BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts Inc., announced today that Mass Effect 2, the sequel to the award-winning Mass Effect, has begun shipping to retailers worldwide. Noted for its intense shooter gameplay and deep, hand-crafted story, Mass Effect 2 has received universal acclaim from top media outlets around the world, earning an average review score of 97 based on 29 reviews on the Xbox 360, making the game the second highest rated game for the platform of all time and 95 on PC.*

The Mass Effect trilogy is an epic science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, players will once again step into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, commanding their crew of some of the most dangerous operatives from across the galaxy on a mission so challenging that it’s potentially suicidal. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich futuristic storyline, space exploration and emotionally engaging character interaction, the game delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience.

Gamers who purchase a new copy of Mass Effect 2 will also be able to activate the ‘Cerberus Network’, an in-game portal in Mass Effect 2 that will keep fans engaged with the Mass Effect universe through downloadable content (DLC) and news at no extra charge.  The first piece of DLC is available today, featuring a new mission around the Normandy crash site.  For players who do not buy the game new, the ‘Cerberus Network’ can be unlocked through a one-time, in-game purchase of an activation code for 1200 MS points on the Xbox 360 and $15 on the PC.**  BioWare will release additional news on future ‘Cerberus Network’ content in the coming weeks.

Mass Effect 2 is available for the Xbox 360 and the PC and is rated ‘M’ for Mature by the ESRB and ‘18+’ by PEGI.

Official Site: http://masseffect.bioware.com/

* According to Metacritic.com.

** Activation is tied to a specific EA Online account and is non-transferable.