Space... The final frontier. In 2148, humanity found ruins of an ancient and now extinct alien race on Mars. By analyzing the data found inside the ruins, we've managed to reconstruct technology that allowed faster than light travel. It's called Mass Effect...

Paired with special relays designed to boost every ship's mass effect drive by using the same principle as a slingshot, humanity encountered the first alien races in 2183. First contact wasn't always easy, but we've managed to survive in rough times, and fight for our cause.

But now, a new threat appears in the universe. And without many being aware, it may actually be an end to civilization as we know it! You are the destined one to save the galaxy from this huge threat.

In Mass Effect, you assume the role of Commander Shepard, a distinguished soldier that stood out in the past and is considered one of humanity's best. You not only have the possibility to customize the appearance of your character in extreme detail - height, eyebrows color, ear size, you name it! - but also you can customize your background, past and your general personality and attitude when interacting with the game.

Mass Effect is that impressive game only Bioware can make, in which every decision counts, and everything matters. If you are known to be ruthless with your enemies, or maybe you were a pour orphan raised in the streets - everything matters - even the gender you pick. Dialog possibilities, decisions and eventually the actions you take are influenced by the choices you made when you've created your character, and your previous choices. You can take a path of evil or good, but this doesn't necessarily mean you can't chose an evil answer if you are good or vice-versa. Each course of actions will give you Paragon or Renegade points, and achieving a great number of them will unlock further dialog possibilities and skills.

But don't get me wrong, Mass Effect is not just a "talk to, or be talked with" game. It's one of the best games I've ever played, a truly cinematic experience that you have to experience. If you are eagerly waiting for Star Trek XI early next year, or maybe for the grand finale of Battlestar Galactica; or you are the world's greatest StarWars fan and seen every episode there is then this is the game to play! If you don't usually play/watch sci-fi, but enjoy a good story, drama, with a little touch of comedy and romance, then this is the game for you. Finally if you are a passionate or casual gamer, and wanted to try something you'll remember for a long time, this... is the game for you.

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Like any RolePlaying games, your character evolves and gains levels with experience. Up to sixty of them in fact, though you can't have more than fifty the first time you play. Which means you can use the same character to start the game all over again on a harder difficulty. Easy, normal and hard are available at first, but two more modes are unlocked once you finish a game.

You can choose one of the six classes available at the beginning of the game - three basic ones: Soldier, Engineer and Adept; and three hybrid ones: Infiltrator, Sentinel and Vanguard. Soldiers are specialists in any and all weapons, while at the other end of the table Adepts are special individuals that use mind-manipulative biotic abilities with the help of a special implant chip. Engineers use an OmniTool, a special device that allows them to hack into systems, crack encryption keys or code, and be very efficient when fighting robots or mechanical creatures of all sorts.

Infiltrators are more of an assassin type, specialized in sniper rifles and tech. Sentinels can use both biotics and tech powers, while Vanguards are proficient in the use of shotguns, pistols and have limited biotic knowledge.

With each level, more points are given to you and your party members. Similar to Final Fantasy for example, you have two more members under your control at a time. They are partially AI controlled, which means they follow you, fight with you and share a bit of the story moments with you as well. But you are ultimately in control and can order them to attack a specific target, get behind cover, or use certain abilities. Furthermore, their abilities complete your "arsenal". For instance, if you are not so proficient at decrypting storage lockers, but you want that modified Avenger IV plasma pistol really bad, Tali, the resident tech specialist on your ship can make a fine addition to your party.

Speaking of your squad, here's what they know best:

Ashley Williams (Ash) - Our resident weapons specialist

Kaidan Alenko (Kaidan) - a Bio/Tech hybrid, one of the last L2 implants - the new trend is L3 now

Liara T'Soni (Liara) - the Bio expert (don't forget to rescue her first chance you get! Forget the other missions for a while)

Urdnot Wrex (Wrex) - a Bio/Combat hybrid, the mercenary with a shady past

Garrius Vakarain (Garrius) - a Tech/Combat hybrid, my least favorite for some reason... maybe it's his character... who knows

Tali'zorah nar Rayya (Tali) - the cute Tech expert

Each of them evolves, and gains skillpoints as you do.

