Mass Effect

Mass Effect (PC)

The game was in the tested version 1.01. The screenshots were all on a PC at the highest level of detail on 1280 * 720 without AA or AF prepared.

Mass Effect, the latest work of legendary designer of BioWare RPG is already in November last year on the Xbox 360 released in May 2008 and finally to the PC has been ported. The home console one remembers the game well, because for a BioWare RPG is unusually straightforward and action-oriented. Nevertheless, the claim is not too short and loose with history can each "Final Fantasy" part to keep pace.

Questioner glance: Shepard in his appearance is totally configurable. Background: The Biotiker Kaidan.

Man takes on the role of Commander Shepard, an officer of the human alliance. This, after discovery of mass effect portals good ten years before the year 2173 in order to stay in shape so that the possible exploration of the universe against the many other nations claim to be. The naming Mass Effect Portals were from a long extinct alien race, the Protheanern, built and allow the mass of different objects to manipulate, and thus inter alia, to date because of the relativity theory never before held possible to reach speeds. This met the people on the first race of the Turianer what failures due to political and diplomatic measures on both sides a short but fierce initial contact unloaded. Fortunately for humankind to live, but all the peoples of the galaxy together democratically organized. The central point of political events is the Citadel, a huge space station, whose origin is unknown and builders, many of which extraterrestrial races and was discovered them as the capital of the galaxy serves. There resides the Council, which at this time from a turianischen, a salarianschen and a Asare Members composed. Of humanity will initially distrustful and hostile encounters, however, described it as a member of the galactic community acknowledged, albeit with restricted rights.

The player gets in the dynamically staged dialogues repeatedly to make its attitude clear to make. In the background: Kroganer Urdnot (left) and Turianer Garrus (right).

BioWare has this very much trouble with the characterization of different races and made extensive cultural and historical backgrounds conceived. The Turianer example, remember externally with their bone plates in the face and abdomen wiry body at the perfect intelligent link between dinosaurs and birds. In their society is always the common good before the individual to make. They constitute the largest armed forces and the security of the Citadel, since it militarily extremely capable and are loyal. The Asari see the people apart from their blue skin and wavy skin flaps, which replace the hair very similar. What is special about this diplomatically assessed and eloquent people, is the fact that it is monogeschlechtlich. Male Asari, there are simply not. Therefore, the plant asexual Asari also from a spiritual act continued, but no closer in the game is explained. The possible later love scene between Shepard and Asari conveys, however, a human-like reproductive process.

Sarén looks at this time of mechanized already unhealthy.

The people of Kroganer he remembers biped, bulky lizard with a huge hump on his back. They are a warlike assessed tribal people, which is not much on diplomacy there. Generally Feingeistigkeit in their society rather rare to find. The Quarianer were originally a high-tech nation, which is characterized by the creation of the Geth, an intelligent robot people who originally thought of as cheap workers, after a brief war against The same type had beaten and since then as nomads move to the Galaxy. The Geth broke all links to other organic life forms and living since then in an outer edge sector of the galaxy. The other peoples such as the Salarianer, amphibious technology freaks, the Hanar, speaking at the giant jellyfish remind the economically talented, young volunteers are in the other game only of minor importance. Nevertheless, even these species BioWare funny details missed. The Elcor, for example, can only by their emotions for other species not perceptible odors mediate and therefore call before each set adverb, which describes in what tone they intend to speak. All these details come partly through discussions to light but the majority must be put in partially Code, a Galactic Encyclopaedia read again and again in the new entries will be released. With what effort and imagination to BioWare works here and gone to a whole new universe created (which of course also some parallels to Star Wars, Stargate and others) which is extremely significant in the games industry and an absolute rarity.

Enemies are automatically marked. The skills bar at the top left is PC-exclusive and allows quick access without having to be paused.

