BioWare: Mass Effect 2 "feels like a new genre"

BioWare's Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka chatted to NowGamer this week about the shooting elements in Mass Effect 2, and told the site that since the game is not a traditional RPG but more of a shooter/RPG, it was imperative that the shooting element be fun.

"I think with Mass Effect the RPG underlining was never specifically the traditional RPG system, said Zeschuk. "It certainly took inspiration from it, and I think the fact that in a shooter a headshot should be a headshot is even stronger in Mass Effect 2.

"The key thing being the shooter should still legitimately feel like a shooter. For us, we really wanted to keep the things that were strong in Mass Effect, like the combat intensity and the overall cinematic quality and the emotional nature of the narrative and make sure the rest of it is at the same level. I think that’s one of the most exciting things and challenges for the team.

"The advantages of starting with all the technology is we can focus on just making the shooting fun. There’s always a delicate balance of the RPG elements."

"It really feels like a new genre: a shooter/RPG," added Muzyka. "There are not too many examples of games that would put in that kind of choice that would have the same depth of exploration. The progression system, the story and the narrative, and all the choices, but also have a shooter combat experience that feels very precise.

"Mass Effect 2 is somewhat unique in that it has that depth and intensity all in one package, which I think millions of fans enjoy. It’s a fairly accessible experience."

Full interview through the link, there.