First 2 Mass Effect 3 Screens Released

Game Informer scored the first two screenshots from BioWare's upcoming game Mass Effect 3.

Thursday gaming magazine Game Informer posted two exclusive screens from Mass Effect 3 that won't be featured in its 12-page cover story set for May. As seen below, the screens highlight Commander Shepard as he fights Cerberus forces on the Salarian homeworld.

So far the game is slated for a Holiday 2011 release, heading to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC. Development actually began prior to the release of Mass Effect 2, but the third installment wasn't officially revealed until the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards.

The game's story takes place immediately after the "Arrival" DLC for Mass Effect 2. Returning cast members include Liara T'soni, Kaidan Alenko, Ashley Williams, Garrus, Wrex, Mordin, Legion and Colnel Anderson.

As the story goes, Commander Shepard, now on Earth, faces trial for the events that transpired during the DLC. Halfway during the hearing, Reapers attack the planet, thus forcing Shepard to flee in the Normandy and seek out support from other alien civilizations to mount a counter-attack. To make matters worse, the Illusive Man has hired Cerberus to assassinate Shepard as soon as possible.

Game Informer said that Mass Effect 3 will appear as a twelve-page spread in the May 10th edition. The May issue of Official Xbox Magazine will also feature Mass Effect 3, going on sale May 9th.