Mass Effect Doesn't Live Up to its Hype

Matt Peckham of PCW writes:

"Beautifully rendered with an above-average plot, Bioware's new sci-fi epic for the Xbox 360 still turns out to be a disappointingly overhyped encore to Microsoft's main holiday act in gaming, Halo 3."

Click on each image at source for detailed review.

[BigKev45]

Hey Matt Peckham, let's see you make a game!

[mesh1]

pc wolrd HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HA HAHAHA PC WORLD is nothuign to do with games

[Twizlex]

Matt Peckham of PCW writes:

"I'm a tool. Someone please kill me for being such a moron."

You got it, Matt.

[Feihc Retsam]

Oh, Matt Peckman, of PC World... of course...
We've all been waiting for this review...

And as for all of these claims of "Over Hyped"

The only hype that was generated was from people who got to play some early builds of the game.

This game is not plastered all over the television like Halo 3 was. If you don't read up on games online, you may not even know about this one.

So, maybe Mr. Peckerhead just overhyped it in his own little head, but from what I've heard, the game delivers exactly what was promised.

[Wii60_FTW]

HAhahahahAHAHAa this loser dreams of a PC game as good as Mass Effect. PC games are for nerds who play sim city all day lmao.

[marinelife9]

It seems weird that a supposedly reputable publication would write such an article. Didn't seem like he liked anything about the game. They must be trying to draw web traffic.

I really don't understand why he even bothered to write the article if he wasn't even going to attempt to be objective.

[lawman1108]

Even if that was the world's best review of that game I would not read past 16 words never mind 16 pages. What a BORE

[Fezthebest]

okay i have to say that is the lamest review. This game wasn't hyped up like Halo 3 ( i think someone lese said this too) or even hyped a little at all.

@ 1.4 WOW true fanboy, im pretty sure you've heard of Crysis, hey oh did you know PC fans also get to play Gears of War, SHadowrun, Halo2, soon Halo3,BIoshock which are all 360 games. so in your words that means all those gammes would suck too, cause you know PC sucks.

[toughNAME]

I guess Microsoft forgot to pay off PC World

---

i swear to god sony boys you need to get out of the 360 section
who would agree wqith my stupid comment?

[MK_Red]

PC World reviewing a console game (360 here) and saying it doesn't live up to it's
hype...

Also, they definitly haven't played a classic RPG like Fallout that has lots of dialogue and speechskills and dialogue decisions play important roles in history. Heck they didn't even understand the true nature of game and design let alone it's genre...

[OC_MurphysLaw]

You nailed it. The whole nature of an RPG is.....wait for it...wait for it..... ROLE PLAYING!!!!

Stupid tards at PCWorld obviously have forgotten that. They Probably are too busy running around WOW killing repetative creature after creature in an effort to level up while socializing with their online buddies about everything under the sun except the game....and somehow think that WOW is what a Role Playing Game experience should be.

+bubble ;)

[jcgamer]

yeah, you nailed it...bubbles up bro...

[MK_Red]

Thanks my friends. Bubbles for both of you :)

Dlacy13g, good one about WoW. The review/article has missed the point entirely.
It seems that most PC gamers have forgotten about PC's true classic RPGs like Planescape Torment, Baldur's Gate and Fallout 1&2.

[Loopy]

@MK_Red
Your comment is just silly.
The PC has been the the building block of RPG. Video games RPG started on the PC because at the time, PC's weren't powerful enough to display graphics, even as lame as the NES 8 Bit.
Fallout was born on PC, and you're saying PC World never tried Fallout? Don't make me laugh. Tim Cain did a great job on it, but the sequels really lost its touch.

FYI, not every BioWare games are good. Planescape Torment was great. KOTOR and Jade Empire are crap. But that's my opinion, and I perfectly know how highly people think of KOTOR.

So is Mass Effect any good? I don't know, but it doesn't mean you can't respect someone's opinion.

You want a really good RPG? Try Disgaea on ps2 or psp. Fun, addictive, without even the slightest use of gore (of which you seem to adore)...

[MK_Red]

Loopy, I know Fallout is a PC game but just read the review. It's obviously from someone who hasn't played classc and real PC RPGs except from WoW as Dlacy13g.
As for BioWare, I do agree that not every game from them is great. Jade Empire wasn't great enough IMO and I personally don't like Neverwinter Nights but Mass Effect is seriously close to their masterpiece Baldur's Gate 2.

