Actiontrip reviews Mass Effect
Actiontrip reviews Mass Effect
Review - posted by Calis on Wed 4 June 2008, 20:51:11
Tags: Mass EffectAnd yes, the reviewer manages to use the words "epic", "saga", "relationships" and "immersive" before paragraph #3. Here's a bit on RPG elements as well as choice & consequence:
RPG fans won't be disappointed either. There are enough skills, weapons and items to toy around with throughout the game. Each upgrade almost immediately leads to new combat abilities that can be tried out in practice on foes. Things were seasoned with the ability to develop the main character's profile via the good vs. evil (Paragon vs. Renegade) choices, most of which are carried out through the game's extensive dialogue system. Ultimately, no matter how you decide to act during your quests and dialogue, the story will run its course. Still, if you keep pushing towards a certain moral archetype, different dialogue options will be unlocked and events may unfold in a different way depending on how you treat other characters. So, it's more about weaving a distinctive psychological profile each time you play the game, rather than changing the core story.While staying firmly on the hype-word train, the reviewer at least recognizes that consequences of choices aren't all that relevant and that side quests are fairly bland and generic. The review also mentions a number of technical issues with the PC version, but praises the interface improvements over the 360 version. Read the rest here.
On a personal note, I do intend to get this game, no matter how actiony and linear it is. I have a soft spot for space opera sci-fi, and if KOTOR is any indication, I might just get a kick out of this Bioware shooter-RPG-on-rails.
RPG fans won't be disappointed either. There are enough skills, weapons and items to toy around with throughout the game. Each upgrade almost immediately leads to new combat abilities that can be tried out in practice on foes. Things were seasoned with the ability to develop the main character's profile via the good vs. evil (Paragon vs. Renegade) choices, most of which are carried out through the game's extensive dialogue system. Ultimately, no matter how you decide to act during your quests and dialogue, the story will run its course. Still, if you keep pushing towards a certain moral archetype, different dialogue options will be unlocked and events may unfold in a different way depending on how you treat other characters. So, it's more about weaving a distinctive psychological profile each time you play the game, rather than changing the core story.
On a personal note, I do intend to get this game, no matter how actiony and linear it is. I have a soft spot for space opera sci-fi, and if KOTOR is any indication, I might just get a kick out of this Bioware shooter-RPG-on-rails.
