Video: More Subject Zero, More ME2 News
The first Subject Zero video reveal left me with a sour taste in my mouth. While I understood what it wanted to convey, I personally thought it went about doing it in a very problematic and poor way.
This narrative trailer for Subject Zero, however? It conveys exactly what I anticipated they wanted, and in a way that tells me a lot more about the character, because I'm not focused on how over-the-top she is being portrayed. She differentiates herself from Shepard, establishes herself as a favored for renegades, and comes across as a companion with whom you can interact and know there will be butting of heads. Most BioWare companions seem to present themselves as an archetype (sometimes dangerously close to stereotypes) at first, and then manage to open up a bit (depending on how you interact with them), and this video assures me that Subject Zero may well have the same treatment.
The question remains whether the two ways of approaching her are: gleefully blow things up or redeem this poor, misguided woman and wipe away her past.
In more Mass Effect 2 news, over Twitter this weekend, BioWare announced that we will not be charged for DLC that is released on launch day. We can also expect more info on DLC this week.
And, if that's not enough news for you information gluttons out there, the BioWare blog has had Christina Norman discussing the mechanics of the game. Thus far we have a post on how enemy defenses work (and admitting they weren't consistently explained in the first) and how item and equipment management is being made easier for a more streamlined play.
VorpalBunny
Posted to Video Games, Videos on 18 January 2010
· Comments (3)
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I dunno, Subject Zero still doesn't hold any appeal after this video. I see two ways her character could unfold. First option is that she's going to be a complete one-dimensional ass-hat like the trailers are portraying her, good for a snarky comment now and again but no real character depth. She could fill the kind of role that HK-47 did in KOTOR, except replacing malicious glee with annoying "Grrrr, it pisses me off" aggression.
Or option two is that they'll add depth by making her the victim of a troubled past to make her aggression and angst a product of others and not her own fault (most likely involving biotic experimentation). Since that is probably my least favorite character archetype, I would find that option even worse.
Subject Zero looks to be filling the Ashley Williams spot from the first game as a character who will never find a spot in my party and who I will gladly sacrifice if given the chance.
Iunno, while it's not the same team as Dragon Age, I was surprised at the arc they portrayed for Shale. Initially I was under the impression of, "Oh, another HK-47," but grew to appreciate that they actually put in some depth that wasn't completely cliché-ridden.
Not sure if she'll be in my first playthrough (Thane is definitely offered a spot for my renegade biotic), but I'll definitely keep an eye on her.
I much prefer this trailer, it makes her seem a little more 'approachable' unlike the first one which was well to be honest, a bitch on a rampage. Tattoo's? Sure I can handle that, bald/buzzed cut, sure no problem, bitchy attitude? Step in line. But putting them all together... I dunno. I see her ending up sadly not in the main party a lot.