The reason I attacked this review is because:
1. It mostly sounds like Eurogamer's review of NWN2 that gave it 5/10 and sounded more like a rant against PC RPG and D&D rather than a review which force the site to do a re-review.
2. You said it yourself: PC World IS a PC magazine. What is it doing with a console game? Should PS3 Fanboy review Crysis and WoW? Should TeamXbox review Neverwinter Nights and Company of Heroes?

[Wii60_FTW]

I want bubbles too???

[Skemo]

He does have a point though when he says that ME is a poor RPG in terms of the evolution of the genre. I've played it, and needless to say its good, but not great. Slowdown is rampant, the load-times are horrible, and the dialogue (not the voice acting) is campy and overproduced.

In the end its a poor RPG, but a good squad-based third person shooter. If you're looking for the next great RPG, move along, if you're looking for a solid game that is enjoyable, but not earth-shattering, then by all means pick it up.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

First off, like a recent article I read through here suggested regarding Assassins Creed "There is always some reviewer looking to be 'that guy' that gives a low negative score to a great game". Well it looks like this person from PCWorld is that reviewer.

Secondly and MOST importantly imo....why should we care about what PCWorld has to say about a console game? Why are they even doing a review for a console? Are PC games hurting that bad that a PC mag is resorting to reviewing console games for readership? I just dont get it?

But I guess it really doesnt matter, because EVERY other review on this game has been saying "brilliant". So again why should we care what PCWorld has to say about the potential GOTY by many accounts?

[IceVenti]

"why should we care about what PCWorld has to say about a console game? Why are they even doing a review for a console? Are PC games hurting that bad that a PC mag is resorting to reviewing console games for readership?"

agree + bubble

[MK_Red]

"There is always some reviewer looking to be 'that guy' that gives a low negative score to a great game", sad and true fact, great comment :)

Assassins was victim of those attention seekers and now ME is victim of this stupid review. PC World reviewing a console game is wrong enough let alone the score.

[razer]

Tell that to all the console oriented reviewers giving it 9's and 10's and many already claiming GOTY. Who gives a crap what a PC gaming site has to say.

Sounds to me like sour grapes. I was able to pick the game up on Sunday and got to play a few hours on it.. It's a fantastic game and I would say it's like Oblivion in space but with much better combat.

I would score it a 9.5

EDIT @5.1: Yes, maybe you missed that many stores broke the street date and since I had a pre-order I was able to pick it early. I don't know why they decided to let me pick it up early, but I'm not going to argue with it.

[IceVenti]

you have a game thats supposed to come out tomorrow? teach me magic please....unless you got it from a local game store and not a major retailer, then magic lessons wont be needed

[edit]"I was able to pick it early"
so jealous...i hate you....i have to wait and youre playin it...i hate you alot... ='[

[Bill Gates]

This game SUCKS!!!!

JUST ANOTHER PIECE OG SHIET FOR THE ROBOTS....AHAHAHAHAHA

[razer]

You're just JEALOUS!

JUST ANOTHER PS3 TROLL WHO RAN OUT OF BLU-RAY MOVIES TO WATCH...AHAHAHA

[Capt CHAOS]

Done.

[TheMART]

Actually it does live up its hype

http://www.gamerankings.com...

93% now and going up (from 92% first)

[IceVenti]

its from PC world..they act like they know about consoles

[snittolo]

I wonder if this review will blow over compared to the Gamespot fiasco a few weeks ago.

[kalistyles]

a 60 out of 100. That's a low blow right there. Considering the other scores.

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

PCworld so desperate for games that they need to review games for CONSOLES...thats a low blow

[xionpunk]

Whatever, ME looks awesome, and is one of the games that I wish was on PS3 (oh well).

[SlippyMadFrog]

I wish all PS3 owners could be as mature as you

[poopface1]

I have a 360 and want MGS4 not M.E. I wish we could trade.

[MK_Red]

Well, sites tried getting attention by giving low scores of 5 and 6 to Assassins and it worked since most ignorant gamers actually believed their lies and helped the traffic of those sites.
Now this one is trying to get the same attention and traffic by giving low score to another masterpiece.

[va_bank]

...because I couldn't play it. Returned 2 days later. Check the UBI boards to hear the real negatives about that game.

I think the reviews WERE bullshit, when they talked about not liking the story, repetitiveness, etc., - those things are a matter of taste and should not be judged.

What all reviews failed to mentioned is that software quality of AC is on par with a community college project in programming 101 class. I have never been more disappointed or upset over a game in many years (I'm a relatively old guy)

[TheMART]

PC gamers feel a bit left out maybe about getting Gears of War one year later???

