Exceptional Game

Mass Effect took a while to grow on me. Like…I was almost done with the game before it clicked for me. I was on the Citadel, in a running gun battle that reminded me of the best of sci-fi media. I was prepared but a little overwhelmed, just the way I liked it, and…

Wait. Let’s back up.

Mass Effect is a science fiction role-playing game developed by BioWare and released in 2007. Set in an original sci-fi universe brimming with stories, intrigue, history, grudges, and amazing characters, you play as Commander Shepard, a man or woman destined for great things. This universe isn’t as optimistic as Star Trek or as rowdy as Star Wars, but it is a dangerous place. Pirates, mercenaries, slavers, robots, political intrigue, and monsters lurking in the dark spaces between the stars all await you.

As Commander Shepard, you are tasked with solving mysteries, exploring planets, and fighting those with shadowy agendas and machinations that extend just beyond your understanding. And the best part about the game is that you not only get to do all of this on your own terms, but you can also go as deep as you want.

Most choices boil down to the Good choice, aka Paragon, or the Bad choice, aka Renegade. You are given a dialogue tree with multiple options, with Paragon choices in blue and Renegade choices in red. Commander Shepard then paraphrases your selection. As you gain experience and make choices, your character levels up and becomes more persuasive. You are faced with decisions that will have galaxy-changing repercussions. Save this group. Sacrifice this character.

Choices. Choices are what make Mass Effect so incredible. You choose which missions to undertake and when to tackle them. From time to time, you will be forced to complete the next step in the story, but for the most part, you can explore the universe and its planets, which offer more than just money or loot. The story grows richer and deeper as mysteries are solved and puzzles are revealed. You choose how deeply you want to immerse yourself in this world.

The first time I played the game, I went from one story mission to the next and beat it. I played it as a third-person action-adventure game. My Shepard lost a few friends and was worse for wear. It was that running gun battle I mentioned earlier that convinced me to replay the game. And I did. Almost immediately. The second time around, the story was richer, the characters were better developed, and the game was much more fun.

Built on the framework of a typical swords-and-sorcery RPG, Mass Effect gives you three basic classes to choose from. Nothing radical or new, but all are well executed and given the appropriate sci-fi dressing. The abilities don’t carry much weight in combat, however. Movement and actions all feel a little floaty. As your progress you will be hit with attacks and there will be enough movement on screen that may confuse you. Still, if you invest in a particular power or strategy, there is a payoff in just how powerful your character can become. You can absorb those attacks even though the presentation isn't always the best.

There are six main locations where you will spend most of your time: four mission planets, a story hub, and your ship. Beyond those, you have around 20 planets and a handful of derelict ships to explore.

This exploration is what makes Mass Effect so much fun. The main story planets are varied and rewarding. Noveria is a cold corporate world dominated by the amoral machinations of corporate intrigue and research. Therum is a volcanic world where you will spend most of your time driving from location to location. It’s the shortest and least interesting of the main mission planets. Feros is an industrial colony built on the ruins of an ancient civilization. Virmire is a tropical planet that features some of the game’s best missions and story elements. Lastly, there is the Citadel, an enormous space station that acts as the center of both the game and its universe.

When exploring planets, you will drive the Mako, the six-wheeled love child of a tank and a Toyota Tacoma, complete with a railgun mounted on the roof. The worlds are all roughly the same size, but they differ in terrain and atmosphere. Some planets are so difficult to traverse that the fun is all but sucked out of the adventure. On others, the atmospheres are so hostile that stepping outside the Mako is hazardous to your health. Exploration is rewarded, however, as you can find resources and storylines that deepen the adventure and make the world that much richer.

As with any RPG, your squad doesn’t just add variety to the gameplay; its members also help you explore the world. Engaging with them won’t just unlock new missions but will expose you to the universe and its history through their eyes. You learn about the conflicts and grudges that shaped the galaxy, as well as the personal histories of your companions.

The voice acting is second to none. Each character isn’t just an avatar for the race or class they represent, but a fully fleshed-out member of your crew. You would be hard-pressed to find better characters in all of storytelling. If you spend time talking to your squadmates, who are spread around your ship between missions, you will learn about their personal and professional histories, as well as the universe at large. It’s fun to talk to them.

This game really is about choices, though. If you want to beeline from one main mission to the next and play it as a slightly stiff third-person shooter, be my guest. That’s how I played through it the first time. On subsequent playthroughs, however, I used my squad’s abilities intentionally and took advantage of the pause feature to stop combat and adjust my strategy. I explored, uncovered backstory, and completed side quests. In return, I was rewarded with a great adventure and a much deeper game.

Mass Effect is a landmark game, exceptional not just in its conception but also in its execution. If you truly invest in the characters, the choices, the universe, and everything it has to offer, you will have a lot of fun.