Mass Effect

[Crapshoot]

So, I don't even own a 360 - but I'm a Bioware fan, primarily because of KOTOR (And damnit, someday, maybe, there will be a KOTOR 3!). That being said, Mass Effect seems like the game that will cause me to join the dark side, and go ahead and buy a 360. It looks gorgeous, and by all accounts, is likely to play as well.

From Kotaku, a nice intro video kinda thing:
http://kotaku.com/gaming/clips/mass-effect-character-creation-301170.php

They've left out another more detailed video because its got "spoilers", but I thought I'd link this for people interested.

[StarBuck]

Oh man...this looks awesome. Only for the 360? I prefer the PC gameplay.

[Eaglesfan27]

Yes, it is only on the 360. Microsoft knows this game could be a system seller and they are keeping it 360 exclusive. Also, it is part of a planned trilogy. This is my most anticipated game this year and there is a lot of information coming out this week about the game. All of the big sites will have new articles up this week. I'm trying to avoid too many of them as I don't want to inadvertently read spoilers.

[Crapshoot]

EF,
the post I linked appears to avoid spoilers, but the comments mention a couple (nothing big, as far as I can see).

[Eaglesfan27]

No, that one isn't bad at all. This gamespot link goes a bit more into the details of the plot but only has minor spoilers:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/masseffect/news.html?sid=6178928&mode=previews


Unlike NBA 2k8, I'm going to avoid reading anything else as I'm worried about stumbling upon a major spoiler.

[Voo]

This should be great, Im actually looking forward to this one as much as I am to Halo 3.

[MizzouRah]

My wife's going to kill me. :D

[Calis]

Very excited about this.

Also, I really don't think this will remain a 360 exclusive. I think it will get a PC release along the lines of like Jade Empire, but probably several years after the 360 release, and who wants to wait that long?

[Eaglesfan27]

The American ESRB is giving the game an "M" rating due to a brief scene with partial nudity which involves or implies bisexual sex. The British BBFC gave the game a "12" rating which means it is suitable for anyone over 12.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=25928388&sid=6179029&action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;2

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm very excited about this game. It's a release day pickup for me, for sure.

[stevew]

What's the basic storyline of the game?

[JetsIn06]

I've been waiting for this game forever! I can't wait to pick this one up on release day.

[JetsIn06]

What's the basic storyline of the game?

from the website---





A Spectacular New Vision of the Future



http://masseffect.bioware.com/_commonext/images/me/gi_port_242x182.jpg The galaxy is trapped in an endless cycle of extinction. Every 50,000 years, an ancient machine race invades the galaxy. With ruthless efficiency, the machines wipe out all advanced organic civilization. They leave behind only the scattered ruins of technology, destroying all evidence of their own existence.
Few believe this ancient legend. You, however, know it to be true. The fight to stop this extinction event has become the most important mission in the galaxy.
"You must act without remorse, without hesitation, and outside the limits of the law."
It is your mission. As Commander Shepard of the SS Normandy, you will take your elite recon squad across a galaxy in turmoil, in a desperate race to stop the return of an enemy without mercy. To stop this enemy, you must act without remorse, without hesitation, and outside the limits of the law. Your only imperative is to preserve the safety of civilized life in the galaxy - at any cost. You must become the tip of the spear of humanity, for you alone know the full extent of what is at stake if you should fail.
http://masseffect.bioware.com/_commonext/images/me/gi_shepard_175x436.jpg Science-fiction Role-playing: Perfected

Mass Effect allows you to create your own customizable version of Commander Shepard (or jump in and use the pre-created character) and plunge yourself into the center of an epic science-fiction story. Choose your squad-mates, your weapons, skills and abilities, and customize your vehicles, armor and appearance - you are in complete control over your experience.
In the course of your mission to stop the machine invasion, you may choose to follow the path of the soldier, the tech-specialist, or the biotics-specialist…each of which brings an arsenal of unique yet equally powerful abilities to use against the enemy. Wield a multitude of weapon types with precision accuracy…utilize your technical skill to turn enemy war machines against their creators…or unleash the full power of Dark Energy against your foe with devastating effects.
As you progress throughout the game you will improve your character's skills, abilities, and equipment (including weapons, armor, biotic implants and more) to ensure that you have the means to face the growing threat before you.
The role you choose to play in Mass Effect will have tremendous consequences on the galaxy around you. You will face moral dilemmas in which the decision you ultimately make will significantly alter the fate of civilized life in the galaxy.
http://masseffect.bioware.com/_commonext/images/me/gi_normandy_242x162.jpg The Vastness of Space Beckons

