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Mass Effect: WELCOME TO THE WOOOOORLD OF TOMORROOOOOW!
Kuribo's Shoe
Kuribo's StockingNorth PoleRegistered User regular
Kuribo's StockingNorth PoleRegistered User regular
(OP shamelessly stolen from Pancake)
"A Spectacular New Vision of the Future"
Exclusively for the Xbox 360, Mass Effect is BioWare's latest RPG and their greatest venture yet.
An epic space opera of an unprecedented scale, Mass Effect will take you across the galaxy to the greatest bastions of civilization to wild uncharted worlds fraught with danger.
Wherever you go, whatever decisions you make, you might just change the face of the civilized galaxy.
The year is 2183.
Thirty-five years have passed since mankind discovered the technology of the Protheans on Mars and humanity's first mass relay and took to the stars.
Wars have been fought, rivalries have formed, colonies have been raided, people have died, but stoically pressing on, humanity has grown and thrived and has begun to earn its place among the great alien civilizations far older than humanity could dream of.
You are Commander Shepard...
You are a promising officer in the Alliance military and because of your record and recent events, you have caught the attention of Nihlus, one of the Council's elite Spectre (SPECial Tactics and REcon) agents. You have been selected to become the first human Spectre.
But Saren, one of the Council's most effective and brutal Spectres has gone rogue. He has reappeared seemingly allied with an army of Geth, a three hundred year old machine race that has, until now, remained isolated from the rest of the galaxy. Saren is brutal, he is efficient, and he is no stranger to murder or torture. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, whatever they are, and there is little he hates more than he does humanity.
As a fledgling Spectre, it's your task to stop him by any means necessary.
You are outside the law. You answer to no one but the Council and are free to use any means at your disposal to achieve your goals. Kill, maim, and murder if it gets you what you need or be forgiving and kind. The choice is yours to make, but there are consequences to both sides of the coin. Some you may not even see coming.
"You must act without remorse, without hesitation, and outside the limits of the law."
... and you can look however you like.
Using an Oblivion-like character creator that stresses ease of use in addition to comprehensiveness of options, you'll be able to create your Commander Shepard in minutes.
Confirm military specialization.
In Mass Effect, there are six different character classes, each with their own specializations and abilities.
Details on all the classes and the abilities are available in the spoiler:
Where have you been?
During character creation, not only will you be choosing how you look and picking your class, you will also be selecting Shepard's background. There are two selections to be made from six different options:
Pre-service History
Everyone came from somewhere. How Shepard grew up and decided to go into the military are chosen here.
Psych Profile
Not everyone thinks the same way. Not everyone's experiences in the military will be the same. How life has shaped your mind and reputation are chosen under your psych profile.
But these aren't arbitrary choices. Depending on what you choose, NPCs will react differently to you. Some may consider an Earthborn and their family to be cowards as they didn't take off into space the rest of humanity. Others may respect it.
Because of the different ways your Shepard will be reacted to, your choices will also cut off some quest lines, but they will also open up others.
Your choices here will never restrict you in your choices later in the game, but these two options will make up your reputation based on actions and accomplishments that occurred before the events of the game.
Too many people died here, Fist. You don't get to walk away.
Tired of simply selecting clear-cut and simple dialogue options from a list?
Well, you're in luck! With Mass Effect, BioWare is introducing a new dialogue system that features characters that actually interact with one another.
The options are short and very to the point. They aren't supposed to get across the whole message, but rather a thought or feeling. A very base reaction to what's happening or what was just said. Once an option is selected, your character acts on their own and a selection of a very simple option can lead to interesting and diverse interactions between characters.
Interrogating Fist
Wrex Confrontation
I'm going to be evil!
Sorry, but you can't really. You'll always be working towards a greater good. The "bad" options aren't unrepentant evil so much as ruthless. You can be... good bad, though.
The alignment system here isn't quite the same as we've seen in KOTOR and Jade Empire.
As you can see, there are two meters there around Shepard's head. One labeled Paragon and another Renegade.
As you do kind or compassionate acts, you fill up your Paragon meter. Act ruthlessly and uncompromisingly, you fill up your Renegade meter. This is different than KOTOR and JE as you can never empty either meter. You're building a reputation for yourself, not your character's alignment.
People won't automatically forget your bad deeds because you helped someone out enough to go back to the light side, as it were. You can never get rid of your past.
