EA and BioWare have issued a launch trailer for Mass Effect 2. Though virtually bereft of gameplay, the clip serves as a showcase for the sci-fi epic’s beautifully crafted cut scenes.

We could probably have done without the monologue from film legend Martin Sheen. In an attempt to convey the scale of the threat facing Shepard, BioWare have saddled Sheen with a melodramatic action movie script that feels at odds with tone of the original Mass Effect.

One of the key features of Mass Effect 2 is the capacity to import your character from the first game. However, the trailer again highlights the difficulty in promoting a title in which players are encouraged to customise their protagonist. As Sheen drones on about humanity’s fate being in the hands of “one very specific man”, I couldn’t help but recall that my version of Shepard is a woman.

Mass Effect 2 is due for release in Australia on Thursday 28 January 2010.

In this episode: Quantum Theory, Dark Void, Naughty Bear, Alan Wake, Monday Night Combat, The Saboteur, R18+ DVD laws and much more!

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The Panellists: Erin Marcon, Karen Jacobson, David Walden and Peter Nickless

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Welcome to the Black List, our regular retrospective on the week in games.

On Monday, we took a look at Eclosion, the downloadable shmup from indie developer Eipix Entertainment.

On Tuesday, we reported that class based multiplayer shooter Monday Night Combat is on its way to XBLA.

On Wednesday, we updated you on a range of forthcoming Ubisoft titles, including I Am Alive, R.U.S.E. and Assassins’ Creed 3.

On Thursday, we realised that South Australia has introduced a new law restricting the manner in which R18+ films can be displayed at retail.

On Friday, we delved into the latest Quantum Theory trailer and pondered cultural differences between the United States and Japan.

Thanks for reading.

Erin Marcon – Editor

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RECENT FEATURED CONTENT

A new gameplay trailer has emerged for Tecmo’s forthcoming sci-fi title Quantum Theory.

A third person action game with an emphasis on firing from cover, Quantum Theory has undoubtedly been influenced by Gears of War. While the gameplay similarities are quite obvious, the art design owes, if anything, an even greater debt. The muted colour palette, square jawed character design and ghoulish alien adversaries immediately evoke Epic Game’s bestselling franchise.

There are differences of course. In Gears of War, you’re teamed with another barely cognisant he-man, and your only contact with women is to plug them full of lead. Quantum Theory strikes a blow for feminism by having you fighting alongside a luminescent sword wielding call girl. One of these games was developed in the United States, the other in Japan. Can you guess which is which?

Originally announced solely for the PS3, Quantum Theory is now expected to be released on both 360 and PS3 in 2010, most likely in Q1.