Your mission will take you into the deepest reaches of known space - and beyond. Aboard your ship, the Normandy, you will choose which planets to investigate, and where to take your team. In addition to the major worlds of the main story arc, you will have the freedom to visit a wide array of uncharted planets and other locations such as asteroids and abandoned space freighters adrift in space. On many worlds, take your team planet side in the MAKO in order to explore and find alien life, ancient artifacts and ruins, rogue trader colonies and a host of other amazing discoveries.
http://masseffect.bioware.com/_commonext/images/me/gi_asari_92x399.jpg Lose Yourself in a Living Galaxy

Mass Effect combines astonishing photo-realistic graphics with innovative new dialog systems to create a cast of living characters to interact with. Engage these characters in real-time conversations that allow you to immerse yourself in dramatically charged situations.
Characters communicate with full voice-acting and amazing animation that displays their emotions right down to subtle nuances in their facial expressions. Every wrinkled brow and slight twist of the mouth is captured to infuse every interaction with a feeling of realism.
Lead Your Squad in Intense, Real-Time Combat

The struggle to stop the return of the machines will ultimately be a violent one. You will assume responsibility for the lives of your squad as you lead them into often uncharted, hostile alien environments. Each decision you make could mean the difference between victory and disaster. Although combat will take place in real-time, you will have the ability to pause combat and issue commands to your squad which they will then execute with the precision of a highly trained elite force. Upgrading certain skills and abilities as you level up your character will also allow you to increase your ballistic skill - this can ultimately lead to easier aiming, more damaging use of weapons, and biotic effects with the power to turn the tide of battle in your favor.

[StarBuck]

Calis, I gave Ironhead a 360 for his birthday, but as a long time PC gamer, I can't seem to get a feel for the controls. I aim and fire like a I have no opposable thumbs.

[Anthony]

i noticed Brian Austin Green's voice as the doubting character at the computer.

in this clip (http://gamevideos.com/video/id/14753) featuring the combat gameplay it really looks nice, but whomever was playing the game kept stopping and doing something with the weapons. wasn't seemless at all with all the interruptions to setup his weapons. hope this isn't what you need to do everytime.

[Shkspr]

i noticed Brian Austin Green's voice as the doubting character at the computer.

in this clip (http://gamevideos.com/video/id/14753) featuring the combat gameplay it really looks nice, but whomever was playing the game kept stopping and doing something with the weapons. wasn't seemless at all with all the interruptions to setup his weapons. hope this isn't what you need to do everytime.


You can probably go in with guns a-blazing if you like. The big hurdle Bioware faces with its fans, however, is that the game LOOKS like a shooter. It isn't - not by a long shot. The reason the gameplay screen keeps getting paused and new instructions given is pretty much to demonstrate to RPG fans that though the game seems to be similar to Halo/Half-Life/Doom type gameplay, that it's still got the strategic pause anywhere approach that will let fans that want to approach the game at a slower pace do so.

Just to reiterate - this isn't a shooter. Accuracy and damage are stat and skill dependent, not hand/eye coordination based.

[stevew]

hmm, that preview made me wet my pants just a little. I think I'm down for this one.

[kingnebwsu]

Another triple-A title for the 360. I've been excited for this one for over two years and can't wait to play it.

BioShock, Halo 3, Mass Effect, Call of Duty 4...this is one of the best years of games I can *ever* remember.

[Eaglesfan27]

i noticed Brian Austin Green's voice as the doubting character at the computer.

in this clip (http://gamevideos.com/video/id/14753) featuring the combat gameplay it really looks nice, but whomever was playing the game kept stopping and doing something with the weapons. wasn't seemless at all with all the interruptions to setup his weapons. hope this isn't what you need to do everytime.

The game is like KOTOR from what I've read. Even though it can be played without pausing the combat, for the most effective results, users will be pausing frequently, giving orders for special abilities, etc. It's a pseudo turn based game. I loved the mechanic in KOTOR, and it sounds like it has been refined even further for this game.

