Mass Effect
Added August 23rd, 2006 by Dakota Grabowski
Anticipation is rising for BioWare’s Xbox 360 exclusive, Mass Effect. With legendary titles such as Baldur’s Gate (the PC ones, not the subpar console games), Neverwinter Nights, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic already in their repertoire, one couldn’t help but to expect the same detail poured into what is being considered “Game of the Year” in 2007. Mass Effect is planned to be the first entry in an epic trilogy for the Xbox 360. BioWare hopes to allow players to take their fully customizable hero and progress through all three games. If BioWare accomplishes this feature, it will truly become the “can’t miss” game of 2007.
It’s easy to think, that with a trilogy, the writers may in fact be spreading a storyline too thin and a single game’s content could be minimal to accommodate three game’s worth of material. That’s far from the truth with Mass Effect. In fact, the creators designed the first game as a self-contained journey conclusive with a definitive ending to itself. Even after a player fulfills the main quest, they may continue their adventure by exploring the universe and completing any available side quests. BioWare does plan on releasing downloadable content through Xbox Live allowing players to further their gaming experience.
The year is 2183, the human race has only recently become part of the space-traveling galactic civilization, and you are Commander Shepard, the first human Spectre. A Spectre is a sort of Special Forces rank that is responsible for the most significant and difficult missions throughout the galaxy. As a seasoned Veteran, Shepard is authorized, by any and all means possible, to get the job done. Depending on what choices you make, or how you want to play the game, Mass Effect will ultimately require the player to make sacrifices as people’s lives hang on every decision.
Harnessing the power of Unreal 3’s Game Engine leaves little limitations to Mass Effect’s revolutionary conversation system. Unlike the pretentious marionettes of previous games, the conversations seem more like a cut scene rather than a random chat with an NPC. BioWare is focusing on dynamic camera angles, tone of voices, and emotions instead of specifically scripted lines to keep the game fresh and exciting. For example, if you were to walk away from a conversation, the NPC would become upset and likely treat you different the next time you interacted.
Harnessing the power of Unreal 3’s Game Engine leaves little limitations to Mass Effect’s revolutionary conversation system. Unlike the pretentious marionettes of previous games, the conversations seem more like a cut scene rather than a random chat with an NPC. BioWare is focusing on dynamic camera angles, tone of voices, and emotions instead of specifically scripted lines to keep the game fresh and exciting. For example, if you were to walk away from a conversation, the NPC would become upset and likely treat you different the next time you interacted.
BioWare is allowing players the ability to travel from a number of different planets. Throughout your travels, you’ll be running into resistance, both on the ground and in the air. Confrontations occur in real-time squad-based action that will be used as problems arise. The player can choose to pause the action and control each member’s set path, target, and action to be performed for each member of the squad. If this is too slow or overwhelming for particular users, the game’s AI can accommodate nicely to the user’s needs. Also, a player can take control of another squad member to try and better control the fight.
The Outlook:
BioWare promises a grand adventure for their new epic series and seems to be on target for a prompt delivery. The developers have not said exactly when that delivery will be, but they have said many times the wish to have it out no later than first quarter of 2007. The game will encompass many customizable features to appeal to all types of gamers. BioWare has not made any hints towards a multiplayer feature for Mass Effect. The main quest will take roughly 25 hours for the typical gamer to complete, excluding time for any of the plentiful side quests that a player can embark upon along the way. The amount of content, gorgeous animations, distinguishable locations, and the extensive story behind the game will allow players to receive the most from their investment.
The Outlook:
BioWare promises a grand adventure for their new epic series and seems to be on target for a prompt delivery. The developers have not said exactly when that delivery will be, but they have said many times the wish to have it out no later than first quarter of 2007. The game will encompass many customizable features to appeal to all types of gamers. BioWare has not made any hints towards a multiplayer feature for Mass Effect. The main quest will take roughly 25 hours for the typical gamer to complete, excluding time for any of the plentiful side quests that a player can embark upon along the way. The amount of content, gorgeous animations, distinguishable locations, and the extensive story behind the game will allow players to receive the most from their investment.
