Mass Effect 3 Review

This is our long overdue review of BioWare’s final installment (at least officially) in the Mass Effect series, Mass Effect 3, which completes the story of Commander Shepard as he continues to work towards the defeat of the Reapers – massive semi-organic machines that periodically wipe all life from the galaxy.

This wildly popular video game is available for Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and now the Wii U.

The series to date has been known for its epic storylines and player-driven decisions; Mass Effect 3 definitely lives up to the reputation of the first two games. However, it doesn’t surpass our expectations and in fact it falls short when compared to the original and the sequel. Here is what we think…

Please be aware this review contains plot spoilers. Read at your own risk!

Story

Building on the plot established in Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3 sees Shepard traveling the galaxy in an attempt to recruit allies to oppose the Reapers in the wake of their attack on Earth. The game begins directly after the events of “Arrival,” a Mass Effect 2 downloadable content pack that depicted Shepard rescuing Dr. Amanda Kenson, but being unable to prevent the death of 300,000 Batarian colonists during the initial approach of the Reapers.

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The story in Mass Effect 3 opens with Shepard’s detainment in Vancouver, a city that is quickly destroyed when the Reapers arrive on Earth. Shepard travels from one planet and civilization to another, gathering weapons and allies for a final counterstrike against the Reapers. Because the game plot changes with user interaction, Shepard’s final choice leads to one of three moderately different endings, with a forth ending becoming available in the Extended Cut, which can be downloaded for free.

Presentation

The final ending of the game is designed to appropriately wrap up the plots of all three games, no matter what the player’s choices have been in the games up to that point. Ending the series on a high note was a particular concern of the development team, and the effort shows throughout the plot and gameplay in the final game. Unfortunately, many fans of the series were infuriated by “choices” at the end of the third game that they felt did not reflect the many hours of gameplay and decisions that preceded it in the series, ending the game on a sour note. The journey up until that point, however, is simply incredible.

Graphics and Sound

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The graphics and sound quality of the game are top notch, especially when compared to the previous releases. Each character and setting is made to look realistic and believable, which adds to the overall game experience. The original score for the game is composed by Clint Mansell, rather than Jack Wall, who composed the first two games. This gives the music a slightly more unique feel while recreating some similar themes.

Many well-known celebrities, such as Martin Sheen, Seth Green, Tricia Helfer, Carrie-Anne Moss, Lanse Henriksen, Freddy Prinze Jr. and Yvonne Strahovski, lend their voices to the diverse character cast.

Both the graphics and the audio are sure to be appreciated not only by the diehard fans of the first two games but by casual gamers as well.

Gameplay

While gameplay in Mass Effect 3 can be impacted by the player’s choices in the previous games, this is not a requirement. New players can start the Mass Effect 3 game from scratch, while returning players can load files from the first two games to tie their play experience in this game more closely to how they played in the past. While there are four potential variations of the game’s ending, hundreds of different variables can impact how the player reaches that point; some of these variable tie in to decisions the player may have made in the original Mass Effect. In addition, the game can be played in three different single player modes – Story, Role Playing or Action – which adjust the experience to cater more specifically to the gamer’s preferences. Each mode places a different priority on combat vs. character interaction.

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One interesting feature in the game is the smaller number of available squad mates compared to the previous games. The developers purposely did this to allow for closer, more meaningful relationships with non-player characters in the game. This results in more dramatic subplots and more customized play. Several non-player characters will compete for Shepard’s attention throughout the game; if previous files were loaded, relationships established in the previous games are incorporated as well. Should a “love triangle” form, the issue will be resolved and a final decision made before the game ends.

Multiplayer

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Mass Effect 3 also introduces an extensive multiplayer mode, which neither of the first games included. Also known as “A Galaxy at War,” this is a multifaceted co-op mode that pits four players against oncoming hordes of enemies. The multiplayer interactions could have a direct effect on the plot development for the single player mode, making the odds of a perfect completion higher. Players can choose from several different races, including Drell and Asari, and a variety of different roles. The multiplayer mode focuses mostly on fighting Reaper, Cerberus or Geth enemies as they launch progressively more challenging attacks on one of more than a dozen different maps. Often compared to the horde mode from Gears of War, the multiplayer interactions in Mass Effect 3 provide a significant amount of replay value for the game.

Lasting Appeal

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Downloadable content for Mass Effect 3 is quite plentiful, with new add-ons being released every few months. So far, seven different DLCs are available for the single player campaign and eight for multiplayer mode. Each additional content pack is fairly inexpensive and adds a combination of new items, weapons, map locations or missions. The new “Omega” DLC, for example, includes five missions, two locations, two assault rifles, three achievements and many other add-ons for gamers to use during game play. Alternate appearance packs are also available, these DLCs being the least expensive. Each downloadable content pack is created to provide extra game play or to enhance the existing game in order to add replay value.

The Wii U version, Mass Effect 3: Special Edition, was released on November 18, 2012 and features all the free in-game DLC. According to EA, there are no plans to release any of the paid DLC packs which includes Omega, Leviathan, and the various weapon packs.

All in all, Mass Effect 3 is an extraordinary game in virtually every area, including its plot, gameplay, graphics and audio. The game shows no signs of decreasing in popularity, so additional add-ons will likely be released, making the game playable for a longer period of time. While the somewhat forced ending was a rare misstep for the game’s developers, the overall experience Mass Effect 3 provides is not one to be missed.

Editor’s Notes: This is an overall review of Mass Effect 3 for all systems. Written by C.J. McAllister, Nelson Eguizabal and Shimbo Suzuki.[/alert]
This is an exclusive Stagger’d review. All rights reserved.