Mass Effect is a science fiction-themed, action-oriented, story-driven role-playing game from BioWare for the Xbox 360 and PC. As Commander Shepard, players set out on an epic adventure to save the known galaxy from an apocalyptic threat.
Overview
Developed by BioWare, Mass Effect is an award-winning science fiction RPG set in an expansive and diverse universe of strange alien species, galactic politics, and advanced technology. Humanity is a newcomer on the galactic stage, and players take the role of a customizable male or female character -- invariably with the surname Shepard -- who joins the elite SPECTRE corps as a representative of mankind's interests. While testing to become a SPECTRE, Shepard will first investigate a mysterious attack on a human colony world -- and in the process discover a danger which threatens the galaxy and culminates in a shocking truth which affects all life. Mass Effect utilizes many of BioWare's signature RPG elements, such as extensive character building, engaging dialogue trees, and an engrossing, branching narrative.Unlike past BioWare hits like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, however, the combat is not turn-based. It instead controls much like a third-person shooter such as Gears of War, with a useful cover system and over-the-shoulder aiming mechanics. The player is also able to pause the action to line up shots and issue commands to other party members. Like Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire (another BioWare RPG), Mass Effect allows for the customization of the player character's appearance, gender and basic back story, and the player's actions during the course of the game determine the ultimate good-or-bad orientation of the character at the end. Additionally, Shepard and his allies have various special skills and abilities that can be improved with the application of attribute points.
Gameplay
Mass Effect draws its gameplay from two distinct lineages: KotOR with its various trees of dialogue, and an action based third person combat system. This is a shift from the turn-based combat BioWare has dealt with extensively, to a third-person shooter with a cover system, a first for the company. Conversations are carried out via dialogue trees on Mass Effect's "Conversation wheel", which instead of telling you exactly the line you character will deliver, gives the general gist and tone of your response, in an attempt to make conversations flow better. However, you can wait as long as you want to choose a response after the other person is done talking, with no difference in the dialogue or reaction from the NPCs. Occasionally, a dialogue tree option will appear red or blue, which means it requires a certain skill level in either charm (blue) or intimidate (red) to unlock that dialogue option. Pressing "X" while someone is talking will interrupt their line with yours, but they will not react to being interrupted. It is a function to speed up the pace of the dialogue, or skip over it entirely if you have already heard it before.Combat is third-person, gun based, with biotic abilities (comparable to Force Powers form the KotOR games). Combat is set in real time, although you may pause the game and select a power or readjust your aim at any time by holding the right bumper on 360. This brings up a circle menu listing the powers of you and your two squad-mates. You can choose any power from any party member currently in your squad to queue up from this radial menu, and your teammates will use it when you resume the game.
Weapons
Pistols
- Best at close-to-medium range. Particularly useful as a backup weapon for when your shotgun or assault rifle overheats. Thanks to it's great accuracy it's a great weapon to use when you need to stay on the move.
- Slowest to overheat out of all the weapons and can stay accurate for longer bursts as well.
- Early in the game they are the most accurate weapon to use. If you plan on investing in shotguns it's a very viable strategy to skip assault rifles altogether and just stick with putting points into your pistol and shotgun talents.
- With marksman the pistol can even become a viable option for long range combat, especially once you unlock master marksman.
Shotguns 
Tali, the Quarian, equipped with the shotgun.are powerful weapons burdened with a high recoil, high overheating and slow rate of fire. They compensate for this by being extremely damaging in close range combat and for their tendency to knock enemies off of their feet. Soldiers and Vanguards can train in them.
Assault Rifles
These are somewhere in between pistols and shotguns. Good at balancing between accuracy, range, rate of fire, overheating and raw firepower. Can also be highly effective in long distance combat for high level characters. Only Soldiers train in Assault Rifles.
- Sniper Rifles have a very long range, very high accuracy, and very damaging effect in well trained hands. However, the rate of fire is very slow, and are poor choices for close combat situations. Soldiers and Infiltrators can train in them.
