PS3 Mass Effect 2 uses ME3 engine

By Robert Purchese Published 16 December, 2010

"This really is the true, best version."

The new, PS3 version of Mass Effect 2 will look better than the original on Xbox 360 - that's because BioWare's using the Mass Effect 3 engine to power it.

"One of the first things you're going to see is improved graphics," said game producer Jesse Houston on the BioWare podcast.

"We actually created the engine for Mass Effect 3 and used that to make Mass Effect 2 PS3. So we took the content, the story and all of the other assets that made up Mass Effect 2 and we put it into the Mass Effect 3 engine.

"We've also gone ahead and made the experience much more solid on PS3," he added. " So for example the controls are geared towards the PS3 controller [although] you can switch it back to the old Xbox [layout] if you like. Other things like planet scanning have been improved; we've rolled up all of the patches; done a whole bunch of bug fixing."

Mass Effect 2 on PS3 will also bundle premium DLC such as recent add-on Lair of the Shadow Broker. What's more, being on Blu-ray means having more storage space, so there's no need to swap game discs half-way through the emotional space rollick.

Note that Mass Effect 1 will not make its way to PS3. To cope with that, BioWare has made an interactive comic that tells the first game's story and let's you make the big decisions within it. They then import into Mass Effect 2 and shape your world - the same way an imported saved game worked on Xbox 360.

Houston also mentioned that Mass Effect 2 was finished on PS3 and on course for its January 21st European release.

A demo, remember, will be available on 22nd December.

Nevermind Mass Effect 2, here's Mass Effect 3!

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (79) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Trigga_Tybalt #1 1 year ago

    Post deleted at 15:43:01 23-02-2012

  • PixelPirate #2 1 year ago

    wicked, it keeps getting better and better.

    I guess some things are worth the wait!

  • KevvyMetal79 #3 1 year ago

    Where can I buy a Xbxo 360!? :o

  • GrandMasterRamrod #4 1 year ago

    The only thing that will make me consider getting this for a second platform will be if Miranda actually gets her kit off this time around. That and/or lesbian relationships. Yes, I am that shallow.

  • butler` #5 1 year ago

    Let's face it: it's going to be ME2 engine with some improvements - minor or otherwise.

    This article makes out like its going to be a whole new engine.

  • memeroot #6 1 year ago

    will it look better than the pc version?

  • miiiguel #7 1 year ago

    I dig lesbian stuff too. Might get a PS3.

  • NotSoSlim #8 1 year ago

    Watch ign comparison...well done Bioware :)

  • swissorc #9 1 year ago

    I dont care that PS3 owners get the game. I do care that if I want to play the DLC I have to pay whereas they get it all for free. It's the whole game of the year edition ball shit all over again.

  • JBlokeUK #10 1 year ago

    This does look the dogs danglies it has to be said. Definitely picking this one up.

  • Dizzy #11 1 year ago

    Early NeoGAF threads seem to indicate a sloppy framerate and weak AA though.

  • CloisterBlack #12 1 year ago

    remember remember the 22nd of December, the Mass Effect comes on your plat.

  • des #13 1 year ago

    also known as Unreal Engine 3,lol

  • markymark22 #14 1 year ago

    Torn!! I'll def be picking this up for my ps3 but i'm seriously considering buying a 360 tomoro JUST for halo reach and now to try out me1. So tell me lad's 280euro for a 250gb 360 a spare controller (not sure if its 1st party) and REACH. Good deal?

  • patch #15 1 year ago

    @Butler' Apparently all three Mass Effects will be using the Unreal 3 engine. It could be you won't see a whole lot of difference between ME3 and ME2, or you could see as big a change as between 1 and 2. Don't forget they've made a fair few changes to the Unreal 3 engine over the years.

  • NotSoSlim #16 1 year ago

    Ign hands on says otherwise dizzy, no doubt DF will do a comparison
    Edited by NotSoSlim at 16/12/10 @ 12:10

  • markymark22 #17 1 year ago

    Torn!! I'll def be picking this up for my ps3 but i'm seriously considering buying a 360 tomoro JUST for halo reach and now to try out me1. So tell me lad's 280euro for a 250gb 360 a spare controller (not sure if its 1st party) and REACH. Good deal?

  • GiarcYekrub #18 1 year ago

    Hey Bioware how about a GOTY 360 version using the ME3 engine better yet ME:Trilogy ME3 powered

  • Rens11 #19 1 year ago

    what do I do when I want to get mass effect 3 having bought the first 2 on xbox I'd carry on the story consequences but have to disc swap several times hmmm decsions decsions

  • MisterM #20 1 year ago

    I'm really looking forward to the reactions from the Xbox crowd on this one.

