'with DLC - the ultimate RPG ?'
 Developer: Bioware
Publisher: Microsoft
Category: : RPG
Multiplayer: None
Official Site
Platform: X-Box 360
Might look like: /
Date posted: 11 April 2008 (Update : DLC added!)
Written By: Ian
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Mass Defect?
When "Mass Effect" was first released, despite generally positive reviews, Mass Effect got a lot of criticism as well.
Many people disliked the vehicle sections, disliked the amount of dialogue, and also declared it to be too short, too repetitive, and too biased towards the soldier classes.
Well, a couple of months down the line, after two entire playthroughs and some DLC, does Mass Effect hold up well, or do the flaws appear glaring and larger than ever?
The most important, gameplay
The gameplay style is very action RPG.
On easy, you can basically play the game as a straight shooter, and whilst the game is still enjoyable in this fashion, its much better if you choose a higher level of difficulty and play in a more traditional way.
You can hold down the RB to bring up a radial menu to select skills, spells and abilities to help take down the enemy. Its far more rewarding to play this way, and its also, more importantly, more fun.
The mission structure is fairly standard wherever you go, but this is outweighed by your total freedom.
Generally, you will lank in the Mako, a tank/APC vehicle with a cannon on it, drive around till you find a bunker/building, enter it, shoot some stuff, find the boss, and either kill him or negotiate with him/her. And that's what breaks up the monotony. You are free to approach the game as you like, including the missions, and can complete them as you see fit, whether that involves massacring civilians or even setting nukes off.
And through these choice you affect your own personality and relationships. These are all excellent features, and mean that the game plays brilliantly.
  
Bringing Down the Sky DLC
There is, as of 10/03/08, a new piece of DLC for the game, which we waited for before publishing our review.
It is available for 400MS points, and will take 60-120 minutes to complete.
A new race, the Batarians (see screenshot #6), are seen, and you can play and get some serious paragon or renegade points depending on your preference.
The mission is very standard, starting you off in the Mako before you destroy some turrets and head inside for some shooting and a boss.
However, it is really fun, and a cut above most of the other missions in the game, making this a well-worthwhile purchase, especially as you get a new achievement and some new equipment.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in Mass Effect are simply stunning. The sheer variety of planets is massive, and wherever you go, the scenery looks beautiful, especially in High Definition.
However, the levels are outdone by the character models. The main characters look totally liefelike, and the quality of the animation is also top-notch. The lip-synching is perfect, and the facial animations are also absolutely superb. Without a doubt, the game has the best looking characters of any game, ever.
The cut-scenes are amazingly well done, and beautifully directed, and in general, the art style and direction is also brilliant. Sound-wise, the game is again, sheer excellence.
  
The voice acting comes from a host of Hollywood stars, including 'Seth Green', but whoever is talking, the game has one of the best scripts seen in a game.
There is a LOT of dialogue, and this may be off-putting to some, especially as it is unskippable, but it all adds to the game, and it is great seeing how the different characters react to you depending what approach you take to them.
The music, whilst simple, is also well used, fitting, and goes very well with the game. The game also sounds particularly good in 5.1, and the gun-effects have great bass and recoil.
Conclusion
"Mass Effect" is, for me, the best game of 2007. Yes, better than the 'Orange Box', yes, better than 'BioShock', and yes, better than 'Halo 3'. Better than any other game on any other platform.
Even the DLC is god value and great fun. The game has great graphics, amazing dialogue and great voice acting, and fantastic gameplay.
The game is now also fairly cheap, and is frankly unmissable given that you will probably want to play through twice, and each playthrough can take anywhere between 15 and 60 hours.
The only flaw is perhaps the main quest could have been longer, but ultimately, the sheer amount of extra content nullifies this aspect.
Buy Mass Effect or you WILL regret it!
-Ian
Ratings
Manual:
90 % |
Graphics:
97% |
Music & Sfx:
94% |
GamePlay:
93% |
|
This game scores
 
on our 5-point Rating System
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