TSA’s Top 100 of 2011 – #38 Mass Effect 2

No; not a typo, we’re really looking forward to a game we’ve already awarded a TSA top-score of 10 out of 10 to. We’re talking about the PS3 version, of course. As, though many of the staff here at TheSixthAxis have already revelled in the epical sprawl of BioWare’s space opera, there are still those of us without Xbox 360s (or a decent PC) who literally performed a standing back-flip when the news that Mass Effect 2 would jump universes and arrive on the PS3 in January of 2011 was announced.

Of course, we knew it was coming for some time; the reality of the title’s once esteemed 360 exclusivity fading like a comet’s tail as it moves away from the sun as soon as BioWare was snapped up by the all-encompassing ubiquity of EA. As a property, Mass Effect was just too big a franchise not to bring to the PS3, and though there were countless arguments and counter-arguments regarding the possibility of the first game also defecting like its superior descendant, the sequel’s appearance – a game that was not published by Microsoft Game Studios – was always a certainty.

Now that the dust has finally settled between some ardent 360 fans upset at what they perceive as one of the 360’s strongest exclusives going multi-platform and the makers of the game, BioWare, attention is now turned to the touchy subject of what PlayStation 3 fans will get when their Blu-ray adorned with Captain Shepard’s mug arrives next month. Obviously, Mass Effect 2, but also a wealth of DLC 360 fans have had to buy separately along the way. This includes Lair of the Shadow Broker, Project Overlord, Kasumi: Stolen Memory and the Blood Dragon Armour.

It could be argued, of course, that PS3 fans are likely to pay full if not close to full price for the privilege of playing Mass Effect 2 on their systems, while 360 fans can, right now, pick up Mass Effect 2 for less than twenty quid. Regardless, BioWare have a task ahead of them enticing PS3 fans to not only purchase a game that is now a year old, but also is a logical continuation of another game – a title PS3 fans will never get to play due to the fact Microsoft ponied up the coin in production costs.

To counter the second aspect of this challenge, BioWare have engaged Dark Horse Comics to create an interactive graphic novel that depicts the back-story from Mass Effect 1. Bundled on the Blu-ray, PS3 fans will get to witness the complex and extensive history of Mass Effect’s universe before delving in to the sequel. Also, as the series is renowned for its decision making element – choices that forge how the remainder of the tale unfolds – these options will also be presented to PS3 players as they watch – and interact – with the visual experience. Fittingly, the decisions you make during this time will have consequences on your Mass Effect universe going forward. Exclusive to PS3 users, there is speculation that the comic could appear on Mass Effect’s Cerebus Network for all of the series’ fans to enjoy sometime in the future.

As for that future and in terms of further DLC, BioWare have also stated: “There will also be some DLC Bundles, such as the Aegis Pack, as well as exclusive both Free and Paid DLC for all PlayStation 3 owners such as the Recon Operations Pack.” Mass Effect 2 on the PS3 Producer Jesse Houston has since responded to the outcry at what many see as unfair preferential treatment in reference to “exclusive DLC” on the PS3, clarifying that “all of this content is or was available to Xbox/PC owners but otherwise wouldn’t be available to PS3 owners.”

It’s a grey area to say the least. Exclusive but not exclusive? We’re sure to find out just what this means in the following months after Mass Effect 2’s much-anticipated launch on the PS3 on January 28th in Europe.