Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition

 

 

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Bioware did the unthinkable. They crafted an intelligent sci-fi vision of the future where humanity had spread its wings and joined the rest of galactic civilization, all while fighting to be heard and taken seriously. They also created a magnificent storyline that played out differently depending on how you progressed through not one, but TWO games in the series. Mass Effect has become synonymous with mature sci-fi storytelling, making it one of the greatest game universes ever conceived.

In Mass Effect 3, the Reapers have arrived, and the galaxy is in complete chaos and disarray. It's up to Commander Shepard to finish the fight, or die trying! The hype was absolutely massive, but how does Mass Effect 3 really stand up? Is it a trumpet of salvation for an impeccably perfect series, or does it stagger at the finish line?

That depends on whom you ask. Just like Mass Effect 2 deviated heavily from the first game in terms of play style and feel, so too does Mass Effect 3 feel like a complete shift in another direction. While the first game was a wondrous avenue for exploration, and the second was a dedicated action-fest, the third game is by far the darkest and most aggressive, eschewing many of the elements of its predecessors. This is a double-edged sword. ME3 is very linear in direction, leaping from set piece to set piece with no room for exploring on the side. There's precious little in the way of new worlds to see, or characters to meet, as all efforts in the game are centered around a theater of war against the Reapers who are pushing towards the extinction of all life in the game. It could be argued that there's simply no time for sight-seeing when people are dying by the trillions, but it is nevertheless a negative point against the game. The game is short on side quests, and most of those are tied directly into the story. Many of the others are piggybacked onto the modified resource scouring element lifted from Mass Effect 2, which has been given a drastic, time-saving facelift. You won't be privy to putting together a team consisting of the galaxy's most famous or infamous, either. Aside from newcomer James Vega, Shepard will only temporarily ally with previous Mass Effect team members as an excuse to wrap their consecutive stories while building support for the war effort. These elements make Mass Effect 3 feel a lot like a grandiose expansion pack to Mass Effect 2, rather than a definitive, standalone title.

The good news is that ME3 is still dead on accurate when it comes to storytelling, and the inclusion of player choice in its progression. As Shepard, the player will be confronted with the hardest choices ever in the series. Some will lead to the entire extinction of certain races, while the final decision is perhaps the most grueling and bittersweet of them all. As before, if you imported your save game from Mass Effect 2, then all of your choices from the first two games will directly impact how the final act plays out. This is simply unprecedented, and Bioware should be commended for tackling such insanity and emerging relatively unscathed, with only a few bumps and bruises that should not be taken as a sign of failure by anyone. A lot of controversy has surrounded the game's purposely ambiguous ending, which Bioware will be responding to with a free DLC release that they intend to flesh out more of the ending to satisfy angry players. This is a matter of personal opinion, and cannot be judged fairly.

ME2 veterans will feel right at home with the play mechanics of this title. Nothing has changed except for a slightly enhanced cover system (which is nowhere near perfect), and melee attacks. Those disappointed with ME2's bare-bones weapon upgrade and character skill progression will find a very pleasant balance between the first and second games. It's a shame that the system presented in ME3 wasn't there from the very start. It is definitely the most accessible and easy to use, while still giving the player plenty of choice as to how they spend their cash and skill points.

The multiplayer aspect is also new to the Mass Effect series, and ties directly into the story. Personally, I'm not convinced that this was the best idea, as no mention is made of just HOW important the multiplayer can affect the storyline, by directly affecting galactic preparedness for the final battle. If you haven't played the multiplayer aspect, and you decide to jump straight to the final fight, then you won't get the best ending. This, I believe, was an oversight on Bioware's part. Multiplayer could have existed as a separate entity that did not affect campaign gameplay, and still be enjoyable. Each multiplayer bout consists of 11 rounds that mix in several objectives, from hacking terminals, to defending and holding a position, or simply cleaning out an enemy wave in traditional team-based deathmatch. The final round is a survival mode where you must fight off a swarm of enemies and survive until the rescue shuttle arrives. Maps are taken directly from inside the single player campaign, and they aren't going to knock anyone's socks off, but they are adequately designed for a balanced firefight. The lack of human PVP or team deathmatch isn't the greatest, however. Mass Effect's multiplayer was designed exclusively to be a cooperative effort, but those wishing to test their skills against real opponents won't be able. Fortunately, multiplayer is fun if you have a good team, and the acquisition of wealth to unlock weapon and power packs is a nice incentive to keep playing. It will however, get old.

