Mass Effect

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GAME SUMMARY

Mass Effect

Rating: 4.7 (352 votes cast)

You take the role of Commander Shepard starship Normandy, the last hope for all life in the
Galaxy. Saren, a rogue member of the elite and untouchable Spectre agents, has discovered the
secret to unleashing an apocalyptic force upon the galaxy, and only you stand in his way. To save
the lives of billions, you must do whatever it takes to stop Saren and prevent the return of an
ancient force bent on the destruction of all organic life.

FEATURES

  • Experience a rich and engrossing story where your choices decide the fate of a galaxy
  • Engage in emotionally charged interactions with the most realistic digital actors ever seen in a video game, using an innovative new dialog system
  • Immerse yourself in an incredible new adventure from world-famous masters of the RPG; BioWare
  • Stunning high resolution graphics for PC
  • Optimized GUI and controls for PC gamers
  • Dominate the battlefield with new individual squad member command system

INTERNET CONNECTION, PERIODIC ONLINE AUTHENTICATION, AND END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY.  MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.EA.COM.  THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES SECUROM COPY PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY FROM SONY DADC.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING HOW TO UNINSTALL SECUROM, VISIT WWW.SECUROM.COM.

Windows logo

System Requirements

    • Windows XP with SP2 or Windows Vista
    • Intel P4 2.4 GHz or faster /AMD 2.0 GHz
    • 1.0 GB or more (2.0 GB for Vista)
    • 12.0 GB or more free hard drive space
    • DirectX 9.0c compatible (see right)
    • DirectX 9.0c compatible
    • Keyboard and mouse
    • Shader Model 3.0 required
    • ATI X1300 XT or greater (ATI X1300, X1300 Pro, X1600 Pro, Radeon 2600 HD, and HD 2400 are below minimum system requirements)
    • NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or greater (7300, 7600 GS, 8500 are below minimum
    • system requirements)
    • An Internet connection is required for online authentication.

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REVIEWS

Mass Effect review

By CraziusMikeus posted 23rd March

Absolute classic. Though there is some severe micromanagement of weapons, this game moves along at a great pace. The plot and universe are very original and compelling. Definitely worth playing before later games in the series.

Mass Effect review

By legox97 posted 9th March

I've been thoroughly enjoying this games story and character development. I really enjoy that your decisions ACTUALLY matter in this one (seriously, number 3 was a let down) and love it and looked forward to finishing this. So far the combat is much more rpg styled (like it should be) and isn't just point and shoot like number 2. I rate this as my favorite so far of the mass effect series while still enjoying number 2. The combat is fun and has actual progression in how you unlock skills or weapons unlike the others and armor makes a difference. There is no ammo in this mass effect ( seriously guys, your shooting lasers ) so this means no reloading but your gun can overhear which I enjoy more. The story and dialog options have been a lot better to me than in most of the others. This game is definitely the best of series and if you haven't played it yet, you should definitely look into getting it. The second mass effect was also enjoyable but the third is definitely optional to pick up.

Overall, this is a great game you should look into getting.

Solid foundation for FPS-RPG

By Crowrevell posted 26th February

I played Mass Effect 2 before I played the first 1. I was expecting to have a lesser experience, but found it to be a different one (some good and some bad). The original has much more of a role-playing feel than the second which you can embrace because cool-downs from abilities only affect that ability (not all of them like in the 2nd). There are tons of weapons, armors and upgrades allowing one to manage their squads with a lot of depth. On easier levels however, availability can scale quickly leaving some campaigns to be a drag. Also, you have to do at least 1 walk through to unlock character levels 50-60 as well has hardcore play, which you have to complete before unlocking insanity. But with different classes to test out, this game has good replay value.

As for the combat, it is hectic at times. Enemies move incredibly fast, and with PC one cannot move cross-hairs while using the skill wheel. Teammates will shoot at walls while opponents will use terrible items as cover. And since almost everything can be used as cover, escaping enemy fire can be tricky.

The story is engaging and the writing is entertaining from time to time though the need for paragon and renegade options can lead to some odd conversations. Searching open worlds with the MACO is frustrating (to the point it's almost funny), but one does have an open galaxy to explore and several available missions allowing a lot of free range in game play.

Mass Effect review

By pojo458 posted 22nd February

This game was absolutely amazing, the PC version beats the Xbox 360 version with ease. I beat the game in 12-15 hours, but that was because I couldn't put it down, it was one of those games where it couldn't be put down until it was finished.

