I submit this review, being someone who has actually spent some time with Mass Effect. I have beaten the game on Insanity, played through the game four times and I have all achievements except the Ally achievements, which I think are perhaps a little glitched. I only mention all this right off the bat because most bad internet reviews and user reviews of this game have come from people who frankly have not spent the time with the game to truly appreciate or understand it, and may not even be fans of RPG's. And of course, that's okay. We do not all appreciate the same styles of music, art, or even video gaming genres.
Mass Effect has the best story available in this generation of gaming to date. By far, this is the best RPG on a next gen console, with the most incredible facial animations I've seen on a video game. That being said, it does suffer from load times (elevators) & texture pop (Unreal Engine) probably due to the sheer size and scope of the game (Microsoft should have allowed HDD standard & this game could have really benefited from HDD streaming, just like DMC4 did for the PS3).
An average playthrough should take no less than 20 hours assuming you do a few of the side missions and complete the main quest. As this is an RPG first, one should not expect the gameplay mechanic to be as fleshed out as an action game or a standard FPS. Mass Effect is first and foremost an RPG, and as such, its primary focus is on the story and leveling up your character. Arguably, these elements and even graphics may be a greater concern than gameplay in an RPG.
You really need to complete at least 7-8 hours before you begin to understand what a beautiful experience Bioware has put together. The gameplay while not perfect, utilizes great ideas like a Gears of War type of cover system and a third person point of view like RE4, which I personally really like. I find the gameplay to be very well done considering it is an RPG, it has evolved leaps and bounds from the blueprint of this game, one of many GOTY's from Bioware, last gen's Knights of the Old Republic.
I think this game is a masterpiece that can only truly be appreciated by RPG fans. Bioware really crammed an incredible amount of innovative concepts into this RPG. My first playthrough was 36+ hours and I probably only completed about 92% of the game. The sheer size and scope of this western RPG will reward you over and over. This, of course, brings us to replayability.
After you complete the game once, you can begin the quest anew with your leveled up character and all his/her items and continue leveling until you reach Level 60. Or, you can start a new game, completely redesign your character, change gender if you like, and playthrough again as a Renegade or Paragon, whichever you have not done, whatever strikes your fancy. Obviously, being an RPG, there are many character classes to choose from as well, which will drastically affect the way you play the game. Conversations change and different items appear in multiple playthroughs.
Bear in mind, Bioware has a trilogy planned for Mass Effect. The decisions and choices you make in the first game will transfer over to Mass Effect 2, along with your leveled-up character.
This is truly a game that RPG fans, particularly western RPG lovers, should not miss. The classic sci-fi story Bioware spins in this game is much better than most of the sci-fi movies I've seen in the last decade. However, as I have stated many times in this review, this game is not for everyone. Not all gamers will enjoy a 35+ hour game and all the dialogue found in a typical RPG, which I can completely understand. But for those of you who do love RPG's, Bioware has definately created an incredible new IP just for you.
Thanks to their innovative approach to gaming, RPGs like Dark Souls, Final Fantasy VII, and Dragon Quest left a significant impact on the genre.
GF365: "A friend makes the adventure all the more fun. Here are the best video game companions that will keep you company."
Here's a list of Xbox 360/PS3 games that would be great on the Nintendo Switch (at a modest, reasonable price of course). These games could really flourish if given a new lease on life, introducing a new generation to their greatness.
I'm sure R* knows the Nintendo Switch install base and probably dont really care to port over more R* games to the Nintendo Switch tho i gotta say playing GTA4 & RDR1 on the go on the Nintendo Switch would be dope
I would buy Lollipop Chainsaw, Alice Madness Returns, Enslaved, Splatter House, Brutal Legends, Dante's Inferno, and Dead Space for sure if they were ported to the Switch.
Deus Ex Human Revolution would be a great title to The Holy Grail of All Consoles aka The Nintendo Switch*. Also Haze Remastered, Grand Theft Auto 4 and 5 Remastered, Silent Hill HD Collection, Max Payne 3 Remastered, Call of Duty World At War Remastered, The Orange Box Remastered, Halo Master Chief Collection, Left 4 Dead 1 and 2 Remastered, Metal Gear Solid 4 Remastered, Afro Samurai Remastered, Demons Souls Remastered, Xmen Destiny Remastered, Jack and Daxter Collection, Def Jam Icon Remake, Folklore Remastered, Spiderman Edge of Time Remastered, Persona 5 remastered, the list goes on. (*Best Selling Console of All Time)
Seriously? Isn't it time Nintendo make a Switch successor? I mean they have the sales and money.
This is a pretty good review, even though I would disagree with the final score
But I really don't like that you felt the need to call out other User Reviews within your own review. Disagree with UR's in the comment section, don't retaliate like this.
But there's no UR guidelines as far as I know, so I'll approve
Dude I have 900/1000 achievments in this game I think my user review was pretty fair for how much time I've spent on this.
The majority of games I play are RPG's so I fancy the good ones. Saying this Mass Effect has the best story but that's all it has. Your review you make it seem like you are the only one who can like a Role Playing Game. I'm sorry you are not you just are in love with the fact that you played this game.
Good game not great and this is a rather over rated score you gave it, but I am glad you wrote one. Cudos :)
edit: sorry for the cross comment but you are obviously writing this in anger over my 7.9 of this game. Like I said I play RPG's and love them.
Modus Vivendi.
i liked the game, and yes it deos get good scores, so why hate?