Grenades are handheld devices that act as either a timed (10 second 'fuse') or remote explosive. They also stick to most surfaces. Only Shepard can use grenades. He/she can buy upgrades that increase the number of grenades he/she can carry at one time.
Armor
- Light Armor gives a some protection while minimizing penalties to weapon accuracy and movement. All classes have access to light armor. Most light armor has low protection versus projectiles and high biotic resistance.
- Medium Armor gives both more protection and more penalties than Light armor does. Soldiers earn them automatically, Vanguard and Infiltrators may train to use them. The majority of medium armor averages out base armor versus projectiles and biotic resistance.
- Heavy Armor awards high levels of protection but the most severe penalties to movement and weapon accuracy. Only Soliders can use it, and even then they must train to do so. Generally, it has lower biotic resistances and higher base armor versus projectiles.
Miscellaneous
- Bio-Amps increase Biotic power, resistance, and decrease recharge time. Typically they are attached behind the ear or at the base of the skull.
- Omni-Tools can hack, decrypt, and repair many items found in the game. They provide a shield, tech recharge, or tech power boost, depending on the manufacturer and the quality of the tool.
- Omni-Gel is gained from breaking down your items, or picked up from enemies and various containers. It is used for electronic work such as repairing the Mako and bypasses for most mini-games, such as decryption.
- Medi-Gel heals all your team damage, and attempts to cure any status ailments (poison, burn etc.) Upgrades to 'First Aid' and 'Medicine' skills vastly improve the effectiveness and recharge time of medi-gels. Upgrades can be purchased to increase the maximum number of Medi-Gel packs Shepard can carry, and most medical facilities contain a free medi-gel dispenser.
- Weapon Upgrades can be used to enhance weapon stability, accuracy, damage, and heat dissipation, and can be used to override enemy radar jammers. All weapons have at least one weapon upgrade slot, and advanced weapons carry two upgrade slots.
- Ammunition Upgrades can be used to inflict various types of damage on the enemy. Most enemies have weaknesses and resistances to certain damage type, and proper use of ammunition upgrades is necessary for success against high level opponents. Some ammo types also provide knockback, bypass shields, or can affect enemy accuracy or autohealing. All weapons have one ammunition upgrade slot.
- Armor Upgrades increase the damage resistance, shields, and 'physics thresholds' of armors found in the game. Some also affect accuracy, talent cooldown speed, and autohealing rate. These upgrades can be particularly important for classes without buffs for such abilities. All armors carry one upgrade slot, and advanced armors carry two slots.
Classes
Soldier
Soldiers are combat specialists ideal for the front lines of a firefight. Soldiers get improved health, can train in the use of all weapon types, start with the ability to use medium armor, and can specialize in heavy armor. A class for new players, or for those who wish to 'run and gun' through the game.
Engineer w/ PistolEngineer
Engineers are tech specialists. Using the holographic omni-tool, they can decrypt security systems, repair or modify technical equipment, disrupt enemy weapons or shields, and heal their squad. Engineers can only use light armor and can only receive weapons training with pistols.
Starting AbilitiesPistols, Decryption, Electronics, First Aid, Engineer
Unlockable AbilitiesBasic Armor, Hacking, Damping, Medicine
AdeptAdept
Adepts are biotic specialists. Through upgradeable implants, they can use biotic powers to lift or throw objects, shield the squad and disable or destroy enemies. Adepts can only use light armor, and can only receive weapons training with pistols.
Infiltrator w/ Sniper RifleInfiltrator
Infiltrators combine combat and tech abilities to specialize in killing or disabling enemies at long range. Infiltrators are trained to use omni-tools, focusing on decryption and offensive abilities rather than healing. They can use pistols or sniper rifles and medium armor.
Vanguard w/ ShotgunVanguard
Vanguards are biotic warriors. They combine biotics and weapons to take down opponents, and are especially deadly at short range. They use pistols and shotguns, and can specialize in medium armor.