Mass Effect review

By scrock posted 21st February

i've played ME2 and 3 already but never played the original until now, its exactly what you'd expect from a Mass Effect game. its worth the price whatever you pay for it, glad to spend more time in the ME universe

Mass Effect review

By PacManPolarBear posted 16th February

The game that launched the series still holds up. ME1 out of the three is the most classic action RPG oriented. You can see the family resemblance to KOTOR. Sure there are a few too many elevators and side missions can be dull at times, but knowing your choices will carry forward really ups the players investment. Before the series began to lean heavier on the action side of "action-rpg" ME1 became the western RPG king for a reason.

Mass Effect review

By sreaction posted 10th February

First, my opinion is not based on nostalgic reflection. This was the actual first time I have played the game. To begin, I loved this game. It took a while for me to warm up to it, but I did. The problem? The user interface during combat is clunky. The player controls the main character and two others. It took me forever to figure out how to use my members effectively. The viewing angle is limited to a close up isometric third person. You cant pan the camera forward or backward like other bioware games i.e. DAO & DAII.

You can micromanage your squad-mates by opting to allow for more control in the game settings. But, I left it on default, since the combat is fast paced micromanaging is virtually unnecessary. Also squadmates have an annoying habit of getting in your line of fire. Or sometimes they actually shoot you! The additional characters are, at least not in combat, not the bright spot of the game.

The strong point of the game is obviously the story. Hey its a bioware game what do you expect? And that is where I got sucked into the game. I'd say the combat is average, but interest in the story supercedes its importance and to some extent its relevance. At least for me. I did however get a knack for it(combat), but by the endgame the main character is nearly invincible and combat is somewhat unchallenging. Id say its a mid-length game not to short not to long. If you like pew pew shoot em ups look elsewhere. Buy it if you like story driven RPGs. Its a fun endeavor and definitely worth the price.

Lost count

By Primalone posted 16th January

When I originally got mass effect upon release all those years ago I lost track of how many hours I played on various characters. It still reminds one of my favorite rpgs of all time. If your looking for a game with great story and replayability look no further then mass effect.

Mass Effect review

By Memphesian2007 posted 25th November 2012

Easily the best RPG I've seen in years, loads of content and side-quests coupled with an excellent story make for an excellent experience. Gameplay tops of the equation with one of the best RPG combat systems ever seen! Worth every penny.

Mass Effect review

By ymyam posted 31st October 2012

Mass effect is a story driven game, I like the RPG element and the sci-fi setting. Gameplay and combat sequence may disappoint players looking for great action, but the character development and story sure won't disappoint fans of adventure and RPG games

Mass Effect review

By smzee27 posted 19th October 2012

Definitely my favorite game of the franchise. It introduced the characters and the lore in a spectacular way. Although the sequels all improved upon it, this first game just had a certain majesty and epicness to it. I highly recommend it to every kind of gamer.

Mass Effect review

By wiseman2024 posted 12th October 2012

Mass Effect is a truly unique game in the genres of Sci-Fi, Action RPG, and 3rd person shooters. The unique universe which is the time of the Mass Relays is truly engrossing and a pleasure to explore. The story and characters are indelible and the game is truly epic. The only downsides to this game are that the combat is not as polished as it could have been (still really fun, imo), the fetch quests for amulets are repetitive (jump into the mako and go from different points on the map), and the elevator scenes can be grating (although I personally enjoyed them). Despite these minor flaws, the game stands out on its own as a truly epic Sci Fi masterpiece, deservedly earning the title "the Star Wars of video games".

Mass Effect review

By Garfboy posted 27th August 2012

Mass Effect has taken a place in the pantheon of all-time best games for me. It's up there with the KOTOR games and Elder Scrolls. You will not regret playing this or its sequel. The storyline is fantastic, the graphics are well done, and the combat is incredibly fun (it's a shooter, but other skills can be used instead).

Mass Effect review

By Flyingpanzyking posted 21st August 2012

I found the gameplay to be pretty terrible despite all the hype I've heard over this title. It takes forever for anything interesting to happen and when it does the action is usually over before you have time to register what is going on. The graphics are good though despite being an old title and the atmosphere of the world is very well done.

This game works better as a movie than a game I feel, with great music and story lines but with very lack luster combat and a very slow progression throughout the worlds. Really a lot of the space is just wasted and a good portion of the game is running between plot points where people talk to you for a half hour resulting in thirty seconds of combat.

Buy it for the story, not the action.

