Game Title - Mass Effect
Developer - BioWare
Genre - Sci-Fi Role Playing
Rating - M
Release Date - November 20th, 2007
Platforms - Xbox 360
Game Overview
In Mass Effect, you take control of Commander Shepard. After picking your first name and customizing your characters background, appearance, and gender, you embark on an adventure that takes you all over the universe. Abord the SSV Normandy, using faster than light speed transportation systems called the Mass Relays, you have the ability to travel to many different Galaxies, and Planets within those Galaxies. Some planets can be landed on, but most of them are for surveying. Surveying planets give the chance of discovering artifacts for side missions, minerals like gold and sulfer which in return give you credits, and information on the games backstory. Most of the planets you can land on, are done by dropping to the surface in an APC, called a M35 Mako. Most of the planets are either too cold or too hot to stay outside of the vehicle for too long. The Mako is an 8 wheeled APC with a 360 degree Machine gun+Rail gun mounted to it's roof. On planet surfaces, you can drive around to discover minerals, drop pods, and other treasures to benefit yourself. You may also come across rebel bases which you can raid to find further treasures and information.
Combat in the game in generally fun and simple. Running, crouching behind cover, pointing, shooting. Your team consists of 2 other squad member sbesides yourself. There are 6 total characters you find to join your squad along the storyline, and you have the freedom to choose who comes with you on missions and explorations. Each person has certain hits and misses in the categories of Combat (general combat. Damage done, accuracy, health, armor) Tech Strength (Ability to hack locked doors, safes, etc.), and Biotics (special powers, sort of like The Force in Star Wars) Everyone in the game uses 4 weapons (Sniper Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, and Assault Rifle). You can buy better versions of the weapons, as well as upgrades for them (different types of ammunition, better accuracy rails, scopes, heat sinks to reduce cooldowns, etc.)
Leveling up is as simple as gaining experience. You earn points to upgrade your class specialties, like weapon abilities, new biotics, total health, healing done when using Medi-Gels. You upgrade every squad members abilities when you level up, because the squad shares XP.
The storyline can be continued whenever the player feels. You can choose to never finish the story and just do side quests, or you can run around doing nothing. Once the story ends, you can start a new game from the beginning, using your character from the previous game with all your stats, weapons, armor, etc. And continue to level up.
1.
Audio - 10
The audio in this game is amazing. First of all it has to have one of the best original soundtracks out there. The music is very futuristic, electronic sounding. And some may thing "it's problably just techno" but in honesty it isn't. It doesn't really have a genre. But it fits the game PERFECTLY. From tense conbat situations, to just walking around the main city called The Citadel, the music is perfection. Sound effects are perfect as well. I even love the sounds used from switching menus and selecting items. It all goes together so well.
2.
Graphics - 9
The graphics in this game are great. The characters and settings are very highly detailed, with bump mapping through the ceiling. Everything looks like it can be touched and felt. The lighting is beautiful and the scenery is gorgeous. The heat effects from your gun overheating are also great, causing that distorted heat wave look around the hot area. The only downside of the graphics is the rendering. Sometimes when it loads a new area, everything becomes cel-shaded for about 10 seconds until the graphics actually render themselves.
3.
Controls - 9
The controls in this game are pretty tight. Good smooth aiming, especially with the sniper scope. Easy to manuver around the world. The vehicle handling is also pretty good, but could use some work. Only faults are turning wile running. You don't really turn, but you sort of circle toward that direction. It does make the game more realistic, but control wise it could do without.
4.
Content - 10
There is a LOT to do in this game. It will keep you entertained for hours on end. Aside from leveling, theres hundreds of planets to discover and explore, tons of bases to raid, the main story to complete, a lot of side quests, a few secrets, and of course the Xbox 360 achievements. AND there is the fact that in between games (Mass Effect is going to be a trilogy) there are short "Episodes" you can download to play to keep players entertained.
5.
Replayability - 8
The game will HAVE to be replayed at least 2 times (if you milk it, 3 on average) before you max out at level 60. There are also a lot of places to go back to discover and explore. The only reason it gets a 8 is because the exploration will get repetative.
6.
Story - 10
The story in the game is great and it sucks you in. From the battles with the Geth on Eden Prime, to the discovery of the traitor *********, and the final battle which actually requires you to choose the fate of the council, the story will pull you deeper and deeper into this elaborate world.
7.
Innovation - 8
While a fun game that has a lot of new things to do it in, and that also breaks away from traditional medieval RPGs by setting it in the future in space, the game is almost a clone of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series. (which was also made by BioWare)
8.
Getting Into It - 10
The game is very easy to get into, and right off the bat you as dropped into a combat situation. The main plot of the story is introduced early and the game is downright addicting.
9.
Game Length - 9
The game is pretty long, but if you play just the story and not the side missions, it will come up pretty short.
10.
Spice - 8
Spice is the games variety. There are in fact many things to do, most of which have good variety and are good ideas. But most of the game is either surveying, shooting, or exploring. Fun nonetheless, but slightly repetative.
OVERALL SCORE
9.1 out of
10
Final Comment
Highly recommended game. It will keep you entertained for a long long time, and it is just a lot of fun to play if you enjoy RPGs.
Møk3