Need to take a dump on a major 360 game because the PC gamers number is decreasing in favour of the consoles?

[MK_Red]

Mart, this is not about PC gamers. There are more than few great PC users who are true gamers and appreciate a great game.
This is just one reviewer trying to get attention by giving a low score to a superb gam.

[Ri0tSquad]

Now I'm really not buying this game........NOT

There probaly saying this so the PC gamers that spent 2000 on a gaming computer don't feel left out on a AAA game on a 300 system.

[Whoooop]

That both Uncharted & ME gamespot reviews are awol????

I think they are actually playing the whole game this time around before giving reviews...

:)

[fopums]

god I hope so, but they will find some reason to dock Uncharted Im certain.

and wtf are these guys trying to prove? that crysis is better then Mass Effect? sure its prettier but Mass Effect has garned quite a few high scores, maybe gamespot will give ME 13/10 to compensate xD

[kss reincarnation]

still would like to have it for my ps3 though...

[ukilnme]

For those of us that disagree we can move on and enjoy the game.

[BloodySinner]

Yes, he is. However, when you consider the source, he doesn't have much credibility.

[MK_Red]

If I wanted opinions, I could ask people on forums or on chat or try a blog. A review site / source is supposed to give a professional review not a personal one.

[BIoodmask]

are just desperate to bash something that is doing well. It reminds of the sites that were bashing Super Mario Galaxy.

RPG is my favorite genre, and I have confidence in Bioware. They haven't let me down yet. KOTOR is one of my favorite RPGs ever, and Mass Effect looks to follow in its tradition. One thing is for sure, and that is Bioware has a very talented writing staff and delivers on a great story line in their games.

People should just remember that a review is usually just one person's opinion so it really isn't a big deal anyway.

[kenjix]

Wow and these issues have been pointed out by every review, so he must be crazy right?

[wil4hire]

All reviewers have said the same exact thing about Mass Effect, they just ignored all of it and still gave it a good score.

As it stands, ME is a good game. With a ton of technical issues, and it really shows how the 360 is at the end of its run graphically. Its hardware is getting framedrops/popin/tearing/terri ble-ai for one of its most EPIC titles. The 360 clearly can't handle this game. Running down long hallways to load? Come on now.

@ Themart:

"Oh yeah right. You're saying one bad review is to be trusted more then multiple other ones with an average rating of 93% at the moment?"

Is that what I am saying? Really? Why don't you read what I said. Nevermind I'll explain it to you again...

I said PC world has said what every review has said. Why don't you actually read them versus looking at scores and run around town waving your xbot flag. PC world is getting guff because it said the same thing every other review has said... yet didnt' give it a positive outlook/score.

PCworld should be trusted? No review site should be "trusted" its just to be taken with a grain of salt.

Again, as I said before.. It really doesn't matter when this game is getting AAAAAAA'S across the board. Even with all of the technical issues and terrible AI.

ME whether you read reviews or not is going to be a good game I am sure.

But why care what PCworld says? Everyone else is giving this one AAAAAA+ even with technical screw ups.

[TheMART]

Oh yeah right. You're saying one bad review is to be trusted more then multiple other ones with an average rating of 93% at the moment?

Come on. Don't fool yourself. THere won't be 10 or 20 reviewers that would all be paid by MS and they only forgot one, do you???

http://www.gamerankings.com...

[ukilnme]

This is another rare occasion that I actually agree with you but I am still going to buy this one.

[predator]

PC WORLD- the name ses it all

Mass effect goty

[wil4hire]

"On the other hand, save for the old "multiple-different-endin gs" shtick developers have been trotting out like a reward for enduring linear gameplay for decades, choosing different responses in Mass Effect merely unlocks alternative dialogue choices that shape the narrative tone but virtually none of the game mechanics. Play Mass Effect more than once and, while you can unlock tougher difficulty settings that make the abbreviated action sequences more punitive, you'll still have the same story experience, start to finish."

"You can tell where the design team's gameplay emphasis was, when the character models are this highly developed, and it certainly makes sense when the camera spends most of its time zoomed on chatty heads."

"Don't mistake Mass Effect for the next phase of BioWare's trademark story-driven approach. It's not, and while it's certainly a visual sight to behold, Mass Effect isn't the play-driven evolution over Knights of the Old Republic that BioWare said it would be. In an effort to simplify the gameplay and presumably engage a broader audience with an admittedly first-rate story, the system trades tactical complexity for simplified real-time combat that's as dull as the average blaster-battle looks in some B-movie equivalent. The action is endlessly interrupted. Scripted break-ins might as well be ripping the controller out of your hand, forcing you down this or that plot chute with nothing to do but react to your newfound circumstances. Even archetypically parallel developers like Square Enix know enough to include dozens of mini-games and superior tactical combat to break up the monotony of running and talking and relentless handholding."

