Mass Effect 2 received an unexpected twist earlier in the year when a teaser video strongly implied that the gender-swapping series star, Commander Shepard, was ‘Killed in Action’. That surprising revelation sent a shockwave through the Mass Effect community, who were rightly bemused by their hero being ignominiously dispatched in the space (no pun intended) between the two main games.
Fortunately, it seems that reports of Commander Shepard’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Bioware’s Casey Hudson, executive producer of Mass Effect 2, has shed a little more light on the subject, stating on his blog:
“I’ve heard some rumors that Commander Shepard is dead. Better not be. We had a lot of big plans made, so if someone’s gone and killed Shepard then things are going to take an unexpected turn…”
Saying that though, Hudson isn’t out and out confirming Commander Shepard’s continued tenure on this mortal coil. Being handed a brand new protagonist would be a very serious ‘unexpected turn’, akin to starting up Half-Life 2 and having the G-Man politely inform you that Gordon is toast and it’s all up to someone else now. Bioware can’t just do that… can it?
Fortunately, we do know that Mass Effect 2 will be making use of the original game’s save files, which we’re assuming means that you be able to take a levelled up character through the sequel. That would be a bit tricky if he or she is now propping up the daisies, and annoying too – we gave them all our best kit!
More Mass Effect 2 details are expected during E3. The game is currently scheduled for 2010 on PC and Xbox 360.
Out 2010 | £TBA | Mass Effect (via Gaming Today)
