Ok, we know it isn’t out yet, but we can still try to review it, can’t we? Most people would have played the first 2 Mass Effects, and would be eagerly anticipating taking control of Shephard and taking the fight against the Reapers to our home planet, Earth. This is basically all we know of ME3, but a little trip into history can kind of tell us what to expect in the third and final chapter from BioWare.
Mass Effect was incredible. I’m sure most of you have played it (and loved it) but you might not know that it has won 80 awards (that’s right, EIGHTY AWARDS) including New York Times Game of the Year 2007, IGN’s Best Story and RPG of the Year, TeamXboxs Best Story, RPG and Game of the Year, 5 Top gongs from ELAN’s including Game Of the Year and also RPG of the year by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. It also got 10 / 10 from Official Xbox Magazine, ZTGameDomain, Videogamer.com and MSXbox World. My personal review? “A breathtaking fast paced sci-fi adventure with characters and storyline to match.”
Normally sequels have a tough time living up to expectations of the first instalment, and most companies are bagged out for ‘milking the cash cow’ when it comes to production of the second game. Making such a good game is a double edged sword; once you have released such a gem the pressure to follow up is incredible, and the fans expectations are huge. The only thing you have to lose is reputation: The game HAS to be bigger and better than the first. BioWare disappointed fans after releasing Knights of the old Republic 2 and more recently, Dragon Age 2.
Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 2 was different. It was heavily anticipated and widely acclaimed. It was voted the IGN Australia as the best game of 2010, and 3 awards from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, including Game of the Year. It also won a BAFTA for Best Game of 2010. However, it was the characters and storyline that received the most acclaim. In Mass Effect 2, Commander Shephard assembles a strike force (which takes most of the game) to take on a new threat, the Collectors. It is this eclectic bunch of misfits that make the game. The characters are memorable, ranging from the Illusive man (voice by Martin Sheen) who has seemingly endless power and unknown wealth; to the assassin Thane Krios (IGN’s Best Character of the Year) who is dying from a lung disease who wants to save his son and repent the life he has lead. While the first game concentrated on storyline, this was based around characters.
But enough about 1 and 2, we are here to talk about Mass Effect 3. What are we to expect? Something phenomenal. Storyline – check. Characters – check. They have gone from strength to strength and now, it seems, the only way is down. The fact that this is the last in the series, and that there was 3 years between the first 2 and less than 18 months production on this one doesn’t bode well. BioWare fans will lose faith if this game doesn’t match the hype. It will tarnish the whole series. Having said that, the storyline from the first and the characters from the second should be enough for this game to get at least 90 / 100 from all major reviewers. Can’t wait!!
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