Mass Effect Review

It’s been over five years since Mass Effect was first released for the Xbox 360, but, for a lot of gamers, especially those who appreciate RPGs, the award-winning game still has a strong hold on their hearts. This is especially true of gamers who also enjoy a classic science fiction film – Mass Effect has that 70’s and 80’s science fiction movie feel to it, even going as far as including a grain filter that can be turned on to make the game look more like an old film.

But what makes this game so special? Why are so many people still playing it after so many years? It seems that after a year or two most games are placed near the back of the shelf and forgotten about and newer games get all of the play time. Mass Effect remains such a popular choice because it is such a well-rounded game. It has awesome cinematics, amazing main and side stories, killer graphics, great sound, and fun and easy-to-learn gameplay.

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Story

Like most other modern games, Mass Effect has a definite storyline that adds to its appeal. The game focuses on Commander Shepard and his quest to stop an army of rogues from conquering the galaxy. Since it’s a roleplaying game, you play mainly as Shepard, making decisions and constantly learning new things. Before long you find out that a nonhuman race, called the Reapers, is plotting to destroy all of the intelligent life in the galaxy – a process that apparently takes place every 50,000 years. Needless to say, Mass Effect has an exciting plot that keeps players hooked till the end.

Presentation

One of the main reasons that Mass Effect has such lasting appeal is that it is one of the most cinematic games of its time. When it was released cinematics in video games were still corny and forced, but it included a number of camera cuts and angles that really made you feel as if you were actually in a film. Add lifelike conversations into the mix (that you actually can respond to) and you have a truly terrific role playing game in the making.

Graphics

Experienced gamers know that it’s extremely difficult to enjoy a game that doesn’t have good graphics. Too many games that could have been top-notch have been quickly forgotten because of their crappy graphics and numerous glitches. Mass Effect definitely comes out on top in the graphics department, but it falls a little short when it comes to technical aspects. Its graphics have been heralded as groundbreaking (the best of 2007), but numerous bugs make gameplay difficult – new environments load slowly, frame rates are all over the place, and characters frequently get frozen in place, even during battles.

Sound

A role playing game that is trying to emulate film definitely needs to have a good quality soundtrack and professional sound quality. Unlike its graphics, sound is one area that Mass Effect does not fall short in. Since the game has that previously mentioned 70’s and 80’s sci-fi feel, the addition of era-appropriate synthesizers is one of the game’s coolest addition. During almost every scene the low vibrations of dark sounding synths can be hear in the background. The voice work in Mass Effect is also wonderfully done. You almost feel like you really are Captain Shepard when characters are speaking with one another.

Gameplay

In Mass Effect, gameplay and graphics come together as one. The premise behind the game is excellent (and enough to keep fans continuously coming back for more), but where the graphics fall short, so does the gameplay. When you’re battling your way through a host of enemies and your character freezes up, it’s pretty infuriating. Same when the buttons you are pressing don’t register (this doesn’t happen a lot, but it is a noted occurrence). Despite a few shortcomings and noticeable glitches, Mass Effect delivers in the gameplay department with easy-to-use and intuitive controls.

Lasting Appeal

Mass Effect has definitely stood the test of time and is still loved by gamers everywhere. It has been called one of the greatest role playing games of its time and definitely lives up to this name. The best thing about Mass Effect? You really do feel like every decision that you make is important to the outcome of the game and the lives of the characters (and the fate of the galaxy). Even in today’s over-saturated market there are very few games that can do that.

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