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Mass Effect features a new approach to the standard "ask a question - get an answer" most adventures and some RPGs have. Only the idea of what you're about to say is suggested in the dialog options. Choosing "We'll see" as an option for example could make your character say "We'll think of what is the best way to approach the situation, and I'll let you know after I devise a plan". By the way, I'm just trying to make a point; you won't actually see that dialog in-game. After all, it's written by real pros, not just anyone you know...

Ok, so It's no doubt that the story and dialog options make the game what it is, but let's see what else it brings to the table. Well, as any respectable starship captain, you can and will explore those strange new worlds, and boldly go where no one has gone before. Once you are given the command of the Normandy, the first stealthy human ship, you can head out for various star clusters, and complete side missions that aren't related to the main story. They just happen to be a superhero's daily work. Of course, you can skip them and get straight to the point, but what's the fun then?

Once you land on a particular planet, you will use the Mako all-terrain vehicle to get to your mission location. Don't forget to search the whole area to find rare mineral deposits, or examine various anomalies. And remember that there are always many solutions and approaches to a single problem.

The Mako feels great and the controls are fantastic! I wanted to explore planets for days when I took my first Mako ride. Of course, the little thing is enhanced with a rifle and a decent canon, to take down those angry alien hostiles. Q to exit the vehicle by the way!

Once inside a complex, the game goes towards the first person shooter perspective, but with an added taste of the special biotic/tech abilities. As you may know, the PC version isn't the first version released on the market (shock!). It's actually 6 moths (-ish) later than the Xbox360 version. And with the help of the good ol' Unreal Engine, Bioware could've gotten out easy by just porting this game to the PC. Instead, it has been enhanced, tweaked and tuned, and had a whole interface make-up. Demiurge Studios has been employed to this end and they certainly did a fine job. Everything is accessible with a click of the mouse by pressing the pause key - space. Quick shortcuts can also be added to your 1,2,3,4... keys.

Combat is not easy, and requires a certain amount of skill and decent tactics to take on different scenarios the game throws at you. Grenades and your team members are invaluable, and you'd best do everything in your power to keep them alive.

You will find of course new weapons, items and armor for your character and your squad members. They can be sold at shops around the solar system, equipped of course, or turned into omni-gel. Omni-gel is used in-game to repair your Mako vehicle, or to decrypt impossible locks. Plus, you can also buy or gain upgrades that can be installed into weapon or armor slots. Properties will vary: add toxic damage, add freezing particles, add life regen on armors, etc.

Similar to the Xbox360, Mass Effect features what the developer calls "enhanced achievements". It's too bad you can't show off with your list of achievements on the PC as much as you'd want, but! But each achievement isn't just a shiny new medal. Each achievement gives you a bonus either right after you earn it, or on your next character. From increased damage, to increase healing and the ability to have a special skill on a new class that is totally opposite. So you can have a soldier with "singularity" ability or with knowledge in electronics for example if you like.

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Conclusion

Mass Effect is a fantastic game that I strongly recommend anyone and everyone. Even if you heard bad things about it via dumb television shows (virtual nudity... what is that anyway), you should not pay attention to them. This game has the fantastic story and characters of a great movie, but combined with the interactivity and great possibilities offered by a computer. It's no wonder it had the biggest mark on our site to date (the Xbox360 version); and will receive the same high scores from me for this particular PC version.

Gameplay: 98

Great job! Hat off to Bioware for another hit that will last through time (and space?). Plus some good news, as Mass Effect 2 is currently under development and the PC platform will be preferred! And it's gonna be a trilogy! Play this game!

Graphics: 95

Everything seems so real especially in story mode. The characters have so many nuances and emotions are showed really well. It feels like a great movie. Planets and locations are varied, but interiors are repetitive a bit. I'm talking about side missions, not the main ones.

Sound: 94

Well known actors did their best with everything voice related in this game. Actors like Jennifer Hale, Keith David, Seth Green or Marina Sirtis are only a few of the names featured in the cast. Add to that real sound effects and one of the best music scores I've ever heard in a video game, and you get the picture.

Multiplayer: N/A

Hardware: 90

Using Unreal Engine, and fixing some of the minor texture loading problems the game had on Xbox360 insures a painless experience for every user. I recommend however turning that "movie grain" filter off as it will improve performance quite a bit. And if you have a decent graphics card, you can also force Anti-Alias from the drivers, even if the game doesn't have that option in the video menu. One nasty thing though is the online SecuROM activation process; many gamers were displeased by this copyright protection method decision. The game has to be activated via the internet.