If there has ever been an incentive to purchase a game new rather than rent it or buy it used, Mass Effect 2 fits the bill quite well.  As long as you have access to the Cerberus Network [free with purchase of Mass Effect 2; $15 if you didn't], you can now download a new heavy weapon for free.  Here is the Bioware official description of the new gun:

The Arc Projector ionizes targets with a non-visible laser to ready them for a high-voltage electrical attack. As the lightning-like bolt hits its first target, a sophisticated auto-targeting system paints succeeding targets with the ionization laser, allowing the electricity to take the path of least resistance and arc between them. An entire enemy strike team can be shocked to death with a few pulls of the trigger. Careful aiming will also allow the user to arc shots to nearby explosives as well.

More free DLC is on the way still with the ‘Firewalker’ pack adding five new missions as well as a flying craft called the Hammerhead, which will be available towards the end of this March.

Bioware will be adding some more free DLC to Mass Effect 2 to all those who purchased the game new and have access to the Cerebus Network.  The ‘Firewalker’ DLC will add 5 new missions featuring the Hammerhead, which is a heavy assault vehicle that hovers over the battlefield at up to 120 kilometers per hour and features a guided missile system ensuring accuracy even during aggressive maneuvering.  The DLC will be available late March for the Xbox 360 and PC.

Today Bioware will be releasing a new set of armor as well as a new shotgun for Mass Effect 2 that will be free to anyone that is signed up to the Cerebus Network.  The DLC will arrive at around 2PM Eastern time.  Here are the stats:

Cerberus Assault Armor Cerberus assault armor is designed for shock troops, turn the tide of battle against creatures or forces that would decimate normal soldiers. Increases heavy weapon ammo capacity by +10% Increases shields by +10% Increases health by +10%

M-22a Eviscerator Shotgun The M-22a Eviscerator Shotgun is a longer-range shotgun with armor-piercing loads. This design also violates several intergalactic weapons treaties, so the M-22a is not distributed to militaries.

10 out of 10

- The Good: Amazing self shaping story and ability to import characters from original game.
- The Bad: Some RPG elements have been taken out that were in the original game.
Let us begin with the graphics in Mass Effect 2.  They are nearly flawless, with a few low textured shadows that do not take away from the cinematic awe of the game.  Cinematic scenes, environments and even graphics during the core game play are breath taking.  They are far superior to the original Mass Effect.

Continue to read the full review here.

Upon booting up Mass Effect 2 while online, you will be required to install the games first patch.  The patch simply adds support for the added ‘Zaeed’ character DLC, which is free and accessible through the Cerberus network.  This is where future DLC will be available and of course will not be free.  Just an added note on downloading Mass Effect 2 content for the Xbox 360; once you have entered a code and accepted the download, you then must return to the dashboard so you can continue downloading any DLC.  Once downloaded you may then boot Mass Effect 2 back up and use your new DLC.

Above is the launch trailer for Mass Effect 2, releasing January 26th in North America and January 29th in Europe.  It definitely makes me want to play it after watching this trailer and if it’s anything like Mass Effect 1, i’m sure it will be amazing.

This is a brief video from IGN showing how you can import and use your Mass Effect 1 character in Mass Effect 2 and continue your story.  Mass Effect 2 will be out January 26th for the Xbox 360 and PC.

Subject Zero couldn’t stay away from getting another trailer for her character in Mass Effect 2.  She is not exactly the girl you want to take home to mom, but she makes a perfect edition to Sheppard’s squad.  Mass Effect 2 will be out for the Xbox 360 and PC on January 26th.

Here is a new Mass Effect 2 trailer featuring the character Miranda Lawson.  Mass Effect 2 will be out January 26th for the Xbox 360 and PC.

A little late on getting this trailer up, but never the less if you have not seen it elsewhere, it is deserving of a watch.  The graphics in the trailer are extremely impressive and just adds to the hype of the Sci-Fi/RPG/Shooter Mass Effect 2.  The game is due out on January 26th for the Xbox 360 and PC.

