14 DAY TRIAL // Mass Effect was one of the best games of 2007 and a clear shot in the arm for a suffering RPG genre. BioWare made a great game, Microsoft marketed it well, it sold well. So it was bound to spawn a sequel. Well, in the case of Mass Effect, two sequels which BioWare is currently working hard on, while at the same time producing downloadable content for the first game. BioWare, you sound like superheroes to us.
BioWare boss Greg Zeschuk revealed some details of the new installments while talking to MTV, of all media channels. Both sequels will use the same game mechanics that were created for the first game. Most of the graphics engine will also be the same, with new and updated textures and the required upgrade to accommodate new technologies. Having both these essential game design tools mostly locked down means that BioWare can focus on creating more content for the next two games. Mass Effect could be seen as sort of a prologue for much better and bigger experiences yet to come.
"I think with Mass we just wanted to say, 'Let's make a whole bunch of planets for people to explore.' They all encapsulated, amongst themselves, some fun stories to do. Some kind of spanned among each other. But we're taking it to that next level of tying them into the central story as well," said Zeschuk. So, the main linear story path from Mass Effect is likely only a memory and the next two games will offer a new story model that seamlessly incorporates the entire world of the game.
Other than that, BioWare will try and make dialog an even more important part of the game experience, while creating more ways to accomplish things by just talking rather than pulling a weapon on someone. The adventure side of the following games will be further enhanced.
No release date for the Mass Effect sequel has been announced, but Xbox 360 players can get their hands on the Bring Down the Sky DLC pack right now.