Mass Effect review

By wazzaptheone posted 16th August 2012

Mass Effect is an amazing RPG shooter, the combat is very fun coming from a guy who loves shooters and rpgs this game handles the mash-up with teammates very well. The story and quests are very enjoyable compared to what they did with the mining minigame in ME2. Overall a very amazing game.

Mass Effect review

By danniesama posted 12th August 2012

Mass Effect was extremely entertaining. The story is very involving and there are many things to do, aside from the main story. The level of customization makes the game a lot more interesting and personalized, and it's just fun to mess with. The fact that you can also use your characters in sequels is a nice touch and is just another reason to get this fantastic game along with the others in the series.

Mass Effect review

By TysonL posted 5th August 2012

I love Mass Effect, this game is one of the best RPG games ever made, lots of choices and replay value! Your choices made in mass effect continue and effect mass effect 2 and 3. If you love RPGs give this game a chance won't be dissapointed! Fun 5/5 Graphics 5/5 Story 5/5

Mass Effect review

By harrydoodler posted 1st August 2012

Really great RPG shooter. Just about everything is done well in this game, and there is a ton of attention to detail. There is a lot of dialogue in this game but you are very active in it. You determine what your character says most of the time and how you respond can affect the game. You get experience points for a lot of different things from something as simple as talking to a character, as well as the traditional ways in games of this genre (hacking computers, killing enemies etc) There is a big universe to explore and its fun to visit planets in the solar systems. It's easy to get side tracked from the main story line. It's a team based shooter too, which adds an extra element of strategy as you have to control what characters you want to take in each situation, in addition to how you want them to behave. Definitely pick this game up.

Mass Effect review

By lord_rashiel posted 6th July 2012

This is the first part of an epic trilogy of space RPG/TPS games. My opinion is that medieval fantasy setting is way overused for RPGs and we really should have more sci-fi games of the genre. "Mass Effect" is a great example of the game in that genre done right.

The most involving thing about ME is it's setting with all the extraterrestrial races, political intrigues and larger than life quests to save the world. The characters populating the world are very convincingly brought to life and the relationships between them are believable enough that you care if bad things happen to them.

Admittedly, the combat is a bit clunky in the first installment (that was taken care of in the later games), but there are a few things that were done better here. For example, the use of med-kits to treat injuries and the larger control over your inventory appeal to me more.

You can choose to play as one of many pure of mixed classes with various skills (engineering, combat, biotics) and choose the gender and looks of your protagonist who is fully voiced (a pleasantly unusual thing, as many RPGs do not voice protagonists due to many variables).

My main gripe probably would be the side quests that quickly become too repetitive, however the main storyline remains interesting from beginning to the end and creates an appealing experience. The game has a satisfying conclusion and can be played as a stand-alone, even if you don't have the next two parts of the trilogy.

Mass Effect review

By asimov1920 posted 5th July 2012

I've always preferred fantasy rpgs, but I decided to try this anyway. I'm glad I did. This is hands-down one of the greatest rpgs I've ever played. The story has actually interested me, and the dialogue options are great. Some games give you options and dialogue, but you don't really feel like their making a difference. In Mass Effect, the way your character talks to people affects the way people view you greatly.The combat and its use of cover is also a lot of fun. The game is a lot less linear than I expected, I find myself practically stumbling over side-quests. All in all, this is a great game, and if you like rpgs, it is a must ahve.

Mass Effect review

By jackma123 posted 3rd July 2012

I am not the biggest fan of shooting games, first person or third person, I can't help it but say this game is great. It has one of the best shooting dynamics I have ever seen, and it would stand the test of time as a classic. My only complaint is its awkward controls on the pc as this game was designed to be console friendly. Using all the right abilities in the heat of battle isn't always the easiest thing to do as I fumble around with my keyboard and mouse. But overall, the storyline is fantastic, the control dynamics are exceptional, and the game will be remembered as a classic.

Mass Effect review

By nurgles_herald posted 22nd June 2012

Quite possibly BioWare's best RPG since Baldur's Gate 2, Mass Effect is a faster-paced action-shooter/RPG for a new generation of gamers. The writing, voice acting, gameplay, and story all come together in the first installment of the trilogy, and I cannot recommend the game highly enough (particularly as you are likely to be able to find it at a steep discount!). Perhaps one of the reasons I'm so fond of Mass Effect is the similarities between the plots of ME 1 and BG 1 (look for them and you *will* see them, veteran gamers), but I'm actually more than happy to pay $8 for the experience of playing a revamped Baldur's Gate in space with guns and aliens and the like. A fantastic game, far superior to Dragon Age: Origins, and a no-brainer pick-up for anyone even remotely interested in CRPGs.

