Mass Effect

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3872 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,294 out of 3872
  2. Mixed: 438 out of 3872
  3. Negative: 140 out of 3872
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  1. 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 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 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
  2. temps
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    Mass Effect is a masterpiece of modern gaming. The graphics were good for their time, the story was superb (albeit off to a slow start at first), and the combat/gameplay is acceptable, once you get sufficiently deep into the game. The DRM used in the retail version uses SecuROM, which might have been a deal-breaker for me, but Steam offers a digital edition of the game without this kind ofMass Effect is a masterpiece of modern gaming. The graphics were good for their time, the story was superb (albeit off to a slow start at first), and the combat/gameplay is acceptable, once you get sufficiently deep into the game. The DRM used in the retail version uses SecuROM, which might have been a deal-breaker for me, but Steam offers a digital edition of the game without this kind of nonsense DRM (I highly recommend going this route, especially if you already are familiar with and use Steam for other games).

    Overall, despite the merely "ok" combat, Mass Effect makes up for it with its nice graphics, outstanding story, terrific atmosphere, fun character and dialog options, and overall sense of cinematic appeal. If you want the epic military sci-fi adventure of the decade, look no further!    … Expand
  3. Pearly
    Mar 24, 2012
    9
    The fact of the matter is that Mass Effect is a game worth playing. It has a great combat system, including what is probably the best use of squad-based combat in video games, great story, an amazingly detailed universe, excellent dialog and voicework (at least, if you play as FemShep), and looks great, even on my below-average PC.

    I'll admit that there are some aspects that could be done    The fact of the matter is that Mass Effect is a game worth playing. It has a great combat system, including what is probably the best use of squad-based combat in video games, great story, an amazingly detailed universe, excellent dialog and voicework (at least, if you play as FemShep), and looks great, even on my below-average PC.

    I'll admit that there are some aspects that could be done better, such as repetitive missions, occasional glitches and average music, but this is more than made up for by the rest of the game. The decisions were never easy to make and are made all the more important by the fact that your choices will stick with you for ME2 and ME3, which is an absolutely fantastic idea. The difficulty levels were also superb, I found that there were a few moments that would get me sufficiently frustrated, forcing me to work out a better way through the level, maximising the use of my squad, but not so frustrated that it made me turn off the game.

