BioWare has revealed the sequel will not be adopting a feature of the original game, you won’t be able to replay Mass Effect 2 with the same-character.
They need ”reasonable knowledge” of where your guy/gal is at the end of the game, and they also offer character builds ”within specific classes.” Insanity will be ”a badge of honour”.
In Mass Effect, once you had complete the campaign you could take another stroll through the Attican Traverse as the same Shephard you finished with, effectively tuning him/her up more with extra levels, skills, cash and better equipment - not so for ME2.
Asked on the official Mass Effect forums if the sequel supported the character replays, BioWare gave their response: ”The short answer is no,” posted lead designer Preston Watamaniuk.
”The reason is progression. We have been working very hard to make sure we design the abilities system to offer smooth progression into ME3 from ME2. Allowing double progression on characters makes that almost impossible,” he explained.
”We have to have reasonable knowledge about where a character could end up finishing all content on a play through. We also want to offer choice of character build within specific classes.”
”We replaced that feature with playing after you were done because it preserves progression and allows for smoother downloading of PRC.” This however raises the issue of game difficulty, as the first let you leverage achievement bonuses to help get through them, Mass Effect 2 has no such feature.
”…we’re aware that some players really want to use insanity at the get go. I’m developing our difficulty system, and I understand what players who play insanity get out of that experience. I’m very much a “hardest difficulty” person,” posted lead system designer Christina Norman on the ME2 forum.
”We want enemies on harder difficulties to feel smarter, deadlier, not just “tougher”. We want insanity to feel like a smart experience, where you don’t die because a rocket hits you and you’re one-shot killed. You die because you face an overwhelming, deadly, force.”
”Overall insanity in ME2 will be harder than ME1. That’s a heads up for everyone! Beating insanity on ME2 is going to be a real “achievement”, a badge of honor, get ready,” she added.
Are the Mass Effect achievements dead now? One thing that has most fans’ attentions are that their Commanders can continue on after the primary campaign is completed apparently, so, no need for a second run through?
Source: Eurogamer