So I hear the game is big.
You heard right! The game has over 300 locations to explore, ranging from so large you'll need your tank, the Mako, the get around to very small and little larger than a room.
On the Normandy, you'll be able to use the galaxy map.
You may notice several points on the map. Those are sectors you can go to. The interesting thing? That's not the extent of the galaxy map. You'll be able to zoom in to each one, look at individual star systems, and even take a close look at individual planets. Knights of the Old Republic this is not.
And the cursor that you use to move around the galaxy map is free floating. Not only will you be able to select known locations, but using the free floating cursor, you'll be able to "scan" for uncharted worlds.
As for gameplay length, BioWare is talking about 20-30 hours for the main storyline and around 70-80 hours of total gameplay when you include all the optional content.
I read it's like Diablo 2 with guns in the other thread.
Yes, you did, but that's not quite right.
It plays much like a tactical third-person shooter, though your stats will affect your performance in combat.
Combat itself takes place in a very Resident Evil 4-esque camera view where you're looking over Shepard's shoulder, but you have the ability to free aim. There is also supposed to be the option for more helpful auto-aiming to help out those that aren't shooter fans. You will also find that there is a very familiar cover system like you may have seen in Gears of War.
During combat, you'll also have full control over your two squadmates. At any time, you can order them to move to any location with a quick press of the D-pad or you'll be able to use the radial interface, which pauses the game and gives you complete and total control of all of your squadmates' targets and the abilities they use.
With these options, you'll have the ability to let the AI handle everything, or you'll have the option to completely micromanage your entire squad in combat. You will not, however, be able to switch over to control any member of your squad. You are always Shepard.
Most videos that show the combat look slow and awkward, but that's because they've been trying to take it slow in the videos to show how everything works. When played more quickly, it's very smooth and nice.
Soldier Combat Scenario
Adept Combat Scenario
Vanguard Combat Scenario
Normandy with no paratroopers? What about beaches?
This is the Normandy, your ship. It's the most advanced starship in the galaxy and, though built by humanity, was partially funded by the Citadel Council. It's a stealth ship about the size of a 747 and has been likened to a submarine by BioWare.
You will never directly pilot the Normandy, but it is how you will travel between locations in space and it will also effect your insertions into locations in various ways.
Introducing the Mako.
Say hello to the Mako, your heavily armed and armored all-terrain APC.
The Mako will be your primary form of transportation in large open areas, too large to traverse quickly on foot and too dangerous to cross unprotected. It will also be one method of insertion into hostile areas for you. Once the Mako is loaded with personnel, the SSV Normandy can fly at relatively low altitude and drop the Mako out the back, exposing the Normandy to low levels of risk and quickly inserting the marine strike team into hostile territory.
It sports two weapons: a large turret mounted cannon and some form of machinegun also mounted on the turret. Using these weapons, you'll be able to shoot things.
In addition to its weaponry, the Mako is equipped with top and bottom mounted thrusters, which can be used to slow its descent during free fall, right itself if flipped, and even be used to hop while on the ground to avoid enemy fire.
But this isn't another turret mini-game like in KotOR or a schmup mini-game like in Jade Empire. No, this time, you'll have full control over your driving and shooting and you'll be able to traverse a variety of terrain.
What does "Mass Effect" actually mean?
All of the most advanced technology in the Mass Effect universe is based off one thing and only one thing: the manipulation of dark energy.
When you manipulate dark energy in the proper way, you create a mass effect field.
Inside a mass effect field, the laws of physics and the way they interact with mass can be bent, changed, and outright broken. This allows for a colossal starship to be made exempt from normal physical laws and while subject to new ones, can, quite easily, be propelled faster than light.
This is what we learned from the Protheans, and being the basis of most technology in the universe, is where the game gets its name.
How do biotics fit in?
A biotic is a person born with the innate ability to feel the presence of dark energy. With proper training, it can even be done consciously.
If someone with this ability is found, through extensive surgery, they can be fitted with implants that interface into their nervous system and, using their innate senses, allow them to manipulate dark energy and shape mass effect fields for a variety of effects that are deadly or, alternatively, beneficial to the recipient.
Wait, there's a book?
Yes, yes there is! It's a prequel novel filled with backstory and details on the rich Mass Effect universe. I'd recommend reading it if you have any interest in Mass Effect. It's not the best book ever written, but it's entertaining and it has guns and aliens and they fight and shoot at eachother and stuff.
