Mass Effect (pc: 2008): Reviews

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Mass Effect


8.3

based on 40 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 101 votes
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Cheat Code Central

Official Website

As the first human on the galactic stage, you must uncover the greatest threat to civilization. Your job is complicated by the very fact of your humanity, as no one trusts you and you need to find a way to convince everyone of the grave threat. You will travel across an expansive universe to piece the mystery together. As you discover and explore the uncharted edges of the galaxy, you come closer to an overwhelming truth - learning that the placid and serene universe you know is about to come to a violent end and that you may be the only person who can stop it! In addition to the main story arc of the game, players are be able to visit a large number of uncharted, unexplored planets which are side quests independent from the main story. At any time during the campaign, a player can choose to explore one of these planets and have an opportunity to discover new alien life, resources, ruined civilizations and powerful technologies. Talents and abilities are upgradeable and advanced talent options become available at higher levels. Weapons and vehicles are customizable to include various effects, abilities and upgrades using the "X-Mod" system. Each character class have unique talents and abilities which increase in power as the player progresses through the game. Optimized controls have been designed specifically for the PC. Fully customizable controls – PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like. Run & Gun Control – Players can assign biotic powers or skills to ‘hot keys’ allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action. New decryption mini-game. New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor. [Microsoft]

PUBLISHER:	Electronic Arts
DEVELOPER:	BioWare - Demiurge
GENRE(S):	Action, Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS:	1
ESRB RATING:	M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE:	May 28, 2008

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

VideoGamer

This is a port, but it's more than a port. BioWare, with a little help from a friend, has made one of the best RPGs ever made even better.

100

GameSpy

If you missed it the first time around, or were waiting for the inevitable PC version, you won't be disappointed here.

100

G4 TV

Computer owners are getting everything found in the Xbox 360 game, including achievements and online leaderboards, but with better visuals, smoother action, and a more streamlined interface. That the game rings up at a lower retail price and offers the first expansion pack as a free download is simply icing on the cake.

Ferrago

Did I mention the last two hours are pure gaming and storytelling nirvana?

Pelit (Finland)

Quotation forthcoming. [June 2008]

GameZone

If you’ve held out until now, this is your chance to play one of the best RPGs to hit in the past several years.

GameFocus

Talk to NPCs, explore some of the solar systems and you will find a much deeper and enjoyable game then the quick experience of just playing the story.

GamerNode

The move to PC allowed the developers to focus on enhancing the visuals for the game with sharper textures and higher resolution support. Along with the crisper graphics, plenty of attention was given to the game's performance.

Game Informer

Nearly every one of the many praises and criticisms of the console version can accurately be applied to this port, but I'd recommend this edition of Mass Effect to anyone with a good PC.

PTGamers

Mass Effect PC wasn't rushed, this version has clearly been thoroughly thought-out to exploit the advantages of this platform.

Gamers.at

Mass Effect knocked me off my feet: The presentation is fantastic, and many small improvements compared to the Xbox 360 version make the game a great roleplaying experience. Anyone who hasn’t played the title yet should definitely give it a try now! [Issue#14]

Strategy Informer

Mass Effect is a superb game for its story, its breadth of characters and setting a new bar of standard for cinematic videogaming.

AtomicGamer

It still doesn't quite live up to the masterful story and whizzing lightsabers of Knights of the Old Republic, but for the first game in a new series, Mass Effect is an excellent start.

PC Zone UK

If you are a fan of what BioWare's done in the past, like action with a hefty dose of sci-fi and want something new, or just like playing a really good game, then you owe it to yourself to pick up this fantastic title.

IGN

It almost goes without saying that BioWare remains one of the very top single-player RPG makers on the planet, and Mass Effect only reinforces their position.

1UP

By all counts, Mass Effect for the PC is essentially the "definitive" version of the game; it runs much smoother on decent machines and just generally plays better...even if it still suffers from some of the original's fundamental flaws (along with a few new ones).

GameShark

While it may not offer the complexity of the old Baldur's Gate games, at its core, it's still an RPG fan's RPG.

PC Gamer

Mass Effect deserves a spot on your shelf next to the rest of the PC's great RPGs. [Aug 2008, p.58]

Boomtown

The words stunning, engrossing and addicting just don't do this game justice, and if it wasn't for my belief that no game will ever be truly perfect (as well as the vehicular silliness and the occasionally suicidal squad antics), the score you see below would have crept into double figures.

Level7.nu

Mass Effect for the PC is basically the same game as it was on Xbox 360. The dialogue system is still as innovative and the combat is still as intense and intuitive. There are some minor flaws such as occasional framerate issues and annoying loading sequences, but this is still as much of a fantastic game as it’s console counterpart.

GameDaily

The game that was already exceptional on the Xbox 360 is even better on the PC, so it's really a no brainer.

GamePro

If you've already tackled the console version, you certainly don't need to shell out for the PC version, too, but if you haven't yet experienced this magnum opus, this is the version you should play.

GameSpot

Whether you're a seasoned Spectre looking to suit up again, or a newcomer who has never set foot on the Normandy, the refined PC version is your best choice for experiencing this excellent game.

2404.org

However long your initial play-through is, Mass Effect will only impress with its cinematic dialogue sequences, intense combat, and addicting exploration aspect.

NZGamer

The game looks even more fantastic than ever and a few extra features are on its way for lucky PC users.

MEGamers

Bioware have succeeded in making Mass Effect a sci-fi universe gaming with great and interesting races and characters. The gameplay is an impressive merging between third person shooter and RPG without compromising with any of each genre functions.

Worth Playing

By far Mass Effect's strongest suit, as the screenshots can attest, is the quality of the visuals.