So much for Epic story with multiple endings.

edit:

@ Guy under me

Yeah I am bored, waiting for the renderfarm to finish my frames so that I can composite them.

[jcgamer]

you seem bored AGAIN...go make a sandwich or something...

[actas123]

You actually make alot of sense. But, sometimes, words are better kept unsaid..

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

Wow your pathetic. You put so much effort into your hate it's ridiculous.

[Silver Bull3t]

Dude will you just stfu already and quit spamming every ME thread!

Doesn't your mom have some dishes for you to wash or something???

[pacman615]

mass effect for rrod trap ...60$

xbots still waiting for chitbox to get back from repairs .... 33% of them

when xbots pop in this game and find out how lame it is....priceless

for everyother game in life there is ....PLAYSTATION 3

edit: keep those disagrees coming baby....and @ ps3 pwns 360...thank god it will be the only one worth tasting =)~

[ukilnme]

You have failed. Now move on troll.

[IceVenti]

thats from sigma right?..you better hold on to that and cherish every moment of it because thats the only taste youll have with ninja gaiden

[Silver Bull3t]

Get your nutz outta your mouth and try making sense. Proper grammar will only make you (impossibly) look smarter.

[xav0971]

review I've ever read. All the guy said was that the graphics was good but everything else crap. Never ever let someone review a RPG that hates RPG! I question if this reviewer even played the game.

[power of Green]

Its honest because its bad news right? tell your dumb ass buddies to stop spamming 360 threads with the same rehashed points. "MSFT pays reviewers" you pathetic gothic angry sub culture piss ants get worse and worse every day. Go

[OOG FunK]

my question would be why the hell would a pc site review a console game.........lol ah well

[Merritt]

I have the game. I'm not a big fan of it. I would say a 60 is pretty harsh, I'd give an 8 out of 10.

[Marceles]

Does Wil4hire work for PCWorld?

[titntin]

It is amusing how so many people leap to the defence of a game that they probably haven't played! :)

I've been playing this for 5 days now - and I've gone from 'this is the best thing I've ever played' to 'OK, its seriously flawed, but still beutiful'.

I do love this title and think its clearly an 8.5 or even a 9 title.
But harsh though it is, every single thing the guy says in his review is totally true. As sublime as the converstation system is, in almost all cases it takes you to exactly the same scenario. The graphics do glitch - constantly. The game is certainly unfinished. I've literally just finsihed a confrontataion I had to restart 4 times, because the gun battle glitched so often leaving my character unable to do anything and looking like he was in 'paper mario' with the enimies too dumb to finish off my starngely contorted body and at least give me a restart option. These kind of glitches should not be present in a polished and finished title.

Was he Harsh? Yes. But anyone who has played this title for a long period of time will recognise the ring of truth in what he is saying.

I still think this game is masterful - but its a flawed master piece and people will, and should, point out the problems and issues, cause lots of people will be left cold...

When people call it as they see it, you really shouldn't act they just kicked your pet dog... :)

[mesh1]

u sir are a next gen kid u dont knwo anythiong about bioware rpgs haha ur a kid i have th egame also and its mind blowing

[titntin]

Haha! How pathetic is that vitrilioc reply???

My post was actually very complimentary about a game I really enjoy.
Not that it should matter, but I'm actually a 44 year old game developer who's been making games for 16 years and has owned and played just about everything since gaming was invented. That includes all biowares previous efforts - Jade Empire is one of my favourite xbox 1 games.

I think its pretty obvious who a kid around here.. :)

[GrumpyOla]

After playing the game for 5 days, do you feel that there's alot of dialogue? I haven't got game yet, but the only thing that's worrying me from what I've read so far about the game that there is a lot of dialogue.

[titntin]

Yes mate - dialougue is the very essence of the game. First and foremost this game is a story and all that talking is the very soul of the game. Its done very well, and the voice acting is good and the characters are better developed than many you will find in a video game. If you want to buy it for the 'action gun touting' scenes - don't!
The gun play is servicable, but seriously flawed if you were to compare it to any FPS - seriously. Theres great deal more inventory management required too - which may put off some more action orientated gamers, but I'm comfortable with it. This game is many things, but its definately still for people who play RPG's. If you don't like this kind of narritive driven game, then you won't like it.