When's this thing come out?
The official release date is November 20th for North America, November 22nd in Australia, and November 23rd for Europe.
The limited edition is, unfortunately, online only.
ATTENTION AUSSIES: EB GAMES IS SELLING MASS EFFECT RIGHT NOW. SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED GO GO GO
"A Spectacular New Vision of the Future"
Exclusively for the Xbox 360, Mass Effect is BioWare's latest RPG and their greatest venture yet.
An epic space opera of an unprecedented scale, Mass Effect will take you across the galaxy to the greatest bastions of civilization to wild uncharted worlds fraught with danger.
Wherever you go, whatever decisions you make, you might just change the face of the civilized galaxy.
The year is 2183.
Thirty-five years have passed since mankind discovered the technology of the Protheans on Mars and humanity's first mass relay and took to the stars.
Wars have been fought, rivalries have formed, colonies have been raided, people have died, but stoically pressing on, humanity has grown and thrived and has begun to earn its place among the great alien civilizations far older than humanity could dream of.
You are Commander Shepard...
You are a promising officer in the Alliance military and because of your record and recent events, you have caught the attention of Nihlus, one of the Council's elite Spectre (SPECial Tactics and REcon) agents. You have been selected to become the first human Spectre.
But Saren, one of the Council's most effective and brutal Spectres has gone rogue. He has reappeared seemingly allied with an army of Geth, a three hundred year old machine race that has, until now, remained isolated from the rest of the galaxy. Saren is brutal, he is efficient, and he is no stranger to murder or torture. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, whatever they are, and there is little he hates more than he does humanity.
As a fledgling Spectre, it's your task to stop him by any means necessary.
You are outside the law. You answer to no one but the Council and are free to use any means at your disposal to achieve your goals. Kill, maim, and murder if it gets you what you need or be forgiving and kind. The choice is yours to make, but there are consequences to both sides of the coin. Some you may not even see coming.
"You must act without remorse, without hesitation, and outside the limits of the law."
... and you can look however you like.
Using an Oblivion-like character creator that stresses ease of use in addition to comprehensiveness of options, you'll be able to create your Commander Shepard in minutes.
Confirm military specialization.
In Mass Effect, there are six different character classes, each with their own specializations and abilities.
Details on all the classes and the abilities are available in the spoiler:
History/Style
Talents/Classes
Talent Descriptions
Specilization/Prestige Classes
Talent point distribution / Alignment Bonuses
Earthbound - Grants a Renegade point bonus
Spacer - Grants Paragon point bonus
Colonist - Grants part Paragon and part Renegade point bonus
Ruthless - Grants a Renegade point bonus
War Hero - Grants Paragon point bonus
Sole Survivor - Grants part Paragon and part Renegade point bonus
Spacer - Grants Paragon point bonus
Colonist - Grants part Paragon and part Renegade point bonus
Ruthless - Grants a Renegade point bonus
War Hero - Grants Paragon point bonus
Sole Survivor - Grants part Paragon and part Renegade point bonus
Talents/Classes
Soldier
Starting Talants
Pistol
Assault Rifle
Combat Armor
Assult Training
Soldier Unlockable Talents
Shotgun - 4th point in Pistol
Sniper Rifle - 7th point in Assault Rifle
First Aid - 6th point in Combat Armor
Fitness - 6th Point in Assault training
Engineer
Starting Class
Pistol
Decryption
Electronics
First Aid
Engineer Unlockable Talents
Basic Armor - 6 points in Pistol
Hacking - 7 points in Decryption
Damping - 4 in Electronics
Medicine - 5 in First Aid
Adept
Starting Talents
Basic Armor
Throw
Warp
Barrier
Adept Unlockable Talents
Pistol - 5 in Basic Armor
Lift - 6 in Throw
Singularity - 7 in Warp
Stasis - 4 In Barrier
Infiltrator
Starting Talents
Pistols
Tactical Armor
Electronics
Decryption
Infiltrator Unlockable Talents
Sniper - 5 in pistol
Fitness - 6 in Tactical Armor
Damping - 4 in Electronics
First Aid - 7 in Decryption
Sentinel
