Mass Effect 2 launch center, part 3

Mass Effect 2 is almost here and in light of its greatness I decided to do a review on the first Mass Effect. People need to know why why a game that didn't even out sell Star Wars Knights of the old Republic is so deserving a sequel when Bioware has always been quick to pass up opportunities when it comes to milking a popular franchise. And the game also has many of its shortcomings, by no means is the first Mass Effect a perfect game and some will even go as far as to say its one of Bioware's weaker games. We shall look into all of the above with the following review.

A blast from the past.

-StoryIf you have played any Bioware games at all then you would know that it does not disappoint in the story department no matter how bad the rest of the game is. Mass Effect is no different, it will leave dazed thinking about it long after you have completed the story, as it is as well crafted as any science fiction novels out there. The story takes place hundreds years in the future where not only travelling through out the galaxy is no problem for humans but also living with other aliens. You are playing as Commander Shepard, elite soldier of the human alliance military. Chosen to go on a secrete mission turn out to be an evaluation of the Alien council to determine if humanity is ready to join its ranks. From there all hell breaks lose. With any Bioware games a few things come as standard, rich background story that can compile several novels and almost every npc that you interact with has his/her own unique story to explore. Dialog system has somewhat been simplified compare to previous games where now its pretty clear the good and evil paths. And this time around the morale choices also have less meaning in the whole scheme of things which is another weak link in this game. Over all the whole experience from beginning to end feels like a well crafted yet somewhat cheesy B rated Scifi film. Which all fine by me since this is the closet thing as a space opera that comes to mind compare to Battlestar Galactica. Playing as a heroic spaceship captain on a grand journey to save the galaxy, what more can you ask?-Graphics
When the game first came out in 2007, it was considered by many one of the best looking game on console. Details of space travelling and different areas you explore are truly a cinematic experience, and the character models and their animation were superbly done as well. At the time only Crysis on PC had better looking characters. However the game was hampered by graphic glitches and texture pop-ups famous to those who used Unreal Engines. The PC version fixed most of these glitches and pop-up were less severe as well. Overall the game still looks good even by today's standards.
-Game play
Where do I begin, the game is obviously not your Daddy's RPG with its unique tactical based third person shooter play, however it just works. But thats another thing people will say about this game, its not a true RPG but a shooter wana be RPG. To me that claim is just ludicrous, you still have the stats, the skills, the leveling up, the hot bars and different classes/roles to play as, so just because it doesn't use the age old DnD dice roll everyone else uses its not an RPG? Bioware took a chance with a whole new idea and ran with it, and in the end I think although game play is somewhat lacking it still works. At the end of the day, none of Bioware's games are focused on game play but that seems to be changed in Mass Effect 2.

-Presentation
This is probably the one of the first game from Bioware that gives you the "Epic" feeling through out the game. Not saying their other games aren't so but they usually are presented in a more toned down, reserved manner. Not with Mass Effect, its not afraid to show its Epic story with Epic Scifi music through out. And knowing its a Bioware game its not complete unless it has a romantic subplot hidden with the inevitable sex scene. Just ask Fox news about it, they taught me that arm and bare back is considered full digital nudity...


-Conclusion
Mass Effect is a memorable game like most Bioware's works, but its not with its share of flaws. But if you can over look these flaws then its one of those game you just simply can not pass up. Bioware did a great job exploring new territories in the RPG plane and now its only a short while before we can see how they will improve upon this already epic adventure with the upcoming Mass Effect 2.