Mass Effect review

By Gabbner posted 12th April 2012

Despite being played out of order, I rather enjoyed Mass Effect more than its successor. The controls are much more fluid (except the Mako, which handles like a shopping cart), the story more engaging as it seems Bioware took a varied approach to npc/enemy encounters. The cast of characters and their complexities is a big draw. This isn't an RPG with the characters from Aliens, they're much deeper than that. Of course it certainly looks like a UE3 game from the engine's early days (those textures, eek!), but that's not too hard to overlook if you're pulled in by the gameplay and story.

A space-opera RPG that will draw you in for endless replays.

Alternately Great and Frustrating

By ariston posted 26th March 2012

Mass Effect is a fairly typical sci–fi story in an original universe. It has the normal above–average Bioware writing and mechanics with some truly good combat encounters. But the simultaneous development for consoles leaves some odd asides for the PC gamer. For example, the "sandworm" sequences, which add nothing to the game, but are instead a particularly frustrating mini–game when played with keyboard & mouse. The "hacking" mini–game is not nearly as frustrating, but still adds nothing important to the game, even as an abstraction for the "hacking" action. There is also the planet "massaging", where in each system you have to carefully cover it with your mouse to find hidden resources and encounters.

If you haven't tried it already, you may not be the target audience, but if you've been wanting to and waiting for it to be cheap (or for newer hardware), try it, but keep in mind these elements.

Mass Effect review

By moondo posted 26th March 2012

I played Mass Effect after having played Dragon Age and felt some strong and obvious similarities between the two. But I found ME's story to be much more compelling than Dragon Age's story. Bioware was able to create a story and world where you grow fond of your characters (some of them at least) and care about them. More than the graphics, UI, special powers, etc., I thought that that story-telling element was really what made a difference. I recommend this game to anyone who enjoys FPS and a good story.

Mass Effect review

By epexy posted 24th March 2012

I recognize I played this game way long after it was launched, and with all the people saying the game is extremely good, I decided to give it a try and my expectations were high. I have to say the game was a little bit confusing at first... but by the time I was about 1/3 through it, I just couldn't stop playing the damn thing.

As many other RPGs, you control the fate of your character through your choices, actions and dialogs, you can either pursue a "good/bad" path, and take on all the different missions in a non-linear way. The game uses a real-time combat system (unlike Dragon Age), it has quite a lot of good quality cinematics, several characters and intriguing storylines for each of them.

THE big difference between Mass Effect and other "similar" RPGs is the accomplished atmosphere and immersion that the game provides, you have the feeling that you are inside a movie and you want to keep playing to "see what will happen next".

Mass Effect review

By Sycoraxic98_press posted 4th March 2012

BioWare is well-known for -- among others -- their prestigious Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and the Knights of the Old Republic series, all RPG titles widely praised for their successful emphasis on player immersion and storytelling that has, by now, become one of the main hallmarks of this Texas-based developer's work. The question, then, is obvious: Does BioWare's newest installment manage to carry the torch, live up to the expectations formed as a result of the previous titles, perhaps even boldly going where no string of 0 and 1's have gone before? The answer, to be literal, is "Yes and no.", but I feel that this would be misleading. Because Mass Effect is a masterwork of a game that is at least as great as the titles before it -- one of those titles that instills a sense of wonder in the player, thanks to a feeling of discovery that permeates the game in most every moment.

Before going into the gameplay and the technical aspects, some mention must be made of -- what I feel to be -- the strongest aspect of this game, that is, the backdrop, the canvas on which this evocative tableau has been painted. BioWare has brilliantly conceived a future where humanity has resolved one of the more haunting questions with regards to its existence -- "Are we alone in the universe?" -- not to mention bringing to a close other issues such as the potential of long distance spaceflight. What about the Earth? The stunning thing -- something the player will be quick to realize -- that these matters have been resolved in a most prosaic, matter of fact way. Yes, there are other species, they are as civilized as we are, and yep, they've been there probably asking the same questions as we have done. And they've all been here longer than us humans.

In fact, the innovation of Mass Effect's story is that humanity on the whole is the new kid on the block, a newcomer to the neighbourhood of different, cooperating, and accomplished alien species. Examples include the Asari, a monogendered race of humanoids expert in -- among other things -- mediation and diplomacy, the Turians with their disciplined army and administration techniques, and the Volus, a race you may or may not believe that has played an integral role in shaping galactic economics, and a lot more. And the game holds your hand if you wish to learn more -- a wealth of information regarding this crafted universe is located in the Codex within the game, a readily accesible database with tons of juicy entries for the story enthusiast, where BioWare's attention to detail becomes apparent. This isn't to say that you're presented with all this information from the get-go -- it's a gradual process, thus contributing to the feeling of discovery mentioned earlier.

