Mass Effect 3 is the final chapter in the Mass Effect series and completes the Commander Shepard storyline. It was developed by Bioware and published by EA. This review is based on the XBOX 360 version.
If you have any interest in a sci-fi based RPG with a gripping storyline, stop reading this now and play the Mass Effect trilogy.
What makes the series unique is that you can import your save file from ME1 into ME2, and subsequently into ME3. All of the decisions that were made during those games directly affect your story in the final game. For example, if you chose to save a particular character from death in the first game, leaving another to die, that character will continue on with you through all 3 games. However, if someone else made the opposite choice, then they would never know your companion, as they would be dead in their play through.
Regardless of how many different choices you made in the Mass Effect games one thing is certain, the Reapers are coming, and the Galaxy is about to get it in a bad way. It's time to gear up and prepare for the final battle.
If I never played a Mass Effect game before, should I play this?
No, my recommendation is to play all three. I’m sure that you can easily find ME1 and ME2 at a low price. At the very least, play through ME2.
So how is it?
It’s amazing! After investing 80+ hours into both Mass Effect 1 and 2, I was excited to finish the series. As you would expect from a Bioware game, the story is top notch. The story, conversations, and characters are the main reasons to play Mass Effect.
I decided to get the From Ashes DLC, which features a prominent character to the story of ME3. Bioware says you don’t need this character, however I would disagree. ME is heavily based on story, and this character provides so much information, that it’s hard to imagine the game without him.
How does it compare to previous games in the series?
To help streamline the game, they adjusted the resource mining and removed the mako missions. This might be subjective, but resource mining was about as much fun as mowing the lawn. It’s much quicker this time around, but still boring. Most of these side missions are optional, but necessary if you are trying to unlock everything in game.
What are some of the things you disliked about the game?
One of the strange annoyances, was the journal interface. When planning a mission, it isn't clear where to go, or what to do. I’ll give you an example, if you need to acquire a resource for someone, you may not always know where to get this resource. Sometimes you already have it, and it’s not clear that you do.
Also, while you're navigating Galaxy map, you can’t look at the journal. I had to dock just to access it and because of the cut scenes, it wasted time. I often found myself goofing around the interface to access information.
Without spoiling it, what’s this I hear about the ending?
I can’t really talk about the ending without spoiling it, so I’m not going to say much at all. However you should investigate the ending when you’re done. The player response caused a lot of commotion. Bioware responded by releasing free DLC to explain the ending even further.
How is the multiplayer?
Unlike most people, I was excited that ME3 would have multiplayer. The action in ME2 was fun, and a huge step up from ME1. The problem is, it only contains a hoard mode, no competition here.
What’s the bottom line?
It’s still early, but this game has to be a major contender for the 2012 Game of the Year. Regardless of your opinion on the ending, the story is gripping. I invested over 120 hours through the entire series. I cultivated relationships, bonded with my companions, and even watched some of them die (in my story). I saved an entire species, and watched another get obliterated (in my story). I have been a part of this world for so long, it’s become a part of me. To see it all end, is bittersweet.
Review is a segment about my opinion on things. I like things, and you like things too. Before you run off and buy something, you should check out my review. Chances are if I like it, it’s probably awesome.