For those who started playing Mass Effect 1, and kept porting their save games along the way, you truly are in for a treat. There's an immense sense of accomplishment and personal history tied to finishing the series with the very character you started so long ago. You can fulfill your romance, tie up loose ends, and witness how the galaxy has changed because of every single decision you've made. No other game universe can attest to this feat. Mass Effect 3 isn't perfect, and I don't believe it would be capable even if Bioware changed certain elements to the story. There is more regression than progression in this final chapter, making Mass Effect 3 feel much shorter than its predecessors. The diligent will beat the game in a few days, if that, but there is always the incentive to go right back to the first game, create a new character, and play through the entire series from day 1 in a completely different manner. That's the gift that keeps on giving.

there are some moments of brilliance from the characters from mass effect 2, and the game is visually stunning and the combat system is about perfect, they smoothed over buying things from shops and searching planets for resources which was a real downer from the last game. still the game fails hard in its last moments and despite the claim of 16 different endings (which i think was really stolen from the Witcher 2) there is only one, I found there's little replay value because of this.

I'd suggest borrowing it from a friend and playing it through once before buying the game.

Let's be honest, if you are a fan of the series you have probably already bought the game and are complaining about the ending.

If not, here is what I can tell you.

GOOD
* Game looks great, environments, graphics, design.
* Side quest take the quality over quantity approach.
* Some unparalleled moving moments in gaming.
* The combat is really fun and responsive.

BAD
* Your allies have troublesome AI.
* You'll often take cover when it's the last thing you want.
* Dialogue options are heavily cut down.

UGLY
* To get the best ending you need to play multiplayer. Plain and simple. People may say otherwise, and maybe in some kind of perfect Mass Effect 1,2 and 3 play through its possible. But it isn't possible for 98% of players.

I should also mention that the ending has been very divisive... odds are you wont like it.

But let's bottom line this. Bioware makes a good game. The game is fun to play, extremely well written, and with a genuine feeling of the epic.

Is it perfect, no. Am I annoyed at some of the decisions the developers made, sure.

Is it easily head and shoulders above most of the other games out right now?

Yup.

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› See all 17 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Weak 10 minutes - but 60 hours of greatness
Like many other long-time fans of the trilogy, I was disappointed by the ending. Do I regret playing the game? No. In fact, the opposite. Read more

Published 27 days ago by hellfurious

4.0 out of 5 stars Really fun game, but that ending...
As far as content is concerned, few games can match it for the money. If you want to get the day 1 DLC, then get this version, since it'll cost you the same in the end. Read more

Published 1 month ago by PolishPickles

5.0 out of 5 stars me3
Excellent game, received in excellent condition. Received it 2 days after ordering it. Tin cover is amazing, small litle extras are nice too and I was lucky enough to get it at... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Dude

2.0 out of 5 stars A fun shooter with a nonsense story
If you simply want to run around and shoot stuff this game can be fun. It's not as good as Gears of War for example however its serviceable. Read more

Published 1 month ago by D G

2.0 out of 5 stars LOTR meets Star Wars (in a bad way)
I was sitting next to my wife as she played the game, focusing on not getting any hints of spoilers as she played. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Disappointed

5.0 out of 5 stars Great game series.
Don't let a snobby entitled group of gamers stop you from playing this game it is amazing, the ending is fine too. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Landon

1.0 out of 5 stars Sad but true...
With all the advertisement hype and all, Mass Effect 3 is portrayed as to be the best game of 2012. It was selected as the most anticipated game. But...well... Read more

Published 2 months ago by U. Parlar

2.0 out of 5 stars Ending Ruins Great Game
I was so excited when this game came out. I thought it was going to be a wonderful wrap-up to an incredible trilogy. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Melissa Musson

1.0 out of 5 stars Gutted.
A staggering display from Bioware of how to retroactively botch a truly great series so completely in five brainless minutes. It's without precedent.

Published 2 months ago by topiary

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your time
This game is completely lackluster compared to it's previous titles. I literally feel like I'm playing "contact starring jodie foster" the game. Read more

Published 2 months ago by political fly

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