You play as Commander Shepard, a distinguished Human Systems Alliance officer in this potpourri of galactic interaction. What appears to be a simple pickup run quickly develops into something with relatively more far-reaching effects, and before you know it, you're in the thick of the action. To keep it concise, Mass Effect's storyline is an involved affair with enough minor and major twists to glue you to your chair. This, of course comes off as no surprise given the solidity of the gameworld. The only complaint is one of part vanity, part comparison -- it's really rather short compared to the previous BioWare titles. The story does conclude satisfactorily, and it also fleshes out well, but you're also left wanting more, or rather, thinking it could have been more -- and that's the vain part.

Of course, you are accompanied by quite a few characters along the way. Examples include Tali, a quarian (another alien species) machinist on a pilgrimage to find something of value to bring back home, Kaidan, a human biotic (more on that later) officer serving alongside you, among others. Over time, you'll learn about their past, their motivations, and their ideologies. They will comment on situations and will inform you about how things are going. And while some of them figure in some fairly important decisions, and their personalities and superb voice acting bring them all to life, there is no real innovation here. This doesn't detract from the enjoyment, but veteran players will be quick to spot various emerging patterns and other resemblances to previous BioWare titles.

There are also a good number of side quests to get into. These quests are usually entertaining, twenty to thirty minutes affairs, generally have interesting premises, and some reward you in quite unique ways, helping you to better craft your character in the process. Yet perhaps Mass Effect's most salient shortcoming lies within these: Where the main plotline is brimming with activity, interesting characters, and alive environments, the structure of most side quests are all bones and very little flesh. There exist many planets in this world that you can land in, walk and (using a charming wheeler called the Mako) drive, for instance -- but none of them have any colonies akin to those you'll be visiting during the main quest. They are, in effect, dead worlds, and there is no reason to revisit them once the side quest is complete. Worse yet, most of the places you visit during these side quests look the same, with very minor variations. This isn't to say that the quests aren't entertaining or rewarding -- they are. But in a game that generally drives the player delirious with well-applied polish, the parts are noticably more bland, and I consistently got the feeling of a rushed production -- again in stark contrast to the general state of the game.

Yet let's drive the point home: No matter how bland it can get at times, Mass Effect is a fun game. This is due to in no small part the excellent character playstyle and customization options, and the visceral, action packed combat. There are three archetypes: The Soldier, which is a pure combat class specializing in all four kinds of weaponry (them being the pistol, the shotgun, the assault rifle, and the sniper rifle); The Engineer, which excels in weakening and temporarily disabling enemies, taking control of some others, providing support for the team and the useful out of combat skills of Decryption and Elecronics which enable more gameplay options; and the Adept, which uses biotic powers to manipulate the environment not unlike the Force powers of a Jedi or Sith, allowing players some creative rein to control and harm enemies. There are also three other classes which are combinations based on these three -- somewhat akin to a multiclass. To the game's credit, all six classes play quite distinctly from each other, and because of the customization potential with the talent points you gain with every level up, there's a great deal of inherent replay value here.

Combat itself is more third person shooter than the statistic crunchfest normally associated with RPGs -- and it works great. There is no such thing as ammo, although overheating exists as a limiter. The damage you cause is mostly based on the weapon you're equipped with, as well as your skills, and it's easy to compare weapons and equip the best one whenever it shows up. This means that combat is streamlined, but not really dumbed down, as there are still things to manage like cooldowns. It's action packed and highly tactical, with an efficient cover system in place. At the higher difficulty settings, it's also sufficiently punishing to the point that players who prefer careful, planned approaches will emerge not only victorious but extremely satisfied. At any time the combat may be paused to use skills, switch weapons, direct (two) party members, or just to reassess the situation. Party AI is mostly ok, though in the higher difficulty settings where

Mass Effect review

By feathercrow posted 25th February 2012

AN excellent game. Not as good, admittedly, as earlier Bioware games -- such as the classic Baldur's Gate games -- but fun. Akin to a couple of Star Trek episodes, or something of that sort. The shooting is... adequate. The story is great, however, so it is still worth a look. 4/5

Mass Effect review

By Sporce posted 20th February 2012

Super enjoyable game with a great story. A game that encourages multiple playthroughs and is just as fun, if not more, the second time around. GREAT value for the price.

