The Effect of Mass Effect
I don’t play video games often. I’m not one of the sharp-shooter types, the skillful ones that can plow through a modern game at the speed of light and finish it in time for a cup of coffee. That’s not me. I suppose that’s something of a relief.
However, given that I do own a X-box 360, a newer, more advanced version of the previous model, did allow for me to venture into getting a few games… though I’m not a gaming addict. But there is one game that comes closest to converting me into one.
Slanted as the first part of a three portion story series, Mass Effect takes a very science fiction approach to the video concept and ideas that takes place in the twenty-second century with some very surprising results. A good story for this helps a lot. And some of the best acting to be inputted into a game despite everyone looking like 3-D animatrics. No, this game makes a serious attempt at forging some of the best elements of science fiction.
One of the best things is the idea of mass effect that creates, for this game, the interstellar travel needed to make crossing the entire galaxy possible. (Using the device called mass relays). A sort of different version of a black hole. This is advanced technology discovered from an ancient race that had apparently died out. Leaving traces of their technological feats for the human race to use for their further exploring the cosmos.
But not all is it seems.
One of the Specters, an interstellar police force, has gone rogue. And his defecting has created a number of problems. The biggest issues is the possibility of raising an aged-old species called the Reapers which were guilty of genocide of several other races before they died out as well. The story does become a chase from one side of the galaxy to the other in search of this villainous Specter who has good intentions… but they are at fault. And would cost the lives of countless people if he isn’t stop.
That job is left to you as you play the character of Shepherd. A war hero, a loner, this spirited one who must take up the ranks of the best of human qualities. You can create your own character by mapping out all the features, using male or female, whatever race suits you. But the character is yours. And the story is yours to command.
If you think the story is complicated, wait until the rest of the side-quests and plot that takes a turn around every corner. There are a few nice surprises.
Since this game is created by Bio Ware Co. who are also responsible for the great development of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, you can also steer your character into basic good or evil. Light or dark. Whichever way you go, the story becomes a personal one, a journey for you to follow. Because there were so many crappy Star Wars games out there, Bio Ware had the difficulty of creating one of the best remembered, and beloved, games in video game history. So good that it should be considered part of the Star Wars mythos.
But Bio Ware did not disappoint when it came to Mass Effect. Far from it. They have created a game of originality and much action that you believe you were actually playing a movie.
I created a woman character for my game. I’m a goody two shoes as well, so I made her a decent sort of person with the high ground. But you can give your character any background which isn’t just for color. Your background can effect parts of the story later on. You can play a solider or a biotech which is a magician type in the story as they use science as a way to resolve issues. (By throwing, stasis, shields, etc.).
Even Seth Green contributed a voice for a long-enduring character throughout the game as the hotshot pilot Joker who takes you through various different locations on the ship SSV Normandy. Other science fiction veterans who voices the game are Lance Henrickson and Marina Sirtus. Even your own character speaks throughout the game. That wasn’t done in the other SWKOTOR games. So there are some nice added features.
One of the more interesting aspects is the moral decision you have to make as a commander. I don’t believe I’m throwing away any of the story when I say you have to decide the fate of two of your own characters: only one of them can come out of it alive. So you have to take that 50/50 decision. It’s a difficult choice to make. Especially if you like both of the characters who support you with loyalty.
The graphics are nothing short of amazing. With awe-inspiring visuals that gives it a very contemporary, Hollywood magic feel to it… there’s a feeling that you’re part of the history making, becoming a part of the story that veers towards greatness. The total hours of game playing if played straight through would be around 15 hours. But if played with everything involved, you can play the game for approximately 40 hours. That’s a lot to contribute a part of your life. But it’s worth it in the end. Particularly when you can make the end results different for every play.
Be sure to play the romantic side of the story. It’s worth getting into and helps to weave yet another complex layer to the story. Since I played a woman a character during my tenure in this game, I decided to experiment a little bit. And gave her some lesbian tendencies. This never happened in a game before to my knowledge. So I thought that was very untraditional for a video game of this caliber. Though you can also go for the straight, traditional man and woman relationship which would be all right too.
Mass Effect brings around a chance to bring something explosive, cosmic to their game, as if they are adding on more masterful paint strokes to their large picture. Yet, this is simply only part of a broader design. And it makes you think are far they are thinking into this game. Mass Effect is only hitting its second part of the story for the middle of this summer. And you may be jumping in for a pretty big ride. The story telling and playability of these games make it a worthy effort.
