The mass effect to you here is this game, its THE best i've ever played on any system to date. Makes Captain picard puny
It was hyped up so much, not out of the ordinary i know, but does Mass Effect let you down or thrust you into the endless void of space and excitment!!!
When i first played this i had two words stuck in my head "f-#k me!!" the visuals are an immediate observation, sometimes they arnt too good (moon level, but enough still to look pretty cool) but for the majority of the game they're are completely stunning. Planets, characters, vehicles and, "man" walk round the citadel where you meet the big cheese of the operation, simply breath taking. The only reason i haven't given this 10 score is due to some dodgey loading times and some inconsistant (rare but sometimes visable) glitching and small clipping!!
From the beginning your placed in a "go get your friend who's in trouble off that planet" mission and man, it looks good, even the view screen where the action first appears makes you want to go kick some android (one of many races in the game) ass!!
The sounds are crisp and to the point, with music attributing the mood, and even voice overs in the lifts (which has been cleverly used as loading times too!!). Weapons feel and sound, yes they actually sound like your firing them, the sniper gives you a huge "roar" of pulse plasma technology!! The norm here.
The gameplay??, omg, you will be sat there for weeks if not months, depending on which way you play. Each reaction has another, so if you respond in a negative way. usually your enemies will too!! This is promanent when in dialogue (rpg style) and you can even have relations build with your crew, random acts of kindness like finding some information, or resolving issues with different alien race is also a novel way of making friends. But dont be fooled, even when it looks quiet, someone is watching and the situation can elevate rather quickly and you have massive shoot outs in bars, casino's (SPACE!), labs, offices, basements, outdoors on various planets. etc the variety of missions is and worlds is really refreshing. You ll pick up "friends" along the way with different skills , such as telekenesis, or brute force and big guns!! A well balanced team is also novel, like Brute Force but bigger and better (origional early xbox game!!) You can issue commands with the d-pad and these may conist of attack there, hide, wait till its safe etc..
There are a variety of powers at your disposal which can be upgraded (some of which are similar to the force powers prevelant in star wars), aswell as you and your "away team", and your weapons etc.. . are also upgradable. But here is the plot, you can set each individual person/alien alliance with specific skills, ie: sniping, more armour, better "force" powers. Objects can be moved using this power and other poeple/aliens. There's so much to do it'll keep you addicted for weeks, and you actually feel your captain picard, kirk, cisco, janeway (which ever you like best!!) and feel part of a "federation" fighting for truth and justice against an ugly tyrant, who looks strangly like the characters from army of two!!
If your a massive fan of sci-fi, or maybe star trek this is a must, rpg element mixed with red faction, onl;y sooo much better. I cannot stress how good this game is, in every way. I feel there's nothing that even comes close to it, nothing. This looks, feels, plays so well its a real credit to bioware, still today it hasnt been surpassed. I really hope the second one is as good as this and i might have to retract my harsh words given to microsoft and re-buy another 360, just to finish this and play it through again.
When i say this is good, it wont be everybodies taste, but even if it's not, under 20 quid right now, you CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS THIS, remember when you first got on a bike (wheeled kind!!), you never forget it.
GO AND BUY THIS IF YOU HAVENT, AND IF YOU HAVENT WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, RESEARCHING SWINE FLU PROBABLY!!