Sentinel w/ Omni-toolSentinel
Sentinels combine biotic and tech abilities. Typically they use biotic abilities and advanced healing skills to defend allies, though they can also disrupt opponents with biotic or tech attacks. They are more efficient at tech and biotics than other classes, but at the expense of combat. Sentinels can only use light armor, and receive no advanced weapon training.
Unlockables
- Sniper Expert - Unlocks Sniper rifle talent tree for all future characters
- Assault Expert - Unlocks Assault rifle talent tree for all future characters
- Pistol Expert - 25% Marksman cooldown bonus
- Shotgun Expert - Unlocks Shotgun talent tree for all future characters
- Singularity Mastery - Unlocks Singularity talent tree for all future characters
- Warp Mastery - Unlocks Warp talent tree for all future characters
- Throw Mastery - Unlocks Throw talent tree for all future characters
- Lift Mastery - Unlocks Lift talent tree for all future characters
- Barrier Mastery - Unlocks Barrier talent tree for all future characters
- Stasis Master - Unlocks Stasis talent tree for all future characters
- Neural Shock Specialist - Unlocks Medicine talent tree for all new characters
- AI Hacking Specialist - Unlocks Hacking talent tree for all new characters
- First Aid Specialist - Unlocks Medicine talent tree for all new characters
- Sabotage Specialist - Unlocks Decryption talent tree for all future characters
- Overload Specialist - Unlocks Electronics talent tree for all future characters
- Damping Specialist - Unlocks Shielding talent tree for all future characters
- Dog of War - 10% Health bonus
- Geth Hunter - 10% Shield bonus
- Completionist - 10% EXP bonus
- Tactician - 10% Shield bonus
- Power Gamer - 5% EXP bonus
- Long Service Medal - 5% Damage increase
- Rich - Spectre weapons unlocked at Normandy Requisition Officer and C-Sec Requisition Officer
- Quarian Ally - 10% quicker cooldown for Sabotage and AI Hacking
- Turian Ally - 10% quicker cooldown for Overload and Damping
- Sentinel Ally - 10% quicker cooldown for Throw and Lift
- Soldier Ally - 10% Hardening bonus
- Asari Ally - 10% quicker cooldown for Barrier and Stasis
- Krogan Ally - Regenerate 1 HP per second
- Medal of Valor - "N7" Gamer Pic
- Distinguished Combat Medal - Saren Gamer Pic
Races
Mass Effect has a large variety of races and has been compared to franchises such as Star Wars and Star Trek for its great creativity and imagination. Some of the games primary races are listed below.Council Races
Turians
The turians were invited to join the Citadel by the Asari and Salarians. They form the backbone of Citadel military power, and have the largest fleet in Citadel Space, as well as the largest number of personnel in C-Sec. They are respected as peacekeepers throughout Citadel space. Culturally, their race places an emphasis on civil duty, including military service, and have a class system, based on the amount of civil service performed by individuals. In the past, there has been hostility between humanity and the turians, due largely to the First Contact War.Asari
The Asari were the first species
Salarians
The Salarians were the second race to discover the Citadel and soon joined the Asari in forming the Citadel Council. Salarians have a high metabolic rate, and consequently live short lifespans, roughly 40 years. Salarians think of other species as sluggish and dull-witted due to this elevated pacing. Born with superior non-linear thinking and observation skills, many Salarians venture into scientific endeavors. The Salarian scientists were also responsible for the development of the genophage during the Krogan Rebellion.Non-Council Races
Krogan
When the Salarians first discovered the Krogan race they were a brutal, primitive species who were struggling to survive a self-inflicted nuclear winter. The Salarians taught the Krogans to use and build modern technology, although the ulterior motive was to utilize Krogan soldiers in the Rachni War. The Krogan despise the Turians for using the genophage, a Salarian developed bio-weapon. It affects fertility, and because of this, only one in a thousand Krogan pregnancies are viable. The genophage and their own war-based culture is causing the Krogans to slowly become extinct.
