Mass Effect 2 Preview

VideoGamer.com: In Mass Effect, you could work out whether you were going to get Paragon or Renegade points based on where the dialogue option was on the radial menu. Top right was good, bottom right was bad, and central was the monk option.

AC: If it's not broken then… you know? But we have added some interesting features to the dialogue system. Like all aspects of the game, once we had a base foundation to work from, we found neat ways to improve the experience. The interrupt system is one of the new things we've added in to add a bit more spice to it. I don't know if you've ever had a bad conversation that just got to the breaking point where it's like, that's it! And so, there are opportunities where you're like, you know what? I'm not even going to wait for the dialogue option. If this thing pops up, I'm going to hit it. And then you're in for a little surprise as to how Shepard reacts. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad, in terms of Renegade or Paragon choice, but definitely refreshing.

VideoGamer.com: Will Mass Effect 2 be a longer game than Mass Effect?

AC: I can't comment on the final length of the game itself. We're aiming for a similar experience. What we've done is streamlined things a lot, too. So we're packing in a lot more intensity - you can see that in the combats and the engagements. We're making the game flow a lot smoother. So even if you wanted to just do the bare minimum, it's an enjoyable experience. If you want to explore everything, instead of these dips and valleys, we want to have this always continual, oh I want to get to the next chapter, oh I've done this, now I want to try something else. So it's constantly engaging.

VideoGamer.com: In Mass Effect 1 you were able to visit new planets, but there wasn't much to do on them and the structures and quests were repetitive. How have you improved on that?

AC: We've addressed that. We haven't talked much about that. I can't give you too many details right now, but it was something we've heard feedback on and we've addressed it from day one design of the game. Again, it's going to improve the flow of the game and the pacing. You're going to go there, you going to have an objective and you'll go do it, and hopefully people will find that a much richer and rewarding experience.

VideoGamer.com: What's Garrus doing in Shepard's neck of the woods?

AC: You know there are so many interesting characters from Mass 1 that fans will want to see. There are some good surprises in store for those because, you want to see some returning familiar faces, and explore their characters a bit more. Garrus is definitely one of those characters that people had a lot of affinity for. I'm glad that we found a way to bring him back.

Mass Effect 2 is due out for the Xbox 360 and PC on January 29.