There are some games that have the hype to define a genre and even fewer that do so. Mass Effect might be the definitive Space RPG of this or any generation. It is a rarity that we see a game that can blend both intuitive gameplay along with captive storytelling that pulls the gamer into a universe that they may never want to leave. Bioware does so many things right this time around and have solidified themselves as a juggernaut in the RPG world. Read on to hear about this amazing achievement.
Time Magazine might be the most recognizable magazine in our country and maybe the world. They have covered some of the most turbulent times in history and now has taken a stab at video games. Jesus tapdancing Christ. Here is the list. I will save you the annoyance of clicking through.
What the fuck? I understand that PS2 is last gen, but you better have a huge set of balls to rate God of War 2 lower than Ace Combat 6. Somehow the DS version of Zelda beat out the wii version? Metroid was not even mentioned. Bioshock rated lower than Rock Band? Rock Band is fun but you cannot even begin to compare to the two. Halo 3 sold hundreds of millions of copies but that does not make it the game of the year, ironically, winning no major awards at the VGA’s. Half Life 2, hey, great port, but number 2? Also notice, not one PS3 exclusive title made it. A chimpanzee could have picked these games out of his ass in a better order.
Mass Effect is brought to us by Bioware, which is why the striking resemblance of this game and Knights of the Old Republic is so evident. Although stylistically and in some game elements they are similar, Mass Effect takes the action to a more real-time level. Pretty much the story of Mass Effect is one of a space Commander trying to save the world, fairly standard for any good RPG. Mass Effect can almost be equated as KOTOR in space with more gunplay, considering you can use pistols, rifles, sniper rifles and shotguns.
Mass Effect has a bit of Lost Planet mixed with KOTOR and uses the team strategy to a tee. Pretty much you start as a commander visiting a planet on assignment and you get two other soldiers that join your mission. You don’t directly control the other two people in your party but can change their equipment and level them up. You control your main character and can indulge in pure fire fights with enemies where you take cover and shoot around crates or use your Mass Effects or as I like to call them the Force, hehehe. There are different mass effects or powers that you can use by pulling up the right bumper on the fly, this unfortunately stops the action, which can be a bit cheesy, but the powers are pretty cool.
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The long awaited Action RPG is coming soon. We have all seen the trailers and screenshots. As you know, there will be several classes to choose from. Here is the soldier. Looks good, not great, but good enough to keep interest. Let’s just see how the game will play and how long it is.
The much anticipated exclusive RPG for Xbox 360 had gone gold and has limited edition material jam packed with all of the bonus stuff you collectors love to get your hands on. This limited edition disc has a ton of material and click the more button for the full details. There is also a bonus disk that also has, you guessed it, more bonus material which is ONLY available if you preorder.
Microsoft today released word that the Halo 3 franchise has topped off $300 million in sales since launch. MS have dubbed it the “fastest-selling video game ever and already one of the most successful entertainment properties in history.” This is hard to argue with as the boys at Bungie and MS really marketed it well and made sure everyone got a taste of the hype train. Kudos boys.
There is one part of the press release I don’t agree with, where MS states “Xbox 360 has the greatest lineup in the history of video games and is the only console where consumers can play all the year’s biggest blockbusters.” I think this is far too over zealous to state, the lineup is looking good, but the best in history, wow that is a tough call.
There have been some great lineups in the days of the NES, Xbox, PS1 and 2, which paved the way for what we have today in video games. MS has definitely the bankroll to show for their current success, which is also attributed to the fact that video gaming in the years of old was more of a underground cult, where gamers were a minority. Today video games have become a huge industry and I doubt we will diminish in size as all those kids that played the old consoles are now grown up and spending their hard earned money on games. I think their best in “history” is a bit over the top and minimalizes what the other older consoles have done to get games to this point.
It is impressive that about one third of all Xbox 360 owners have gotten a copy of Halo 3, I actually figured this statistic to be higher and will probably reach a lot more people during the holidays.
From the press releasse:
REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 4, 2007 — Interactive entertainment will never be the same, with the launch of one title that has changed the way the world thinks about video games. “Halo® 3” has captured the attention of consumers worldwide and has made history as one of the biggest entertainment launches of all time.
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1Up got some exclusive footage from Mass Effect and it looks like it’s definitely going to be a killer app. Go ahead, back in your 15 minutes of video glory.
Bioware released a few new screens from Mass Effect, coming later this year for the Xbox 360.
I’m not sure why some of the screens they release are amazing, and some just aren’t that great.
Well, chalk up another great game that you can’t play this summer. Bioware’s masterpiece, Mass Effect, has been officially delayed until September.
CVG reports that the news comes from an official Microsoft event this morning, though no more details have been offered.
I’d personally rather have them delay the game and get it right, than push it out the door with tons of bugs.
I see the guys over at Bioware did not want to be outdone by the Valve card we brought you yesterday. The Christmas tree that they made of suit armor is priceless. Enjoy after the jump. If its too small to read, just click 
