Video Game Review: Mass Effect

Even though intergalactic combat constitutes the most exciting aspects of the gameplay, the original Mass Effect is a role-playing game to the core.  Like other great RPGs, Mass Effect allows you to build your character, customize your abilities, and then the game sends you off on an epic adventure.  The adventure of Mass Effect is one of the best:  once you gain control of the starship Normandy and unlock more of the story, you're given free reign to literally explore the galaxy.  The main storyline constitutes just a few major chapters, pitting you against armies of aliens and synthetic life forms, before building up to an intense climax where the fate of the galaxy is at stake.  Or, you can pursue oodles of side quests sprawled across numerous star systems.  You're free to fly your ship from star to star, surveying planets, resolving crisis situations, responding to distress calls, and fighting more aliens.  You could even blow it all off and just chill out with your crew.  No matter what you choose, the gameplay is addictive, thanks to its sublime combination of action, exploration, and fantastic worldbuilding.

Best of all, the story for Mass Effect is well-built.  It utilizes a very deep mythology, full of distinctive alien races (some new, some ancient, some organic, some robotic), unique planetscapes, and mythical artifacts.  The story starts off with a simple, standard premise, but as the story unfolds, a few significant twists propel the story into the realms of brilliant high-concept sci-fi.  Throughout the journey, you have the choice to play your character really mean, really compassionate, or neutral; any way you play it, Commander Shepard remains an appealing character.  He is ultimately surrounded with other quality characters, if you choose to get to know them.

This game is going on six years old, but it still holds up surprisingly well.  Graphics can be rather rough around the edges, but the game still boasts some impressive textures and some very well-rendered environments.  The actual gameplay works really well; maybe not as smooth as the sequels, but it's still intuitive and easy to play.  Just a few buttons allows you to command an entire squad and employ their special abilities and weapons.  However, I did run across a few silly glitches, with squad members boxing me in or shooting at random spots where they think enemies are.  Graphics rendering can also be a little slow, at least on the Playstation.  Sounds are generally good, although a few spots sounded a little weak.  Voice-acting is fantastic.  The game's music is really cool too.

Mass Effect is easily one of the best games I've played in a while; I've grown to love its fantastic galaxy and its in-depth history.  It only shows its age a little, but the experience of playing through its story and exploring its rich universe is most rewarding.  Highly recommended!

5/5 (Entertainment:  Perfect | Story:  Perfect | Game:  Very Good)