[Anthony]

ooooooooh, at least that makes sense. i need a break from sports games, so i think i may pick this up. i do want a good shooter game, and i need to decide between Halo 3 or COD4.

this Mass Effect game had really nice graphics and voice-acting. i noticed Austin Green and Keith David, the black guy who played the Muslim in that movie Pitch Black.

[Crapshoot]

http://kotaku.com/gaming/sweet/mass-effect-trilogy-completed-within-this-gen-301246.php

Nothing new, but I think it will be on the PC in 2 years. This could be the GTA for the Xbox 360.

[Scoobz0202]

ooooooooh, at least that makes sense. i need a break from sports games, so i think i may pick this up. i do want a good shooter game, and i need to decide between Halo 3 or COD4.

this Mass Effect game had really nice graphics and voice-acting. i noticed Austin Green and Keith David, the black guy who played the Muslim in that movie Pitch Black.

Not to be picky, but I think you mean Seth Green, right? Because I believe that is the voice of the pilot we heard in the trailer.

[MizzouRah]

ooooooooh, at least that makes sense. i need a break from sports games, so i think i may pick this up. i do want a good shooter game, and i need to decide between Halo 3 or COD4.

this Mass Effect game had really nice graphics and voice-acting. i noticed Austin Green and Keith David, the black guy who played the Muslim in that movie Pitch Black.

COD 4 is a "must buy" as far as I'm concerned.

[Crapshoot]

Not to be picky, but I think you mean Seth Green, right? Because I believe that is the voice of the pilot we heard in the trailer.

Yeah - Seth Green. And the guy who does the voice acting for Carth Onasi.

I think EF hit the nail on the head - KOTOR is probably one of my top 3 games (with Civ 2 and FM/WWSM) ever, and if this is anything like it, I'm buying a 360 for it.

[Anthony]

Not to be picky, but I think you mean Seth Green, right? Because I believe that is the voice of the pilot we heard in the trailer.

LOL, yes, you're right. Brian Austin Green is the guy from 90210.

[Anthony]

COD 4 is a "must buy" as far as I'm concerned.

which would you say has more of a "story" between Halo 3 and COD4? i don't just want some type of Unreal mindless blasting away. i would assume COD4. that game is getting a lot of love, and is being considered on par with Halo 3 in terms of shooter/game of the year.

[Calis]

which would you say has more of a "story" between Halo 3 and COD4? i don't just want some type of Unreal mindless blasting away. i would assume COD4. that game is getting a lot of love, and is being considered on par with Halo 3 in terms of shooter/game of the year.

I'd wager Halo will have it beat pretty soundly in the story category. I think Halo actually gets applauded on it's storyline sometimes, whereas with CoD there's just enough to tie one mission up to the next.

They might've changed that with 4 though, no clue.

[JetsIn06]

which would you say has more of a "story" between Halo 3 and COD4? i don't just want some type of Unreal mindless blasting away. i would assume COD4. that game is getting a lot of love, and is being considered on par with Halo 3 in terms of shooter/game of the year.

No comparison. Halo's story is awesome. The great thing about that game for me, is, if you have no desire to get into the story, you don't have to. Skip the cutscenese, blow people away. if you wanna get into the story though, there is a ton of depth. I personally love it, and love getting into it. Halo 3 is going to rock.

[Crapshoot]

http://kotaku.com/gaming/story-mode/mass-effect-alien-primer-309208.php

More stuff - not spoilers, just society info. Screw it, I'm definitely buying a 360 for this game.

[Galaxy]

What? Your going to buy 360? Sony has a blue-ray! :)

[TroyF]

which would you say has more of a "story" between Halo 3 and COD4? i don't just want some type of Unreal mindless blasting away. i would assume COD4. that game is getting a lot of love, and is being considered on par with Halo 3 in terms of shooter/game of the year.


HA,

Have you played Bioshock? I've played both Halo 3 and Bioshock and Bioshock beats the living hell out of Halo 3. It also has a terrific story. If you want a shooter and haven't picked this one up, you need to do so tonight.

[JetsIn06]

HA,

Have you played Bioshock? I've played both Halo 3 and Bioshock and Bioshock beats the living hell out of Halo 3. It also has a terrific story. If you want a shooter and haven't picked this one up, you need to do so tonight.

