Haha, it looks like a romance novel.

Do you think the Box Art was affected by now being owned by EA?! It's fine for me but yea I thought they'd go for a something a bit darker.

8/23
I updated the OP with multiple videos and pictures that have come out post-E3. There was a bit of a delay between the last two updates (sorry), but if there's anything I'm leaving out just let me know. For the sake of Mass Effect's outstanding storyline, I will not post any videos or information revealing dramatic spoilers (i.e. a new character being revealed is acceptable, multiple endings to the game or "twists" is not) in the OP and would appreciate them not being posted in the responses.

With that being said...god damn this game looks good!

This game is looking like its going to be awesome. The only thing that sucks for me is that I played Mass Effect when it launched and by now I have forgotten so much of the story and characters it is insane. I really don't want to play through it again (don't really have the spare time) so I guess maybe my best option will be to just fire it up before ME 2 hits and read through a good part of the index stuff.

Originally Posted by cgarb84 This game is looking like its going to be awesome. The only thing that sucks for me is that I played Mass Effect when it launched and by now I have forgotten so much of the story and characters it is insane. I really don't want to play through it again (don't really have the spare time) so I guess maybe my best option will be to just fire it up before ME 2 hits and read through a good part of the index stuff.

I've been thinking the exact same thing.

Judging from the Kotaku post on this, it looks to be a pretty solid shooter. Much improved from the original, can't wait.

Just check out the game info section: http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect_Wiki

If I didn't know any better I'd say Bethesda got a little Fallout 3 in my Mass Effect and the results are looking quite delicious if I do say so myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsefCmNAQR4

And no, she doesn't drop the f-bomb every five seconds. Dev's said so. ;P

Goddamn that is one badass character.

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Originally Posted by Tha Xecutioner Goddamn that is one badass character.

My sentiments exactly though a large majority of Bioware forum posters can't stand her. Apparently to some she's just another example of how the company is "selling out" by catering to a bunch of immature teenagers.

If I didn't know any better I'd say most of them can't function without having something to constantly complain about.

I like the character, but I don't like the character design.

I honestly dont want my shepherd to that chick... STD city prob.

Subject Zero seems like she may have some good lines during the conversations and missions so I know she will be a part of my party my first playthrough.

Niiiiiiiiiicee, man its like the female Wrex haha. Nice tats, would have loved to work on her textures if you know what I mean.

Originally Posted by Ink.So.Well. My sentiments exactly though a large majority of Bioware forum posters can't stand her. Apparently to some she's just another example of how the company is "selling out" by catering to a bunch of immature teenagers. If I didn't know any better I'd say most of them can't function without having something to constantly complain about.

The idea that BioWare is "selling out" with the introduction of this character is beyond ridiculous. At one point, I know the marketing team who's responsible for these character videos said "don't just take these characters we show you at face value, because they are much more complex than we can show in a 2 minute video" and I agree with that.

I don't really get the comparison for Subject Zero to some sort of angsty/Hot Topic-style teen - maybe it's because of the pale skin and tattoos? Knowing that she is some sort of ex-biotic prisoner pretty much explains everything we've seen about her character: pale skin (how do you get sun when you're in a cage/cell/laboratory all the time?), tattoos (the somewhat cliche thing for any hard-ass inmate or member of a gang to have), buzzed hair (came from running with gangs - she did say she kept the haircut), and a hard-ass/violent attitude (Kaiden did say in Mass Effect that he had known a bunch of test subjects/prisoners in the past who did not react well with the testing mentally - her personality is probably a repercussion of that).

I don't think BioWare is using Subject Zero for the sole purpose of saying "Our game is edgy", but I do think that it is her role in the 10-person squad to show a little more of this mature/dark tone that we are expecting to see in Mass Effect 2. Out of the 10 person squad lineup, 6 have been revealed so far now (Thane, Tali, Grunt, Miranda, Jacob, and Subject Zero) and they've already shown a great amount of variety with these characters. It also seems like there aren't as many people (at least yet) who are on the border of Paragon/Renegade like in Mass Effect; that they are more polarized in their personalities.

Concerning the large group of BioWare forum posters (and people elsewhere, for that matter) who constantly complain after each character video - I don't pay them any bit of attention. To me, they are just trying to find a reason to not fall into the hype of this game, for one reason or another. That, or they are just scared of sequels.

The main issue I have with the boards is most of them come across as smug self-important fanatical fans who take EVERY. LITTLE. THING. literally at face value regardless of what was said by the devs e.g. the Zero situation. One of the devs clearly stated that while some of them might not be pleased with her that she was well written with a league more depth than what was shown in the video... yet all they hear is: "You said we wouldn't like her and you were right! Stop selling out to inbred wrasslin' watching Halo/GoW2 fans! You're alienating your old fanbase!"

