Mass Effect

1. Mass Effect A Brief Information Guide Next

2. Mass Effect • Mass Effect is an action role-playing game developed by BioWare for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. The Xbox 360 edition was released worldwide in November 2007. The PC edition was released on May 28, 2008, published by Electronic Arts. The game takes place in the year 2183, with the player assuming the role of an elite human soldier named Commander Shepard, set out to explore the Galaxy on a star ship, the SSV Normandy. Previous Next

3. Mass Effect - Setting • Mass Effect is set in the year 2183 AD. Thirty-five years prior, humanity discovered a cache of technology built by a technologically advanced but long-extinct race called the Protheans. Studying and adapting this technology, humankind has managed to break free of the solar system and has established numerous colonies and encountered various extraterrestrial species within the Milky Way galaxy. Utilizing alien artifacts known as "Mass Relays", the various space-faring species are able to travel instantly across vast stretches of the galaxy. Previous Next

4. Mass Effect - Characters • The player assumes the role of Commander Shepard, a veteran soldier who can be customized by the player. The character's appearance also varies based on the weaponry and armor the player uses. • In addition to Commander Shepard, the player can have two additional characters following along and contributing to battles and dialogue. These characters are not created by the player and are only partially under the player's control. Previous Next

5. Mass Effect - Combat Combat in Mass Effect takes place in real time, though much like a previous BioWare game, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the player can pause at any time to give orders to other squad members. The player and his allies use firearms (modifiable with various upgrades throughout the game), Tech abilities (to interfere with enemy equipment and abilities), and Biotics (similar to magical attacks or Force powers in other games) to fight their enemies. Players directly control their character's actions as well as their squad mate's attacks, but cannot take direct command of their squad mates. They can, however, issue commands using the directional pad, allowing the player to tell other characters to get behind cover, regroup, attack a specific target, or to scout ahead. The player can also use the talent wheel interface to control which of their abilities or special powers squad mates use. Previous Next

6. Mass Effect - Downloadable Content • The first piece of downloadable content was announced on February 6, 2008. The "Bring Down The Sky" pack was released on March 10, 2008, for the Xbox 360 and July 29, 2008, for the PC. • "Bring Down the Sky" includes a new uncharted world that introduces the notorious and feared batarians, a humanoid species with four eyes. Though the batarians were briefly mentioned in the original game , the expansion retcons them to a completely new appearance under the guise of an "entirely new race". A batarian extremist group has hijacked a mobile asteroid station in the Asgard system, setting it on a collision course with the nearby colony world of Terra Nova. Only Commander Shepard can save the millions of innocent civilians before the asteroid completes its deadly descent. This mission is concurrent with the main storyline. BioWare has stated that the adventure should take 90 minutes to complete. The expansion also features an additional achievement awarded upon completion of the mission titled as "Colonial Savior" with a value of 50 points. Previous