Anyone here excited for 'Mass Effect'?

[shanewalker]

I don't know about you folks, but I'm seriously jonesing for this title.

I've been wanting a great evolution of the RPG that incorporated FPS-style combat (if only for the action/interactivity--i.e. visceral connection to your onscreen counterpart) and has a truly interactive dialogue/storytelling system. The fact that your character's choices really seem to affect the storyline's arc is also exciting--these kinds of new ways of developing dramatic tales (ala 'Choose your own Adventure' to the 10th power) are finally fulfilling the promise of early 90s CD-Rom gameplay. True next-gen concepts in both storytelling techniques AND graphics is what we should be seeing much more of, imho. Enough run-and-gun, already!

Doesn't hurt that its not dumbed-down sci-fi either.

Now, let's see if we can move this technology to other genre (i.e. film noir, etc.) and then we're witnessing a true evolution in "gaming."

 

[mwgiii]

The game looks outstanding.

IGN did a hands-on preview here:

IGN: Mass Effect Preview

 

[shanewalker]

I agree.

The character customization looks very cool...and the in-game cinematics use the 'virtual you' you've created to great effect. The Commander Shepherd in the Mass Effect literature is just a "placeholder" as it were. That's the next-gen custom cinema experience I've been waiting to see...

 

[mwgiii]

IGN has a new article up with some new screen shots:

Mass Effect: Meet Nihlus Kryik
IGN: Mass Effect: Meet Nihlus Kryik

 

[shanewalker]

Apparently Electronic Arts answer to my OT question is a resounding..."Yes!!!"

They just bought BioWare and Pandemic for a whopping $800+ million.

Electronic Arts pays $860 million for BioWare, Pandemic Studios | Tech news blog - CNET News.com

 

[meStevo]

I am excited for it, but am having information/gaming overload already this quarter, so it's getting lost in the glare a bit.

 

[Sapient]

I'm very excited for Mass Effect.

 

[shanewalker]

Cool that 'Mass Effect' was a feature story on Cnet today. Talks about the 'emotional' storytelling they're trying to accomplish, as well as the technical acheivements.

'Mass Effect' space epic aims to evoke emotion | CNET News.com

Seems the reviews are starting to trickle in...and they're good folks.

Game Informer gave it a 9.7/10--not too shabby, indeed!!

 

[shanewalker]

Xbox Magazine gives 'Mass Effect' a perfect 10. Calls it not just the best Xbox game of the year...but best Xbox game EVER.

G4 gives it a 5-star rating.

Earned a 'Game of the Month' from EGM, earning a 9/9.5/9 from its editor/reviewer panel.

I won't be able to get the game when it releases this upcoming Tuesday...but darn tootin' I'll be firing it up on Black Friday, baby!!

Anyone who gets their hands on it around here--let us know what you think, please!