The Mass Effect 2 Collector’s Edition will contain the following:

• Tin Box
• Making Of & Behind The Scenes DVD
• 48 Page Art Book
• Issue 1 of the Mass Effect: Redemption Comic Book
• Weapons and Armor only available from this Collector’s Edition

Pre-ordering the game at Gamestop will get you Terminus Gear which will include the Terminus Armor which is designed for extreme planetary conditions and gives you increased run speed, personal shields and more ammo.  The Terminus Gear also includes the M-90 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon, which “generates a high-powered localized gravity well, accelerating particles near-infinite mass.”

Pre-ordering the game at Amazon.com will get you the Inferno Armor which will give you increased negotiation skills, run speed and combat damage.

In Mass Effect 2, you will be able to import your save file from Mass Effect 1 to integrate it with the sequel.  The higher the level of you Mass Effect 1 Shepard, the more bonuses you will get.  Some of these bonuses include boosted stats and abilities.  Along with the bonuses, importing a ME1 save file will also effect the outcome and story plot through out the game.  For more information on this importing Mass Effect 1 save feature, go here.  Mass Effect 2 comes out for the Xbox 360 and PC on January 26th, 2010.

Mass Effect 2 is almost here so it is suitable to have the official Achievements for the game released.  Mass Effect 2 will be available for the Xbox 360 and PC on January 26th, 2010.  Here are some of the achievements, check out the full list with pics here.

Master at Arms (15 points)
Kill enemies with 5 different heavy weapons during the game
Merciless (10 points)
Make 20 enemies scream as they fall or are set on fire
Overload Specialist (15 points)
Disrupt the shields of 25 enemies
Warp Specialist (15 points)
Warp the barriers of 25 enemies
Incineration Specialist (15 points)
Incinerate the armor of 25 enemies
Operative (15 points)
Complete a mission discovered by scanning an unexplored world
Agent (50 points)
Complete 5 missions discovered by scanning unexplored worlds
Prospector (5 points)
Retrieve mineral resources by scanning and probing a planet in the galaxy map
Explorer (10 points)
Visit 100% of the planets in an unexplored cluster
Power Gamer (10 points)
Reach Level 30 with one character
Scholar (15 points)
Unlock 15 new Mass Effect 2 codex entries
Technician (15 points)
Obtain 10 technology upgrades
Weapon Specialist (15 points)
Fully upgrade a weapon
Scientist (10 points)
Complete any research project in the Normandy’s laboratory
Fashionista (5 points)
Personalize your armor in your quarters on the Normandy
Power Full (15 points)
Evolve any power
Highly Trained (15 points)
View all advanced combat training videos at Shepard’s private terminal

Here is the cinematic trailer for Mass Effect 2.  The game will be out for the Xbox 360 and PC on January 26th, 2010.

Mass Effect 2 has got a great voice actor line up from some of the best Sci-Fi movies and shows.  Here are some of them:

Seth Green (Austin Powers) – Joker
Carrie-Anne Moss (Trinity from The Matrix) – Aria T’Loak
Michael Dorn (Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation) – Gatatog Uvenk
Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) – EDI Normandy
Adam Baldwin (Chuck) – Kal ‘Reegar
Michael Hogan (Colonel Saul Tigh on Battlestar Galactica) – Captain Bailey
Martin Sheen (The West Wing) – Illusive Man
Keith David (Halo’s Arbiter, Crash) – Admiral David Anderson
Shohreh Adhdashloo (FlashForward, House of Saddam) – Admiral Shala’Raan vas Tonbay
Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck) – Miranda Lawson

Lead Gameplay Designer for Mass Effect 2, Christina Norman showcases some aspects of the engineer class in Mass Effect 2.  They look pretty cool actually and now they can summon combat drones to attack or distract your enemy.Mass Effect 2 will be released on the Xbox 360 and PC on January 26, 2010.