[PC] Mass Effect 6th May

[doobiwan]

http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=49629&mode=thread&order=0

Well it was inevitable. If you're considering it, just get it, it's an excellent game!

EDIT: May 2008

[WingNut]

Yess! Yesss! [-]In your face, console bitches!!![/-]...err :o ...I mean I am pleased by this pleasant turn of events and are most fervently anticipating this most excellent piece of interactive electronic entertainment.

[Noodle]

lul

We all knew it was coming, just surprised it was this soon. It's an awesome game, you fellas better pick this one up :sharp:

[rainy]

Let's hope the port is not as crappy as GoW.

[Ruslan74]

Now, the big question is will the achievements stack with the console version. :rofl:

I think GoW was a decent port with high PC specs, kinda like AC. Pity it was released at the same time as CoD 4.

Release info :




BioWare and EA are very pleased and proud to announce Mass Effect for the PC. The game will be released for the PC in May 2008.
Published by EA and re-designed for the PC, Mass Effect invites players to take the role of Commander Shepard as they set out on an adventure to save the galaxy from imminent destruction. Wrought with treachery, heroism, difficult decisions and a universe filled with unique and colorful species, Mass Effect delivers a truly compelling storyline.

“Mass Effect serves as a powerful example of video games as an art form, delivering new levels of emotional intensity, realistic characters and a gripping storyline – all set in a compelling new universe,” said Ray Muzyka, General Manager, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts. Frank Gibeau, President of EA’s Games Label added, “EA has struck an agreement with Microsoft to handle future publishing for Mass Effect. We are looking forward to releasing Mass Effect on the PC this Spring and brand new titles in the future.”

Originally released for the Xbox 360, Mass Effect combines a deep story with intense combat and challenges the player to make difficult decisions that can significantly impact the course of events. An innovative conversation system allows for lifelike interaction with some of the most realistic digital actors, voiced by Hollywood actors such as Seth Green, Marina Sirtis, Lance Henriksen and Keith David.

Optimized for the PC, Mass Effect for the PC incorporates the following features:



Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.
High resolution visuals – Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.
Fully customizable controls – PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.
Run & Gun Control – Players can assign biotic powers or skills to ‘hot keys’ allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.
New decryption mini-game.
New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.




So it seems like PC gamers will be hooked just like the rest of the ME community. :)

[doobiwan]

Bite your tongue, the only reason they could make it for the PC is that the console version is paying the bills :p

Just kidding, as Noodle said it was inevitable.

[Noodle]

New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

You lucky sods!!

[Ruslan74]

You lucky sods!!

Thats coz they dont have the uber functionality of the X360 controller. :p

[doobiwan]

It wouldn't take a mouse to solve the inv problems just some common sense. That inventory system was designed by a blind dyslexic chimpanzee with ADHD.

[Sheepy]

Aww and now I've gone and got a another daughter :D

Anybody have a time machine for sale?

[doobiwan]

Heh heh, take it from me Babies are a great excuse to paly games, especially console ones.

What else are you supposed to do when they wake up in the middle of the night revving to go ;)

Here's a tip - racing games are great, the audio and movement on the screen are mezmerizing . . .

[Ruslan74]

My kid stays gaga while I play Open Season... amazing how a bear can oogle babies so easily...

[Ruslan74]

Leading video game developer BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts Inc., has announced that the award-winning space epic Mass Effect will be released for the PC on May 6, 2008 in North America. Re-designed for the PC, Mass Effect invites players to take the role of Commander Shepard as they set out on an adventure to save the galaxy from imminent destruction. Wrought with treachery, heroism, difficult decisions and a universe filled with unique and colorful species, Mass Effect delivers a truly compelling storyline.
Mass Effect for the PC introduces the following features:



New squad control interface – Players can now issue commands to individual squad members, providing a new level of depth to the tactical combat.
Hot-key functionality – Biotic powers and abilities can be mapped to individual keys, allowing a faster “run and gun” style of gameplay.
Re-designed Mako controls – Players can explore alien planets and engage in vehicular combat with an intuitive and fully camera independent control system for the Mako, their all-terrain vehicle.
New Quick-save button and increased number of save slots.
New decryption mini-game – A new decryption mini-game invites players to test their skills as they avoid obstacles and move their icon to the center of the digital mechanism.
New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.



Just in time to get cozy in winter with the Xbox under the feet to keep them warm. :)

[doobiwan]

The first 4 things make me a sad panda, those were obvious and should have been in the 360 version in the first place.

[Ruslan74]

Who cares, we've played this classic way before regular PC folks got their grubby paws on it. I will fork out for the PC version anyhow.... :p

[Noodle]

I'll get the DLC for it and continue my current char, get him up to level 60 :D

[doobiwan]

I'm about to sell mine to move on to better things. :$

Frontlines, then Too Human probably, maybe with a bit of Universe at war thrown in (I have a PCvs360 score to settle ;) )

[Noodle]

Gads!

