Mass Effect 2 continues the story of Commander Shepard, who now must continue to save the universe while exploring the deepest recesses of space with a team of hand-picked recruits. So far, the game looks nothing less than impressive: here's four reasons we can hardly wait until 2010 to play this ambitious sequel.

Mass Effect 2 promises better combat, harder decisions and more deep-space exploration.

Free-flowing combat: One of the minor complaints about the first Mass Effect game was the constant disruptions during a firefight to use biotics -- the sci-fi equivalent of magic -- on enemies. In the new Mass Effect game, Project Director Casey Hudson says they've retooled the combat system to include new precision shooting and new special abilities that can be used with out stopping the action.

Load Your Save File and Keep Playing: Commander Shepard is back. You didn't think s/he really died, did you? Load your last saved game from the first Mass Effect, and take your customized Shepard into a new adventure in outer space.

More Amazing Movie-Like Scenery and Plot Like the first game, the Mass Effect 2 makes it feel like you're playing a movie. The characters look ultra-realistic and breathtaking environments, such as a Blade Runner-style cityscape (complete with flying cars) and a twisty, turny plot that involve exploring the deepest recesses of space.

Build a strong team to survive "In Mass Effect 2, you're not expected to survive," Hudson says, so it's important to build a strong team of allies that will watch your back and can perform under pressure. Meet people across the galaxy and decide to recruit them to be a part of your team.

Based on the brief demo at E3, this is easily one of the best games on the show floor. We eagerly await spending more time with Mass Effect 2 before it hits in 2010 for both Xbox 360 and PC.

Mass Effect Screens

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 1 of 81)

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 2 of 81)

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 3 of 81)

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 4 of 81)

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 5 of 81)

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 6 of 81)

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 7 of 81)

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 8 of 81)

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 9 of 81)

    As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined. (Screenshot 10 of 81)