PC: Mass Effect

Published Jun 27, 2008

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Sometime in the 22nd century, mankind stumbles across an ancient artefact while exploring Mars. What followed is a series of events and discoveries that leapfrog mankind from the smalltime exploratory race that it is, into a full space faring system.

A few centuries on and mankind has joined the galactic alliance, taking part as a member of the universal government and expanding across the universe. Your role in this epic space drama is as Commander Shepard, uber warrior and earth's first chance to have a human in the elite security arm of the council, the Spectres; agents that exists above the law to carry out duties ensuring the universe is as safe as it could possibly be.

It's on your assessment mission that everything starts to go horribly wrong. One of Earth's colonies makes an incredible discovery while unearthing another piece of technology from an ancient and extinct race, the Protheans.

You are immediately dispatched to secure and escort the artefact back to the council, but before you can react, the colony is under attack from the Geth, a race of sentient machines being manipulated by a rogue Spectre agent, Saren. As the story starts to unfold, we find that Saren does not only want the artefact, but rather is the mastermind behind a plan to return the Reapers, a race that has been missing since the last time life in the galaxy was exterminated. Well, that's not going to happen with Shepard on watch!

Watch the video game trailer:

"http://www.youtube.com/v/W4qPEZVOcwk&hl=en"

Gameplay

Mass Effect is a First Person Shooter, but instead of being mission based it is wrapped up in a very clever story. There is no beginning and no end, just the story. While there is a linear plan to the game, the freedom that you are given to explore different systems and planets, picking up on extra missions and tasks, gives one the feeling of freedom that a FPS does not.

While you could be tracking down Saren and trying to save the universe on one hand, there is also nothing wrong with heading off to the other side of the galaxy and hosing down a few space pirates for extra arms and upgrades before slapping Saren's goons around a bit. It all works very well.

Controls

Staying with the mechanics of the game, the controls are also very intuitive to master, and considering that this is a squad based FPS, that's no mean feat.

Yes folks, squad based. And not the kind that gives you a few team mates who just shoot things when they see them. Nope, these are real characters, who like you also earn experience, level up, learn new skills and talents, upgrade weapons and armour, and generally have minds of their own. The interface - hit the space key while in combat, it pauses the game, brings up a console, and a few clicks later you are waging war again with your squaddies all motivated with a new purpose. Or you can just leave them, and let them do what they do best.

The team consists of up to five members of which your squad can only make use of two. So for each mission, pick a squad that will compliment your playing style and also help with the tasks you are no good at. That's the trick, picking a team that will compliment you while you go about saving the universe.

Watch the combat trailer:

"http://www.youtube.com/v/isYPFvfT38w&hl=en"

Graphics and sound

Sci-Fi games have a certain aura and expectation about them. They really let the artists design worlds with a completely clean canvas, allowing their imaginations to run wild in an environment where common physics have no boundaries.

Mass Effect is visually stunning with a backing soundtrack that compliments perfectly. The environment looks and feels so right, even to the extent that all the cutscenes are ingame, using your highly configurable character and not some standard model.

The side missions in Mass Effect are places where the artists can have some fun, designing worlds for you to explore in the armoured reconnaissance vehicle, hunting down the Geth, surveying for minerals and space debris, or just generally taking some time out from the fast pace to do a little exploring on your own.

The NPCs also deserve a mention, blended into the game in such a way that they are not just plants in locations with some information to pass on, but rather members of the community with their own experiences and opinions, giving you information, but how and when is up to them.

Okay, one complaint. If a battle is preceded by a custscene after which you get wiped out, then you have to watch the cutscene again before you can get even. It would be nice to be able to skip the cutscene and just jump straight into the battle. That the only possible thing that I could even comment on that is slightly leaning towards the negative. Thats it.

Overall: 9.5/10

It has taken a while to hit the pc, but once again Bioware has delivered up more than just a simple shooter. Staying true to the formula of their successes of the past, the latest instalment of gaming wizardry to hit the shelves will once again leave many a gamer wondering just what happened to the last week of their lives, and setting alarms to remind them to eat and sleep.

The visuals are fantastic, the music is incredible, and the story totally immersive. And there are loads of things to shoot as well! This is an absolute must. Go and get it, you'll understand why.

A very highly recommended 9.5 out of 10. In fact, I hope you are reading this while queueing for Mass Effect.

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