Mass Effect 2 is a single-player action role-playing game in which the player takes the role of Commander Shepard from a third-person perspective. Before the game begins, the player determines Shepard's gender, appearance, military background, combat training, and first name.[1] The player may choose to import a character from a completed saved game of the original Mass Effect or start the game with a new character.[2] Importing an old character allows several decisions the player made in the original game to impact the story of Mass Effect 2 and grants the player a set of starting bonuses.[2][3] The game features six different character classes for the player to choose from.[4] Each class is proficient in a different set of powers and weapon types.[1] For example, the Vanguard class specializes in close-range combat and shotguns, while the Infiltrator class relies on stealth combat and sniper rifles.[1]