[crank]

Yes, we have all known for some time that mesh is quasi-retarded and most of us simply don't care.

Dictionary mesh, dictionary, didn't mother tell you to keep up on your studies?

WEE WOOOW OWOO WWEEEE WOOOOOOOO!

Good mesh, good.

[BLACKJACK VII]

http://www.metacritic.com/g...

[Maestro]

Well, the game has some good reviews, but is nothing and I mean nothing compared to that other game that has the best reviews ever.

[QQcrybaby]

This review should be ignored. 9.4 IGN, 9.6 Gametrailers, 5/5 Gamespy. Those are the only sites I listen to. Seems like this game is a true classic.

[Neurotoxin]

Judging by the reviews, apart from a few Technical problems the game surpasses the hype..

....Assassin`s Creed doesn`t live up to the hype.

[KINGDRAMA]

this game is crap.

only xbots praise it.

u want a real rpg play OBLIVION on PC.......not the watered down consoles version

[ukilnme]

You go play OBLIVION on PC and STFU troll.

[mesh1]

hahahaha twats i wa s apc gamer and tbh i prefer comsoles atm as they are cheper and have simlar grapics to 2000 pc and yes its pc world hahaha WHOsubcribes to pc world magazine accept my dad or mom hahaha

[Jack Bauer]

im not buying it now... that half a paragraph from a PC site has convinced me /sarcasm... 9.4 ign...must buy AAA title.

[mesh1]

and lets not forgot bioware is a pc dev and this pains pc world reviewer a lot u can see he has a gripe with the 360 why wud a reviewr keep quoting halo 3 in mass effect review and i also knwo pc world dont use skilled reviewrs i9 bet there store manager si doing the review haha what ajoke ps why is it this pc world review is the hottet mass effect review so we shud take pc world review serious thsi si why i will contine my6 assult on the ps3 on thsi site

[biosrios]

i dont think someone should be silenced of their opinion just because they dont work for the company thats supposed to be reviewing xbox games. if you really want to get technical about it, the 360 is basically a pc, minus the massive storage space. if the guy wants to bash the highest reviewed xbox game, then let him. i personally havent even read the review, it would just be a waste of my time, but i assume from everyones comments that the guy has no idea what hes talking about. but i've played KOTOR and hated it, it was mundane, repetitive, and just plain boring, how someone can have fun by running around, running up to bad guys and then... attack...be attacked...then finally crushing the pathetic alien creature...or whatever they had you fighting at the moment is beyond me. i prefer the less American-ized rpgs like final fantasy, that actually make me care about the story, not just some re hashed garbage based in the star wars universe. btw, i realize mass effect has nothing to do with star wars, i was referring to KOTOR

[Silver Bull3t]

Hey let's compare 2 completely seperate genres!

Since when was ANY RPG on the 360 a bad thing, (well, except for TwoWorlds LOL!)???

[THAMMER1]

Sick @ss bastards are too stupid to realize that MASS EFFECT is going to out sell out shine and out do every PS3 game available this year just like Gears did last year.

I just love how you PS3 fans just seem to get off on getting owned.

[Rangitahi]

awesome review..... i think i wont buy Mass Effect now
DISSAPOINTED

[jcgamer]

well, I guess you like to miss out on one of the best videogame experiences EVER...go buy LAIR or something...I DOUBLE dare you...and over a MILLION, at least, will buy ME, so it doesn't need your purchase...

[Maddens Raiders]

Hey that's not fair - I like LAIR.

[skagrerrrr]

hahahaha, you are funny

[jcgamer]

lol...sorry man...I'm sure there are people who like it...I've just simply had it up to HERE today with some of the madness...Mass Effect and Uncharted are my MUST PLAYS this holiday...so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place...defending the 360 on one turn, and defending the PS3 on the next...I might have to give up on N4G altogether...why do we fuss over the GREAT games?

[Keyser]

Because you're arguing with kids who don't like games more than they like reviews.
Real gamers like games. I think that Uncharted got a raw deal and Mass Effect is getting a free pass in the reviews like Charlie Weis but I don't think it's a bad game and when I was young we weren't as critcal about games as we are now.
The only question back then was is fun or not. If it was you had to buy it. If it wasn't fun you left it alone. Now we have to see which game has more polygons on the road...wtf? Oh well, game on man.

[jcgamer]

Thanks bro, I needed that...bubbles up...

[kingfury]

It's been proven. Mass Effect is nothing more than a platinum plated sh!t on disc. This game screams Dissapointment of the year.