Starting Talents
Throw
Barrier
Decryption
First Aid
Sentinel Unlockable Talents
Lift - 7 in Throw
Stasis - 6 in Barrier
Electronics - 4 in Decryption
Medicine - 5 in first aid
Vanguard
Starting Talents
Pistol
Assault Training
Throw
Warp
Vanguard Unlockable Talents
Shotgun - 6 in Pistol
Tactical Armor - Assault Training
Lift - 7 in Throw
Barrier - 4 in Warp
Starting Talants
Pistol
Assault Rifle
Combat Armor
Assult Training
Soldier Unlockable Talents
Shotgun - 4th point in Pistol
Sniper Rifle - 7th point in Assault Rifle
First Aid - 6th point in Combat Armor
Fitness - 6th Point in Assault training
Engineer
Starting Class
Pistol
Decryption
Electronics
First Aid
Engineer Unlockable Talents
Basic Armor - 6 points in Pistol
Hacking - 7 points in Decryption
Damping - 4 in Electronics
Medicine - 5 in First Aid
Adept
Starting Talents
Basic Armor
Throw
Warp
Barrier
Adept Unlockable Talents
Pistol - 5 in Basic Armor
Lift - 6 in Throw
Singularity - 7 in Warp
Stasis - 4 In Barrier
Infiltrator
Starting Talents
Pistols
Tactical Armor
Electronics
Decryption
Infiltrator Unlockable Talents
Sniper - 5 in pistol
Fitness - 6 in Tactical Armor
Damping - 4 in Electronics
First Aid - 7 in Decryption
Sentinel
Starting Talents
Throw
Barrier
Decryption
First Aid
Sentinel Unlockable Talents
Lift - 7 in Throw
Stasis - 6 in Barrier
Electronics - 4 in Decryption
Medicine - 5 in first aid
Vanguard
Starting Talents
Pistol
Assault Training
Throw
Warp
Vanguard Unlockable Talents
Shotgun - 6 in Pistol
Tactical Armor - Assault Training
Lift - 7 in Throw
Barrier - 4 in Warp
Talent Descriptions
Shepard's Talents
Spectre Training - Elite agents of the Council the Spectres have access to special training unavailble elsewhere in the galaxy. Increases health accuracy and effectiveness of all attacks and powers.
Biotics
Barrier - Bolsters your kinetic shields with a mass effect field that can absorb a massive amount of damage. Attacks that penetrate the shields also penetrate this barrier.
Lift - Projects a sphere of powerful contra-gravity. Any object or creature struck is lifted into the air Enemies are temporarily immoblized untill they fall back to the ground.
Throw - Projects a mass effect field powerful enough to hurl objects and enemies out of the way.
Singularity - Projects a sphere of dark energy that creates an intense mass effect field. nearby enemies and objects are drawn into the singularity unable to exscape its gravitational pull.
Stasis - Creates apowerful mass effect field that immoblilies a single target.
Warp - Projects a powerful mass effect field that wreaks havoc on a subatomic level. It weakens armor and inflicts damage over time on enemies.
Combat
Assault Training - Increases melee and weapon damage, also grants Adrenaline Burst talent.
Armor - Enables use of better armor increases damage protectionin battle.
Assault Rifles - Increases accuracy and damage with assault rifles.
Pistols - Increases accuracy and damage with pistols.
Shotguns - Increases accuracy and damage with Shotguns.
Sniper Rifles - Increases accuracy and damage with Sniper Rifles.
Fitness - Increases health and grants the invaluable immunity ability.
Tech
Damping - Increases the explosion radius on your tech proximity units. Use damping to shut down your enemies tech and biotic abilities.
Decryption - Allows you to open secure containers increases tech mine explosion damageand grants Sabotage talent.
Sabotage - Overheats enemies weapons so they can not fire, and burns them for damage over time.
Electronics - Increases the strength of your shields and lets you use the electronics skill to repair or bypass objects.
Hacking - Recharges your tech proximity mines more quickly and grants AI hacking ability.
First Aid - Increases squad healing by improving the effectiveness of the medigel.
Medicine - Improves the recharge time of squad healing and grants the neural shock ability that devastates organic enemies.
Class Talents
Soldier - Front line warriors that are trained to withstand the physical punishment that comes with combat. Increases health at higher levels and gives limited health regeneration.
Engineer - Tech specialists can use innovative tricks to get the most out of every resource.
Adept - Focuses training to optimize their abilities.
Infiltrator - Increases damage done by tech mines and reduces overheating on sniper and pistols.