Mass Effect review

By vinpunk311 posted 3rd February 2012

This is by far one of the greatest game franchises there is...you MUST start with the first Mass Effect to truly get the most out of the next 2 in the series.

Massively EPIC!

By ragedeluge posted 28th January 2012

I have been an avid Action Adventure RPG gamer since conception. BioWare has outdone themselves with the Mass Effect series. It's hard to believe I hadn't played this game till three days ago when a friend introduced me to it. In the last three days O have logged 35 hours of gameplay - the story, in combination with gameplay will immerse you into the futuristic world, not just in a linear fashion, but instead allowing YOU to decide your path of advancement. Will you become a paragon or renegade in nature? A soldier, bio weapon, a tech engineer? You can enjoy the main storyline and play the game straight through in a respectively short amount of time. However if you decide to explore the game more thoroughly, you will find something most unique to the Mass Effect games that you have not experienced in any other traditional Action RPG - an enormous expansive galaxy with dozens of detailed exploratory and interactive clusters of planets. It is refreshing to play a agame that keeps you hooked like this and at the same time retains multiple playthrough possibilities due to differences in morality and combat/social expenditures.

If you liked RPG games back in the day such as Baldur's Gate, Arcanum, or the newer Knights of the old Republic - or even are used to the FPS genre games such as Bioshock, Doom 3 this game will appeal to you.

Definitely a must buy, five star recommended.

Mass Effect

By hartlocker posted 19th January 2012

I played the second before this and wanted the backstory, and I was impressed. The game has great story and writing as the second, and even has okay graphics for its time 4.5/5

Laser rifles and level ups.

By WerewolfX posted 15th January 2012

Mass effect is an interesting game to say the least. While the RPG elements are slight(In fact it reminds me of alpha protocol.) The action more than makes up for it, kind of. At time i feel the ai is a little too simple while other times i can see it shining out like a beacon of some lost race.

While the game does in fact have issues, it's a somewhat solid game, and i would honestly recommend it if you are: A) a fan of bioware. Or B) a fan of scifi.

Mass Effect review

By stellathestud10 posted 13th January 2012

Mass Effect is a brilliant game. A third person RPG/shooter set in the future after humanity has spread to the stars, thanks to interstellar gates. The player character is totally customizable and features a handle of different classes to choose, including soldier, tech expert, and psychic warrior, with hybrid classes also thrown into the mix. The gameplay is fairly tight, although the shooting feels second rate compared to true shooting games. The RPG elements are well realized with a wide selection of gear and leveling options.

That being said, the main reason for playing is the fantastic space opera storyline that Bioware has created. The antagonists are well realized and the player character's party members are all interesting and incredibly varied in personality. Anyone will be able to find NPCs that they enjoy in Mass Effect, and up to two of these can travel with the player at any time.

In short, buy this game. It is more than the sum of its parts, and will suck the player into the deep universe.

"Shepherd". As said by the awesome Wrex.

Mass Effect review

By Ahmose1221 posted 11th January 2012

I love this game, can't wait to finish it and start playing ME2. game play is smooth with little interruptions... excepted when you have to use abilities. hot keys solve this problem but i find them a bit of an annoyance due to key layout.

Character creation was alright, not a big fan of the options available for appearance. however the rest of the game more than makes up for it. glad someone referred me to this.

Mass Effect review

By ThePsychoRabbit posted 11th December 2011

Mass effect is a very entertaining game. I have enjoyed playing it as much as I have Mass Effect 2 also. Good interactions with your team. I would say this is a good game for most gamers that like shooters.

Mass Effect review

By pkeith posted 22nd September 2011

The game has set a standard for Third-Person Shooter/RPGs that no other game in this century has yet to surpass. Allowing you to choose how to complete a mission, either by killing everyone or by talking your way out. No other game allows your character the flexibility and customization that this game has done.

Gameplay: A Third-Person, over the shoulder shooter RPG that allows you an immense customization of your starting skills, class, your background, and how you're seen by the people. When you do have to kill things, the shooting mechanic is good, with enemies that require different strategies to take down without it being too difficult.

Sounds: From the Orchestral Music to the voice-actors, to the sounds of the gunfire, the sounds are enough to draw you into the game.

Story: A spectre, an agent for the Council(A Government body consisting on an alien from each race), has gone rogue and you, playing as Commander Shephard, the first Human Spectre, must find out what he is up to and stop him before it is too late. Along the way, you find more people to join your crew and you must make difficult choices that determine who walks away alive.

