• Top Ten "Effects" of Mass Effect 2 - Hands-on Impressions
About one month a go, Extreme Gamer had the fortune to gather with the creative minds behind Bioware's upcoming RPG, Mass Effect 2. Yip, "Mass Effect", those two little words that can slap a juvenile smile on the face of anyone who has enjoyed the first game. You would have to crazy to NOT be excited about the second coming of this space epic. Starting 2010 off with a bang, Mass Effect 2 is going to be huge!

In our ample time within two new levels, Mass Effect 2 proved that it is the next evolution in the series, and not just a repainted version of the original, with a new storyline attached. As you will learn in our Top Ten "Effects" of Mass Effect 2. Mass Effect 2 takes the series fourth to create a more absolute experience that is filled with everything you have come to expect out of a Bioware produced game. So, as you patiently wait for January 26th to arrive, enjoy our article featuring the revitalized vigor of Mass Effect 2.

• More Accessible, This isn’t always a Bad Thing
The first major alteration you will notice about Mass Effect 2 (ME2) is that it has been adjusted to be more accessible to the average gamer. Now, before the word 'accessible' gets your purist alarm in a panic, Bioware hasn't turned the game into 'Space Chimps', I promise. In no way has Bioware intentionally sabotaged what made the series so great. Bioware's first concern in following the original was to please its loyal fan-base by making modifications to its more criticized aspects, and secondly to make a better game that could be enjoyed by a wider audience. By making ME2 more accessible, it actually makes the game feel more natural.

In making Mass Effect 2 more accessible they had to reduce the typical growing pains that can come with some RPGs. Even Bioware’s own 'Dragon Age' takes awhile to get into the groove, but this is not the case with ME2. This was immediately apparent when I jumped into one of the more action packed levels. ME2 instantly felt more natural, and given that I have not played the first game in almost two years, I picked it up without a single hitch.

Along with smoother controls, ME2 will feature a refined tutorial that will wean the player into the action. Plus, several other 'little' changes have been made, like making the menu system less convoluted, and making it easier to command your NPCs. All these little things add up, make it feel less complicated to the end user while improving the games flow. I believe the fans will be happy with the adjustments Bioware has made, and in no way should you confuse the term accessible, with easy, or dumbed down.

• Feels More Like a Shooter!
Unlike the original Mass Effect, that felt like a role-playing game trying too hard to be a shooter, ME2 feels more like a defined shooter that is attached to a role-playing game. Surprisingly, the gunplay in ME2 is extremely satisfying, which almost makes you forget that you are playing role-playing game. Now, don't get me wrong, the combat doesn’t jump into the shooter genre like 'Left 4 Dead', but it is a big step in the right direction.

Helping Mass Effect 2 feel more like a shooter is the inclusion of a wider selection of weapons. Mass Effect jumps from only having 4 weapon types to 19 selections. Included on this list is another new addition to the series... big guns! What's a big gun? I'm talking about none other than, Rocket Launchers, and Flamethrowers! Now we're talking, right?!

In one part of the demo, I was forced to take cover and rethink my standard gun-blazing technique of dispatching with the enemy, when the enemies I was facing had rocket launchers. Perched above my head, on a balcony, they unleashed heavy fire on my location, and like I was playing 'Gears of War', I had to use a duck and cover mechanic to snipe them through a haze of smoke. In that one moment the battleground had changed, and it was clear that everything I remembered about the original Mass Effect, could not compare to the upgraded combat in place. You wouldn't think a few new weapons couldn't change the face of a game so much, but they do. Now along side this epic scaled adventure is some equally epic sized combat.

• Importing will make a Difference
The subject of importing an old save file into Mass Effect 2 is a hot topic, and one that is frequently talked about. Importing your old save file into Mass Effect 2 is an optional, but if you already put in the time with the first game, this is the way to go. To import your old character must have a completed game save file, and yes, gamers who have maxed out their Commander Shepherd, will reap the largest reward when importing.

In the importing process, Mass Effect 2 doesn’t directly port over all your stats, it works with the new system to balance them as closely as possible. ME2's new progression system has simply too many changes to keep you old file. When importing your old save file, you will be shown data from your save, making it possible to use more than one saved file. However, do not worry about this too much because you will be able to change your class and delegate the end result of your character. This means you can use one save to start up multiple different games, so you don't have to replay the entire game in other class.

The most important reason to import your character into ME2 is to see how your choices from the first game impact the world in the second. While no one knows the true extent of the differences between playing with, or without a save, it will be intriguing to see how much actually changes.

Interesting enough, in a conversation with Bioware's co-founders, Ray Muzyka, and Greg Zeschuck, they shared the knowledge that having your choices impact the world was premeditated. By planning this ahead of time they now have the ability to import literarily hundreds of calculations directly created to influence the following product. This applies to Mass Effect 2, and will carry over when the third and final game is released. This concept hasn't been tested on scale this grand before, and I am sure other developers will be closely watching how the Mass Effect trilogy turns out. I feel the wave of future coming on.

• The Normandy 2.0
The New Normandy is Shepherds' main ride in Mass Effect 2, and boy things have stepped up. The new (and improved) Normandy is more like a massive hub of activity where you can engage in the drama, and intrigue of Mass Effect’s inner plot lines.

The first big difference you will notice is that the main navigation room is now filled with a holographic image of your vessel, and not the intergalactic map. In what we didn’t see, but we can speculate, this is a upgrade system to customize your ride. Now, the Normandy isn’t exactly going to be riding on 22”s, but from what we have seen, it feels like the right step to take the Ebon Hawk... oops, I mean Normandy. Along with the new main room, other rooms have been added, including new rooms that become active when you recruit certain crew members, and Shepherds' personal quarters complete with an interactive fish tank, and a little sofa section invite people over for some quality ‘alone time’.

Oh, and berfore I forget, Shepherd also has a personal assistant that will let you know when you have incoming emails, inform you about upcoming missions, and more. Secondly, this personal assistant is female, so we will see if 'good old Shep' can work this into one of those 'honey, I'm working late' love interests.

• New Digs for the Shep
Furthering the customizable options in ME2, you will now have the ability change your digs. More than a simple cosmetic change, each section of your armour is interchangeable with different statistical properties. New bits of amour can be found, purchased, or made within the game, giving Shepard a entirely new look, and perspective. Now you won't have to be bored of looking black and white armour for 40hrs, as you can outfit him, or her, however you wish.

Along with your normal battle ready gear, you will also be able to wear non-combat outfits when cruising through your space craft, or visiting non-hostile locations. This is where ME2 gets a little silly, but it is nice to have options. This branched out feature in ME2 is another logical step in the series progression, and one that seems to be extremely versatile, and full of options. I can already see the FAQ writers getting excited.