Mass Effect 3, the final installment makes its mark in video game world
Eric Jedd
Equinox Staff
The Mass Effect series is a rare and special one that pushes itself to the top of gaming reputation.
Mass Effect 3 is the final installment and it leaves a successful mark.
Since the dawn of Mass Effect, there has been no other game series that sits on the throne of science fiction games.
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The first title featured the legendary solider Shepard, a battle-hardened savior type of character.
The unique part about the Mass Effect titles is the amount of influence and choice that not only affects the story line in one game, but alters the story line in the sequels.
With the other two episodes, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, the complete three titles don’t seem like separate games at all: just one big, beautiful and amazing joy ride.
Story: The story that the entire Mass Effect series has to offer is unique and truly captivating.
The games feature a character transfer system where each player’s Commander Shepard can port from game to game, keeping the same custom look and giving the player certain bonuses depending on what the player chose to do in the previous games.
This makes each play-through personal to each individual, making the player’s Shepard meaningful and not something that everyone else experiences.
The story line of Mass Effect 3 is all about survival.
After taking leave and undertaking questioning and skepticism from basically everyone in the galaxy, Shepard is re-instated into Specter status when Earth gets attacked by Reapers; giant beings that want nothing more than to eradicate pretty much everyone that isn’t a Reaper.
Shepard tried to warn everyone in the past, but now he and everyone else must band together to survive against the Reaper swarms.
The story is customized with as much drama and suspense as the player wants.
As Shepard, the story is in the hands of the player. Each character Shepard interacts with can be treated with respect and kindness, or spite and malice.
This makes for a personalized adventure that changes for everyone.
Two things may hinder the game’s presentation and overall enjoyment for some in terms of the story.
One: The player should play the other games first.
The game is not the same at all and a lot of the game’s beauty, personalization, and a player’s understanding of what’s going on is lost.
It is HIGHLY recommended to experience the other games first!
Two: the ending to Mass Effect 3 is controversial.
Some people like it, while others have attempted to petition BioWare studios to change it.
No spoilers here, but whether or not the player is a fan of the series, the ending may not leave players satisfied.
Game Specs: Mass Effect 3 has some of the best visuals around. From practically flawless facial animation, to spectacular cinematic cut-scenes, to the look of the amazingly awesome biotic powers, it’s all top-notch and a party for the eyes.
The sound track is also highly effective and enjoyable.
The techno-infused sound pumping out of the monitor ranges from up-beat dance party tunes, to the solemn and saddening dramatic pieces.
The entire sound track compliments the game nicely.
Gameplay: The gameplay in the Mass Effect series is a blend of third-person-shooter and biotic powers-based combat.
The guns in Mass Effect 3 have gotten the proper treatment in this game, as the previous Mass Effect limited players to auto-assigned guns that each class had.
Mass Effect 3, however, lets the player choose what guns they want to carry based on a weight system.
The more guns carried, the more weight.
More weight equals more disadvantages for the player.
A much needed improvement, this system gives players true freedom over their arsenal.
One of the best features of any Mass Effect game is the biotic powers one uses in combat.
These powers range from upgrading the bullets firing from Shepard’s guns, to rushing at enemies at physics-breaking speeds and ramming them with pure force.
That and everything in between is what players can expect from the different powers offered.
These two features combined with Shepard controlling two squad mates makes things strategic.
The player can choose to micromanage everything their team is doing, choosing targets for their powers as well as Shepard’s, and even telling them what weapons to equip.
This system provides a challenge, as the AI of the opposing enemies will test the players commanding skills.
One new aspect brought to Mass Effect 3 is online multiplayer.
The multiplayer is based on a strictly cooperative style.
Four players team up to wipe out 10 waves of enemies per mission, and having the players achieve objectives mid-wave.
The online works great with the theme of the overall game, and it is accessibly addictive.
Each player can choose from the six classes from the normal story mode, name their character, and go in guns blazing.
The player will level up and earn money in these missions, and can upgrade powers and spend that hard-earned cash on packs of gear.
These packs give players a chance to get one-time use items, new weapons, and new characters for the classes.
This style of multiplayer isn’t too new to video gaming, but it is executed beautifully enough to make the player come back for more.
Final Say: Mass Effect 3 has gameplay that will test the strategists, as well as entertain the casual gamers.
It has graphics that will tantalize, multiplayer that will keep people up past their bed times, and a story that is personal to each individual playing the game.
Saying Mass Effect 3 is a game above games is putting it lightly.
Eric Jedd can be contacted at
ejedd@keene-equinox.com