Science fiction has gotten a whole lot cooler these days.
However, given that I do own a X-box 360, a newer, more advanced version of the previous model, did allow for me to venture into getting a few games… though I’m not a gaming addict. But there is one game that comes closest to converting me into one.
Slanted as the first part of a three portion story series, Mass Effect takes a very science fiction approach to the video concept and ideas that takes place in the twenty-second century with some very surprising results. A good story for this helps a lot. And some of the best acting to be inputted into a game despite everyone looking like 3-D animatrics. No, this game makes a serious attempt at forging some of the best elements of science fiction.
One of the best things is the idea of mass effect that creates, for this game, the interstellar travel needed to make crossing the entire galaxy possible. (Using the device called mass relays). A sort of different version of a black hole. This is advanced technology discovered from an ancient race that had apparently died out. Leaving traces of their technological feats for the human race to use for their further exploring the cosmos.
But not all is it seems.
One of the Specters, an interstellar police force, has gone rogue. And his defecting has created a number of problems. The biggest issues is the possibility of raising an aged-old species called the Reapers which were guilty of genocide of several other races before they died out as well. The story does become a chase from one side of the galaxy to the other in search of this villainous Specter who has good intentions… but they are at fault. And would cost the lives of countless people if he isn’t stop.
That job is left to you as you play the character of Shepherd. A war hero, a loner, this spirited one who must take up the ranks of the best of human qualities. You can create your own character by mapping out all the features, using male or female, whatever race suits you. But the character is yours. And the story is yours to command.
If you think the story is complicated, wait until the rest of the side-quests and plot that takes a turn around every corner. There are a few nice surprises.
Since this game is created by Bio Ware Co. who are also responsible for the great development of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, you can also steer your character into basic good or evil. Light or dark. Whichever way you go, the story becomes a personal one, a journey for you to follow. Because there were so many crappy Star Wars games out there, Bio Ware had the difficulty of creating one of the best remembered, and beloved, games in video game history. So good that it should be considered part of the Star Wars mythos.
But Bio Ware did not disappoint when it came to Mass Effect. Far from it. They have created a game of originality and much action that you believe you were actually playing a movie.
I created a woman character for my game. I’m a goody two shoes as well, so I made her a decent sort of person with the high ground. But you can give your character any background which isn’t just for color. Your background can effect parts of the story later on. You can play a solider or a biotech which is a magician type in the story as they use science as a way to resolve issues. (By throwing, stasis, shields, etc.).
Even Seth Green contributed a voice for a long-enduring character throughout the game as the hotshot pilot Joker who takes you through various different locations on the ship SSV Normandy. Other science fiction veterans who voices the game are Lance Henrickson and Marina Sirtus. Even your own character speaks throughout the game. That wasn’t done in the other SWKOTOR games. So there are some nice added features.
One of the more interesting aspects is the moral decision you have to make as a commander. I don’t believe I’m throwing away any of the story when I say you have to decide the fate of two of your own characters: only one of them can come out of it alive. So you have to take that 50/50 decision. It’s a difficult choice to make. Especially if you like both of the characters who support you with loyalty.
The graphics are nothing short of amazing. With awe-inspiring visuals that gives it a very contemporary, Hollywood magic feel to it… there’s a feeling that you’re part of the history making, becoming a part of the story that veers towards greatness. The total hours of game playing if played straight through would be around 15 hours. But if played with everything involved, you can play the game for approximately 40 hours. That’s a lot to contribute a part of your life. But it’s worth it in the end. Particularly when you can make the end results different for every play.
Be sure to play the romantic side of the story. It’s worth getting into and helps to weave yet another complex layer to the story. Since I played a woman a character during my tenure in this game, I decided to experiment a little bit. And gave her some lesbian tendencies. This never happened in a game before to my knowledge. So I thought that was very untraditional for a video game of this caliber. Though you can also go for the straight, traditional man and woman relationship which would be all right too.
Mass Effect brings around a chance to bring something explosive, cosmic to their game, as if they are adding on more masterful paint strokes to their large picture. Yet, this is simply only part of a broader design. And it makes you think are far they are thinking into this game. Mass Effect is only hitting its second part of the story for the middle of this summer. And you may be jumping in for a pretty big ride. The story telling and playability of these games make it a worthy effort.
Science fiction has gotten a whole lot cooler these days.
posted by K.M. Paters at 11:11 AM
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