Mass Effect Update: Starting the Adventure
We head up to BioWare's Edmonton offices and spend some quality time with a near-final version of its upcoming Xbox 360 RPG.
Your journey to investigate the site takes you to a planet that's under attack by the Geth, an artificial race whose origins may seem similar the Cylons of Battlestar Galactica. The synthetic creatures are something of mystery, having not been heard from in a long time. However, the critters make a splashy return on the scene as they decimate the archaeological site and seemingly snatch the beacon without warning. Your investigation yields you a party of two to roll with as you become accustomed to the game's combat system. The second chunk of the game we checked out was the planet Virmire. The level focused on your team using the Mako vehicle to race around and blow things up to give you access to heavily guarded areas in its interior. Your enemies work for Saren, who you've come to discover is the big baddie that appears to be behind all the galactic trouble. Finally, there's Feros, an inhospitable world that humans have chosen to colonize. The centerpiece to the planet is a ruined Prothean city that's getting more messed up as the days progress, thanks to an ongoing battle with the Geth.
Beyond what we played, we got a demo of how you'll discover uncharted worlds in the game and what you can do with them. Once you have the Normandy at your disposal, you'll be able to go and explore anywhere you like. If you discover a planet, you'll typically get some kind of side quest that's either unique from the main story or, in the case of the demo we saw, one that is related to something in the main plot. The demo we saw found Shepard stumbling onto a pirate outpost and interacting with their leader before turning it into a pirate butt-kicking situation.
The demos showed off the conversation-tree system, as well as how your charm and intimidate abilities will factor into the many moral choices you'll be making during the adventure. But the big focus was to show off the game's combat systems and how characters will progress. The big hook to the action is the options you have once in battle. Hitting the right bumper lets you pause the action and strategically coordinate your squad's attacks, whether they are physical or biotic. Once you target your enemies and assign your attacks using the game's easy-to-grasp combat wheel, you release the bumper then watch it all play out. Though the pause feature can be used repeatedly, you can also choose to battle in real-time fashion, third-person-shooter style, if you're not big on planning. It's not the most efficient road to success, but it's possible to play through what appears to be a good chunk of encounters. We came to appreciate both ways to fight because some enemies could be easily dealt with via some old-fashioned shooting, while others required coordinated attacks mixing firearms and biotic powers.
The visuals in the game are a dazzling showcase of technology and art direction that raise the bar for Xbox 360 games in much the same way that Gears of War and BioShock have done. The NPCs and environments are gorgeous. They're also detailed, which help sell the rich universe that BioWare has created for you. The level of detail and variety is impressive. It is also enhanced by the animation and lighting, which is topnotch. You'll have ample opportunity to savor the visuals during the many cutscenes that take place as the story advances. BioWare is obviously justifiably proud of its graphics engine and the detailed character you'll create for yourself, so there's plenty of time spent during cutscenes showcasing it all. We're also fans of the little touches, such as the slightly grainy filter used to give the game a lived-in look that works. The visuals only hit a few bumps in our demo with some inconsistencies in the frame rate during the action, but nothing that couldn't be smoothed out.
Audio is plentiful in the game with ambient effects, tons of spoken dialogue, and a very cool soundtrack framing the action. The effects helps set the tone in the environments you move in and range from the subtle chatter of local wildlife when you're planet-side to the cacophony of sound on a ship. Spoken dialogue is plentiful in the story-driven game and effectively gives the characters you encounter personality. The subtle glue to all of the above is the game's soundtrack which, while often subtle to the point of not being noticeable in some spots, is a lush complement to the story and action. The music ebbs and flows in prominence. It also has an electronic feel that calls to mind the German group Tangerine Dream. The electronic tunes aren't an obvious choice for the game's score, but they've worked quite well in the levels we tried.
Based on what we played, Mass Effect certainly looks like it's delivering on the lofty promises of all the demos we've seen. The story is involving and your personal involvement really adds to its draw. The gameplay feels like a good mix of old and new that plays to BioWare's strengths, pushing the veteran developer into some new territory. The visuals and presentation are stunning. The 360 pumps out gorgeous characters and environments that are technically impressive, as well as stylish. The only thing we're hoping to see is a bit of polish to the few odd rough performance edges we saw in our demo. It's saying a lot that, in the wake of such powerful games Gears of War, BioShock, and Halo 3, our enthusiasm for Mass Effect hasn't diminished a bit. In fact, after our time with the game, we're actually more excited than ever. BioWare really looks like it's going to deliver in a big way. Mass Effect is set to ship this November for the Xbox 360.
415 comments
well this game will be the best RPG of the year with no doubt. but this game is not only a normal RPG. this game is very deep. even those who are not fan of RPG games can enjoy this game.this game is huge and needs at least 40 hours of gameplay.ONLY on XBOX 360 SYSTEM.
KOTOR on steroids: cover system, more weapons, more planets, better conversation system; If Jesus were in RPG form, he would be Mass Effect.