Tali, a Quarian citizen on her Pilgrimage.Quarians
The Quarians are a race that has no planet to call home, due to the Geth occupation of their home-worlds. The Quarians travel in what is called the Flotilla, a massive fleet of over fifty thousand space ships. Due to the lack of resources on the Flotilla, every Quarian has to go on a 'Pilgrimage' when they come of age. In the Pilgrimage, they leave the fleet, only to return when they have found something of value to the fleet. Other species tend to look down on the Quarians due to their role in the creation of the Geth, as well the large negative impact on a planet upon the arrival of the Flotilla in a system. 
Batarians
The Batarians are much like humanoids, but have four eyes and a less pleasant disposition. Humans fought with the Batarians over territorial rights in the Verge. When it was clear humanity had the upper hand and the Council was not going to intervene in the Batarian's favor; they severed all ties with the galaxy at large and now live isolated from the other species. This began a period of self-imposed exile, coupled with well-funded pirate raids on human colonies. Batarians who remain deep in the Terminus systems are often slavers, pirates, and smugglers. However, the typical Batarian is not so vile. The majority of them are forced to remain on their home-world by the oppressive Batarian Government and have little say in greater galactic issues. 
Geth
The Geth are a race of sentient machines. They were created by the Quarians 300 years before the events of Mass Effect as tools of labour and war. The Quarians attempted to exterminate the Geth when they showed signs of self-evolution. However, the Geth rebelled and won the resulting war. The Geth then resided untouched beyond the Perseus Veil until they met Sovereign. They perceived it to be a god, the pinnacle of all artificial intelligence, creating monuments and statues in tribute. Now their immense fleets follow Sovereign and Saren, who the Geth believe is their prophet. Rachni
Hanar
Their homeworld is 90% water, littered with Prothean ruins, and ruled by a Theocracy. Most Hanar view the Prothean sites as religious structures left by the elder race that brought civilization to the galaxy. They have evolved to live in oceans, so Hanar are large, pink masses raised high by anti-gravity packs with all of their tentacles hanging down. They are excessively polite and very precise. Due to their unique culture, they only refer to themselves with third-person pronouns, such as ‘This one’ or ‘It’. It is considered very informal and impolite when using their own name or first-person pronouns, and only do so when speaking with family or close friends. They speak with subtle pulses of light, and only through fluid real-time computer translators can they understand and be understood in languages of the other races. They are arguably the most ‘Alien’ of all the sentient races in Citadel space.
Volus
Keeper at workKeepers
Large aphid beings whose only purpose seems to be the maintainance of the Citadel. Not much is known about them, attempts to capture and study these creatures results in the keepers going into a self-destruct sequence, a form of acid will be released internally which leads to the keepers ending up as nothing more than a puddle of minerals and proteins. The number of keepers is constant but it is unknown how their numbers replentish, it is believed that they keepers have access to a part of the station that remains undiscovered by the other races. The keepers themselves reveal nothing of their nature and often undertake tasks that seem bizarre to other races, like rearranging offices or even changing architecture down on the Wards, with no explanation. In fact, all attempts to communicate with them have been in vain. They seem oblivious to the hustle and bustle going on around them.
