Bioware announced the wait is coming to an end for the sequel to popular Mass Effect from 2007. Mass Effect 2 will ship January 26th, 2010. The second installment of the trilogy will continue the story of Commander Shepard and humanity’s first steps onto the galactic stage.

Mass Effect 2 offers deep character customization and numerous improvements to the intense third-person-shooter style combat. Travel the galaxy to assemble a team of soldiers and combat specialists, and launch an all-out assault on the heart of enemy territory.

Bioware also announced pre-order bonuses with Gamestop exclusivity including:

• The Terminus Armor is designed for use in extreme planetary conditions, increasing run speed and personal shields, and augmenting weapons with an additional magazine of reserve ammo.
• The M-490 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon generates a high-powered localized gravity well, accelerating particles to near-infinite mass, and ultimately expanding the selection of heavy weapons available to players when they gear up for combat missions in Mass Effect 2.

Those loyal to other retailers for their pre-orders won’t be without, and will get “Inferno Armor” which boosts running speed and improves combat powers damage.

Mass Effect 2 will be available for the Xbox 360 and PC. Those who haven’t played the first game can pick up the Platinum Hits edition for $20.