Mass Effect 2 Forum Activity

While the general consensus seemed to be that many of the Mass Effect squad members wouldn’t be returning in the sequel, Mass Effect 2 marketing manager Jarrett Lee stopped by the forums to somewhat dispel that theory.

We actually want you guys to be surprised at who is available as a squad mate when you play the game. Careful about jumping to conclusions that “so and so is no longer available” etc. Granted sometimes we’ll spell that out clearly, but we’re also trying hard to not spoil a bunch of really cool stuff so you can experience it first-hand when you play.

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It’s actually less of a marketing decision as far as what we’ve told you about old party members – the team genuinely wants to keep some things a surprise in the game and I’ve been respecting that wish. Given your reactions I may revisit the topic with them to see if we can flesh things out a bit more for you. I’d hate to see you guys not play this amazing game for any reason, given what big fans you are of the franchise.

And if you’re wondering what the point of Medi-gel is when we have regenerative health or how exactly interrupts work, Patrick Weekes sheds some light:

Medigel: I believe Preston addressed this elsewhere, but will check with him tomorrow before answering.

Interrupts: You see an evil red sand dealer walking toward the door at the end of a conversation, sneering and muttering that you can’t do anything to him, because he has diplomatic immunity. The camera zooms in on an explosive canister right as he walks past it, and the Renegade Interrupt cue flashes. What do you think is going to happen?

You hear cries for help, and as you approach, you walk up to a bridge in a conversation, where a man is clinging, having slipped and fallen over the edge. He shouts that he’s not going to be able to hold on, and the Paragon Interrupt cue flashes as he shouts, “I’m losing my grip! I’m losing my grip!” What do you think is going to happen?

If you answered, “I think the Renegade Interrupt was to tell that guy to have a nice day, and the Paragon Interrupt was to shoot the guy hanging from the bridge to put him out of his misery,” congratulations! The interrupt system is completely optional, and you are free to never ever ever select it.

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would say that if it’s not clear what Shepard is going to do, then assume that Shepard is going to actually just interrupt the person (as is the case here with Nassana, yes? Not remembering which Interrupt we’re talking about). In cases where we don’t have the guy lean against a window over a massive drop, the Renegade option will likely just be “Taking charge of the conversation with an attitude.”

In any case where Shepard is doing something physical or violent, we try to telegraph it more.