Sentinel - Increases damage and accuracy with a pistol and grants marksman ability.
Vanguard - Can use abilities to counter enemy biotic attacks and get into short range positions Increases biotic resistance and damage with shotguns and pistols.
Spectre Training - Elite agents of the Council the Spectres have access to special training unavailble elsewhere in the galaxy. Increases health accuracy and effectiveness of all attacks and powers.
Biotics
Barrier - Bolsters your kinetic shields with a mass effect field that can absorb a massive amount of damage. Attacks that penetrate the shields also penetrate this barrier.
Lift - Projects a sphere of powerful contra-gravity. Any object or creature struck is lifted into the air Enemies are temporarily immoblized untill they fall back to the ground.
Throw - Projects a mass effect field powerful enough to hurl objects and enemies out of the way.
Singularity - Projects a sphere of dark energy that creates an intense mass effect field. nearby enemies and objects are drawn into the singularity unable to exscape its gravitational pull.
Stasis - Creates apowerful mass effect field that immoblilies a single target.
Warp - Projects a powerful mass effect field that wreaks havoc on a subatomic level. It weakens armor and inflicts damage over time on enemies.
Combat
Assault Training - Increases melee and weapon damage, also grants Adrenaline Burst talent.
Armor - Enables use of better armor increases damage protectionin battle.
Assault Rifles - Increases accuracy and damage with assault rifles.
Pistols - Increases accuracy and damage with pistols.
Shotguns - Increases accuracy and damage with Shotguns.
Sniper Rifles - Increases accuracy and damage with Sniper Rifles.
Fitness - Increases health and grants the invaluable immunity ability.
Tech
Damping - Increases the explosion radius on your tech proximity units. Use damping to shut down your enemies tech and biotic abilities.
Decryption - Allows you to open secure containers increases tech mine explosion damageand grants Sabotage talent.
Sabotage - Overheats enemies weapons so they can not fire, and burns them for damage over time.
Electronics - Increases the strength of your shields and lets you use the electronics skill to repair or bypass objects.
Hacking - Recharges your tech proximity mines more quickly and grants AI hacking ability.
First Aid - Increases squad healing by improving the effectiveness of the medigel.
Medicine - Improves the recharge time of squad healing and grants the neural shock ability that devastates organic enemies.
Class Talents
Soldier - Front line warriors that are trained to withstand the physical punishment that comes with combat. Increases health at higher levels and gives limited health regeneration.
Engineer - Tech specialists can use innovative tricks to get the most out of every resource.
Adept - Focuses training to optimize their abilities.
Infiltrator - Increases damage done by tech mines and reduces overheating on sniper and pistols.
Sentinel - Increases damage and accuracy with a pistol and grants marksman ability.
Vanguard - Can use abilities to counter enemy biotic attacks and get into short range positions Increases biotic resistance and damage with shotguns and pistols.
Specilization/Prestige Classes
Commando - Soldier or Infiltrator
Operative - Infiltrator or Engineer
Medic - Engineer or Sentinel
Bastion - Sentinel or Adept
Nemesis - Adept or Vanguard
Shock Trooper - Vanguard or Soldier
Commando - Comandos rely on lethal efficiency and precision strikes rather then brute force to eliminate their opponents. Overall, their Specialization increases damage inflicted with all weapons and specificly improves their most lethal talents including Immunity, Marksman, and Assassination
Operative - Operatives are masters at manipulating their environment to maximum advantages. Overall, operatives have access to significanly reduced recharge times for all tech attacks and specific improvements to both Overload and Sabotage talents
Medic - Medics combine tech and healing abilities to boost the eficiency of the entire squad Overall, medic specialization improves the recharge time on all medical abilities and specificly the first aid and neural shock talents.
Bastion - Bastions use Biotics for defense or for opponent immobilization. Overall, ranking up reduces the recharge times for all biotic abilities and specifically improves Barrier and Stasis talents
Nemesis - The Nemesis is a biotic specialist who uses mass effect fields to infilict heavy damage against opponents. Overall a nemesis specialist has access to significantly increased duration and damage to all biotic abilities and specifically improves both Warp and Lift Talents
Shock Trooper - Shock troopers are highly trained killing machines; they excel in all combat situations. Overall their increased health and damage protection can turm them from strong soldiers into formidable tanks with specific improvements to Immunity (for Soldier class or Barrier for Vanguard Class) and Adrenaline burst abilities.