Okay...I am a Halo story fanatic, but Bioshock was definitely a very, very, very good story. After playing Halo 3, I would say that unless you have played the first two and are really into the story, you might not totally dig the story. Bioshock's story is excellent, but I also think the entire Halo universe is excellent. They are definitely different and cater to different people, but if your choosing between these two and COD4 and are looking for story, DEFINITELY pick up either Halo or Bioshock.

[samifan24]

I don't own a 360 but am really excited for this game. My brother owns a 360 and since I'm home for the winter, I can play it on his system. I've been reading about the game and am considering buying a 360 just for this game. It sounds awesome. I will also probably rent Bioshock this weekend based on everyone's recommendations.

Has anyone hear read the prequel book?

[Neon_Chaos]

Just finished the Prologue and the Novoria mission.

I am completely loving this game.

It is just so beautifully done. The storyline and the graphics are top-notch. The only knock I have on the game would be the FPS-mode... but it's only a minor concern.

Love the game.

[billethius]

Just finished the Prologue and the Novoria mission.

I am completely loving this game.

It is just so beautifully done. The storyline and the graphics are top-notch. The only knock I have on the game would be the FPS-mode... but it's only a minor concern.

Love the game.

I'm about half way through my second play-through. I didn't like the combat at first either - until I figured out to effectively use the mass effect powers, which made that part of the game a lot more fun. Lift + throw is pretty awesome, especially once you have those powers maxed out.

[Galaril]

Just finished the Prologue and the Novoria mission.

I am completely loving this game.

It is just so beautifully done. The storyline and the graphics are top-notch. The only knock I have on the game would be the FPS-mode... but it's only a minor concern.

Love the game.

I'm about half way through my second play-through. I didn't like the combat at first either - until I figured out to effectively use the mass effect powers, which made that part of the game a lot more fun. Lift + throw is pretty awesome, especially once you have those powers maxed out.

Are you guys playing the PC version I have been holding off on it till it came out on PC which it now has. Anyone else playing the PC version and want to say yay or nay?

[billethius]

Are you guys playing the PC version I have been holding off on it till it came out on PC which it now has. Anyone else playing the PC version and want to say yay or nay?

Nah, I've got it on the 360. It looks like they've fixed my biggest complaints for the PC version - those being the inventory management screen and individual character management during battles.

[Atocep]

Are you guys playing the PC version I have been holding off on it till it came out on PC which it now has. Anyone else playing the PC version and want to say yay or nay?

I've been playing it on PC and it's outstanding. I never played the console version, but the reviews I've seen have said the UI changes to take advantage of keyboard/mouse make the game even better.

[Galaril]

One more question is the environments varied. I wasn't able to find a mention in reviews of the environments as far as being varied in that there are different planets or interior locations that are somewhat different. In otherwords, the whole game isn't on one big moon or something is it?

[billethius]

One more question is the environments varied. I wasn't able to find a mention in reviews of the environments as far as being varied in that there are different planets or interior locations that are somewhat different. In otherwords, the whole game isn't on one big moon or something is it?

It's a lot like KOTOR in that there are ~5 (i think?) main game worlds that are pretty decent sized and that'll you'll spend a good amount of time on. Then there are the side quests on random planets that you can travel to throughout the galaxy, which are fairly generic but I enjoyed them anyway. The side quest planets all have the same size (you can travel around a fairly large, rectangular area), but there are many different landscapes.

[Galaril]

It's a lot like KOTOR in that there are ~5 (i think?) main game worlds that are pretty decent sized and that'll you'll spend a good amount of time on. Then there are the side quests on random planets that you can travel to throughout the galaxy, which are fairly generic but I enjoyed them anyway. The side quest planets all have the same size (you can travel around a fairly large, rectangular area), but there are many different landscapes.

Cool thanks.

[KWhit]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to picking this one up after I work through my backlog and it goes on sale.

[Galaril]

The biggest problem I am having with this one is the controls for moving are not that smooth. I am using th emouse and even reprogrammed the forward button to the mouse and it is still jerky. I guess I am just getting old.

[Galaril]

If anyone is interested I have a new copy for PC played just two times includes the box and manual all complete that I am selling. If anyone is interested let me know through PM.