    Just to point out, I'm a multi-console whore and have both a 360 and PS3, but I love it when stuff like this happens.

  • twoism #21 1 year ago

    PS3 newcomers to this series is in for an absolute treat, guaranteed.

  • Miths #22 1 year ago

    I'm almost tempted to buy the PS3 version as well. Although whatever improvements they may have done, I still have a feeling it's going to be visually inferior - and framerate deficient - compared to the PC version I've played through three times so far.
    1920x1200 at ~60 fps beats 720p at 30 fps in a slightly improved engine I'm sure :).

    Either way, it's fantastic that those with only a PS3 finally get to experience Mass Effect. Mass Effect 2 is easily in my top 5 games of my ~25 years of gaming. ME1 was also great, but the gameplay mechanics often felt a bit clumsy - and even more so after ME2 was released.

  • Dizzy #23 1 year ago

    >Ign hands on says otherwise dizzy, no doubt DF will do a comparison

    I know... but IGN? Going to be an interesting read on DF.

  • MrLovePump #24 1 year ago

    Read the me2 engine didn't work on ps3 and that's been the delay. They have probably been making alterations with the me3 engine to make it more cross platform

  • Zimo #25 1 year ago

    you mean they decided to support ps3, and it was a choice of redeveloping me2 engine that most likely didnt support ps3 or creating the new one that was always going to support ps3, using that and killing two bird with one stone.

    i hate pr spin,

  • coolbritannia #26 1 year ago

    How long until ME3? If it's a simultaneous release ME2 isn't getting very long to shine on PS3 before it's bettered...

  • LHH #27 1 year ago

    Isn't the ME engine just a modified UE3 engine?

  • natashaspice #28 1 year ago

    At least when I finish this I dont have to wait long for ME3. That being said am not getting this at full rrp although Their giving all the extra stuff for free im gonna wait a few months seeing as I can the pc version on the cheap these days.

  • Fillem #29 1 year ago

    Hmm..I'm not entirely convinced it looks better.
    Judging by this:
    [link url=http://uk.ign.com/videos/2010/12/16/mass-effect-2-touring-the-normandy
    ]http://uk.ign.com/videos/2010/12/16/mass...[/link]
    The lighting/shadows on the Xbox version looks much better. Which is a shame because I'm a big PS3 fanwhore. :(

  • Wendelius #30 1 year ago

    @MisterM "Just to point out, I'm a multi-console whore and have both a 360 and PS3, but I love it when stuff like this happens."

    Why? Love it when what stuff happens? You enjoy fanboy baiting?

    I'd say this is good news for PS3 owners. They get the latest iteration of the engine and the latest bug fixes. What could anyone not like about that?

    I own ME on the 360 and ME2 on the PC. And I certainly don't resent the PS3 owners a chance to play the game or to do so with the latest engine. It doesn't hurt the 360 or PC owners who got to play it months earlier, does it? *shrug*

    Wendelius

  • coolbritannia #31 1 year ago

    As an xbot, even I know the PS3 needs ME1 as well. It's an amazing game, let everyone play it.

    i just don't know why anyone would neg this.
    Edited by coolbritannia at 16/12/10 @ 13:15

  • TelexStar #32 1 year ago

    Loved ME2 on the 360 but it's good to see that PS3 owners are getting some decent treatment with this.

  • GamesConnoisseur #33 1 year ago

    Wow!

    What a great job and truly PS3 owners are lucky that ME2 wasnt multi platform at launch, so they can take advantage of the latest ME build and experience ME2 with the best assets and after being bug-tested to death and totally refined.

    PC version likely still comes out the best with the range of optimisations but PS3 version using ME3 engine gonna be giving it a good run.

  • jag10 #34 1 year ago

    day 357

  • coolbritannia #35 1 year ago

    'What a great job and truly PS3 owners are lucky that ME2 wasnt multi platform at launch' Um, not really.

  • AdamAsunder #36 1 year ago

    @swissorc. I recently bought me2 for £4.99 brand new on the xbox, it's going to be a lot more expensive as a new release on PS3 so I think chucking in the DLC is the least they could do.

  • lancashirered #37 1 year ago

    I just checked the IGN comparison video, and as usual apart from the brightness level I can't really tell difference. Shame we can't get to play the first game. But I'm still looking forward to the greatness that is Mass Effect 2 on the PS3, a day 1 purchase!

  • thomaspower0 #38 1 year ago

    PC users should get the most advanced engine :)

  • Bradach #39 1 year ago

    i was on the fence about this as i've finished it on the 360 but now i want it.