It's borderline pathetic.

Dev post: "Hey guys. We've delivered on the darker more Empire Strikes Back sort of feel we were going for in the sequel so help drive it home here are a few vids showcasing some of the Renegade characters you can recruit for the suicide mission."

Typical angry paranoid fan response: "Why it is so one-sided? Where are all the Paragon characters! Why are you showing us one-dimensional cardboard brutish unsophisticated morons!? Why are you blatantly catering to different fan base? It's too dark! I hate it! You're selling out! What is my Paragon Shepard supposed to do? He'd/She'd NEVER recruit those circus animals so why are you FORCING us to now!?"

Or better yet...

Dev post: "We've listened to most of the complaints concerning combat so we took a step back and revamped it. We've taken a few elements from great shooters such as GoW 2 and it definitely has some of that feel to it. We've also added a regenerative health system so check it out. We're really exciting by how great of game this is shaping up to be so watch the video and tell us how feel about it!"

Typical angry paranoid fan response: "Are you mad? How dare you discard your old fan base like useless chaff turning our sacred game from a brilliant RPG with wonky shooter elements into a PURE SHOOTER CATERING TO MORONIC TEENAGERS! What's next? A shotgun that shoots out shotguns!? Where are all the RPG elements you said you were still working on? This video PROVES you were LYING ABOUT THAT TOO, HUH? What about the statistical side!? You can't have an RPG without stats! What's wrong with you morons? Do you understand we know more about creating an award winning game than you? Because you've SELFISHLY decided to add more shooter elements to THIS GAME it is NO LONGER AN RPG ANYMORE. DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? THEY'VE GOT TO BE SACRIFICING THE STORYLINE BY FOCUSING SO MUCH ON THE SHOOTER ASPECT AND KEEPING EVERYTHING A SECRET SO WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO HARSHLY CRITICIZE. Don't you understand that people? THIS IS WHERE IT STARTS. Why are you selling out Bioware!?"

Ugh. It's enough to make you want to vomit.

Originally Posted by Ink.So.Well. ...Ugh. It's enough to make you want to vomit.

My favorite part (so far) of the fanaticism of these people saying BioWare is selling out is when they say "there's too many Renegade characters revealed". However, when you break down the six characters already revealed/confirmed for Mass Effect 2, you'll see that it's 4-2 in favor of Paragon characters (maybe even 3-3 depending on how you see Miranda ).
My 4-2 figure comes from:
Thane - Paragon. I think this because, even though he is a dreaded assassin, he seems to despise unnecessary violence and chaos.
Tali - Paragon. She's actually somewhat Renegade when it comes to the Geth, but she proved to be much more Paragon in Mass Effect.
Miranda - Paragon. If you've played Mass Effect: Galaxy or read up on it, you'd know that Miranda is a spy/informant from Cerberus that helps out the Alliance. Although she never really shows much of a Renegade side, you have to imagine that there is some characteristics of her that spout evil for her to be an effective spy.
Jacob - Paragon. I think he showed enough Paragon aspects in Mass Effect: Galaxy for this to be a no-brainer.
Grunt - Renegade. Keywords: Ruthless, Irrational, and Unpredictable.
"Subject Zero" - Renegade. There's absolutely no one more "extreme" than her. Renegade to the core, though I'm sure she has a bit of a softer side..maybe.

As much as I like Tali and the idea of having a merciless Krogan as an ally, already I'm seeing my ideal squad being Renegade Shepard, Thane, and "Subject Zero"

Indeed. The devs did state that Thane is more so in the gray area than the rest of the recruit-able roster. So if anything as of now it is pretty much balanced and yet they still steam over the fact these characters are in the universe they've convinced themselves of knowing so much about despite the fact they aren't working for the company. The same supportive optional cast who's presence alone somehow solidifies Bioware's catering to a less sophisticated audience instead of delivering on the promise of a darker plot in the sequel. Meh.

That looks like a bad atari 2600 box art. Atleast it reminds me of the box art from the games back then. I have to say I hate it and why is it EA now that is publishing it.

EDIT: That Blood Dragon Armor is it only by preordering that one game or do you think it can be downloaded later or found in game? Also I wonder how good it will be.

Can't wait for this game. ME1 is one of my favorite games of all time. I'm confident that they will do this game right, but I as well have some concern over that new female character. But, it was only a bit and I'm sure she'll have some interesting story.