To return to the main character to come: Shepard is apart from the race, the man is fixed, completely free configurable. Gender and appearance are up to the scarring of the face almost completely to the preferences of the player leave. The commander gets after the beginning of great mission on the planet Eden Prime from his superiors Anderson the contract, the breakaway turianischen Specter Sarén to find and, if necessary, to liquidate. The Specter are practically equipped with all the freedoms secret of the Council of the Citadel, which at any price for the political stability and overall peace in the galaxy to be sure. Sarén but seems to be the subject Geth to have made and the goal to pursue, all erase life of the galaxy. Of course, he is not the Hollywood cliche-baddie, which can now perhaps might expect, but merely involuntary accomplice of a much more powerful adversary. Shepard after the Council was able to convince the Sarén a threat to all organic species, it is the first human Specter and appointed by the alliance gets the most advanced ship of the entire human fleet, Normandy. After the first few hours on the Citadel has spent, the game is going on right now. Gradually align themselves with one in the first hours in a chronological sequence of the human kinetics Alenko Kaidan, the Allianz Soldier Ashley Williams, the turianische Citadel Garrus Vakarian policeman who kroganische bounty hunter Urdnot Wrex, the quarianische technician Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, and finally the scholar-Asari Liara T'Soni.

With less can make a funny dialogue to ravish answers that you might later regret.

Each of these characters has an extensive background history, the rule is not only extremely interesting, but still plenty of tragic and during the main missions in talks on the Normandy gradually unveiled, and each character so well is precisely drawn. Garrus, for example, has a rather naive belief with "an eye for an eye" philosophy, reacts but always plenty embarrassed if it so zurechtweist. Ashley can never be the butter on bread that is strictly religious and a bit racist but extremely loyal and is making some fairly blunt attempts, the Commander anzumachen. Wrex is a taciturn, uncompromising and cynical mercenary, but later behind a hard shell wounded and desperate souls disclosed. This complexity is with every character to find and create an incomparable emotional attachment to the characters as they otherwise only from "Square"-songs (Final Fantasy) knows. BioWare also has many philosophical issues in the talks packed, forcing the players to deal with difficult issues to tackle. Only the patriotic arg-end diluted clouds the picture somewhat.

Endszene, in the Shepard heroically against luminous space backdrop looks into the camera, has made me spontaneously Lachflash caused. Should this really be so pathetic, BioWare?

The main missions are just brilliantly designed and staged. Each takes place in a completely different setting instead, keeps each time numerous surprises, the exciting, complex story forward. It shies from BioWare not even for games anzureißen absolute taboo subjects, such as the possible lesbian relationship between a female Commander Shepard and Liara T? Soni or Ashley Williams (which of course can also run heterosexual). Also, you repeatedly for some serious decisions to a result of the above add emotional bond properly. For example, in one game inevitably one from his team of human victims, because you just can save each other. Even one loses between Wrex in a dramatic scene, when his level diplomacy has neglected. As for BioWare usual, there is also a good / evil level, but no influence on the end. This is unfortunately the logical consequence of the fact that Mass Effect now once as a trilogy has been created. For example, you can often decide the game, whether you have a mini-boss vanquished opponent executes or leaves him free. Otherwise, the level is often by minimally affected responses in interviews.

From what action film this setting was probably inspired? In the background, the Asari Liara.

The combat system is like this at first glance rather a third-person shooter, because an RPG. Shepard is generally from the shoulder-driven perspective. Weapons and biotic forces, the sci-fi equivalent of magic, the mouse will be triggered and controlled by crosshairs. To the entire tactical depth to give the developers have to gain a cover system a la "Gears of War" was introduced, so you go against a wall, nestled Shepard seamlessly and it can also fire from the cover, on the other hand can the struggles Spacebar at any time by pausing, commands to the two team-mates give (Go there, Greife these opponents to hold the position, New Building), switch weapons and skills, some weapons are specific and more active. Depending on the category and degree of difficulty can be Mass Effect as a real RPG or as a pure shooter to play. Because the teammates put their skills extremely clever On; only at the highest two of the five levels of difficulty you have to give you exact commands. According to experience, it was as a soldier so much easier than Biotiker or engineer.

