Spring Break
Video Game Has 'Mass' Appeal
'Mass Effect' Could Prove Addicting For Role-Playing Gamers
John Bailey
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: Focus
Hype is a natural consequence of capitalism. When a new game hits E3 or wherever, everyone's into it - especially if it's from a company, like BioWare, known for dropping it if, and only if, it's hot.
And games never live up to their hype, period, even if they're from BioWare, Blizzard or Valve. Bits and pieces may come close, but games practically never "revolutionize the genre," "transform the industry" or perform any other really massive verbs. Generally, the good ones are fun, and that's all you can expect from them.
"Mass Effect" was very, very hyped. And it's very, very fun. Is it "the best sci-fi story told since 'Star Wars'"? Does it "signify a shift in the role-playing paradigm"? Probably not. But it hits right in the soft spots that RPG gamers love - goofy space operatics, tons of loot-tastic side quests, and lots of meaty backstory.
The world of "Mass Effect" puts you at a slightly different vantage point from the default Galactic Empire shenanigans. The major races of the Galaxy have their own political systems, complete with the cosmopolitan capital of the Citadel. To these bug-eyed big shots, humanity is a rascally, unblooded race, yet to prove themselves as a legit galactic power player. Humanity, therefore, plays a relatively minor role in star politics.
You play the role of Commander [Insert Name Here] Shepard, the first of humankind to be inducted into the special ops group known as the Spectres. This means you end up an interstellar gopher, and to some extent, the ambassador of humanity.
Shepard herself (or himself - this reviewer rolled as a snarky red-headed lass but you're free to be a heavily scarred dude with a shadowy past if you'd like) is one of the greatest parts of the game. There's plenty of customization available in the character creation screen, though you have the option of using the default Shepard from the promotional material. Do yourself a favor and spend some time with this process, because the character you create will very much become a character in the true sense of the word. "Mass Effect" is the first game that's felt this way: your character isn't just an interface through which you punch aliens and loot the bodies. It's a dude or a lady in the same way we're all dudes or ladies, except better looking and with a shotgun.
And games never live up to their hype, period, even if they're from BioWare, Blizzard or Valve. Bits and pieces may come close, but games practically never "revolutionize the genre," "transform the industry" or perform any other really massive verbs. Generally, the good ones are fun, and that's all you can expect from them.
"Mass Effect" was very, very hyped. And it's very, very fun. Is it "the best sci-fi story told since 'Star Wars'"? Does it "signify a shift in the role-playing paradigm"? Probably not. But it hits right in the soft spots that RPG gamers love - goofy space operatics, tons of loot-tastic side quests, and lots of meaty backstory.
The world of "Mass Effect" puts you at a slightly different vantage point from the default Galactic Empire shenanigans. The major races of the Galaxy have their own political systems, complete with the cosmopolitan capital of the Citadel. To these bug-eyed big shots, humanity is a rascally, unblooded race, yet to prove themselves as a legit galactic power player. Humanity, therefore, plays a relatively minor role in star politics.
You play the role of Commander [Insert Name Here] Shepard, the first of humankind to be inducted into the special ops group known as the Spectres. This means you end up an interstellar gopher, and to some extent, the ambassador of humanity.
Shepard herself (or himself - this reviewer rolled as a snarky red-headed lass but you're free to be a heavily scarred dude with a shadowy past if you'd like) is one of the greatest parts of the game. There's plenty of customization available in the character creation screen, though you have the option of using the default Shepard from the promotional material. Do yourself a favor and spend some time with this process, because the character you create will very much become a character in the true sense of the word. "Mass Effect" is the first game that's felt this way: your character isn't just an interface through which you punch aliens and loot the bodies. It's a dude or a lady in the same way we're all dudes or ladies, except better looking and with a shotgun.
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