BioWare’s highly-anticipated RPG Mass Effect for the Xbox 360 is due to debut on November 20, shattering all rumors about a possible delay.
Definitely, this fall is going to be the best gaming fall ever. With gaming-hardware producers striving to lure their potential customers using enticing price cuts, with publishers and developers readying really “massive” titles for all platforms and for all tastes (think of BioShock, Halo3, Crysis, COD4, Jericho, Warhawk or Heavenly Sword), who could deny that we are truly fortunate this year?
And as if these “massive” titles weren’t enough, BioWare and Microsoft have finally announced the shipping date for the long-expected Xbox 360 RPG title Mass Effect.
The game will come out on November 20, endowed with a lot of pre-launch awards, like the 2007 Game Critics Awards for “Best Console Game” and “Best RPG” at the Electronic Entertainment Expo last month in Los Angeles.
Previewed several times in the recent period at Leipzig’s Game Convention and at PAX 2007, Mass Effect is already a leading candidate for the “best console RPG” title, despite some rather disappointing early reviews from the media. People are however delighted with the graphics of the game and with the revolutionary dialogue system, which is certainly a premiere for any RPG, from any platform. Gamers are “turning” a dialogue wheel where there are usually 3 types of responses for each line spoken by an AI, but instead of seeing the exact words displayed on the screen coming out of the main character’s mouth, players will see Commander Shepard either taking action without saying anything or saying something similar, but with a different tonality.
“With ‘Mass Effect,’ BioWare is delivering an incredible next-gen gaming odyssey. Our fans will journey through a vast, futuristic universe as they are challenged to make impactful decisions that will determine the very fate of the galaxy,” said Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer, BioWare Corp. Added Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare Corp., “The best games bring players into an immersive, realistic world that is fun to explore from beginning to end. We’ve achieved that in ‘Mass Effect’ by putting the player at the center of a compelling, cinematic storyline full of realistic characters and hundreds of exciting locations.”
Bob McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Merchandising at GameStop Corporation commented that, “Only a handful of video games redefine their genres, and judging from the excitement and demand we’ve seen from fans, ‘Mass Effect’ for Xbox 360 is one that can bring role-playing games to a broader audience through its beautifully realistic graphics and cinematic, emotionally charged gameplay experience.”
The producers have announced that immediately after the launch Mass Effect will get its share of downloadable content, which should please multi-player addicts (ME has no multiplayer component). One can think of new planets to explore/new submissions, new weapons and new possibilities to change your character.
“Mass Effect” will have an estimated retail price of $59.99 and is rated “M” for “Mature” by the ESRB.
