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Mass Effect is the latest role role playing game from the giants Bioware, the same people that gave us KOTOR series (if you don’t know KOTOR , dude what the hell are you doing on this site). It’s unique because it combines the best of both worlds, shooters and RPG. The game has a strong storyline , good squad controls, satisfying weapons and an active cover system.

Mass Effect is a big universe and the game can be overwhelming for players with little RPG experience and the doesn’t even have a decent tutorial either. It might take an hour or two to get the hang of the game. But after you have learned the game it’s plenty of fun. The game usually involves taking to other characters in the game, gathering information about you surroundings and taking missions. The dialog mechanic are similar to that of KOTOR with the exception that your conversational choices won’t put you in a dark or bright side. Although your decision will determine if you are a good cop or a bad cop.

Although the game cannot be compared to shooters traditional shooters, its a lot of fun to shoot your enemies. As a shooter Mass Effect is satisfying and entertaining. The game has the best squad management system I have seen in a PC game. The player has full control over the movements, actions and attack of their squad mates. To orders can be issued from the squad order screen, which can be accessed by pressing space. While space is pressed, the game is paused which gives the player some time to think about his strategy, like which squad member should engage which enemy and which ability should the member use. It might sound dull, boring and a lot of work, but believe me it very engaging. Your control over your squad doesn’t end there. The player can also equip their squad members with different armors, weapons, weapons upgrade and can spend their experience points on different powers. Overall you are the god of you squad.

There are only four weapons in Mass Effect, a pistol,an assault rifle, a shotgun and a sniper rifle. But wait the story does not end here. There must be like million of weapons add-ons and ammo types that can be put on a weapons.  You might put an add-on that reduces the recoil of your weapon or it might reduce the cooldown time of your weapon (yes your weapon overheats if you keep shooting it). Choosing ammo type is also important. You face different types of enemies in the game which are vulnerable to different types of ammo. There is no bullet that kills all. Also there are weapons from different worlds and manufactures which might have different accuracy and damage ratings. The best thing about this game is that you get unlimited ammo, yes unlimited ammo. Now shoot as much as you want.

Mass effect features a cover system which is comparable to Gears of War. Your squad is the best weapon you have in your arsenal, use it wisely. Unlike most other games, your squad does kill enemies. The game has immense replay value. You can play as one of the six available classes. Each class has a different combat tactic. Like a soldier only relies on guns whereas a biotic can only use a pistol but has some cool Jedi like powers. There are also a lot of side quest for you to complete. I recommend taking those side quests as they give you more experience points which means more powers.

Mass effect has one of the best story I have seen for a long time. Human race has recently been accepted into a galactic association and has to prove it’s worthy of a more commanding position in the galactic association (go humans). You play as Commander Shepard, who is a potential candidate for the position of SPECTR. SPECTRs are like elite soldiers of the galactic association and have unlimited resources(some thing like a Jedi). The galaxy is racist and some people do not want to human to progress.  I won’t spoil the suspense of the story play the game for yourself.

The in-game music is very different and futuristic and goes with the theme of the game. If half-life 3 was released today , it would look like Mass Effect. There are lot of aliens and  all are beautifully modeled. There are also lots of cool effect. Overall a very entertaining game with over 30 hours of gameplay including the side quests.

Ratings

• Graphics : 5 / 5
• Gameplay : 4.5 / 5
• Sound : 4.5 / 5
• Overall : 4.5 / 5

A must have game with a great replaybility value

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