Operative - Infiltrator or Engineer
Medic - Engineer or Sentinel
Bastion - Sentinel or Adept
Nemesis - Adept or Vanguard
Shock Trooper - Vanguard or Soldier
Commando - Comandos rely on lethal efficiency and precision strikes rather then brute force to eliminate their opponents. Overall, their Specialization increases damage inflicted with all weapons and specificly improves their most lethal talents including Immunity, Marksman, and Assassination
Operative - Operatives are masters at manipulating their environment to maximum advantages. Overall, operatives have access to significanly reduced recharge times for all tech attacks and specific improvements to both Overload and Sabotage talents
Medic - Medics combine tech and healing abilities to boost the eficiency of the entire squad Overall, medic specialization improves the recharge time on all medical abilities and specificly the first aid and neural shock talents.
Bastion - Bastions use Biotics for defense or for opponent immobilization. Overall, ranking up reduces the recharge times for all biotic abilities and specifically improves Barrier and Stasis talents
Nemesis - The Nemesis is a biotic specialist who uses mass effect fields to infilict heavy damage against opponents. Overall a nemesis specialist has access to significantly increased duration and damage to all biotic abilities and specifically improves both Warp and Lift Talents
Shock Trooper - Shock troopers are highly trained killing machines; they excel in all combat situations. Overall their increased health and damage protection can turm them from strong soldiers into formidable tanks with specific improvements to Immunity (for Soldier class or Barrier for Vanguard Class) and Adrenaline burst abilities.
Talent point distribution / Alignment Bonuses
Level 1-5 shep earns 3 points per level squad earns 2 points per level gained
Level 6-20 shep and squad earns 2 points each level
Level 21-35 shep earns 2 points squad earns 1 point each
Level 36-60 Shep and squad earn 1 point per level
The next part is what happens when you fill up the paragon/renegade bars....
Paragon Level bonuses
5% - Opens 2 charm ranks gives 1 free charm point
25% - Opens 2 charm rank gives 1 charm point 10% first aid cooldown
50% - 10% Bonus health
75% - Achievement Paragon opens 2 charm rank, 1 free point and 5% Shorter cooldown on all powers.
Renegade Level Bonuses
5% - Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point
25% - Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point, 10% weapon powers cooldown
50% - 1 health regenerationper second
75% - Achievement Renegade Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point, 5% damage/duration on all weapons and powers
Level 6-20 shep and squad earns 2 points each level
Level 21-35 shep earns 2 points squad earns 1 point each
Level 36-60 Shep and squad earn 1 point per level
The next part is what happens when you fill up the paragon/renegade bars....
Paragon Level bonuses
5% - Opens 2 charm ranks gives 1 free charm point
25% - Opens 2 charm rank gives 1 charm point 10% first aid cooldown
50% - 10% Bonus health
75% - Achievement Paragon opens 2 charm rank, 1 free point and 5% Shorter cooldown on all powers.
Renegade Level Bonuses
5% - Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point
25% - Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point, 10% weapon powers cooldown
50% - 1 health regenerationper second
75% - Achievement Renegade Opens 2 intimidate ranks, gives 1 intimidate point, 5% damage/duration on all weapons and powers
Where have you been?
During character creation, not only will you be choosing how you look and picking your class, you will also be selecting Shepard's background. There are two selections to be made from six different options:
Pre-service History
Everyone came from somewhere. How Shepard grew up and decided to go into the military are chosen here.
Psych Profile
Not everyone thinks the same way. Not everyone's experiences in the military will be the same. How life has shaped your mind and reputation are chosen under your psych profile.
But these aren't arbitrary choices. Depending on what you choose, NPCs will react differently to you. Some may consider an Earthborn and their family to be cowards as they didn't take off into space the rest of humanity. Others may respect it.
Because of the different ways your Shepard will be reacted to, your choices will also cut off some quest lines, but they will also open up others.
Your choices here will never restrict you in your choices later in the game, but these two options will make up your reputation based on actions and accomplishments that occurred before the events of the game.
Too many people died here, Fist. You don't get to walk away.
Tired of simply selecting clear-cut and simple dialogue options from a list?
Well, you're in luck! With Mass Effect, BioWare is introducing a new dialogue system that features characters that actually interact with one another.