I'm definitely getting this game but I just hope it doesn't disappoint me after being hyped up so much. IMO, Halo 3 did exactly that. From looking at screenshots, videos, and what other people were saying about the game, it looked amazing, but when I got the game and started playing it, I was disappointed. It was good, maybe worth an 8.5-.9.0 rating, but certainly not 9.5/9.6. Although, I'm staying positive. The game looks SO good that it's hard to believe that they can possibly mess it up. The only way I can see is if someone went into the studio and deleted the whole game.
Looks amazing... and the lesbian thing... hehe lol :P I think this will be one of the best Role playing game this year :)
Lol, Tangerine Dream ruled. That's why the director's cut of Legend sucked, because they took out the original music.
This game better get Editor's Choice. It looks so amazing and the graphics from the gameplay videos are crystal clear and ahhhh I can't wait.
I'm so glad my favorite local store is doing a midnight release for this and Rock Band, holy crap! With a 12 vacation days left to take before year-end, I figure I'll play all Thanksgiving week -- Rock Band when my friends are over, and Mass Effect when they're not. :)
Hey Guys, Mass Effect is now available on Ebay, I think some K-mart stores started selling this game early. check out ebay.
This is Kotor next gen except you can blow up their base! HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
this game looks awesome. will probably buy it. and hackologue, to answer your question, youi will customize your character.
totally pre-ordered. totally. along the lines of a previous poster's inquiry - i wonder if at some point in time, Bioware will release a content patch allowing cooperative play (like XBL missions, bounty hunting other players, or randomly generated side quests/end-user content) and/or granting the player control over the Normandy.. because in addition to yearning the release of awesome games like this, guys (and girls) like us REALLY REALLY want to fly a spaceship..
I really wish they would let out a demo before the game comes out really want to get my hands on it
This game looks pretty good, I'm thinking I might buy it, does anyone know if you can create your own character? That would make me buy it
this game will be so cool. third person shooter with tons of planets to shot up no to mention all the possible endings that you can get. this game will rule me like oblivion. i wonder if it will ever come out on the computer or ps3. doesn't matter since ps3 and 360 are pretty much the same you stupid fanboy. ps3 doesn't have good exclusive games and all its good games are remakes of 360 games and i believe 360 is getting ninja gaiden so its pretty much over for the ps3. i own a ps2 and i love it but, Sony doesn't have good exclusive games in my mind. kill zone 2 will just be another shooter with nothing special except fantastic graphics. deal with it.
yeah dutch is a fanboy. Creed is good but is 8hrs long. this game is a must have and will be a great 50-60 hour experience
Dutch777, you do realize Assassin's Creed is coming out on the 360 as well right? Stupid fanboy.
I hope that in like most RRG's you can still go exploring after the main quests are done.
ZOMG THIS IS GONNA BE GOTY FOR SURE, I CANT WAIT IVE PREORDED AND IM COUNTING DOWN THE SECONDS WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT I CANT WAIT
I think they got a few things confused. The Spectres aren't part of the Alliance, they are part of the Council. The Alliance is made up of Humans, while the Council is basically the United Nations of the Mass Effect Galaxy. Minor stuff, but lets get it straight people.
Ladies and gentlemen do not think twice about it,this game is a MUST HAVE!There are no ands,ifs or buts!Takers prediction is this is your 2007"Game of the year".This is the sole reason why you me and everyone with a Xbox 360 bought this system,to miss out on it is pure Blasphemy!
I pre-ordered this game before there was even a set release date earlier this year... yeah, I'm a little excited. As far as those GOTY comments, I hope so, but there is going to be some SERIOUS competition this year - one of the best years for gamers imo! Bioshock, Halo3, Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed, Super Mario Galaxy, Call of Duty 4, Rock Bank?!? There are going to be some serious GotY debates for 2007 that's for sure! "Damnn it feels good to be a gamER!"
yep GOTY agreed. This is def. looking to be it, and people wanting to play it on the 20th, Go preorder before the preorders are sold out ! Sony cant even compete with 360 now, what are they gonna do when this comes out next month? LOL. i just wish Ps3 would flop........ and be the next dreamcast.
The only thing that Irks me about this is, the GUI/UI/interface, it looks so bland and boring and way too matte
Kaldoran, if you DO invent a time machine before then, I want in. Mass Effect looks totally worth time travel. Can't Wait.
i can see this game is going to swallow my life once i get my grubby hands on it, really really can't wait :D
Okay 40 days till Mass Effect, anyone think I can invert a time machine before then? PS: Will pick up Spore on the way back as well.
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|---|---|---|
Game Info
- Release Date: Nov 20, 2007 (US)
- ESRB: MTitles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
- Release Date: May 28, 2008 (US)
- ESRB: MTitles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
- Release Date: Dec 4, 2012 (US)
- ESRB: MTitles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.
Mass Effect
- Publisher(s): Microsoft Game Studios
- Developer(s): BioWare
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Release:
- ESRB: M
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