Mass Effect

"A classic for the 360, and any gaming library"

PREFACE:
I want to preface this game by saying that I am only considering the released copy of the game. Any additional changes that come about through downloaded content I am not considering. For those curious for my review I played the Soldier and Vanguard classes on my respective playthroughs, I generally don't worry about achievements here though, so if achievements add or detract something from the game. I won't bring it up.

REVIEW:

Mass Effect truly is the definition of a Sci-Fi RPG. It is everything any Sci-Fi fan should want out of a game. It has an engrossing and original Sci-Fi story, a truly signature environment, and most importantly relate-able elements despite being Science Fiction. The gameplay is solid, the visual presentation is realistic and brings a life to the environment, and lastly the story is absolutely engrossing. From the first hour until the final battle it brings you in until the closing credits.

1) Gameplay (8.5/10)
Although Mass Effect is frequently called an RPG, It really is a hybrid. The Battle System is active, and more reminiscent of a third person shooter than a typical RPG. Enemies are visible, and there are no distinct and separate battle and exploration states to the game. In other words, like a typical shooter, as soon as you enter the playing field, you can be attacked at any point and without interruption or transportation. This works very well for this game, although it makes the battle system more one-note, it moves things along quicker and makes the environment seem more realistic as you don't randomly enter battles where you are transported somewhere else to fight the enemy(ies).

The combat aside, the game itself plays well. From an early point in the game you are given free rein to explore the universe and choose what order you want to accomplish tasks in the story and whether or not you want to do side quests. Dialogue is open-ended, and your answers and responses play a part in shaping your character, how your game plays, and how the story unfolds and ultimately ends. Although this has been done before in games like Knights of the Old Republic, the system still provides great replay value and entertainment. Here though, you are also given charming and intimidating responses if you develop your character right. The alternatives really can make dialogue scenes entertaining.

The only two complaints I have with gameplay is that the auto-save system doesn't work very well. Very often the auto-save will kick in before lengthy dialogue scenes. This is particularly painful before boss-fights, as every time you die and need to reload you have to repeat the dialogue scene entirely. The other problem is with the “magic” in this game, Biotics, the system by which these are used creates an element of slowdown when compared to using guns. While not enough to deter from the game play, the slowdown to combat is noticeable.

2) Visual and Audio Presentation (9/10)

The visual presentation isn't the greatest graphics wise, there are some elements of “texture lag” where as a cut scene happens or as you enter a new area, and the textures will still be partially loading as you enter. This hurts the presentation as it really reminds the player that you are playing a game and not experiencing something altogether. This is a little problem, but does deter from the game as a whole.

Once you get over this, the game truly works. The sound is original and really brings the technology to life, this goes hand in hand with the voice-acting, which is truly top notch. The environment is wonderfully done, mapping out not only the galaxy for the canon, but establishing political strife and context to the environment. You are really given a sense of humanity's place relative to the rest of the galaxy and the hierarchy of races in it throughout playing. It works really well as it brings a sense of true realism to it, without getting over the top with it. You truly get a sense of scope and turmoil in the galaxy as certain races want power, certain races are trying to prevent others from getting power, and this struggle behind the scenes plays a part in how certain races treat you and your kind. For example, the Volgus resent Humanity as the Council are willing to grant them potential membership before them, despite the fact they have been a part of the Citadel longer.

Outside of this environment, the galaxy itself is also done phenomenally. You are given open-exploration of the Galaxy and are able to go anywhere very early on, this gives the game a truly fun experience and brings a lot of playtime just exploring various worlds and what is on them, from side-quests to just goofing off.

3) Replay Value (10/10)

Here is one place Mass Effect truly shines and enough to be worth the 10/10. There are several different starting classes. 3 Standards: Soldier, who specializes in weapons; Engineer, who specializes in techs, and Adept, who specializes in Biotics, this game's version of a caster. 3 Hybrids: Infiltrator, a combination of Soldier and Engineer, which produces a “Special Ops” type combatant; Sentinel, a combination of Engineer and Adept, which produces a support-type class, a back of the line combatant, and lastly the Vanguard, a combination of Soldier and Adept, a high-damage, but vulnerable class. These 6 classes really all play differently, or at the very least provide enough reason to play through the games twice to experience the two primary types of combat: typical gunplay and biotics.

Outside of that, there are multiple ways to actually finish the game. You are given two different sides to the spectrum, Paragon (good) and Renegade (evil), both of which fundamentally change the way the game unfolds.

At the very least these elements and the multitude of side-quests give the player reason to play through twice. At the end of the day, that's what I look for in replay value.

4) Story (10/10)

The story is another element that Mass Effect shines. I don't want to reveal any spoilers, but the story is basically a twist on the “Savior” story. You play as Shepard, who despite the wishes of the Galactic Council to have a better option, ends up being the only hope to defeat Saren. A rogue Spectre with desires to destroy organic life in the galaxy with an ancient race of sentient robots called the Reapers. The twists come as the player continues to play through as the mystery of technology in the galaxy begins to unfold and you find out that the progenitor race, the Protheans, might not be everything they say they are, and that the Reapers potentially have another purpose. It is engrossing, well developed, and the characters bring it to life by being relate-able and “human.”

The story is really what people concern themselves with in RPGs, and Mass Effect doesn't disappoint. From the start of the first mission until the end of the final cut scene this game is truly a classic. The characters are memorable, the environment is top-notch, the dialogue provides interesting developments in characters and story alike, and the twists make for an original story when all is said and done. I can honestly say this is a must-have, and a game which will hopefully grow to be truly epic with the eventual release of Mass Effect 2 and 3.

OVERALL: 9.5/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/08/08

Game Release: Mass Effect (US, 11/20/07)