Re-playability: High - Every choice you make affects the story, whether for good or bad, and you must live with the consequences as those choices also affect the story in this one's sequels.

Mass Effect review

By morristi posted 16th September 2011

A good game that is enjoyable overall. Innovative for its time, although the dungeon areas become very dull since there are only about 3 templates for all of the side-quest locations. The crawler exploration of non-story line planets also tends to be dull. The central storyline is engaging however and the dialogue is good.

Mass Effect review

By Patrucio posted 8th September 2011

A masterful game, once again demonstrating BioWare's reputation as perhaps the best RPG writer in the business. The game is part shooter, part detective game, and part classic RP game, set in a beautifully developed and incredibly rich space opera environment. The voice acting is top notch, and the characters are infused with a life so as to make most every one of them memorable (if not always enjoyable) to interact with.

Mass Effect review

By Reduddo posted 22nd July 2011

this game is awesome !!

I have played the star wars the knights of the old republic before i played mass effect

and when i play mass efect

i suprised the evolution!!

i recommend to play this game!!

Mass Effect review

By Morboth posted 8th March 2011

How to say this? You can't say you know every single great game in the market if you haven't tried out Bioware's masterpiece. And nope, I'm not talking about Knights of the Old Republic: I'm talking about the game that managed to improve upon that formula and were not KotoR my favorite game ever this baby would sit right there on the throne.

Set a couple centuries in the future; Mass Effect puts you on the shoes of Shepard: a commander of the Human alliance that represents at first a beacon of hope for mankind as the way by which they may have a greater say in galactic affairs, but that ends in fact unraveling a sinister plot that if not thwarted could bring about the end of galactic life...

The plot is just perfect: not until Mass Effect 2 was this even close to be equaled.

Gameplay-wise this game is superb! You are warranteed not to find it tedious nor repetitive... the battles, the quests... everything feels fresh and lavishly thought out as you scour the charted and uncharted systems and worlds set before you in your journey.

The OST is brilliant! You'll remember it for eons: the same's gotta be said for the voice acting... simply and absolutely marvelous!

Finally, graphics wise the game still looks good by 2011 standards, so no problem there.

There's no doubt here... 5/5 : grab it NOW!

Mass Effect review

By MotorbreathX posted 2nd January 2011

Mass Effect has a truly immersive and fleshed out world that constantly pulls you back in. After playing this one, I immediately purchased the novels to help supplement the story and remain in this fantastic world.

The gameplay elements, while slightly clunky, are not bad enough to distract from the experience. There's kind of a middle ground between a third person shooter and a RPG that kind of leaves both not as good as they could be.

However, to counteract this, the story, the characters, and the fleshed out world make this a hard to miss game.

By Tymon posted 23rd November 2010

While the storyline of Mass Effect, and the general powers and combat system was very well done, I find this game to be highly lacking as far as content. The majority of the game is spent driving around practically empty planets. Exploration and many of the achievements which are actually hard to do, net little to no real usefulness. While it had a very engaging story, in many of the missions I found myself nearly falling asleep from boredom. Having a tank with hardly anything to actually run over or shoot gets dull really quickly. This game also has a habit of locking up and requiring a force end-task or even an outright computer restart to play again. Aside from the technical problems and rather dull empty planets, the plot and story make it worthwhile, though not something I could find myself playing over and over and over.

Mass Effect review

By zepontiff posted 3rd October 2010

Mass Effect has one of the most engrossing stories I've seen in a game. Its a blast to play multiple times as well to get more story and choose all of the a**hole responses.

During these times of terrible console port games, rest assured that this console port was done correctly.

Mass Effect review

By tedesco posted 10th September 2010

Amazing game one of the bests I've already played. It's like watching a movie and playing with the main character. I recomend to everyone this game, both players of shooters or RPG players. This I'll be one of your best investments, I can assure.

Mass Effect review

By NightFall81 posted 18th August 2010

As a PS3 only owner, I've always been tempted to buy a 360 to play Mass Effect. I finally got a computer that can play decent games, so it was a no brainer to give Mass Effect a try.

The only way to sum up this game is to say that in no other game have I felt more like a space explorer. The feeling that the gameplay creates in me the player is quite unique among the many hundreds of games I've played and for that this game earns very high marks.

