Mass Effect most definitely had a lot of hype - BioWare's pedigree (the BG series & KotOR) in the RPG genre set the bar high. Amidst leaks in the US and here in Australia with the release date, there was a lot of information flying around. Trying not to be 'spoiled' was a task in itself, but I can tell you that discovering the story, characters and watching the plot unfold in this epic RPG was more than worthwhile. It was a difficult game to review, but I can tell you before you try and skip to the end of the page: I didn't give it a score. I blogged about it - unconventional maybe, but it suits the unconventional style of what appears to be, at least on the surface, to be a conventional sci-fi game.
Almost 8 hours in. Level 17. I haven't even touched the first two missions, but have been roaming around the galaxy focussing on side-quests and other story lines. You get dropped into the action quite fast (unlike KotOR!) and you need to be fast on your feet to stay alive during the early stages.
A few things, though - the voice acting is superb. You really don't need subtitles in this game (and I'd recommend against them!). The music is also quite fitting; this backing track of 80's synth. And I'm quite sure this is the only game that makes riding in elevators interesting. Combat has it's initial niggles, but you work them out and once you get to grips with biotics/tech & weapons, firefights aren't so chaotic - but they still are to some extent, which brings some fitting risk to the combat. You need to balance your party depending on what your mission involves, especially on the more difficult settings.
A few things, though - the voice acting is superb. You really don't need subtitles in this game (and I'd recommend against them!). The music is also quite fitting; this backing track of 80's synth. And I'm quite sure this is the only game that makes riding in elevators interesting. Combat has it's initial niggles, but you work them out and once you get to grips with biotics/tech & weapons, firefights aren't so chaotic - but they still are to some extent, which brings some fitting risk to the combat. You need to balance your party depending on what your mission involves, especially on the more difficult settings.
As for the universe; it's difficult to put into words how fully realised it is. Planets have full descriptions, NPC's have varied and interesting back stories - the Codex (accessed through the pause menu) is absolutely brilliant. It's basically a full blown encyclopaedia of the game world, with articles added when you explore and examine. The primary tab being voiced just adds to the depth.
If I had to pick a few flaws, I'd say they're mostly technical (UE3 issues) - a bit of tearing and some minor texture pop-up, but nothing as major as some seem to put forward.
11 hours played. Level 23 at the moment. I won't spoil it* for anyone but I unlocked a couple of specialist (read: prestige) classes - as a hybrid [Vanguard] I have two branches. "Pure" classes - the Soldier, Adept and Tech - only have the one option. I also gained a few Renegade points on a mission for apprehending a criminal rashly, but I did what my character would've done so it didn't bother me so much. I naturally play towards a Paragon role though, and attempt to play the diplomat before anything else - in traditional BioWare style you can go both routes. Still haven't touched the first two Investigation missions, though - there really is just so much to do outside of the main quest, and it's equally as rewarding and interesting. The game world is fleshed out enough that you don't feel like you're doing 'side quests' but simply alternative missions - most of them are triggered by the fact that you are a military Commander, so they're quite fitting.
If I had to pick a few flaws, I'd say they're mostly technical (UE3 issues) - a bit of tearing and some minor texture pop-up, but nothing as major as some seem to put forward.
11 hours played. Level 23 at the moment. I won't spoil it* for anyone but I unlocked a couple of specialist (read: prestige) classes - as a hybrid [Vanguard] I have two branches. "Pure" classes - the Soldier, Adept and Tech - only have the one option. I also gained a few Renegade points on a mission for apprehending a criminal rashly, but I did what my character would've done so it didn't bother me so much. I naturally play towards a Paragon role though, and attempt to play the diplomat before anything else - in traditional BioWare style you can go both routes. Still haven't touched the first two Investigation missions, though - there really is just so much to do outside of the main quest, and it's equally as rewarding and interesting. The game world is fleshed out enough that you don't feel like you're doing 'side quests' but simply alternative missions - most of them are triggered by the fact that you are a military Commander, so they're quite fitting.
Also, the Mako 'missions' are decent enough that they don't feel like novelties, which is only a good thing in my books. It's pretty indestructible and impossible to flip, and the handling is "Warthog-esque" (read: takes some practice) but nothing absurd.
~16 hours in and have only been to Feros - haven't touched Noveria yet. There's such an insane amount of alternate quests and stories to chase down. I'm finding it strange to see that people completed it in 20 or so; especially considering I save often and really haven't reloaded that much.
~16 hours in and have only been to Feros - haven't touched Noveria yet. There's such an insane amount of alternate quests and stories to chase down. I'm finding it strange to see that people completed it in 20 or so; especially considering I save often and really haven't reloaded that much.
The combat is getting much better as I progress though; much smoother and trivial battles are easy to plow through - the more challenging ones do require some solid targeting with tech, biotics and organised focus-fire to get through cleanly though.
My Vanguard/Nemesis is invested heavily into Throw, Lift & the other Biotic-improvement talents, and it's impressive the damage you can put out with a full investment into Throw. The armours look brilliant, even if the textures are re-used to infinity - not a huge issue though.
Texture pop-up has become a little more apparent but it's nothing too serious and doesn't detract heavily from the gameplay - it's a minor annoyance, and not even close to game-breaking. Has far too many other solid points for that to have any weighting.
Mission-wise, the main storyline is really fleshed out with some pretty emotional and dramatic storytelling - without seeming too cliché or overdone. Definitely was a couple of moments that really pushed the immersion factor.
My Vanguard/Nemesis is invested heavily into Throw, Lift & the other Biotic-improvement talents, and it's impressive the damage you can put out with a full investment into Throw. The armours look brilliant, even if the textures are re-used to infinity - not a huge issue though.
Texture pop-up has become a little more apparent but it's nothing too serious and doesn't detract heavily from the gameplay - it's a minor annoyance, and not even close to game-breaking. Has far too many other solid points for that to have any weighting.
Mission-wise, the main storyline is really fleshed out with some pretty emotional and dramatic storytelling - without seeming too cliché or overdone. Definitely was a couple of moments that really pushed the immersion factor.
24 hours in. Have done a significant amount of alternate quests - many of them are fully realised with cut-scenes, voice overs, radio chatter and NPC's fighting alongside you. The cutscenes in this game are in a world of their own - all in-engine, and the animations and action scenes really need to be seen to be believed.
Just under 30 hours playtime. "Finished" it. The ending is open, and leaves room for sequels to build on this fantastic IP BioWare created, but really has you on the edge of your seat. I can't say too much more without ruining it, but there's no rainbows and unicorns at the end - something I like, personally. Oh, and you know they're on a good thing when characters' facial animations can express emotion in a video game.
Looking at the game after finishing it, it draws from both conventional sci-fi concepts, but leans heavily towards a character-centric universe. The technology is just a means to an end, and it's the character interaction & development that make this game what it is. It has it's flaws, yes, but considering how well executed the game is, it's a very highly recommended buy if you're even remotely interested in RPG's or squad shooters.
Just under 30 hours playtime. "Finished" it. The ending is open, and leaves room for sequels to build on this fantastic IP BioWare created, but really has you on the edge of your seat. I can't say too much more without ruining it, but there's no rainbows and unicorns at the end - something I like, personally. Oh, and you know they're on a good thing when characters' facial animations can express emotion in a video game.
Looking at the game after finishing it, it draws from both conventional sci-fi concepts, but leans heavily towards a character-centric universe. The technology is just a means to an end, and it's the character interaction & development that make this game what it is. It has it's flaws, yes, but considering how well executed the game is, it's a very highly recommended buy if you're even remotely interested in RPG's or squad shooters.
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