BioWare is already working on Mass Effect 3, co-boss Ray Muzyka has confirmed.
Speaking to CVG in London yesterday, Muzyka wasn't keen to discuss comments made earlier this month that the third game could arrive as soon as late 2011.
"I don't think we've announced the timing for the third one yet but I can tell you the team's already working on it," he said.
"Our goal is to get it out in a time frame that can maximise the quality for our fans, maximise the commercial success for the company and just make sure we do the right thing overall for the long term for the franchise."
Of course part of the reason for the second game not appearing on PlayStation 3 was its two year development cycle. Muzyka wouldn't comment on Mass Effect 3's target platforms, but said BioWare is working on the PS3.
"I can tell you that on PlayStation 3 we're working on a few titles right now and also a few titles on Xbox 360," he said. "We haven't revealed any details on what those titles are yet but I think both platforms are very powerful."
Mass Effect 2 is on sale from today. Check out our Mass Effect 2 review, if you haven't already.
I picked up my reserved Collector's Edition of "Mass Effect 2" yesterday. I think it's safe to say it is probably the nicest special edition of any game I have purchased to date! Well done EA and BioWare.
After playing for 5-6 hours I think the CVG review of 9.3 out of 10.0 is fair. The game looks beautiful and oozes quality in just about all aspects. That said here are some of my personal gripes with "ME2" (Note: This is for the PC version):
1) I miss having more stats. The cut back on stats from "ME1" to "ME2" is perhaps a bit too drastic, IMO.
2) While the inventory from "ME1" was unwieldy and messy I'd still prefer it over essentially not having an active inventory to dip in to anytime, anywhere as is the case in "ME2". I miss being able to switch armors whenever I want as long as it is not during active combat as was the case in "ME1".
3) Since "ME2" has focused more on the shooting action than "ME1" it would be fitting if they updated the movement controls to match the more hectic game play style. Not being able to jump is quite poor giving the level of quality apparent in all other aspects of "ME2". Furthermore, Shepard moves too slowly given the distances one can cover on foot. The "Storm" function is fairly useless unless you happen to be in a long open corridor. Surely BioWare can design a control system whereby Shepard can run and turn without doing an imitation of a drunk helmsman turning the Titanic?
4) It vexed me that during one of the early missions it cut to a cut-scene immediately upon completing the mission. Never mind that there was a medical cabinet in the final room that I didn't get to examine because I didn't think it would cut straight to a movie clip upon completing the final task in that room. It would have been nice to have some forewarning about this since I now have to re-do the entire end sequence to that mission since it won't let me save during combat sections if I want to examine that medical locker. I guess this is trial by fire. Not nearly good enough BioWare.
5) The weapon heat sink function which now effectively serves as ammo is likely going to be a matter of personal taste. It works yet personally I don't like it compared to "ME1". I'd rather have stuck with the "ME1" canon where ammunition was described as being practically unlimited since weapons used magnetic pulse fields, etc. to propel tiny metal pellets. Instead of ammo there was the overheating limitation of weapons in "ME1"; I would have preferred if they had fine adjusted that function and kept it in "ME2" instead of what now essentially amounts to limited ammunition.
Other than that I am so far very pleased with "ME2" and it will certainly be occupying many, many gaming hours in my private life. I would be very pleased to see the five points above directly addressed and changed for the better (IMO) in "ME3".
I have the collectors also.. top class package. I don't usually go for the bum-rapery of special / collectors eds. but this one is good.
I'm glad the inventory is gone TBH, how could they have carried around all that pish anyway?
The old inventory was unrealistic, true, but to then do a 180 degree turn and completely remove it seems to me to be a disproportionate reaction. As previously stated, I miss having at least some items in an inventory to tinker with.
No game is perfect, KFD. Sometimes it is easier to nit-pick over the really good games because you have to try harder to find fault. Little things can show up like a missing jewel in a crown, if you get my meaning.
I wonder if they stripped back the stats for the sake of the mainstream consumer?
Anyway, I'm tempted to pick up ME2 as soon as I've completed Demon's Souls, which I picked up on import. I'm actually willing to say that DS is now my favourite game of this generation so far and would heartily recommend it if you ever picked up a PS3 in the future.
@KFD I'm with plonkman regarding the inventory. It's much more realistic and forces you to ensure you have a good balance among your selected squad.
I agree slightly about the stats, but I feel they only cut away the ones which were crap anyway. Things such as First Aid were useless and took away points from the good stats, especially if First Aid led to another strength being unlocked. Weapons stats were also stupid I felt, as Shepard was in the Alliance before the events of the first game and therefore an experienced soldier with weapons experience.
100% agree about the Heat Sinks though, and I'd like to add Lifts to your list. I want them back!
I have to say I think the stats may have been dumbed down a little too far. Not having the massive ability tree gets you back into the action quicker but it seems a little easy. It doesn't matter much in a single-player game, but there's not quite as many ways you can advance your character.
Still, I'm loving it. I also love that they included a Firefly-esque casual outfit for Shepard
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