PC Gamer UK

Large, engrossing and exquisite. [July 2008, p.68]

RPG Fan

BioWare has created a top-shelf RPG with Mass Effect, though it's not without its flaws. Many of the issues present in the Xbox 360 version of the title are gone, and while there are new issues thrown into the PC version, they are minor in comparison.

ActionTrip

It terms of visuals, Mass Effect delivers in every sense.

Computer Games Online RO

Mass Effect is without doubt the best Xbox 360 RPG at the moment. But we’re on PC market here, so it’s a bit more obvious that BioWare just wanted to test the waters a bit with its very own Star Wars brand. Not to mention that Mass Effect simply has too many alternatives on the PC.

Game Over Online

The story is original, compelling, and told in a way that builds suspense. It's the other stuff, 10% of the game tops, that Mass Effect could have done without.

GameStar

The abundance of details about politics, technology, planets and the different alien races create an unparalleled depth for a role-playing game. The story is captivating right until the impressive and dramatic finale. If it wasn't for the more or less necessary but repetitive side quests, the game would be exceptional. There is room for improvement, but as far as story telling is concerned, Mass Effect wipes the floor with the competition.

PALGN

Mass Effect might be shovelled into an ill-fitting RPG suit with a few loose threads and unsightly stains, but if you stand back and squint, it's still a damn sight better than what everyone else is wearing.

PC Format

Mass Effect's impressive storytelling struggles against remarkably clunky combat action, and wins - but only just. [July 2008, p.100]

Cheat Code Central

As a whole, the main plotline makes for a decent "save-the-galaxy-from-a-terrible-and-seemingly-invincible-threat" story. On its own, the main narrative probably wouldn't amount to much, but fused with the side missions and background stories of all the characters, it just works.

DarkZero

Visually, the port doesn’t do much that the 360 version didn’t - but then the game looked pretty incredible to begin with, so that’s hardly a criticism.

Play (Poland)

It's not a game for everyone. Not all enjoy spending upwards to 70% of game time talking to the NPC's. The combat system has its faults as does the AI, the new items look just like the old ones, and graphics, while pretty, is not spectacular. But I had a great time with this SF story written with a lot of vigor, creativity and depth. [July 2008]

EuroGamer

But you also suspect BioWare's on the right track, and until it pulls it off - and the initial noises about the sequel seem promising - Mass Effect offers us a singular universe of excitement and drama to lose ourselves in.

FiringSquad

As captivating as Mass Effect is in terms of story, setting, and core game mechanics, it sort of falls apart when it comes to basic gameplay.

The average user rating for this game is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 101 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Kiwi gave it a10:
A great game, with a few bugs that should have been ironed out, but nonetheless, they can be overlooked as it is perfect in pretty much everything else, and as the first part of a trilogy, it sets the game up well for it's own future, and doesn't leave you with a "halo 2"-esque cliffhanger to get annoyed with.

D W gave it a7:
A decent but not great game that has been overhyped in the media. Granted, it is a Bioware title so you can be assured of some good degree of quality but unfortunately, as with Mass Effect--Bioware's homebrew game universe--the quality and depth of the game play has become progressively shallow in Bioware's RPG games of late. Having said that, Mass Effect is an excellent game for those who enjoyed the Kotor games as Mass Effect mimics the style, narratives, and mechanics in many ways. On the downside, the overall campaign is fairly short and somewhat predictable even the first time through, leaving replay ability to suffer. This is further compounded by the shallow character system and mostly linear nature of the campaign and campaign options. Graphics, sound, and overall ambiance are what you would expect from a Bioware title and the game is truly a visual treat from start to finish. Equipment and character customization is a little tedious and woefully underdone for a game pronounced as an "RPG" but fits the bill for the style of the game offered. In all, if you're looking for an RPG with depth and engaging character development, look elsewhere. If you want an action-centric RPG-lite in a sci-fi and Star Wars like setting, this game was made for you. Once you've played it, If you think Mass Effect feels like an RPG designed for a casual console gamer, you'd be right--a mild learning curve, generally low difficulty factor, shallow game mechanics, and tons of action and eye-candy; these all describe Bioware's Mass Effect succinctly.

Kyle B. gave it an8:
This game is very fun, epic scenery makes it even funner! But lack of Co-op gameplay on Xbox Live makes it lose a few points. And Gameplay could get very confusing at some times for people new to these types.

Mark gave it an8:
Utterly fascinating at first. Mesmerises with its brilliant vision of a diverse cosmos, three-dimensional protagonist and plausible alien races. But the initial fascination being gone, you inevitably discover the repetitiveness of the game - the role playing element brought to minimum in favour of the incessant shootouts, impossibly long elevator rides and only partially controllable Mako vehicle. Great potential, but if you play on PC, you MASS EFFECT is clearly a game better suited for X360 than ordinary desktops.

Elias O. gave it a0:
The story is about the only thing that makes up for the rest of the games flaws - Riddled with bugs, weapons overheating and staying overheated etc! And the downloadable content package is just one mission, and I doubt the other packets that come out will be free..It's just not the style of EA Games, they'll probably push out a lot of content for pay. CONTENT THAT SHOULD BE FREE!

Maarten V. gave it a10:
I don't know were to start. First off, the graphics are ace. The animations look natural enough and the texturing is very neat. The story is just pure joy, especially the final part. The cinematic make it feel like watching a good sc-fi movie, a really good one in fact. The gameplay is easy to learn and straightforward, enough explanation given. This is one of the games that keep you hooked all the time! ive got 50 hours of gameplay already and I'm not done yet! For me this is by FAR the best RPG ever made. good job Bioware!!

Dylan S. gave it a10:
Amazing storyline and tons of awesome twists in the story. Definitely buy the PC version though, as it in my opinion is a lot better, with bug fixes and smoother gameplay.