The options are short and very to the point. They aren't supposed to get across the whole message, but rather a thought or feeling. A very base reaction to what's happening or what was just said. Once an option is selected, your character acts on their own and a selection of a very simple option can lead to interesting and diverse interactions between characters.
Interrogating Fist
Wrex Confrontation
I'm going to be evil!
Sorry, but you can't really. You'll always be working towards a greater good. The "bad" options aren't unrepentant evil so much as ruthless. You can be... good bad, though.
The alignment system here isn't quite the same as we've seen in KOTOR and Jade Empire.
As you can see, there are two meters there around Shepard's head. One labeled Paragon and another Renegade.
As you do kind or compassionate acts, you fill up your Paragon meter. Act ruthlessly and uncompromisingly, you fill up your Renegade meter. This is different than KOTOR and JE as you can never empty either meter. You're building a reputation for yourself, not your character's alignment.
People won't automatically forget your bad deeds because you helped someone out enough to go back to the light side, as it were. You can never get rid of your past.
So I hear the game is big.
You heard right! The game has over 300 locations to explore, ranging from so large you'll need your tank, the Mako, the get around to very small and little larger than a room.
On the Normandy, you'll be able to use the galaxy map.
You may notice several points on the map. Those are sectors you can go to. The interesting thing? That's not the extent of the galaxy map. You'll be able to zoom in to each one, look at individual star systems, and even take a close look at individual planets. Knights of the Old Republic this is not.
And the cursor that you use to move around the galaxy map is free floating. Not only will you be able to select known locations, but using the free floating cursor, you'll be able to "scan" for uncharted worlds.
As for gameplay length, BioWare is talking about 20-30 hours for the main storyline and around 70-80 hours of total gameplay when you include all the optional content.
I read it's like Diablo 2 with guns in the other thread.
Yes, you did, but that's not quite right.
It plays much like a tactical third-person shooter, though your stats will affect your performance in combat.
Combat itself takes place in a very Resident Evil 4-esque camera view where you're looking over Shepard's shoulder, but you have the ability to free aim. There is also supposed to be the option for more helpful auto-aiming to help out those that aren't shooter fans. You will also find that there is a very familiar cover system like you may have seen in Gears of War.
During combat, you'll also have full control over your two squadmates. At any time, you can order them to move to any location with a quick press of the D-pad or you'll be able to use the radial interface, which pauses the game and gives you complete and total control of all of your squadmates' targets and the abilities they use.
With these options, you'll have the ability to let the AI handle everything, or you'll have the option to completely micromanage your entire squad in combat. You will not, however, be able to switch over to control any member of your squad. You are always Shepard.
Most videos that show the combat look slow and awkward, but that's because they've been trying to take it slow in the videos to show how everything works. When played more quickly, it's very smooth and nice.
Soldier Combat Scenario
Adept Combat Scenario
Vanguard Combat Scenario
Normandy with no paratroopers? What about beaches?
This is the Normandy, your ship. It's the most advanced starship in the galaxy and, though built by humanity, was partially funded by the Citadel Council. It's a stealth ship about the size of a 747 and has been likened to a submarine by BioWare.
You will never directly pilot the Normandy, but it is how you will travel between locations in space and it will also effect your insertions into locations in various ways.
Introducing the Mako.
Say hello to the Mako, your heavily armed and armored all-terrain APC.
The Mako will be your primary form of transportation in large open areas, too large to traverse quickly on foot and too dangerous to cross unprotected. It will also be one method of insertion into hostile areas for you. Once the Mako is loaded with personnel, the SSV Normandy can fly at relatively low altitude and drop the Mako out the back, exposing the Normandy to low levels of risk and quickly inserting the marine strike team into hostile territory.
It sports two weapons: a large turret mounted cannon and some form of machinegun also mounted on the turret. Using these weapons, you'll be able to shoot things.
In addition to its weaponry, the Mako is equipped with top and bottom mounted thrusters, which can be used to slow its descent during free fall, right itself if flipped, and even be used to hop while on the ground to avoid enemy fire.
But this isn't another turret mini-game like in KotOR or a schmup mini-game like in Jade Empire. No, this time, you'll have full control over your driving and shooting and you'll be able to traverse a variety of terrain.
What does "Mass Effect" actually mean?
All of the most advanced technology in the Mass Effect universe is based off one thing and only one thing: the manipulation of dark energy.
When you manipulate dark energy in the proper way, you create a mass effect field.