However there's a cost to feeling like a space explorer. The many side missions and planets that you can explore all offer pretty much the same gameplay experience. You land, drive around looking for stuff, get in the occasional vehicle scuffle, enter areas and blast the occasional mercenary and rinse and repeat on another planet. Also, as another poster has said, the interior levels are all recycled. They may change the layout of the interior layout, but it's still the exact same level. This does get annoying after twenty or thirty hours of gameplay, but what game doesn't recycle their levels?

The story telling is fairly top notch. The ability to make choices of course is Bioware's bread and butter, but I still don't feel like there are any consequences to choosing one side versus another save for some points towards good or evil. If I don't blast the person I'm speaking to, they still reward me with money and items, and choosing one way or the other still doesn't seem to affect the greater world or story. It's not that big of a complaint because the story is still engaging, but from playing a game like the Witcher where your decisions directly bring about consequences, good or bad to your gameplay experience, it's still not as satisfying a choice experience in Mass Effect.

The negatives aside though, I haven't been this engaged in a game in several months. However, there is a ton of dialogue and a lot of flapping heads in this game. When there is action, it's pretty exciting, but when there isn't, you're talking a lot with other characters. I'd say it's a 60-40 percentage of talking versus blasting. So for any gamers thinking about trying Mass Effect, if you're a strict FPS shooter and can't stand a deep story element, steer clear of Mass Effect. I'm a very patient gameplayer when it comes to story, and I still find myself hitting the forward button when the characters blab on and on. To any gamer that enjoys a deep story and good tactical action, Mass Effect is a must.

By jordonma posted 17th May 2010

great play style lots of options to make the experience truly yours everything i have wanted in a game. wished it was longer.

Mass Effect review

By doomtrader posted 27th March 2010

For a long time there was no RPG game that keeps me in the front of my monitor for so long time.

Great plot and a lot of action.

The universe is almost as deep as Star Wars franchise. Best Space Opera I ever played, watched or read in my life.

One of the few 10/10 games last years, the only thing that irritates me was driving MACO on the surface. But who cares that small thing.

Mass Effect review

By trusteft posted 31st July 2009

Mass Effect is one of the best RPG games of the decade. It combines great story telling, battle mechanics (real time, pausable third person perspective action), great graphics, sound effects, music, gameplay and plain old coolness.

Create a versatile character, male or female, choose your strong points and solve the mysteries of the galaxy, be it part of the main storyline or side missions.

You will do exploring and fighting on planets, on foot or in a special armed vehicle, boarding of spaceships, and attacking of facilities.

The only weak points are the recycling of some rooms and textures for some of the side missions.

If you buy this game (and I strongly recommend you do), don't forget to download the free DLC for it from the official site, it contains a long(ish) mission.

5/5 for this game, it's just that good.

Mass Effect review

By mentalepsy posted 3rd June 2009

Although Mass Effect suffers from a number of significant flaws, it is overall one of the most enjoyable roleplaying games I've played in some time.

Mass Effect's greatest strength is the quality of the writing and acting. When you strip the story down to its basic underpinnings, it's nothing we haven't seen many times before - but the masterful execution of the plot, the absolutely top-notch writing and dialogue, and the high-quality performances of virtually every voice actor in the game make it a pleasure to watch the story unfold. It's rare to see such well-written dialogue in an RPG. The backdrop of the story is well above par, as well - it's clear that a great deal of time and effort went into developing a detailed and fairly credible setting for the game, though it would have been nice to be able to explore more of the colonized planets.

Unfortunately, even though the main storyline is very well-written, the sidequests are often brief, uninspiring and not very detailed, and your six companions generally don't say much during missions and are not very well developed (though they're at least fun to have around). Oddly enough, the best characterization goes to Shepard, the mostly-blank-slate main character. Your ethical choices are more about law vs. chaos than good vs. evil, which is an interesting take on traditional computer roleplaying. Regardless of the moral path you choose, Shepard's lines and voice acting are always convincing and never dull (though I played as a female Shepard, so I can't speak for the male version).

Combat is simple, but reasonably enjoyable. It's played out as a third-person shooter, with a pause menu for selecting special abilities for Shepard or your teammates (two of whom will join you at any given time). You level up with experience gained from combat and quest completion, earning skill points to improve your aim, endurance, et cetera.

Overall, Mass Effect is a flawed but extremely engrossing title. The lopsided gameplay and weak sidequests are more than compensated for by the engaging dialogue and well-written storyline. It's arguably short - it took me a bit more than 30 hours to complete the game, but I did all the sidequests I came across, which many people probably won't have the patience for - but at $20, it's well worth the price. The only thing to be aware of is that the game does require online activation with EA, though a revoke tool to reclaim your activations is available.

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