Villians
Saren Arterius
Matriarch Benezia
Plot
Normandy
Eden Prime
Once Shepard is briefed, the Normandy intercepts a distorted distress call from Eden Prime. The planet is under attack by unknown assailants, and the local militia have been all but wiped out. After landing and a few engagements, Shepard learns that the invaders are sentient robotic life forms known as the Geth. The Geth haven't been seen outside their region of colonized planets, 'the Veil', for many centuries, so it is odd that they have attacked Eden Prime in force. Shepard guides them through the killing fields and rescues a trapped Marine, Ashley Williams, who becomes a pivotal character in the plot. Elsewhere, Nihlus encounters his friend and mentor, a turian Spectre named Saren Arterius. Relieved to see a familiar face, Nihlus lets his guard down and confesses to Saren that he is confused about the proceedings on Eden Prime, and why Saren is here. Saren calmly explains that he was sent to help him and, when Nihlus turns his back to him, Saren shoots him the head. Saren shoots an unsuspecting Nihlus. Shepard, Alenko, and Williams continue to search for the beacon, which leads them to tram station leading to the docks, and Nihlus' corpse. On their approach, the massive ship, Sovereign, is seen taking off. They discover a dockworker who was hiding behind a crate and after a brief interrogation learn Nihlus' fate. After defusing several charges intended to eliminate all evidence of the Geth invasion, Shepard manages to find the beacon. The team member whose gender is the opposite of Shepard's approaches the beacon, and it begins to pull them forcibly towards it. Shepard leaps to the rescue, and consequently is lifted into the air. The beacon imprints on his/her mind a confusing and fragmented vision. After this brief succession of images, the beacon explodes, and knocks Shepard unconscious.
Citadel
Artemeus Tau cluster
Feros Colony
A citizen of Zhu's Hope After rescuing her player goes to the colony Zhu’s Hope on the planet Feros which is under attack from the Geth. The colonists seem to be barely hanging on and Shepard does what he can for them in the form of helping take out the Geth command post and communications. He also learns of the Exo-Geni headquarters that can be reached using the Prothean skyway. On the way there, the player finds a small group of colonists hiding in a underground bunker of sorts, they claim that they have been separated from the rest of the colonists. Julianna Baynham is one of the few present there alongside a representative from Exo-Geni
Noveria
The second planet that Shepard visits is Noveria, which is a Icy
world that is more or less ruled by the corporations on it. Although it is
technically part of the Citadel it operates outside the Citadel laws and so for
that reason many companies have set up research stations there. The research
varies from Biotic implants to A.I. development, which is strictly forbidden in
Citadel space. Upon entering the planet it is immediately made clear that the
authorities are the no nonsense type. They warn you that if your identity as a
Spectre does not check out, your ship will be commandeered and you will face
charges. Furthermore, the security chief refuses to let you enter the main
complex with your weapons on hand. You can force a standoff with your weapons
drawn, or you could stand down your party. In either case, Gianna Parsani, who
is the assistant to Administrator Anoleis, confirms your identity and admits
you into the facility. When you inquire about the location of Matriarch
Benezia, Parsani informs you that she has gone to peak 15, which is rented by
the company Binary Helix and cannot be reached because of a snowstorm.
Due to the blizzard, the shuttle system on Noveria has been rendered inoperable and therefore Shepard is forced to use the Mako to get to peak 15. However, to do so he is told that he needs a garage pass from Anoleis, who obstinately refuses his request. After much probing by Shepard, he says that there has been a Code Omega at peak 15 and that all communications are cut off. He is visibly agitated by Shepard’s questions and curtly tells Shepard to get lost. Anoleis Then, Parsani informs you that there are other ways to get the pass, and tells you about a man named Lorik Qui’in who needs help. He turns out to be a Turian who is investigating Anoleis for corruption, but has run into some problems with Noveria’s corrupt security. He tells you that if you can retrieve from his office some data, which carries incriminating evidence, he will give you a garage pass. Unfortunately, the office is overrun with Security, and a fight ensues that forces Shepard to kill a lot of Mercenaries in the service of Anoleis, who was trying to retrieve that information. You can either give that information to Parsani who says she is investigating corruption charges or you can give the information to Lorik Qui’in in exchange for a Garage pass. Alternatively, you can give the information to Anoleis in exchange for a garage pass. Regardless of your, choice you acquire the pass. After you head out to the garage, a squad of Geth ambushes you, and you learn that the Matriarch and her Asari commando bodyguards have been covertly carrying Geth in large metal boxes. The local security seems stunned and speechless as to how Geth soldiers could be hidden in the boxes since they had checked out as negative for element zero, which is a key ingredient in the Geth power pack. A Rachni warrior The player fights their way to Peak 15 encountering numerous Geth along the way. After disposing of the enemies, the player enters an area where the Geth are facing off against what seem to be giant insects. This is the player's introduction to the Rachni, a species that was presumed to be wiped out by the Krogan a long time ago during the Rachni wars. Once, within the main