Mike Bantick
Friday, 08 February 2008 18:12
Opinion and Analysis
Page 2 of 3
Secondly the much ballyhooed graphical presentation of Mass Effect is not without casualties, though character representations are wonderfully produced, background textures suffer constantly from lag during initial scene set-up.
The inventory system is cumbersome, awkward, and counter intuitive with a steep learning curve that players will finally get the hang of close to games end.
And finally, if Mass Effect is set in humanities future, then future elevator manufactures have a strong market in building exasperating slow lifts. Arrrrrrgggh!
But, the bits that Mass Effect does well, it does extremely well.
First and foremost the strength of Mass Effect as a role play game is simply that, the role play elements. Beginning with a wonderfully complete lexicon of conversations, coupled with top notch voice acting and a simple system of character development, the resultant interaction between player and Non-Player characters gives the many dealings within the game the flow and believable realism that gives Mass Effect its icon.
Beyond interaction is character development, branching from players initial choice of one of seven possible careers immediately gives specialisation in weapons, devices, armour and biotics. The straightforward levelling up system, unlike the inventory, is easy to understand and manipulate, a well paced player power increase, by enlarge matches the story and mission progression.
