can every single store on the Citadel be his favorite?

The simplest explanation is that it's a video game, and giving the store a highly marketable nod of approval is something that comes up on the dialogue wheel whenever Shepard talks to a clerk. In return, you receive a discount on your purchases. It's obviously sensible and entirely beneficial to endorse all space shops. The video game you're playing simply does not care.

#toys Alien vigilante Garrus is not pretty. He wasn't pretty before his face got shot up, and now, he's even less pretty. Lucky for the kids, then, that this plush based on the Mass Effect gunslinger is so adorable. More »

If you've been holding out for the inevitable "Game of the Year Edition" of Mass Effect 2 to get the DLC, you'd best look away. As part of the "Countdown to 2011" promotion on Xbox Live, all three of the game's mission add-ons -- "Lair of the Shadow Broker," "Overlord" and "Kasumi - Stolen Memory" -- haven be slashed to just 200 Microsoft Points ($2.50) each for discounts ranging from 64-75 percent off.

But maybe you'd rather spend tonight watching someone in a movie control another person, as if it were a video game? The Zune Marketplace totally has Gamer on sale for 960 points today, as well. Finally!

If we were given the choice of turn any character from the Mass Effect universe into an adorable plush doll, we'd probably lean towards the Elcor, or one of the Krogan -- you know, one of the cuddlier species. Prickly protagonist Garrus Vakarian? Way, way down on the list.

It's another day and you know what that means: more ludicrous Steam deals. Today's highlights include 50% off both Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2, along with reduced prices on Blur, Alpha Protocol, Dead Rising 2 and many more. Hit the jump for the full list.

Digital Foundry has placed its exacting eye upon Mass Effect 2's PlayStation 3 incarnation, addressing the big talk from both BioWare and Sony about the game utilizing the Mass Effect 3 engine and ultimately being the "definitive" version. DF's takeaway was that the PS3 version, as far as the PSN demo is concerned, turned out to be "different as opposed to definitive."

Directly comparing the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, DF found the former to be a "a curious mixture of improvements, downgrades and swapped out effects." To give you an idea of how minor some differences are, however, the hexagon pattern on Miranda Lawson's comes out as looking "flat." There's also discussion of shadows looking more realistic, and biotic effects being of lower fidelity.

Also, the PS3 version's framerate appears to be unlocked, which lets the game breathe a little when it can, but DF noted that "tearing is much more apparent in the new game - both in-game and in the cut-scenes." So, perhaps the PS3 version isn't quite definitive, but we're not hearing anything you could still use as an excuse to skip Mass Effect 2 next month.

Digital Foundry has placed its exacting eye upon Mass Effect 2's PlayStation 3 incarnation, addressing the big talk from both BioWare and Sony about the game utilizing the Mass Effect 3 engine and ultimately being the "definitive" version. DF's takeaway was that the PS3 version, as far as the PSN demo is concerned, turned out to be "different as opposed to definitive."

Directly comparing the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, DF found the former to be a "a curious mixture of improvements, downgrades and swapped out effects." To give you an idea of how minor some differences are, however, the hexagon pattern on Miranda Lawson's comes out as looking "flat." There's also discussion of shadows looking more realistic, and biotic effects being of lower fidelity.

Also, the PS3 version's framerate appears to be unlocked, which lets the game breathe a little when it can, but DF noted that "tearing is much more apparent in the new game - both in-game and in the cut-scenes." So, perhaps the PS3 version isn't quite definitive, but we're not hearing anything you could still use as an excuse to skip Mass Effect 2 next month.

#ps3 Mass Effect 3 is landing on the PlayStation 3 a year after the 360 and PC versions. So does it look better? The short answer is "no". The long answer is "it's complicated". More »

Once more to the Normandy.

Finally! Mass Effect! On the PS3! As a huge fan of the franchise, I was waiting for another excuse to play through Mass Effect 2. New and exclusive to the PS3 version of BioWare's RPG is an interactive comic that summarizes the events of the first Mass Effect. It's a clever workaround to Microsoft's publishing rights to the first game, and considering the importance of these choices in subsequent games, the effort is much appreciated. Unfortunately, after "playing" the comic, I couldn't help but wonder if it was enough to ease newcomers into the franchise.

Although most of the game's expansions are included on the Blu-ray disc, you'll have to download and install the free comic from the PlayStation Store before starting the game. The comic is also not the first thing you experience in the game -- you'll have to play Mass Effect 2's impactful intro sequence first. The comic book sequence takes place in-between Shepard's first encounter with the enigmatic Collectors and his arrival at the Cerberus station. (If you opt not to download and install the comic DLC, the game will continue as it did in the original version.)

While its position is unexpected, the interlude offers a perfect place for Shepard's life to flash before his (or her) eyes. (Both voice actors of Shepard provide narration for the comic, so don't be afraid to create an Oprah Shepard of your own!) The pace of the comic is incredibly swift, jumping from one crucial event to the next.

If you had asked me a year ago if I thought we’d ever experience the Mass Effect universe on PlayStation 3, I’d have said “I sure hope so.” One year and dozens of accolades and Game of the Year nominations later, Mass Effect 2 is coming to PS3. And from what I’ve learned, you’re not going to want to pass on this “definitive” experience.

After a recent hands-on session, I spoke with Bioware’s Casey Hudson. In this video, he tells us what bonus features are included on the Blu-ray, what the power of PlayStation 3 lends to the game, and how the PS3 version is using the latest-and-greatest graphical technology and gameplay updates.

So, you might be wondering, will you be lost if you never got to play the original Mass Effect? From my experience, the answer is: not particularly. For the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2, Bioware has teamed with Dark Horse Comics to summarize the first game in a 15 minute comic-style adaption, completely voiced by either the male or female Commander Shepard (your choice).

The comic loads up right after the opening sequence of Mass Effect 2, where you’d be re-creating your character. You’ll make the same key decisions that Shepard makes in the first game, such as how to handle a (seemingly) malevolent race of creatures, which of your crew to save or sacrifice in a life-or-death scenario, and who to pursue a personal relationship with. Think of it as the most in-depth character creator ever, while getting background on the first story as well.

The in-game database is also a boon to those getting caught up on the Mass Effect universe; it contains detailed (and well-narrated) background info on every race, planet, and event you come across in your travels throughout the galaxy.

Other facts I thought might wanna know but which didn’t make the interview cut:

• There’ll be a demo on PSN this coming Tuesday, December 21st
• The game includes all of the available DLC already on disc. Yay for Blu-ray!
• Mass Effect 2 on the PS3 has been upgraded to a more advanced graphical engine being implemented in the (just-announced) Mass Effect 3
• Bioware has swapped the shooting/aim-down-sight buttons to R1/L1, as most PS3 gamers seem to prefer. You’ll sort through your skill/weapon wheels via R2/L2.
• There is an install to aid load times.

The PS3 edition of Mass Effect 2 is shaping up to be the best rendition of the game yet, and well worth the wait. And with Mass Effect 3 confirmed for PS3 for next Holiday, it’s the perfect time to get acquainted with Commander Shepard.

#ps3 The PlayStation 3 gets Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 in 2011. Getting Mass Effect 1 as well would just be too ridiculous. But PS3 gamers will be able to speed through a short version of the 2007 game. More »

BioWare explain the PS3 port's improved graphics.