  • miiiguel #40 1 year ago

    I'm one of the few who likes ME1 better, ME2 lost some of the narrative density which made it so charismatic.
    Edited by miiiguel at 16/12/10 @ 13:11

  • richarddavies #41 1 year ago

    I have this already on the 360 but the more I hear about the PS3 version the more im considering getting this aswell. I'll try the demo first and see how I feel.

  • Rodster #42 1 year ago

    yawn

  • Porcupine_I #43 1 year ago

    what's that annoying sound?

    it sounds like someone is whining.

    oh, its those people over there dressed in ponchos...

  • telboy007 #44 1 year ago

    Be good to see what the ME3 engine is like for the 360 version of ME3, the improvements in performance from ME1 to ME2 were pretty stonking.

  • Dave_McCoy #45 1 year ago

    @Rens11 Get whichever version you like, I'm sure the only difference will be you'll have to change disc once or twice. I really like the sound of the PS3 version but will be sticking to Xbox for the import decisions from previous MEs.

    What is it with people and disc swaps. I had Monkey Island 2 on the Amiga, that had 11 discs...some people don't know they're born. ;-)

  • Darren #46 1 year ago

    @Dizzy - The 360 version of Mass Effect 2 didn't have ANY AA as far as I could tell so weak AA or not the PS3 version has to be an improvement!!! ;)

  • Badassbab #47 1 year ago

    Awesome!

  • Dizzy #48 1 year ago

    @Dizzy - The 360 version of Mass Effect 2 didn't have ANY AA as far as I could tell so weak AA or not the PS3 version has to be an improvement!!! ;)

    Ha that is very possible. I don't really remember ME2 that well any more :)

    I guess we will find out soon anyway. What Bioware probably means is that it uses the ME3 gameplay engine, so tweaked UI, some smoother shortcuts etc...

  • NeoKenzi #49 1 year ago

    Woohoo, for the second time round!

  • darleysam #50 1 year ago

    Honestly, all the sucking up to the PS3 crowd is a bit aggravating.

  • M1chl #51 1 year ago

    Its nice to see, that they really do something in past year with PS3 version...

  • StolenGlory #52 1 year ago

    I have both consoles, but the 360 version wins it out for me.

    Character import > Slightly shiner gfx every day of the week.

  • anamenos #53 1 year ago

    Thanks a lot Bioware. At least i played the game months ago...

  • Retro_ #54 1 year ago

    Nice to see the PS3 get some love.

  • icematt12 #55 1 year ago

    I still have audio problems with the fight at the end of the Justicar's loyalty mission so that should be an improvement on the PS3 version. My plan is to rent it at launch and maybe buy the edition with all the DLC. Love the first, and some ways its better than the sequal, but gameplay can be a bit frustrating.

  • metalangel #56 1 year ago

    Still waiting a GOTY of ME2 on 360, Bioware.

  • TheJuriel #57 1 year ago

    Nice to see they're ostensibly taking multi-format seriously, for once.

    The interactive comic sounds like such a neat concept. I'd love it if ME3 came with that, too.

  • muscleblade #58 1 year ago

    @miiiguel

    I agree. ME1 had a much better story. Hovewer i hated the endless planet searching stuff. ME2 had (much) better graphics but i actually prefer the gameplay in the first one. To me their about the same but if i had to pick i would pick the first game.
    I completed ME1 3 times but ME2 only once even though it was a shorter game.

  • muscleblade #59 1 year ago

    By the time this releases the third game wont be far off anyway. PS3 owners are in for a treat though. The rest of us wait eagerly for the third game.

  • MiY4MOTO #60 1 year ago

    Well, ME2 is far and away my GoTY 2010 finished it twice, got a game underway on "Insane"... May actually buy the PS3 version as well and play it again with a different set of choices.

    Really *really* tempted.

  • Ror1984 #61 1 year ago

    Unless there's another video doing the rounds on IGN that I can't find, there's a couple of seconds of comparison footage, and I honestly don't ever remember ME2 looking that bad on the 360 :/

    I'll probably download the demo and check it out, but I won't be buying the game again.

    To anyone who hasn't played ME1 and intends to pick up ME2 on PS3, you really should find a way to play ME1 first, whether on PC or a borrowed 360. There's just no way the comic can provide the same experience as playing it. I'm sure I'll pick up some negs for saying that, but them's the breaks.
    Edited by Ror1984 at 16/12/10 @ 15:00

  • darc #62 1 year ago

    What will really be telling is how the 2 versions of ME3 - scheduled to ship simultaneously - compare with one another.
    Edited by darc at 16/12/10 @ 15:00

  • FuzzyDuck #63 1 year ago

    This is the sort of jazz that gets developers my dosh on day one. Even if the 360 version retains a wee sniff of performance advantage, Bioware are clearly showing the love, so i tip my hat and wallet to them.