Only ones who like this game are those who even have working xbox's to play it.

[Rangitahi]

jcgamer ME looks very dissapointing it doesnt have animations like uncharted or heavenly sword......im sorry its a BIG LET DOWN

[crank]

I find it funny, sometime pathetic, that you people here ignore any criticism about your favorite games.

I would be quite interested to know the age level of this site because it seems more and more like most people here are about 12-16 based on their grammar and their adamant fanboyism.

I mean, seriously, some of you are just the advent of what many call apocalypse. Dumb ******* rabbits everywhere, MOM. What do we do with dumb ******* rabbits.

We let them breed?

Eh, no, we shoot the dumb ******* rabbits in the head and leave the good bunnies to prosper.

OMG, I am TOTALLY NOT TRUSTING THIS REVIEW!!!!!!!!! LIKE OMG

IT GAVE MY FAVORITE GAME A BAD SCOE>

LIKE, JESUS CHRIST.

[Myth]

Released Too Soon?
Whether it's the stuttering frame rate or the awkward load-ins that unexpectedly (and frequently) halt the game entirely for several seconds, Mass Effect has some bizarre bugs. Occasional weirdness like different voice actors (or voice modulation effects) employed for the same characters during a single conversation draw attention to themselves, pulling you out of the moment. In one sequence, a timer bar for a self-destruct sequence remained obstructively onscreen until I stopped, saved, and reloaded the game. At this point, your teammates comment about events that haven't yet happened. Speaking of elevators, it's not a bug, but never before in a game have they moved so preposterously (and needlessly) slow. Whoever decided it was smart to make lifts move at the speed of an inebriated snail deserves to ride on one every day he or she goes to work.

But it's still like playing the weird descendent of an old choose-your-own-adventure book, with spurts of action inelegantly sandwiched between exhaustive dialogue trees that don't change the game to speak of. Smoothly paced or no, your conversations don't shape your experience in Mass Effect so much as shuffle you along like a weirdly glib FedEx operative.

While not as brilliantly articulated and emotive as Andy Serkis's directorial work on Heavenly Sword for the PS3, the character models in Mass Effect are something to behold when motionless.

[Maddens Raiders]

-- "Whoever decided it was smart to make lifts move at the speed of an inebriated snail deserves to ride on one every day he or she goes to work." --

I'm at work right now & am sure ME is a fine game, but that line right there is funny as hell -- "inebriated snail?" lol

[crank]

hehe, like,

JEESISS CRHISST

[jackdoe]

An ouch score. Still, I don't think Halo 3 and Mass Effect can be compared.

[bootsielon]

There were many Xbots praising GameSpot and GamesTM when Ratchet got a 7.5 and 6.0 respectively from those two magazines. I expect the same Xbots to consider this review as VALID. and honour their word. Except of course, PCWorld is a very reputed magazine, unlike GamesTM which gave Resistance a 5.0 and Warhawk a 6.0, and GameSpot which is known for its shoddy journalism.

Edit:

By the way, I really want this game. This should just tell some of the dumb Xbots that reviews don't matter, at least not as much as theMart would want to think.

[pshizle]

who is this guy again and why should i care???

picking this game up anyways!!!!!!!!

[Shaka2K6]

XBOX GRAPHICS
lame missions
weak story line
horrible gameplay
frame drops, unplayable levels ect.

so many flaws in this POS trash its not even funny they are lucky they got such a high score, 4/10 sounds about right.

[gamesblow]

I love when a PS3 game doesn't live up to the hype... Because you all say it's because it sucks. When an xbox 360 game doesn't live up to the hype, it's because the review guy is stupid and bias. you people are SLop dongs.

[x440Magnumx]

Um....sorry to break your little rant there up, but it looks like it's living up to it's hype so far.

All AAA reviews so far except for one no name magazine (hardcore gamer), a generally harsh site (eurogamer), and a whiny PC magazine editor.

So out of the twenty-something reviews for only 2 be "good" and 1 whiny PC editor to say it's bad, while the rest of the gaming world says it's AAA says it's living up to the hype to me.

[-SIXAXIS-]

Well Magnum, it wasn't like that with Ratchet and Clank when everyone gave it AAA except Gamespot. Just because the "all-so-mighty" Gamespot gave it a 7.5, its a flop. You xbots make me sick.

[WilliamRLBaker]

http://www.gamerankings.com...
92.4% with 48 articles.

