A Moving Sculpture...

Author's Rating:

Pros: Mesmerizing graphics, solid plot, unique tactical-control gameplay

Cons: System requirements are pretty hefty

The Bottom Line: 
Unbeatable graphics, galactic travel, solid characters, and incredible depth make this game an absolute "must-buy"

Author's Review
::::|  Intro  |::::
It's always seemed to me that there haven't been enough games in the "Space Sci-Fi" setting.  Initially, this was the sole aspect that attracted me to Mass Effect.  I was very lucky to discover it's one of the most beautiful, submersive, and detail-oriented games I've played.

::::|  Graphics  |::::
You will be in awe.  The graphics throughout this game are truly at a cinematic level, beginning with the building of your character.  As you choose variants in bone structure & facial appearance, you can enjoy the real-to-life shading of your new avatar...while calm orchestral music somehow makes you feel tiny, in shadow of this game's galactic scope.  When the opening cinematic begins, you'll notice that the super-rendered character seems to look alot like the one you just designed.  Soon you'll realize that it's not really even a video or cinematic at all....the game has just started and you're meeting the first characters.  Literally thousands of glowing, blinking, lights & screens smother the interior of this spacecraft you start in.  Ambient lighting in every direction throws romantic shades of yellow and aqua onto navigators, computer operators, and lots of quiet crew members that all seem to be scattered around YOU.  After a few lines of good, meaty opening dialogue...the story begins.

::::|  Storyline & Gameplay  |::::
Mass Effect forces you to travel around quite a bit, and it provides a variety of options to do so.  As you dock at spaceports, land on planets, pilot different vehicles, and wander through your gigantic ship...you encounter simple elevators, cool sliding doors, rapid transit systems, and even high-speed trains.  Many are optional, and getting around the game seems to be one of the more powerful abilities given to you as a Commander of the Alliance.  You play as Commander Shepard (you can choose your own first name if you like).  Later in the game you get promoted to Jedi-like "Specter" status...and at that point you have access to even more resources, abilities, and equipment.  At any given time in the game, you travel and fight with two squad members.  All of the combat in the game revolves around your tight-knit squad.  Holding spacebar at any time pauses the game & summons a heads-up-display, allowing you to give quick commands to either of your squad members.  You can select their weapons, abilities, and orders, and your own.  This may sound complicated, but it's really just an optional interface you use--once you start to love the game.  This interface shoots up so quickly it almost seems like the "bullet-time" effect from Max Payne.  Bringing up this tactis HUD during combat is truly nerve-racking....but nerve-racking experiences are sort of why I like video games.  The rest of the controls are pretty standard as they are in most shooter/RPG... full journal, equipment screen, and even a "codex" which gathers tutorials, articles, and relevant history about races you encounter.  Overall, the storyline of Mass Effect has depth and scope like you wouldn't believe.  At most times in the game, you have a handful of missions that are scattered across the galaxy...and you can choose which one to travel to and try to complete.  There is definitely one, very straight-forward struggle between good and evil.  Despite the complexity of the plot...I feel it's suprisingly easy to follow.  Many of the characters seemed rounded and well thought-out.  As you progress through your adventure, you meet more characters you can select to be part of your three-person squad.  The characters all have their own advantages and abilities...yet another dimension to the game that could appeal to the pro-gamer or the casual galactic explorer.

::::|  Recommendations & Conclusion  |::::
Mass Effect is a huge game and it's for the serious gamer.  The system requirements for the graphics pretty much assume you have some new hardware and you're ready to make it scream.  If anyone reading this remembers anything about Deus Ex...than just buy this game immediately.  If anyone reading this likes both Homeworld & Halo...buy this game immediately.  Some of the interplanetary settings also remind me of things you might see in Unreal Tournament...or even Myst!  Almost all aspects of this game are unique, I can only compare it to combinations of other games.  Bioware, the studio which put out Mass Effect was also the studio to do Deus Ex...although I understand they were now purchased by game giant EA.  EA seems like they're serious about using everything BioWare has to offer.  Buy this game, and you'll own one of gaming's greatest pieces of art.