...and again, why does it even matter?

Doesn't look like a human soldier he's grabbing there. Who knows what kind of treatment gets the best response from an alien species? It's science fiction, silly.

OMG those are incredible new shots. WOW. I really can't wait to play this game. UGH! Finally a great NON-Star Wars space adventure RPG! And by the legendary Bioware to top it off!

Have you seen the second gameplay movie, eriq? Watch in HD and tell me what you think.

Where is the second gameplay movie?

I can't get over the quality of this shot. WOW.

Windows = Microsoft ;(

All in all it seems Microsoft are fighting themselves. I mean, imagine a game like Mass Effect, Vista Only... Imagine how many more copies they would sell of their primary product (their operating system).

"And here's a load of cash, now just make sure you do not make this game for our new operating system" - Microsoft

http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=2211

Click the X06 gameplay demo.

Actually, MS has just released the (or what you call it English) the
new Games for Windows feature which clearly to me signals that MS
concentrates on getting games developed for their (own) OS, thus
aiming for getting (more) money out of the windows OS.

More on topic, perhaps:

I like the new screenshots also. However, in an interview with
Casey Hudson at http://evilavatarradio.com, Casey or the hosts
mentions Gears of War (I think) and this game's ability to have your
squad members hide behind things. Just like you can do in Mass Effect.

The real question now is this: What is the real difference between ME
and GOW ?? If it only lies in the story, then --- well, then ---
let's just say that ME provided you with you deeper story as why
you need to shoot aliens than Gears of War or Lost Planet probably do...

Are you the designated naysayer here?

aries323, now you're just looking for something to complain about. Relax, it's not going to be Gears of War with a better story. Gears is a visceral shooter built with online multiplayer matches in mind, the combat in Mass Effect is going to be a lot more tactical, you'll be able to pause it and issue commands, use skills, "magic" and so on.

What I don't find anywhere, or feel the need to look for because I'm lazy, is if they're incorporating FPS mechanics into it, a la Deus Ex. I love those kinds of games, they give you the best of both worlds.

No, the combat will be in third person. As whether it would resemble an action game or provide you with a more methodical experience, that's up to you, you can play it the way you want to. So I guess in that regard it will be somewhat like Deus Ex.

That's nice. I like playing both types of games and I personally feel the FPS-RPG type is one of the most (sadly) overlooked kinds of games out there. I wish there were more, only played like two: Deus Ex and Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines.

I must play Vampire again....

Bioshock is coming too, don't forget. That's strictly in first person view. Also, Fable 2 is in the works - third person with lots of action, but also is an RPG.

You played two of the best!
But if you liked those you should definitely check out System Shock 2. (And Bioshock when it comes out as mentioned)

Morrowind/Oblivion are quite good as well but in a generic fantasy setting and more open ended.

And I totally agree, the FPS-RPG is probably my favourite genre(ish). When Deus Ex and System Shock 2 came out I remember thinking "Wow! This is fantastic! Nobody will be able to sell a generic FPS now! The future is grand!"
Unfortunately it didn't quite work out like that :9

I totally forgot System Shock 2, which I also played and never finished. It's got a "crap my pants" ambient that I never have the guts to go forward after a point :( And I was considering Morrowind but I tried it once and didn't really like it, don't know why. I felt like I was thrown into a world I knew nothing about and had no idea what to do so it demoralized me.

Mass Effect takes a novel approach to PR.

http://www.bioware.com/bioware_info/...sEffect_Novel/

For a price of one XBox or PS3 game you can (almost) get 250GB harddrive or new processor, or two PC games..etc. Who cares about some gaming console full of boring kiddie games? Not me!