[jazzmanb]

this guy never finished the game...hes mas its not on pc,and hes mad at bioware now being part of ea..its fairly obvious..and mass effect for how amazing it is going to be,is under hyped...also the cat that said xbox graphics,are you kidding me? this game would cause the cell processor to melt..mass effect is the kind of engine that is so so taxing on hardware..

[-SIXAXIS-]

Mass Effect doesn't have XBOX graphics, but its definitely not up to 360/PS3 standards. Look at Uncharted, it's easily the best looking console game. Even in the GT review they said that. I'm sorry that the same can't be said for Jaggy Galore...I mean Mass Effect.

[QuietStorm]

i love this game, but i have to agree with the review but not the score. the xbox cant handle this title. im sorry to say it. i like the game more than halo. it offers something different and not just making the same game over and over with better graphics. this game is a solid 8.5 maybe 9 but nothing more. i say that because all of the pops and glitches, the loading in the middle of the game, and the really dumb ai. i think in my opinion it a .5 reduction for each. you can say that it just one reviewer but look at all the other reviewer most come from xbox mags or websites. and in most of the reviews the say the same thing about the technical problems. other then that this an awesome game.

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

I feel the necessity of reviewrs talk sh!t each time more often...

I don't know about you guys, but nowadays I just read the objective points on what is good and what isn't, compare some reviews (not more than 6 or 7 credible sources), and than make my mind if this is worth the money or not (don't even bother to give it some kind of numeric rate nor nothing). Just in case the reviews conflict about some point (in a way I'm get confused), I rent it first, it's not like I need to get all games on day one anyway...

In this review don't have many objective points and isn't from any credible source (PC gamer that don't have patience for RPGs... noob).

But, said that, I don't liked the game for all I have seen 'till now. I'm not saying this is bad, I don't have a 360 so I really have no expectation on that and just played a little in my nephews' 360.

Anyway, I really have played a bit and get framerate issues, and they have a pirated copy, so I don't really know the reason for that instable framerates (the quality of their copy or the game itself)... Aside that I don't liked the gameplay itself and the animation just doesn't look natural (but still I have just played Heavenly Sword, which have a really good point in that specif matter)... Anyway, I think it's better play it properly (for some time, with a original copy) before talk anything.

[Shaka2K6]

The PS3 could easily handle it, so its coming to PC now.

xbois loose again.

[thepill88]

Yeah technical problems is an issue quitestorm, The Xbox is busting at the seams trying to run this game. this is a reoccuring problem with dated tech. Try to look over the glitches and enjoy the game...

[theoneandonly]

First don't make anyone laugh, the 360 can handle MASS EFFECT easily.

MASS EFFECT (1) is not going to be ported anywhere, and the sequels are the only ones which can be ported or be done as spinoffs.

Secondly, the game while it is absolutely amazing suffers technical glitches.

The - technical glitches are something BIOWARE needs more time to get right, because all their games have had glitches. THEY NEED A BETTER BUG-TESTING CREW FOR ALL OF THEIR GAMES!

But thirdly, Bioware will fix this with an Xbox Live update in a few weeks and the whole thing will be over with.

FANBOYS are just blowing up the small amount of glitches it has to try to make it seem like they don't want it on their system, BUT THEY ALL WISH THEY HAD MASS EFFECT, they KNOW they do, because this is a AAA amazing game with a GREAT story!!!!!!!!

AND TRUST ME, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE BUYING 360S FOR THIS GAME LIKE MAD ALONG WITH OTHER GEMS LIKE NARUTO, VIRTUA FIGHTER 5. THIS GAME IS RPG OF THE YEAR

Watch when Final Fantasy 13 comes out, the PS3 fanboys will be complaining people dissed their game or it had glitches too and HISTORY will repeat itself...............HAHAHAHAH AHAHA SO JUST SUCK IT UP, ENJOY AND MASS EFFECT PWNS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheMART]

And the average score is only going up up up

From 92% to 93% and now

it's at 94%!

http://www.gamerankings.com...

[gamesblow]

To people who say he never beat the game... Here's a clue... Not many people will or do beat games. It's a fact. People who complain about short games are funny, cause a good % of them never beat the "long" "epic" games they tout as being so great.

I love short games, myself. Give me 6 to 8 solid hours and tons of replay and I'm set. I think, aside from everything, Mass Effect is good. I've played it, myself... and it is good. It isn't, however, a game I could ever play and get into. It's just too big. Too much maticulas B.S. going on. Parts that have no commands and no action bgog it down.