facility, it is discovered that the main power is off and that the V.I. (Virtual Intelligence), Mira is offline. After the player reboots her from her memory core she advises him of the situation. She tells him that a Code Omega was issued at the hot labs and as a result, safety features kicked in. She informs the player that the “landlines” have been cut and the main reactor has been shut down. After defeating hordes of Rachni, the player is able to reconnect the landlines, and after fighting off the Geth, the reactors are turned on, restoring power to the facility. Mira informs the player that there are survivors in the Rift Station and that Matriarch Benezia is likely to be there. Shepard takes the tram to the facility and finds out that there are indeed people holding out there and that they are led by Captain Ventralis, who is the head of the station's security. He informs Shepard that the Rachni have been attacking them for a week and that everyone, including his men, are at their limit in terms of endurance. Rachni don't make good pets In addition to the small security team that is holding out, there are also a number of scientists, who look shocked and on edge. However, one Asari seems almost bored and is very disrespectful to you, accusing you of breaking her concentration while she was relaxing. The player can do a side quest to help one of the doctors develop a cure for the patients who have gotten sick. If Shepard chooses to help, he or she needs to talk to Ventralis for permission. Shepard is granted access to a medical facility where the cure can be concocted. There, Shepard and his fellow marines find a few more survivors, and after they develop a cure, the Asari that was seen earlier, and a squad of Geth ambush them. She informs him that she is an agent of the Matriarch, and is under orders to eliminate him if the opportunity arises. After defeating her, you can confront Ventralis, who will deny any knowledge of the incident.
Then, the player ventures to the hot labs in search of the Matriarch, but finds only the director of the facility. He explains to Shepard how they brought back the Rachni, who were seemingly extinct. It turns out that a Queen egg was left frozen on a derelict Rachni ship that had been floating about for untold centuries. Binary Helix found the Egg, and decided to clone it in order to make themselves an Army of Rachni. However, once the youngsters were separated from the Queen, they went rogue and killed anyone on sight. He conveys that the neutron purge must be activated and that the labs must be cleansed. However, before he can give you the activation codes, a Rachni warrior kills him. After killing the Rachni, Shepard takes the codes and tells MIRA (V.I) to activate the purge system. Meanwhile, outside the room, Rachni gather by the hundreds. The player and his party escape in the elevator and the hot labs are purged. If you had done the previous side quest for the doctor then you can use the garage pass he gives you to sneak through the back of the facility and face Benezia. However, if you did not do the optional side quest, you have to go back through the facility. Ventralis and his men inside inform you that they have orders from Benezia to kill you, and attempt to do so. After defeating them, you continue through the station. You encounter and defeat numerous other Geth and Humans, then come face to face with Benezia, who is standing on an elevated platform near a glass tank that harbors the Rachni Queen. The asari, with the queen in the background Even if the player has Liara in the party, Benezia will not be dissuaded, she mocks Shepard and launches wave of wave of deadly Asari commandos who are backed up by the Geth. After the player fights though waves of these enemies, he can finally engage Benezia. She temporarily weakens and in her moment of weakness, she pleads with you to listen to her. She too talks about Sovereign’s indoctrination powers and claims that she had no control over her actions once she fell into its vice. She also informs you that the reason that she came to the facility was so that she could extract the location of the MU Relay, which has gotten “lost” after a star that was nearby went Supernova. However, the Rachni found the relay and since the memories of the queen are carried onto other Queens, he forced the information out of the Rachni. She confesses that she was not gentle and if Liara is present in the party, lets her know how proud of her she is. She once again loses control and Shepard is forced to put her down for good. Once she is dead, one of the other Asari that was near her is reanimated, Shepard and the rest of the squad look on cautiously as she speaks, however it is the Rachni queen that is talking. The queen explains that she can use people temporarily when they are either unconscious or close to dying. She asks you what you will do to her, whether you would condemn her to the same fate as the rest of her species or if you would give her a chance and set her free. She claims that because she had no part in the War, she can be neutral and promises that she desires nothing more than peace. If Wrex is in the party he is extremely annoyed at this and points out that millions of his people died to put down the menace. However, the other person in your party interjects and says that you will be committing genocide if you do kill her. Wrex and Garrus on Noveria If you decide to kill her, she pleads with you once more and if you still do not listen she will look helplessly as you fill the tank with Acid and thereby kill her. However, if you do free her she promises you that she will remember your kindness and will sing “songs” about you. If you have Wrex in the party he will slyly comment “Great, Bugs are writing songs about you Shepard”. Regardless of you choice, your mission in Noveria will come to an end.