BioWare uses besides the depth blur still many other effects to the interim sequences filmreif possible to stage what they also succeed brilliantly. In the foreground: Two Salarianer.

The talent system is quite complex. Pro Level Rise receives two points talent (later only one), in which one class-specific categories can distribute. Here are some points to new skills and talents released or geupgradet. The same goes for the teammates who also mitleveln if they do not come to the Mission. Alternatively, you can either levels only for the squad, or even for their own character completely leave the game, the exceedingly clever points distributed. Here is again clear that BioWare Mass Effect tries with the game even for less experienced groups available. However, of course, hardcore RPG come at their expense.

The Mako, which unfortunately is not upgradeable, are entering a loyal services. Also in this protheanischen ruin toward the end of the game.

Technically, Mass Effect more than impressive. BioWare, the Unreal Engine 3 to modified beyond recognition and the result is simply brilliant, though quite hungry hardware. The faces look very lifelike from (though not as naturally as in Metal Gear Solid 4) and up to a few exceptions (Shepard? S grin at the end) the animations are almost unbelievably realistic. Even the menschenunähnlichsten aliens can be exactly the emotions of face reading. Worthy of note in this context, the continued on a screenshot depicted confrontation between Wrex and Shepard. However, there are criticisms. As many probably already on the screenshots in this review have noted, are some textures, especially the facial textures of Garrus in which the character screen all still missing shader, rather washy. Other Turianer have, however, a razor-sharp mug. Also see the ears of people often ugly. In the game I am always inappropriate times over fuzzy textures drawn where the high-res version was apparently forgotten or simply by a bug is not loaded, leading to a deduction in category presentation leads. Talking Shop: The waiting times at Quickload and loading a new levels fall short of pleasing. However, Mass Effect at around 30% of loading up and had to be restarted, which is extremely annoying and a point deduction in the category of lead Design. Moreover, shortly after charging as in the 360-version only extremely low-resolution textures to see then in a few seconds by the high-resolution counterparts to be replaced. An unpleasant effect.

The Galactic Council of the Citadel consists of a turianischen, a Asare and a salarianischen seconded together.

Besides the numerous battles take place in Mass Effect of course, of course, find numerous discussions held in a brilliantly intuitive system completely unlinear run. On each record, at least two (usually three) answers possible, although not full-length already displayed, but only by a matching keyword will be indicated. This has the disadvantage that they often do not exactly know what Shepard will say now but apart from very rare exceptions can be extremely dynamic conversations. However gaukelt BioWare also frequently this plethora of possible answers only. Shepard says every now and again, despite quite different stick exactly the same words; now and the keywords are also quite identical (Yes / course / no problem). Actually unnecessary. Depending on the expansion of Schmeichel and intimidation talent, can also affect many characters. So can the final battle against Sarén prevented if enough to persuade him. Despite the often same outcome of such negotiations, flattering answers always lead to positive and always threatening to negative sentiment points. To once again to the final battle to come: This course will take place anyway, even if not directly against Sarén and is extremely disappointing, because far too simple. Here I had already a spectacular confrontation desired, especially since the finals yet so spectacular is advised.

Toward the end, there are some spectacular space battles, a la Star Wars to admire.

BioWare has a lot of trouble, the talks through many Umschnitte interesting. These are both in English and in German simply put great. With very few exceptions in the German version, bringing the matching their roles spokesman absolutely authentic over. But even here there are bugs to complain. Every now and then hang the game briefly in conversation and the sound is repeated fragment of how a broken CD. This keeps one to two seconds, then stops the speech animation and the voice will only come back with the next record. This is also very annoying, because so few important lines of dialogue are lost. The bug appears arbitrary proceedings, he will sometimes by a reload of the affected body resolved but sometimes he always occurs at exactly the rate at which likewise resulted in a deduction in category presentation leads. The mostly electronic soundtrack accompanied the action perfectly. Only toward the end schmalzt one from the pits to prevent manifest patriotism. To return to the talks to come: While the facial expressions really leaves no wish unfulfilled and an endless range of feelings can credibly convey, the gesture has less convincing. If the call from a close-up or Halbtotalen shown, it affects the occasional gestures still quite naturally, is changing the game in a long shot but the figures are like robots in strange intervals over, hands on the body, the body without any emotion. The authenticity destroys the structure back a little. The environments are in the main missions sometimes very impressive. Among other things, we are struggling through a Caribbean environment that speeds on a frozen highway, or researched an impressive underground cave.

