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Mass Effect Review (continued)
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Manufacturer: Microsoft
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ESRB Rating: Mature
Platform(s): Xbox 360
Release Date: November 20, 2007
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
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More User Submitted Mass Effect Reviews
Date: 2008-10-26
The best rpg since KOTOR
Although its not anywhere close to Knights of the Old Republic (except the developer) I couldn't help but just think of all the great things Bioware had taken from KOTOR, integrated into Mass Effect, and still made it into its own entity. This is one of the few 'M' rated games that is actually made for adults. The depth of the characters, the story, dialogue, gameplay, and even the potential romantic relationship situation is all believably real life; considering its a far future based sci-fi adventure.
So if you play just the main story, first of all you're missing about the other 60% of the game, and you'll only get 8-11 hours of gameplay. This is one of those games that you need to explore the entire universe to get the full affect and even then you'll still miss something somewhere. After scouring the entire universe (which the 'system map' is just jaw-dropping along with each planet's environments) I clocked in at just over 30 hours of game time. This is the best looking game I've ever played on Xbox 360 as well.
So if you even consider yourself a gamer, you will play this game. Its the best Xbox has to offer. Period.
Date: 2008-10-21
Begins as a 4 or 5 -- declines as you play.
Mass Effect, in the beginning, had be pretty impressed. I was ready for an epic storyline and serious character development (and was willing to overlook the silly Star Trek-y 'alien' design). About halfway through, I began to wonder... what's the point of having so many different planets to explore if they all have the same buildings?
The answer -- Mass Effect is really a pretty short game, artificially drawn out by the inclusion of a bunch of cookie-cutter 'missions'. Mass Effect's story is pretty interesting, and there's definitely a more pronounced element of 'character development' than in most other console games, but still... it didn't really do it for me.
You are mildly motivated to grind XP and money, as those unlock new skills and items... but really, there's no need, since other enemies level up right along with you. You can rush through the game and do fine. The game is designed to appeal to habitual XP / Gold 'grinders' and loses a bit of its appeal once you realize it (just like when you realize that most subscription-based MMORPGs are designed to be addictive and impossible to 'beat').
Mass Effect is entertaining, fun, and definitely a pretty game. The storyline is pretty compelling and you can genuinely get to know and feel for the characters. Still, it's oversimplified, repetitive, and doesn't stand out among the hordes of other similar games out there. 3 stars.
Date: 2008-10-14
We've Been Playing for Months
Mass Effect is an incredibly long RPG style game set in a futuristic world with multiple alien races and plans within plans, schemes within schemes. What you choose to do affects the storyline.
You start out with a basic setup - you choose your background and character type. This gets you on a certain route. As you go through the game, interacting with people, you then have your character develop based on what you do. There are all sorts of intriguing skills to learn, to tweak your character even further.
I cannot overemphasize how HUGE and involved this game is. There are a plethora of side missions, of characters, of planets and locations. It really feels like a large, developed world that you are one small part of.
We have played and replayed this game many times. It is easily a game you can play for months on end, put aside for a while, pick it up again and enjoy it just as much on a new pass.
The graphics are great. The way the characters move, the worlds around you, all were done with a great eye to detail. The voice acting in general is great. There's even romantic options in here if you're interested, to fall in love with one person or another.
The one part that gets a bit tedious is when you go down to random planets to search for items. You have a sort of jeep / tank vehicle that bounces around on the planet. The planets all seem exactly identical, just with different paint jobs and random mountains. I realize they already filled the game disc up with all the rest of the awesome game, but still, it gets a bit silly after a while to land on yet another green / blue / black / white planet with its random mountains.
Still, that's a minor complaint in what is an awesome game. There is a great storyline, great gameplay, a great feeling like you are affecting what is going on, great graphics, great audio. They did an exceptional job with this, and we literally have enjoyed it for months. I definitely look forward to a sequel to this. Highly recommended!
Date: 2008-10-13
Awesome
I've been a fan of Bioware's RPG games for a long time now and this title proves once again they know how to make them. If you liked KOTOR, you're gonna love this game. It took me a while to make the transition from PC to console (XBOX 360 in my case). I still enjoy both, but the constant upgrading requirements for my PC was getting to me and...to my wallet of course.
Maybe being a PC gamer had something to do with the time it took for me to adapt to Mass Effect at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's a blast.
So thanks to all you guys who recommended this baby and thanks again Bioware for making one of the best games of all time, in this old gamer's humble opinion of course.
Date: 2008-10-12
Another Bioware classic
Along with Star Wars: KotOR and Jade Empire, Mass Effect is a tremendous Western-style RPG that Bioware seems to only be perfecting, without suffering from the dreaded 'sequel-itis'. The game sets up an orginal universe with complicated characters that you can interact with at your leisure. The game is very story-driven; however, like more and more RPG offerings there are a multitude of side missions that increase replayability (made all the more rewarding by the Acheivements). The graphics are phenomenal and, in a few instances of cut scenes, breath-taking in scope and scale. The music adds to the gravity of certain situations, though sadly I found the standard fare forgetable. Gameplay was invigorating and intuative; the AI was (in some cases) every bit as formidable as that found in a Tom Clancy game. Overall this was a mark of genius.
As a side note the down-loadable content has added a true element of "you win some, you lose some". A very worth-while venture for anyone who enjoyed any of the side missions or is looking for additional back-story.
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