Mass Effect 2 Protagonist In Question
Some series keep the same hero, or groups of heroes for game after game while others adhere more to a structural framework in terms of style and game play, creating new characters or even new worlds every time. With the rich, complicated universe that underlies Bioware’s scifi RPG Mass Effect everyone knew that a sequel would be at the very least set in the same universe, although specific characters and chronology could have changed majorly.
With the first trailer Bioware answered a few questions, but raised even more. If you haven’t seen the trailer yet it mentions Shepard, giving some of the details from the first game including a list of deeds you’d have accomplished playing through the game as well as his ‘known alien accomplices’, the non-human party members from the first game. It goes on to say that Shepard is listed as ‘KIA’ (killed in action) and as the trailer pans out you see that an armored suit bearing Shepard’s N7 special ops designation is being worn by a Geth, both details throwing the survival of Shepard into question.
Although it’s only an early trailer it’s impossible really to doubt that Bioware plans to feature Shepard in some way. After all they wouldn’t make a trailer that mentions nothing other than the original protagonist without reason. This trailer sparked a whole lot of talk as you might imagine, and BioWare has responded in some small part: Bioware community managers mentioned several times on their forum to keep your save files from the original. It’s impossible to say what direction their taking this, but there are many possible guesses. Perhaps your character will be sent in to rescue him (I apologize to anyone who played the game with a female Shepard), or discover him accidentally in the course of their own adventure. Even more worrisome is the possibility that Shepard will be the villain.