Ashley Williams is a beautiful woman, but she has a difficult character.

In stark contrast, the loveless, always the same planet, in addition to the missions take place, which is also the only really big criticism of Mass Effect show. The schedule is always the same: Man lands with the Mako, a triaxial terrain vehicle on a desolate, barren and boring planet, which is usually very rocky. There can be an object and a probe salvage and usually have a base full of enemies eliminated. If you want happiness, it feels that the mission prepared a surprise, eg , an even Mako stolen. This somewhat interesting missions have something a share of 25%. Otherwise, the process Sidequests always the same and offer no variety. However, it is also absolutely no need for these more than 25% complete, as this is enough XP, money and Universalgel (used to repair the Mako and needed to decipher) returns to the main mission complete, without overpowering opponents down to be made. Speaking of money: That can of course in all sorts of equipment to invest. It is also, as one of the missions anyway everything needed and the dealers will never have very good product.

The screen talent, who is also the attitude displayed. The circles and triangles in the talent show bars new talent and to upgrade.

The weapons can be upgraded differently. There are many different types of ammunition, of which one, but mainly just the panzer groundbreaking and "thriller" ammunition is used. In addition, there are at least as many weapons upgrades, one of whom later even two can be upgraded at the same time. Overly tactical depth comes not, however, apart from the "I just fight against robots, so I take a look at the groundbreaking tank ammunition." There are only four different weapons, which are also only half used. Assault rifle and shotgun prove to be a faithful companion but the sniper rifle, I have only good ten times in the game and used a pistol you need probably only if the engineer or Biotiker elect. The newly acquired weapons in these categories have different damages and precision values differ, but otherwise little of each other. For the biotic abilities because there are already more variety, although obviously not all, such as The stasis, it necessarily useful.

This inevitable confrontation between Shepard and his teammates Urdnot Wrex leads to one of the most intense scenes in the entire game. The dialogue out answers to the left point to the low Schmeichel or intimidation talents out. The right answers will inevitably lead to Wrex? Death.

Mass Effect is probably the most significant and unusual RPG in recent years. The history, in the meantime toll staged sequences and recounts conversations, and the specially created by BioWare, incredibly deep and complex universe have the stuff to become a cult. The characters are down to the smallest detail scrupulously prepared, at every corner you can find loving little things that make it one to an incomparable way in this great universe einzutauchen. This love of detail is also found in the somewhat unfortunately by bugs Getrübte presentation again. Every so unimportant supporting character, be it an Alien or a person has a unique, brilliantly animated face. The extensive dialogues offer the player a lot of space, Shepard himself to characterize him something cold and ruthless or compassionate and responsible manner. As usual, the Rollenspielmechaniken BioWare has brilliantly implemented, despite the actionlastigen gameplay does not recede into the background. Mass Effect is not perfect but a milestone of the genre. BioWare now has the opportunity of the second part of an even better game to make.

Garrus? Face it, unfortunately, the high-resolution textures missing.

Interestingly Mass Effect is one of the few games where the world's age classification bodies were absolutely disagree. While it from the British BBFC aged 12 is released, it received from the American ESRB an M (17 +) and the European PEGI even a totally exaggerated 18 +. The German USK instructed the uncut version of a release from 16 years ago.

BTW: The history of Mass Effect is a great written and extremely exciting book by Drew Karpyshyn tells who is also responsible for the screenplay of Mass Effect is responsible. The first and just published second volume is available at bookstores for 9.95 € available.(daemon-search)

Story: 9.6 / 10
Design: 8.9 / 10
Gameplay: 9.2 / 10
Presentation: 8.8 / 10
Overall: 9.1 / 10