Mass Effect
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Bioware have become somewhat of a legend in action adventure games over the years. With the creation of the fantastic Knights of the Old Republic, they shot to fame. (We’re still waiting for KOTOR 3. Thinking of starting a petition but the several thousand forums out on the big www show there’s more than enough support).
More recently we had the brilliant Jade Empire, converted rather perfectly to the pc from the Xbox. Jade Empire introduced a unique and more surprisingly, working combat system using the keyboard. They set the benchmark on how a game should be converted from console to PC.
Now finally, almost a year after its initial release on Microsoft’s Xbox, Mass Effect has finally arrived on the PC.
The story is set in space. The discovery of an alien technology has allowed mankind to jump two hundred years ahead in their technological advancement. This leads to meeting alien civilisations and a galactic community grows.
A story of legend is beginning to emerge with faint whispers of truth regarding an ancient machine race which appears every 50000 years to wipe out entire races. You, as Commander Shepherd believe this to be true, and now you have to convince the galactic council that these rumours are true.
Playing the role of a war veteran you follow the trail of a rouge spectre agent in a desperate race to defeat the enemy.
For once, you don’t start off as a simple rookie trying to earn your stripes. You’re hardcore and it’s up to you to guide your team through the game without getting them all killed.
Mass Effect has to be the most atmospheric game I have played since KOTOR. The character development is deep and hugely engrossing. At the start of the game you can choose the design of your character then customise them. I went with the girl as its better to look at her great backside moving around for hours on end then the muscled up stiff necked male model version. As well as their physical features, you have to choose their psychological profile. This effects the characters questions and answers throughout the game.
Mass effect is a cross between RPG and action. Character interaction is enormous and done so well that you can sometimes forget that this is a game and believe that you’re watching an animated film. The interaction throughout the game can pull you so deep into the plot that often you’ll be thinking about the game after you’ve switched off and walked away from your keyboard.
The action sequences are intense. A small gunfight can feel like a Mexican standoff as you run into a group of assassins in an alleyway and the shootout kicks off immediately. Blast the enemy at close range with a shotgun and watch them fly across tables landing several feet away.
Every thought has once again been spared on how to map this out to a keyboard and mouse and I can tell you, it’s faultless. Controls are instinctive and respond instantly. Key mapping is available for those who wish to change the layout or assign quick key shortcuts.
Unlike the console version, you do not need to pause the game to pick out your weaponry and issue squad commands. A press of one the direction keys will see your team either pull back and take cover or go all out assault. This works, most of the time. You still get the odd glitch where one of your team will stand out in the middle of a fire fight and basically get his arse kicked. Choice of weapons are simply mapped to your function keys whilst your biotic powers are mapped to the number keys.
Ahh, the biotic powers. Simply put, these are force powers without the Jedi. These are the powers that will help you dispatch a group by laying down your shield barrier and walking out into the open, hurling the bad boys through the air then letting rip with a shotty. They give you that edge making you appear to be a super bad ass techno soldier, because that’s what you are. Oh yea, then jump back behind cover as their mates let rip at you. Even taking cover looks cool in Mass Effect. Forget that this is also a role playing game. When the action kicks off, Bioware have distanced themselves from the tactical turn based combat of previous games and made Mass Effects fights more like a third person shooter.
This is the game that fills the void since KOTOR, and pulls in all the new Sci-Fi boys and girls. Why, because who wouldn’t enjoy meeting some of the coolest designed aliens in the Sci-Fi universe. Who doesn’t want to travel to different galaxies and have a stand off as soon as you step off your ship with the local security, and finally, who wouldn’t want to go to a lap dancing club and have some saucy blue alien chick giving you a private show and no extra expense. Do I hear any objections? No, I didn’t think I would.
Abilities are earned as you progress. Weapon upgrades as well as armour enhancements also become available as you progress. Characters you meet are stunningly designed and you will constantly chop and change your two man backup team as new characters with different abilities, strengths and weaknesses become available.
Graphically I feel the game is of the highest standards, as I said earlier, sometimes you feel as if you are watching a movie. However, there are still some graphical glitches which are apparently being worked on for the new patch.
The voice over acting is the best of its class. Accents, tones and various voice distortions are all there amongst the different alien races adding to the games authentic and deep world environments.
The vehicle bugs that plagued the 360 version have been sorted and the downloadable expansion, Bring Down the Sky is available free to the PC gamer.
For those who are looking for a space adventure, Mass Effect is sexy, intense, highly atmospheric and will keep you entertained for over 30 hours of main mission play time. What more do you need from a game.
Reviewed by The Don
Publishers: EA
Developer: Bioware
Genre: RPG/Action
Website: www.masseffect.bioware.com
