When I first heard that Mass Effect was going to be a trilogy I thought, “Well, that sounds cool and using my character from the previous title was one of my favorite parts of .//Hack. Maybe I’ll reserve it.” Some time in 2008 we all saw the first trailer for Mass Effect 2, learned that Shepard was dead and some Geth was wearing his armor. This didn’t sit well with me. Later at E3 ’09 we saw the more epic trailer for Mass Effect 2, showing off the darker, more cinematic look Mass Effect had taken. I’m glad I reserved my copy because this game blew my expectations away.

Set two years after the previous game, players once again find themselves controlling Commander Shepard – former Alliance Marine, Specter, and, depending on your choices, either galactic savior or tenacious renegade with his own Agenda. I refuse to spoil the game’s epic opening, regardless of people being able to guess it from the trailers, because it is definitely a jaw dropper. Shepard has joined “Cerberus,” a radical, pro-Human organization that you may have heard of before if you explored around in the first game or read Mass Effect: Ascension. The leader of the group, the “Illusive Man,” informs you of a new threat: The Collectors – an enigmatic and mysterious species from beyond the known galaxy who have been abducting entire human colonies in the lawless Terminus Systems. You embark on your journey, along the way recruiting your new team and upgrading your ship to survive what many call a suicide mission.

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