Uncharted is all action, all the time... for all 9 to 10 hours it last. It don't let up. That's what keeps me going. Short burst and nothing but fun. Mass Effect looks great and for the mos tpart it plays good... but it's weighted down with too many RPG elements and that just wears me down. I love the space exploration, though. That is something everyone needs to experience. It's good.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

LOL Why is it only Xbox games that are overhyped? oh thats right because it's just the PS3 fans saying it. To bad you guys don't even have anything worth hyping and the consumer has shown that.

Mass Effect = overhyped because PS3 fans don't have it.

What is this another AAA for the Xbox? why yes, yes it is another AAAs for the Xbox. What does the PS3 have? one A and a AA and a butt load of BBBs.

[Shaka2K6]

This game been flopping all around.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

This 94% is just such a "flopp" http://www.gamerankings.com... Wow its flopping right into the hands of millions of gamers.

How does it feel to be you? How does if feel to have nothing worth a sh!t to play? How does it feel to go from 1st to last? I'm an Xbot we had 2nd last round so this is our first at 1st. Kinda feels like I'm curb stomping you, oh wait we are curb stomping you.

[AngryTypingGuy]

Many sources will tell you it DOES live up to the hype. I guess we will find out tomorrow. It's been getting very high scores.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Fight Censorship it's bad for us all.

[AngryTypingGuy]

Damn right it is. Thanks bro, bubbles for you. I'm actually thinking about changing my avatar soon though since I've had it for so long. But the next time Al Sharpton runs his stupid mouth and tries to get something taken off the air because it offended two people, I'll put it back on.

[mgbass13]

How does it feel to be such a loser that you get offended and angry at comments on video game boards? Get a life, bro. Tell your boyfriend to take you out once and awhile...

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

http://www.kleenex.com they will help with those tears but I think you will need somthing bigger for that river. (Sniff Sniff) I know why don't you use all those unsold copies of games and PS3 console to scoop up all those tears.

PS you should have came at me with somthing better than that.

[BLACKJACK VII]

Awwwwww, Another BIG LOSER of a website looking for hits.

HATERS KEEP HATIN' WHILE THE GAMERS KEEP GAMIN' !!!

Metacritic: Mass Effect = 94%

[socsca]

Do yourself a favour, Don't read this review, its a silly silly review... He's just looking for a lot of hits.

[ROCCOZILLA]

what a joke.360 is now offically done.

[allforcalisto]

people who are downplaying how insanely this game was hyped in gaming circles, need to stop. Its pathetic.
Halo got a lot more attention on tv and in cinema ads n whatnot but c'mon, halo's halo.
Mass effect was supposed to revolutionise the rpg genre. I'm glad someone out there has had the guts to call BS. Me personally i had a similar experience with LAir(MUCH WORSE tbh) but when i first saw lair and ME i was blown away. But as soon as i noticed you couldnt get off of your dragon, and couldnt do any exploring, my hopes plummeted. i could tell they were cutting corners to package a half-arsed effort.
With mass effect the third person gameplay was the first thing to make me worry about it. It looked SO annoying reptitive(where are the melee weapons?). The fact that he or the UGO reviewer says it follows the same tired trend as prior bioware in-game battles: your party have lame A.I. so do enemies, Your characters fumble about as you try to kill enemy, as your AI controlled characters die you finish enemy, and your party wakes up...collect loot. rinse repeat
the loading time thing is something new...didnt see that coming...yeah a hard drive totally wasn't needed.

With Mass effect EVERYTHINg this guy says about the story elements i.e. clunky directing, worn sci-fi story, lifeless faces were things i anticipated. This kinda seems like the centrepiece of the experience. in short meh

seriously if this was game had jrpg visual aesthetics half of you wouldnt give a damn about it. This game appeals to the Star-trek/star wars/andromeda/babylon geek in you people. "OMFG john shepard is so manly...not like no tranny in ff" You'd ignore the glaring hiccups because you want to be at the centre of a grandiose experience; which i'm not saying it isnt btw. Just saying it isnt a revolution at all. I'm hoping bioshock or orange box get GOTY, nothing else out there deserves it.

[poopface1]

peoples lives are becoming toocrappy/boring so video games have to become some epic shi# feast, to make them feel special. this is a video game, who cares. how the hell can a news site say mass effect is overhyped, they did it. They played, saw, told you what they knew. The game isnt overhyped. you wanna know how I know, I have a 360 and dont give a shi# about it. LIke thu guy above me said, real hype comes from tv ads and mountian dew, not gaming sites the average consumer never heard of.

[Salvadore]

Is all I have to say.