Mass Effect

 PC
Mass Effect Image
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89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3860 Ratings

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  • Summary: As the first human on the galactic stage, you must uncover the greatest threat to civilization. Your job is complicated by the very fact of your humanity, as no one trusts you and you need to find a way to convince everyone of the grave threat. You will travel across an expansive universe toAs the first human on the galactic stage, you must uncover the greatest threat to civilization. Your job is complicated by the very fact of your humanity, as no one trusts you and you need to find a way to convince everyone of the grave threat. You will travel across an expansive universe to piece the mystery together. As you discover and explore the uncharted edges of the galaxy, you come closer to an overwhelming truth - learning that the placid and serene universe you know is about to come to a violent end and that you may be the only person who can stop it! In addition to the main story arc of the game, players are be able to visit a large number of uncharted, unexplored planets which are side quests independent from the main story. At any time during the campaign, a player can choose to explore one of these planets and have an opportunity to discover new alien life, resources, ruined civilizations and powerful technologies. Talents and abilities are upgradeable and advanced talent options become available at higher levels. Weapons and vehicles are customizable to include various effects, abilities and upgrades using the "X-Mod" system. Each character class have unique talents and abilities which increase in power as the player progresses through the game. Optimized controls have been designed specifically for the PC. Fully customizable controls â?? PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like. Run & Gun Control â?? Players can assign biotic powers or skills to â??hot keysâ?? allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action. New decryption mini-game. New inventory screen GUI and functionality â?? The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor. [Microsoft]… Expand
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Mass Effect Official Movie 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. G4 TV
    100
    Computer owners are getting everything found in the Xbox 360 game, including achievements and online leaderboards, but with better visuals, smoother action, and a more streamlined interface. That the game rings up at a lower retail price and offers the first expansion pack as a free download is simply icing on the cake.
  2. PTGamers
    95
    Mass Effect PC wasn't rushed, this version has clearly been thoroughly thought-out to exploit the advantages of this platform.
  3. Gamers.at
    94
    Mass Effect knocked me off my feet: The presentation is fantastic, and many small improvements compared to the Xbox 360 version make the game a great roleplaying experience. Anyone who hasn’t played the title yet should definitely give it a try now! [Issue#14]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. GamePro
    90
    If you've already tackled the console version, you certainly don't need to shell out for the PC version, too, but if you haven't yet experienced this magnum opus, this is the version you should play.
  5. Boomtown
    90
    The words stunning, engrossing and addicting just don't do this game justice, and if it wasn't for my belief that no game will ever be truly perfect (as well as the vehicular silliness and the occasionally suicidal squad antics), the score you see below would have crept into double figures.
  6. Computer Games Online RO
    87
    Mass Effect is without doubt the best Xbox 360 RPG at the moment. But we’re on PC market here, so it’s a bit more obvious that BioWare just wanted to test the waters a bit with its very own Star Wars brand. Not to mention that Mass Effect simply has too many alternatives on the PC.
  7. FiringSquad
    75
    As captivating as Mass Effect is in terms of story, setting, and core game mechanics, it sort of falls apart when it comes to basic gameplay.

See all 45 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 388 out of 511
  2. Mixed: 84 out of 511
  3. Negative: 39 out of 511
  1. Kiwi
    Aug 23, 2008
    10
    A great game, with a few bugs that should have been ironed out, but nonetheless, they can be overlooked as it is perfect in pretty much A great game, with a few bugs that should have been ironed out, but nonetheless, they can be overlooked as it is perfect in pretty much everything else, and as the first part of a trilogy, it sets the game up well for it's own future, and doesn't leave you with a "halo 2"-esque cliffhanger to get annoyed with.… Expand
  2. LAlfredo
    Aug 26, 2021
    10
    One of the best games i ever played, i have not enough words to describe it
  4. GeorgeC.
    Jul 9, 2008
    10
    At first, I didn't know what to expect, and almost turned away from playing the game because it was a bit confusing at first. But people At first, I didn't know what to expect, and almost turned away from playing the game because it was a bit confusing at first. But people said the game was good, and I decided to really give it a try. Sure enough, by the time I was about 1/3 through it, I absolutely could not stop playing the game. It's been said this game is much like kotor, since you can control the fate of your character through your choices, pursue a "good/bad" path, and take on missions in a rather non-linear fashion. However, when I played kotor, I don't think I experienced anything close to the enjoymjent and involvement I felt with this game. The game's real-time combat system, plentiful cinematics, intriguing storyline made me feel as if I'd just finished watching a great movie. I wanted more, and I can't remember the last time any game has ever made me do that.… Expand
  5. dosse91
    Jan 29, 2011
    9
    this is by far one of the best games i've ever played! all role playing games should be like this. i mean, most rpgs take place in fantasythis is by far one of the best games i've ever played! all role playing games should be like this. i mean, most rpgs take place in fantasy worlds that make no sense, while this one throws you in this futuristic galaxy. and that's what i like of it: it's believable, realistic (mostly), and shows off many aspects of the same culture: you see the citadel, which is some sort of "golden cage", where everything seems to be going well, and nobody believes you when you say they're in danger, and it's up to you to save the galaxy; then you see colonies that are being attacked, meet a "dark side" made of mercenaries, poor people being bullied by some sort of intergalactic mafia, and everything fits in into the story perfectly. another thing i loved was the fact that you can import your saved data into the second game: that means that 90% of your decisions in this game (and there's plenty of them) has some sort of result in the second game: you might meet again some people you've helped, you can hear about what you did in the first game almost everywhere, and that makes the already excellent atmosphere of the game, even better.
    however, apart from its excellent story and outstanding atmosphere, bioware ruined this masterpiece with some things: first, a technical complain: the old version of the unreal engine 3 used in this game sucks ass. why the hell did you use that piece of crap? what was wrong with the aurora engine used in other bioware games like the witcher? or even better, why didn't they use the cryengine2, it would've made this game PERFECT! the ue3 causes nothing but trouble, badly pixelated shadows and ingame loadings! second, some things should have been better, like the covering system (improved in mass effect 2), and the AI (both friendly and enemy). another thing that kinda sucks are the side quests: most of them get boring and repetitive pretty quickly and most of them look the same.

    in conclusion, all i can say is that this game is GREAT, but not perfect
    graphics 7/10
    sound 9/10
    controls 8/10
    story 10/10
    replay value 9/10

    overall, i'd give this game a 9.25/10    … Expand
  6. Woolee
    Sep 26, 2021
    8
    Oh my god, I haven't had this much fun with a game in many years! It is simply captivating and breathtaking. When I browse about on theOh my god, I haven't had this much fun with a game in many years! It is simply captivating and breathtaking. When I browse about on the surface of a new planet I… Expand
  7. MarkG
    Oct 30, 2008
    8
    If you're a fan of Bioware RPGs and especially if you're into sci-fi, you won't be disappointed by this most recent release if If you're a fan of Bioware RPGs and especially if you're into sci-fi, you won't be disappointed by this most recent release if you overlook the few minor UI quirks - however, those against draconian DRMs, who like to feel that they actually own the game or tend to like a bit of variety in their side quests, may have to look elsewhere.… Expand
  8. Patrick
    Jun 8, 2008
    0
    This game will not let you save most of the time (even out of combat). So you can not quit playing when you want to do something else or haveThis game will not let you save most of the time (even out of combat). So you can not quit playing when you want to do something else or have to use your computer. Customer support told me this is not a bug and will not be fixed. Game went back to the store.

    Not usable by people who have a life or use their computer for something other than Mass Effect.    … Expand

See all 511 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best PC Game of 2008
6
#6 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
5
#5 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

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