Mass Effect

K. Fields
2022-04-18T11:30:59-04:00
Video Games

After Civilization V, I was looking for another top notch computer game to play. I certainly found one in Mass Effect. Specifically, I have the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which includes the entire trilogy plus a ton of DLC. In addition, some gameplay tweaks were made and the graphics were updated for 4K Ultra HD. Mass Effect is widely regarded as one of the all-time great video game series and it did not disappoint. Developed by BioWare, I should have known it would be special. They created some of my all time favorite computer role-playing games such as the Baldur's Gate series, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and the Dragon Age series. I just finished the first Mass Effect game and it certainly joins those lofty titles as one of my favorite RPGs.

Mass Effect is an RPG at its core but it features third-person action elements, including combat. Unlike some other BioWare games, this one features an original game world. You play as Commander Shepard, a human Alliance solider who must stop a threat of galactic proportions Along the way, Shepard is joined by several allies. You choose two of these characters to accompany Shepard on each mission. There were plenty of main missions and side missions to keep me busy for around 30 hours of gameplay. Along the way, Shepard and his companions gained levels, skills, and equipment. In addition to the usual squad based action, some missions involved the M35 Mako, an all-terrain vehicle with its own weapons. Mass Effect did a good job presenting choices that had real repercussions, both moral/ethical and tactical. I played Shepard as a "good guy" for the most part and he accumulated many more paragon points than renegade points.

The ending was satisfying and it obviously left things open for the sequel. Mass Effect 2 is generally regarded as the high point of the series. I am very eager to play it.

Commander John Shepard