Mass Effect

Mass Effect (Xbox 360 Version)

Platforms: Xbox 360 and PC
Created by Bioware
Published by Microsoft Game Studios

Overview

In the game Mass Effect you assume the role of Commander John Shepard or you can create your own character. Your mission is to try and track down a rogue Spectre by the name of Saren before he tries to destroy the galaxy. Over the course of the game you recruit seven different allies to help you fight against Saren.

Gameplay

The game play is similar to early Bioware RPGs like Star Wars Knight of the Old Republic and Jade Empire. This game is more focused on Action more so than RPG elements if you didn't gain XP and go up levels you'd swear you'd be playing an action game. The game is pretty decent for controls sometimes though they can be clunky and your character will "take cover" when you don't want them to. You can have up to two squad members ranging from a human Biotic, the "magic" class named Kaiden, a human Soldier named Ashley, an Asari scientist named Liara (good for hacking) a Krogan named Wrex who's basically a tank warrior class, a Quarian named Tahli (good for hacking and biotics) and Garrus a Turian who's a combo of tank and electronics and magic. The team AI is really good on most occasions and you barely have to tell them what to do unless you want them to use their special abilities. One gameplay element I hate is sometimes when you go to a new area you and your squad will be equipped with a different weapon. Other than that the gameplay is fine. Oh and I can't forget the annoying elevator rides that you can't skip.

7.5 out of 10

Graphics

Despite being three years old the game does feature some very impressive graphics. This was and is one of the best looking 360 games to date. The only drawback is the textures sometimes look bad for clothing but other than that the game is beautiful.

8.5 out of 10

Sound

Another highlight of the game if you have a nice sound system or a nice set of gaming headphones sounds really come through on this. Gun shots and explosions have echoing bass. When you’re in a hall you'll get an echoing like you’re in tight corridors. The game features an amazing score too which is simply amazing one of the best video game scores to date.

9 out of 10

Content

Since this is an RPG there's plenty to do in the game. If you do the main quest only you’re looking at about 15 hours of gameplay. Plus there are two extra DLC missions that are a lot of fun. Overall if you do all the side quests and by both DLC packages (priced at 400 MS Points or $5) then you're looking at over 30 hours of gameplay. This was my second play through of the game because I lost my original save file so I wanted to import my character data into ME2 well any way I put in about 28 hours or so and I didn't do all the side quests.

9.5 out of 10

Overall 8.6 out of 10

Pros
-Very excellent story
-Great score
-Tons of content
-Low price now

Cons
-Clunky controls sometimes
-Weird bugs
-Annoying Elevator rides

So if you have a 360 or a PC capable of gaming and don't have this game yet do yourself a favor and pick it up it's only $20 now.