Theres GS in them hills!!

[doobiwan]

Minimum Spec reqs have been released:

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/mass-effect-pc-requires-processor-memory-and-video-card/

Surprisingly not that bad.

[rainy]

Got it this weekend. PC buyers get the add-on 'Bring down the sun' for free if they register with the Bioware community.

Game runs very well on my machine in high detail, and it looks very good. Bioware put a lot into that. The character and especially facial animations are absolutely amazing. It's almost like watching a movie when you see the characters talk and interact. The whole game is very atmospheric and cinematic.

The story takes you in very quickly, although the missions are similar as in KotoR, where you have to deviate from your own objectives to first help other people achieve theirs. Tit for tat. The skills system is very easy to understand and a lot less complex than in many other games.

Melikes. Was a good buy. Will see how it goes further.

[Noodle]

Glad you like it so far rainy.
This is still one of me fav games. Tis true what you say, the side missions are not that amazing but the main story is Awesome.

I stand corrected but the stats said that there is the same as 20odd feature length movies worth of script in this game, the dialogue tree is just that vast :eek:

[doobiwan]

Side missions are mainly for level buffs and achievements.

Still a great game, I can't wait for the next one.

[rainy]

OK, finished the game on the weekend (well the main story anyway) and here's a slightly longer review.

To say this first - despite the criticism that inevitably will follow, this is a damn good game and was well worth the bucks. Bioware have created an experience that is immersive, easy to get into and interesting to follow.

The graphics are awesome. I was able to play on high details, and it looks very nice and performs well. Actually wanted to try and disable the film grain to see what that changes - haven't done it yet. The character animations are simply amazing, you actually get the feeling of watching a movie when watching the cutscenes - the characters move, blink, it feels natural.

Sound - well-made. I like the music. In later levels I had some sound glitches, especially when using the Mako, but other than that there never were problems. voice acting is great, with a pilot voiced by (and looking like) Seth Green, and actors from Millennium and Star Trek TNG appearing in guest roles. The voice acting of the female main character is more pleasant and believable than the male counterpart. She looks more pleasant too (ahem) :D

Gameplay - easy to get into. It's reminiscent of KotoR and other Bioware titles, but in the essence it plays a bit more like an FPS, especially the fight scenes. What annoyed me was that the sniper rifle, a very potent weapon in the game, was still swaying heavily even with the ability maxed out. They could have done a slightly better job with that - maybe just let it sway up and down like in BF2142 instead of everywhere... I eventually resorted to assault rifles, which become very powerful towards the end of the game.

The mission design again is typically Bioware. As I said before, it's very much a tit for tat design - in order to get what or where you want, you first have to help other people get what or where they want. The side missions add very little to the overall story and are, as doobi said, in essence only there to provide more XP and the odd achievement, which I am not interested in at all. (Personally I think achievements are only there to provide artificial replay value, but they don't really add to the overall game experience).

Morality choices - too easy. You get to pick between the Paragon and the Renegade path, Paragon being the compassionate, selfless hero and Renegade being the bullyish, abrasive one. It is way too easy to pick your path - upper answer for Paragon, lower for Renegade, the middle one for neutral (for good measure). You hardly ever have to make a choice that goes against your chosen personality. In addition, the Paragon choices and actions are rather believable, while the Renegade counterparts seem forced to me and are rather annoying. A bit more complexity in character development could benefit the game - see a game like 'The Witcher' to check how it's done.

Lastly, game time - my first run took me just over eleven hours, that was mainly following the storyline, with a few sidequests and missions. It is a bit on the short side, and they could not have made it more obvious that there would be a sequel. I have started a second game with a different class and will try to catch more of the side missions, and also play the add-on that PC users get for free :D

[Noodle]

Glad you enjoyed it rainy :sharp:

I turned the film grain off pretty early in the game, never looked back, it's much better without IMHO.


Oh It's gonna be a trilogy :D

[SlappY]

I went for the pistol as my main weapon believe it or not. Was a damm good choice too.

[Noodle]

Yeah used Pistol and Shottys myself.

That pistol fully upgraded becomes a "fully auto machine sniper rifle"

[TG]

Begone foul temptress!

[SintaxErr]

Thanks guys, i fink I will give it a try.

[senorblinky]

Begone foul temptress!
Hehehehe, i'm kind of with you here, but i want to buy it and try it, everyone is absolutely bonkers over it. Have to see for myself.

[SlappY]

Look, personally I have played better games. But it was a lot of fun and a good story.
But dont loose sleep over not having played it.

[rainy]

It is certainly one of the better games released in the last two years.

[doobiwan]

I really enjoyed it, I'd would have just liked a few more variations in the artstyle. While it's all got a really slick "Star Trek" feel to it, it gets a bit samey.