"Emotionally engaging narrative is a key design pillar for BioWare, and the top-notch voice talent in Mass Effect 2 helps drive this goal," said BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka in a press statement. "Credible, powerful personalities are vital to delivering a compelling story experience in BioWare's games."

For those not avoiding spoilers, BioWare offers a rundown of the "amazing ensemble cast that surpasses the very high bar set in the original Mass Effect!" and their roles.

Esteemed actor Martin Sheen stars as the mysterious Illusive Man who commands Cerberus, a secretive paramilitary organization dedicated to protecting human interests in the galaxy. Yvonne Strahovski plays deadly Cerberus operative Miranda Lawson, who has been genetically engineered for superior mental and physical traits. Returning to the cast from the original Mass Effect is Seth Green as Joker and Keith David as Admiral David Anderson. And rounding out the vocal roster are Tricia Helfer as EDI, the voice of the new Normandy; Carrie-Anne Moss as Aria T'Loak, the crime lord who rules the planet Omega; Shohreh Aghdashloo as Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay; Michael Hogan as Captain Bailey; Adam Baldwin as Kal 'Reegar; and Michael Dorn as Gatatog Uvenk.

The sci-fi RPG sequel BioWare declares "the first blockbuster of 2010" arrives for PC--with modest system requirements and light DRM--and Xbox 360 in North America on January 26 then in Europe come January 29, also in Collector's Edition form.