Inside a mass effect field, the laws of physics and the way they interact with mass can be bent, changed, and outright broken. This allows for a colossal starship to be made exempt from normal physical laws and while subject to new ones, can, quite easily, be propelled faster than light.
This is what we learned from the Protheans, and being the basis of most technology in the universe, is where the game gets its name.
How do biotics fit in?
A biotic is a person born with the innate ability to feel the presence of dark energy. With proper training, it can even be done consciously.
If someone with this ability is found, through extensive surgery, they can be fitted with implants that interface into their nervous system and, using their innate senses, allow them to manipulate dark energy and shape mass effect fields for a variety of effects that are deadly or, alternatively, beneficial to the recipient.
Wait, there's a book?
Yes, yes there is! It's a prequel novel filled with backstory and details on the rich Mass Effect universe. I'd recommend reading it if you have any interest in Mass Effect. It's not the best book ever written, but it's entertaining and it has guns and aliens and they fight and shoot at eachother and stuff.
When's this thing come out?
The official release date is November 20th for North America, November 22nd in Australia, and November 23rd for Europe.
The limited edition is, unfortunately, online only.
ATTENTION AUSSIES: EB GAMES IS SELLING MASS EFFECT RIGHT NOW. SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED GO GO GO
Kuribo's Shoe on
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Also just went to IGN and looked at there Launch Centre dealy, I wasn't to hyped about playing this but now I can't wait, even pre-ordered it...Also sweet OP.
Does anyone know what the other 3 clases are IGN only gave me the Adept, soldier and Engineer. (Think I might start as adept)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_effect
the other three classes are just combinations of those
infiltrator = soldier + engineer
vanguard = soldier + adept
sentinel = adept + engineer
online only means you can only purchase it online, which is bullshit
That.
Long Beach has a mom and pop shop selling Mass Effect TOMORROW! SoCal has alot of people and I gotta hit class up so PM me for the address and details. If I get there tomorrow and the internet bought all the copies, I'd be upset.
Final Fantasy XI -> Carbuncle - Samash
fuck.
360 Gamertag: Baronskatenbass Steam: BaronVonSnakPak HgL: AnsonLuap
Bravo.
You can buy it in a brick and mortar store. If you're in Europe.
Europe gets the game three days later, but gets to buy the LE in stores. Does that make up for it? I don't know, but at least Europe isn't getting entirely screwed over for once.
I live in Canada. I really would like to talk to whoever is responsible for that idiotic idea and demand a copy of the LE.
(Choosing one country to get a product placed in a B&M location against another country only fuels my disgust for the management choices in sales at Bioware.)
They, uh, don't choose how to sell things.
And well, I'm gonna rent or buy this over Thanksgiving break and play the shit out of it. Full media block has worked so far, too.
(newegg's out of stock now)
Oh lordy, yes. Galaxy today and Mass Effect... four days from now? Mmmmmmmmm.
it's not worth trying to ship it to canada for me, so I'm still waiting. fuck.
Distress Call TV Spot
Newegg shows in stock for me. How do you know that they're actually going to ship, though? I did a quick search and supposedly they did this with other new releases and didn't ship till near release anyway.
though apparently now it says they're waiting on any new orders until the 20th, so
I ordered it earlier today when it was still in stock because Atlus Parker made me so hopefully they'll still be shipping mine tomorrow.
fucking
funny.
You should make him look like Seanbaby.
Actually don't. That's officially mine now. Seanbaby Shepard. Interstellar Spektard.
I thought you had this Pharezon?
...
Please don't?
Hell have it by tomorrow. He lives pretty close to me and if he can beg his mommy for the cash, I know a spot that releases it early tomorrow.
Final Fantasy XI -> Carbuncle - Samash
I has a money.
Hurrah, Canada is the new center of gaming. Sign me up for some gravy fries.
Final Fantasy XI -> Carbuncle - Samash
Battle.net: Fireflash#1425
Steam Friend code: 45386507
Actually, it would be so cool to have an engineer specialising in assault rifles on my second playthrough. So what would my first be as? Geez, decisions...
Looks like I'll have a bunch of days off the week Mass Effect comes out. Things just work out well sometimes.
I need to decide
I'ma go female because I have issues after beating Call of Duty 4 on Veteran. That's a valid reason right?
It has a few spoilers in it, but without context, the spoilers don't actually mean anything.