BioWare has announced when PC and Xbox 360 gamers can expect to grab Mass Effect 2. It'll surprise you – bucking the trend of an early-year drought, the game has been confirmed for the 29th January 2010. Yes, that's a game (a AAA one at that) in January. Sound the alarm.

The sci-fi RPG sequel continues the adventures of Commander Shepard and will come with pre-order bonuses in the UK, such as special armour and weapons to use in-game. BioWare's co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka said “Our fans are in for a genuine thrill in the New Year with Mass Effect 2 – the second instalment in the trilogy will be of amazingly high quality. BioWare’s fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting this epic sequel, and we couldn’t be more excited to reward them for pre-ordering by delivering some awesome bonus content.”

Any hopes of a PlayStation 3 version have been dashed however, with the recent slip of the tongue by writer Jay Watamaniuk followed up by an official statement on the BioWare forums. Apparently it was all a simple mistake, as Jay makes clear: “There is a report circulating today based on an appearance I made in Poland yesterday. Seems there was a misunderstanding about ME2 coming to PS3.

“Let me clarify today: ME2 is coming to PC and X360 only. Look for them both on Jan 26 in NA and Jan 29 in Europe. Sorry for the confusion.”