Normandy
You will have pieced together another piece of the puzzle; that the Mu Mass relay will lead to a planet and that is somehow related to the return of the mysterious Reapers. After you make your report to the Citadel, you are informed that there is an Infiltration team on Virmire that has sent an emergency transmission and that the council believes that it has something to do with Saren. They also inform you that they have lost contact with the team on Virmire and have very limited data on the ground conditions.
Virmire
Facing off against a Geth colossus Once the player gets to Virmire and enters orbit, Joker informs you that there are a lot of anti-aircraft turrets and that you will have to take the MAKO and shut the turrets down. You are dropped in a little river of sorts and in addition to some harmless local wildlife, the place is overrun with Geth. They are there in force and include armor units, like the monstrous Colossus. After fighting through a plentitude of enemies, you reach the first barrier of sorts, which has controls to the anti-aircraft barricade. After you disengage another turret, the Normandy is free to land. You are also informed that there is a Salarian encampment a few clicks from your position, and you precede there. As you reach the encampment, you are greeted by a Salarian named Captain Kirahee. He informs you that he is part of the STG (Special Tactics Group) and that he is here to take stalk of the situation. He looks shocked to see that you have only brought a small crew, and he tells you that he requested for the Citadel to send a fleet. He goes on to tell you that Virmire houses Saren’s main medical base and that he aims to develop a cure for the Genophage. He also tells you that the Base must be destroyed so that the Krogan are not unleashed again. If you agreed at the Citadel to take Wrex aboard, he makes an appearance and warningly tells you that the Krogan are not a mistake before angrily stalking away. Captain Kirahee looks extremely perturbed by Wrex and asks you if you can deal with him, and make sure things don’t get out of hand. Wrex and Shepard face off You tell him that you will do so, and go to confront Wrex, who is busy trying to shoot down birds. Immediately upon entering into the conversation, Wrex accuses you of not giving back to him, and points out that he has stuck behind Shepard in every instance. If your charm/intimidate skills are high enough, you can convince him to stand down. If you use the charm action you can point out
Controversy
Mass Effect was the source of much controversy upon its release due to it containing scenes of a sexual nature, which players could achieve by building up a relationship with certain characters through the games' dialogue trees. This culminated in a notorious showdown between game journalist Geoff Keighley and a Fox News panel (including psychologist Cooper Lawrence) who were thoroughly negative about the game and referred to the Xbox 360 as the "Sexbox". Keighley was lauded for his defense of the game by the gaming community especially after asking Cooper Lawrence if she had played the game to which she replied "No, of course not". Lawrence was subjected to many negative reviews of her book on Amazon, and she later issued an apology for participating in the panel. Fox News has never apologized for airing the panel.Reception
Mass Effect is the
first in a planned trilogy of titles from Bioware, intended for release across
the Xbox 360 and PC platforms. It's said that subsequent games will accept the
player's save data, ensuring a cohesive experience with the same character from
start to finish. BioWare invested a large amount of time and effort into
