Mass Effect 2, Fwoar! *pumps fist in the air*. The latest Official Xbox Magazine for the US has some new details ready to bust ball sacks or moisten lady bits the world over. CVG reports that there will indeed be a new combat system and players will take control of Shepard after all. It's just unclear as to how long that will be for. What's been said for the story is that Shepard is investigating why human civilisations are disappearing on what's dubbed as a suicide mission...hmmm, could that be where he dies?... The same chapter also features the Cerebus corporation and it's leader and lets not forget Shepards continuing fight against the Reapers. He's a busy chap isn't he? An assassin called Thane is one of the new characters and new species to appear and possibly join your party while you visit planets such as an Illiom planet, Asari planet (which is kinda like Coruscant in Star Wars) and a Krogan planet too. To mirror the harmony of the Citadel you'll visit a Cerebus mothership which I'm guessing will be a dank and miserable place. Choices in the game become more definitive and there will be the risk of main characters dying, never to return. Plus new weapons, inventory system, a new vehicle to control, more species and team members and a ending that will surpass the grandeur of the first game - which I thought was awesome anyway!

There was also talk of new DLC for Mass Effect that will be properly announced shortly once it gets a bit more polish. More details of this and Mass Effect 2 will appear at E3 this year like who you'll finally be playing as and if and when Shepard croaks it... stay tuned for that!