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games: Mass Effect

Today we look at Mass Effect - MASS EFFECT!! The action RPG we’ve all been waiting for. I’m here to tell you that it’s more than just the hotly anticipated interspecial lesbian sex scenes that will sell this baby - take your pick from stunning graphics, a deep plot with interesting themes, well drawn multi-dimensional characters you will come to really care about, a gorgeous soundtrack, solid combat system… *sigh*

I love this game.Get it here, or the limited collectors edition here, but do get it!

Subscribe to one of our feeds or check back on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for new episodes :)

‘Til next time,

-Katharine

comments

Norbit
December 3rd, 2007 - 7:34am

I’ve read some really good reviews of this but the words ’stat based combat’ are my gaming equivalent of a Black Death Cross.

Schmung
December 4th, 2007 - 5:53am

Agreed with Norbit. I cheated on the first Deus Ex in order to max out my aiming on the first missions because when my bullets don’t go near enough to where I’m aiming them it drives me up the wall. That said, literally everyone is raving about this, even some of the people I know who I’d normally call twitch gamers. I remain unsure about it - if the combat is involving enough then I can put up with lengthy loading and talky bits because of the strong story, but if combat is a chore that’s going to irritate then I’ll save my money for something else.

I think I’m going to have to find someone I know who’s got it and give it a whirl before making a call on whether to buy it or not.

ktchong
December 5th, 2007 - 4:46pm

G4 has just announced the nominees for “X-Play Best of 2007 Awards”:

Game of the Year
* Mass Effect
* Assassin’s Creed
* BioShock
* Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
* Halo 3
* Super Mario Galaxy

Best Gameplay Innovation
* Assassin’s Creed (free-running/climbing)
* Mass Effect (conversation system)
* Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (online level-up system)
* Halo 3 (Forge/Replays/Screenshots)
* Crackdown (Advanced Co-op features)

Best Role Playing Game
* Mass Effect
* Final Fantasy VI Advance
* The Witcher
* Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer
* Titan Quest: Immortal Throne

Best New Character
* Weighted Companion Cube (Portal)
* Saren (Mass Effect)
* Andrew Ryan (BioShock)
* GLaDOS (Portal)
* King Bohan (Heavenly Sword)

Best Art Direction
* BioShock
* Assassin’s Creed
* Super Mario Galaxy
* Mass Effect
* Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Best Writing/Story
* BioShock
* Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
* The Simpsons Game
* Mass Effect
* Portal

Best Original Soundtrack
* Mass Effect
* Portal
* BioShock
* Super Mario Galaxy
* Halo 3

Neil J
December 5th, 2007 - 6:35pm

Serves me right I suppose but this episode gave rise to hilarious (and embarrassing) shenanigans at work today. I work at a large law firm and, during my lunch break (believe that if you will ;) ), I thought I’d check the Channelflip website to see if there was any new episodes up for download. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my headphones plugged into my work PC at the time. Imagine my surprise (and shock) when I was suddenly greeted with “LESBIAN SEXCAPADES!” blasting out over the PC’s internal speaker! I didn’t realise that episodes automatically start playing when you visit the homepage now. There were at least two partners and a senior associate within earshot at the time, all of whom suddenly pricked up their ears immediately and looked over to see what was going on. Needless to say I quickly fumbled for the close window button and blamed it on an unexpected pop-up window. ;))

Katharine
December 7th, 2007 - 5:43am

Neil - I am so sorry! Hopefully other viewers will learn from your cautionary tale!

In terms of combat, I found it pretty smooth and a good mix of both types of gameplay, but yes, if this is a real sticking point for you then you might want to try it out first.

OLLiE:)
December 7th, 2007 - 8:10pm

Katharine,

I love your reviews,
they’re different, in good way and greatly informative. To me there is just something very welcoming and freindly about your whole set up. It comes across as very open, and I felt encouarged to watch on, when i just happend to come across one of your videos whilst doing tingz’ :)
Also I feel after watching your reviews, i’d know what i’d get, if i decided to buy that product, as a apose to a lot of other, not so very good, game review sites and magazines, which vaguely sum up the game with a few colourful pictures and words.

I recently subscribed to your podcast, nearly watched them all, so sick:), Nice work ;)

gimme’ more please:)

Katharine
December 8th, 2007 - 6:38pm

Thanks so much for the post Ollie - such a nice thing to say. It really helps to know that we’re getting some of this right :)

DM
December 16th, 2007 - 11:50am

good job! And, keep it up.

March 23rd, 2008 - 3:20am

Did not really catch the lesbian scene in Mass Effect as I played as a male shepard throughout the campaign, but am aware of what you are referring to kath.

I played through this game twice and really loved it to bits. The game really does deserve the 5 stars as the RPG and choices you get to make throughout the game is really deep. This also changes the missions and overall ending to the game which in my opinion is amazing.

Little dissapointed that the framerate was poorly done by Bioware, but not complaining as much as I have played through the game twice and enjoyed every moment of it. The game is truely remarkable and deserved to be the game of the year.

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