  • darc #64 1 year ago

    ME1 and ME2 are both classics. Hard to pick between them. ME2 had better graphics and a better feel where the shooter mechanics were concerned. But ME1 had much better character advancement, skill tree, and inventory depth (despite a wonky UI). Overall I'd give ME1 the nod because I'm more an RPG guy than an FPS guy, but they were both great and I'm glad to have played them.

    I will say that, although I prefered ME1, ME2 was a more *consistently* enjoyable game, whereas there were a couple of early chapters in ME1 that really dragged. ME2, being the more "modern" game, kind of held your hand and entertained you beginning to end - for better/ for worse. (Except when you were scanning planets LOL.)
    Edited by darc at 16/12/10 @ 15:06

  • Raznilof #65 1 year ago

    Looking at the IGN comparison:


    [link url=http://uk.ign.com/videos/2010/12/16/mass-effect-2-touring-the-normandy
    ]http://uk.ign.com/videos/2010/12/16/mass...[/link]


    The ps3 version looks horribly dark with loads of jaggies and much too much glow. It's a complete opposite to the news story so I am holding my breath until DF shines its ultimate light on this. An unreal 3 powered game should look identical on both platforms bar some minor differences.

    Then again, it doesn't really matter, although personally I loathed the last part of Mass Effect 2, I absolutely loved the rest. Frame rate was never a big thing for ME but it doesn't matter.

    Ps3 (only) owners are in for a treat, good things!
    Edited by Raznilof at 16/12/10 @ 15:37

  • NotSoSlim #66 1 year ago

    You don't need to play ME1 it would help obviously but at least they have added a comic as a option to base a character off, I played thru ME2 on 360 and would of liked such a option as I found the first one mind numbing.

    Guarantee number 3 will have such a feature for new players and its a welcome one

  • Collymilad #67 1 year ago

    Yeah the sucking up is aggravating to say the least.

    Way to give a boot to the face to all the people who bought ME on the 360 (including the first game)

  • Sabreman64 #68 1 year ago

    NotSoSlim: Guarantee number 3 will have such a feature for new players and its a welcome one

    True. As the third game will no doubt include some kind of interactive comic, there's very little point in playing either of the first two Mass Effect games. Just think of what you could do with the 60 hours of your life you didn't waste playing Mass Effect 1 and 2.

  • kirankara #69 1 year ago

    @Fillem

    hard to tell much from that video, its pretty poor quality. the other video on ign seems to show the ps3 version to be sharper and more detailed. http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/114/11402...

  • darkphoenix #70 1 year ago

    shame PS3 users won't be able to play the first ME, imho a much better story and a better rpg.
    ME2 is all looks and too much shooting, seems like Gears with speech.

  • Quixz #71 1 year ago

    I saw some VS on ign it didnt look all that different.

  • digoutyoursoul #72 1 year ago

    delighted more people will get to play this although it needs to be said the asslicking for ps3 is a bit shitty on 360/pc players especially since some playstation people were writing this series off before a ps3 port was confirmed, they dont deserve the game imo, the plenty of normal playstation players do though

  • Syrette #73 1 year ago

    Not a surprise really, it has taken over a year for the port.

    I'm happy that PS3-only gamers will get a chance to play it, well worth it.

    Also pleasing is that the fact that as a 360 owner, there's nothing about this version that makes me feel like I'm missing out. I clocked everything to do with this game and an interactive comic does not make me jealous. Swapping a disc over is such a non issue that I don't understand why journos mention it.

  • kongzi #74 1 year ago

    Good good good.. Mass Effect is the one series on Xbox I feel I'd really miss out on if I'd only have a ps3. And good job from Bioware putting some love and care where it counts, but they almost always do that. So getting the DLC along with it actually means something here.

  • Badassbab #75 1 year ago

    ME1 does have a much better story. But glad to see its not the usual port. I cant wait to try the demo.

  • man.the.king #76 1 year ago

    I don't understand why people, e.g. darleysam, Collymilad are upset that BioWare took the time to port a previously 360-exclusive games (as far as consoles are concerned) to the PS3 properly, instead of other, poor porting efforts.

    Are you so angry that PS3 owners get a properly ported game, or are you just distressed that the game was ported to a non-360 platform?

  • MadCaddy13 #77 1 year ago

    I can't understand why microsoft sold ME to EA. Total BS! tehe

  • AJnevan #78 1 year ago

    Epic~ I will sell my Xbox360 for PS3.......

  • Widge #79 1 year ago

    Just going through ME1 on PC and going to use the comic to do ME2.