establishing an expansive universe for Mass Effect, ultimately creating a world
with the complexity and robustness of older franchises like Star Wars and Star
Trek. This attempt at creating an intricate universe was recognized by many
critics and fans alike, and the game received almost universal acclaim, selling
around 1.6 million copies in six weeks from its release. BioWare also released a Limited Collector’s
Edition of Mass Effect. This was available at online retailers only in the
United States and Canada, as well as in-store retailers in mainland Europe. The
Collectors edition comes boxed in a tin, with a plastic sleeve. The collectable
contents inside are: Galactic Codex: Essentials – A guide to the galaxy with a
timeline, race information, important events, etc. A future imagined – A book
containing Mass Effect concept art A bonus DVD containing the following: Mass Effect Limited Collector's Edition The
vision of Mass Effect (documentary)The making of Mass EffectInteractive
Storytelling (documentary)Inside BioWare (documentary)18 Mass Effect gamer
pictures16 Dashboard themesTen songs from Mass Effect Soundtrack Five Mass
Effect trailers Design gallery Blue Dragon demo Halo 3, Lost Odyssey and Halo
Wars videos.
Downloadable Content
Batarians from the DLC Bring Down the Sky is a downloadable mission available for Mass Effect that was released on March 10th 2008 for the Xbox 360 and on July 29th, the same year, for the PC version. For the
Soundtrack
The Mass Effect soundtrack was composed by Jack Wall and Sam Hulick. The music for the game was inspired by classic '80s Sci-Fi films such as Blade Runner and Dune. The tracks focus on many synthesized and electronic tones and is notable for having a recognizable melody. It was released on 11/20/2007.- Mass Effect Theme
- The Normandy
- Eden Prime
- Battle at Eden Prime
- Saren
- The Citadel
- The Presidium
- The Wards
- Criminal Elements
- Spectre Induction
- Liara's World
- A
Very Dangerous Place
- Feros
- Protecting the Colony
- The Thorian Noveria
- The Secret
Labs
- The Alien Queen
- Fatal Confrontation
- Saren's Base
- Breeding Ground
- Virmire
- Ride Exit
- Love Theme
- Uncharted Worlds
- Ilos
- Vigil
- Sovereign's Theme
- Uplink
- Battling Saren
- In Pursuit of Saren
- Infusion
- Final Assault
- Victory
- From the Wreckage
- The End (Reprise)
- M4 Part II (Faunts).
PC System Requirements
Minimum System Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows XP or Vista
- Processor: 2.4 GHZ Intel or 2.0 GHZ AMD
- Memory: 1 Gigabyte Ram (XP) 2 Gigabyte Ram (Vista)
- Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6 series(6800GT or better) ATI 1300XT or better (X1550, X1600 Pro and HD2400 are below minimum system requirements)
- Hard Drive Space: 12 Gigabytes
- Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card and drivers
Recommended System Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows XP or Vista
- Processor: 2.6 GHZ Intel or 2.4 GHZ AMD
- Memory: 2 Gigabyte Ram
- Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX or higher. ATI X1800 XL series or higher
- Hard Drive Space: 12 Gigabytes
- Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card and drivers – 5.1 sound card recommended
Sequels
| Game Name | Mass Effect |
| Platform(s) | |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Developer(s) | |
| Genres |
|
| Themes | |
| Original US Release |
Nov. 20, 2007
need a fuzzy date? |
| Original US Release |
know the real date? |
| Aliases | ME |
| OFLC |
OFLC: MA15+
|
| CERO |
CERO: D
|
| ESRB |
ESRB: M
|
| BBFC |
BBFC: 12
|
|
Mass Effect Achievement Guide
Guide for Xbox360 Gamerscore achievements for Mass Effect
|
|
