In a time of sequels, Mass Effect is a breath of fresh air. It aims to please everyone and succeeds in doing so. While it is primarily an RPG, it has the characteristics of many different genres. It’s addicting, fun, and customizable. You make Mass Effect the game that you want it to be and that’s where it truly shines. That is what makes it one of the best games of the year.

The first thing I noticed about this game, sadly, was not positive. When I played the game for the first time on the PC version, I noticed that the graphics were sub-par. BioWare implemented a motion blur system and made the game more artistic, but in reality it was to cover up the mediocre graphics. When I turned the blur off, I noticed that I could run the game even on high settings, which my computer could never do for any other game. Even on these settings, some of the textures are fuzzy.
The 360 version, on the other hand, looks fantastic but has frequent hiccups during the game. Sometimes a cutscene will stop for a moment and I hear the not-so-pleasant sound of my disc loading. At other times in the middle of gameplay a loading screen will come up and stop the action. These minor problems need to be worked out and lessen the experience.

Once I got through some minor tribulations, I noticed what a magnificent game this truly is. Almost everything that happens in the game is all according to your style. Mass Effect can be a weekend play-through or a multi-weekly endeavor, depending if you want to explore or not. You can be a villain or the galaxy’s protector depending on your personality. Whatever you want out of this game, it will come through for you.
Another great feature, although common in RPGs, is the upgrades system. You get to choose which weapon you specialize in, how your character controls, and how he or she combats enemies. The game plays like most current third person shooters, with a behind-the-back camera angle. There are also other nice features thrown in there like command over your squad, special powers, and vehicle segments that make the line between genres begin to blur.

At the end of the day, it’s the accessibility that makes this game as remarkable as it is. There is no right or wrong way to play it and no chosen path for you. As always, BioWare comes through and makes a deep and immersive game for all to enjoy. Aside from some minor performance issues, this is an amazing gaming experience that will win over the most die-hard RPG critics.

Boycott Mass Effect for the PC!

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