    All in all, Mass Effect is a game well worth playing, especially for the fact that you carry on your save file to ME2.    … Expand
  4. Ansatsu83
    Dec 21, 2014
    8
    I love the mass effect franchise, especially this game, but it has some annoyances that prevent me from giving it a perfect score. First, speaking of the good parts of the game. It is a role playing, third person, shooter with multiple interesting classes and the ability to defy physics with many abilities. The core game play is solid (even though I wish they would have included a reloadI love the mass effect franchise, especially this game, but it has some annoyances that prevent me from giving it a perfect score. First, speaking of the good parts of the game. It is a role playing, third person, shooter with multiple interesting classes and the ability to defy physics with many abilities. The core game play is solid (even though I wish they would have included a reload element... like they did in me2,) The storyline is gripping, the cinematic are damned good, the character progression is very nice, as well. There are some plot holes and lots of other elements but simply put, its great! There is a wide variety of items and modificiations in the game, which add to the enjoy-ability for those who like loot finding. HOWEVER! There are several complaints that I have, which prevents me from giving it a perfect score... The main complaint is the mako exploration and side planet geometry. Its very obvious they did not put any time or effort into the height maps they used for the side mission planet. They were sloppily done with lots of jagged edges and some dips in the geometry that the mako has difficulty getting out of... Not to mention trying not to bounce around like a bumper car ride gone horribly wrong!... They could have used the blur tool on photoshop, to eliminate half of the geometry issues. The second complaint is the inventory system, I cannot select multiple items to disassemble, hell even a full tier would have been NICE! instead, I must go through my full inventory, of 150 items, and manually break the items into omnigel or sell them manually. This process is tedious and detracts from the overall gameplay experience. On top of this, they introduced a "tier" system, for loot. After about tier 5, for weapon mods and armor mods, they started to combine many of the effects of two mods, but made them less potent. Its fine and all, make them more powerful as you level up... once you hit level 40 the gear is all the same tier, for the last 20 levels. At which point you already have max omnigel and max credits... and max inventory constantly hounding you to clear space... There are a lot of elements that make this a great game, and some very major annoyances. Worth a 60 dollar price tag... its down to about 10, right now. Pick it up when you get a chance, especially if you like sci-fi shooters combined with rpg elements.… Expand
  5. wordy_actions
    Jul 26, 2011
    8
    THE GOOD: The story, the characters, and the locations are all fully realized and well-designed. The voice acting is great, as well as the music. THE BAD: Well, the combat. It's not exactly bad, it's just not as good as the rest of the game. Still, it only slightly detracts from the enjoyment of the game. THE UGLY: Krogan.
  6. HighwayUK
    Sep 5, 2011
    8
    Still the best of the series in my view (less dlcs yet the game is far longer than ME2 with all it's dlcs) graphically its decent enough for the age, feels better designed then the sequel, and it's still one of the best RPG shooters about. EA needs to get ME3 back on track and dump DLC crapness unless the game is 20+ hours like this title was
  7. vixvicco
    May 12, 2012
    8
    Amazing start to a fantastic series. Worth playing. Storyline very compelling, on its own the story is somewhat good but ordinary, but combining it with the 2nd and 3rd games makes it a completely creative and compelling masterpiece. Whoever says you can skip this one is lying, I recommend playing this first if possible.
  8. Nauglamir
    Apr 17, 2012
    9
    First off, Mass Effect demands patience. Its combat system will require some time to get comfortable with, while the inventory management is acceptable, though obviously corny and at times annoying. On the contrary, the RPG customization looks well-realised, providing a good amount of classes, items and abilities. The galaxy map is single-handedly intriguing, surrounded by the empty voidFirst off, Mass Effect demands patience. Its combat system will require some time to get comfortable with, while the inventory management is acceptable, though obviously corny and at times annoying. On the contrary, the RPG customization looks well-realised, providing a good amount of classes, items and abilities. The galaxy map is single-handedly intriguing, surrounded by the empty void of the dark space. The planets graphical rendering may look dull; however, the chemistry of music and simple barren plains adds to the feeling of a far more plausible space exploration. Beyond that, Mass Effect tells an original and, much to my astonishment, unsettling story. It mesmerises with its brilliant vision of a universe ruled by a hierarchy of different races, humanity not being, for the first time, one of them. The rising evil depicted throughout the plot will force the player to beg for questions over the relativity of humanity attitude towards the universe. Eventually, this is a thorough-to-master game, at least to grasp its very sci-fi/rpg essence. Nevertheless, it does worth trying.… Expand
  9. Bossk-Office
    Mar 28, 2012
    8
    There is really only one thing that lowers my score for Mass Effect: driving around in a stupid car called the "Mako", which is a poorly implemented rudimentary gaming experience to say the least that does not belong anywhere near an AAA title.

    Other than that, I have not had so much fun playing a game since the original Space Quests, or perhaps Dragon Age: Origins. You hop around the    There is really only one thing that lowers my score for Mass Effect: driving around in a stupid car called the "Mako", which is a poorly implemented rudimentary gaming experience to say the least that does not belong anywhere near an AAA title.

    Other than that, I have not had so much fun playing a game since the original Space Quests, or perhaps Dragon Age: Origins. You hop around the galaxy, you walk through the Citadel, you talk to your squad on the Normandy, you snuggle up with blankets, you listen to the lovely music and you just let yourself be enveloped by the game and by the world. Mass Effect is a feelgood game that just plain gives you hope for gaming.

    Combat feels clunky and frustrating at first, when Shepard wants to take cover against any wall, any corner you come close to in the heat of battle, and not always obeying your frantic button-mashing, but you soon realize itâ    … Expand
  10. stvartak
    Jul 10, 2012
    8
    I have the advantage of playing this game four years after its initial release, so I have not had any of the support issues some other users have mentioned. After reading all of the other user reviews, I think you either love or hate this game based on whether you are interested in story and adventure (love) or technical excellence and action (hate). This is a story-driven game with aI have the advantage of playing this game four years after its initial release, so I have not had any of the support issues some other users have mentioned. After reading all of the other user reviews, I think you either love or hate this game based on whether you are interested in story and adventure (love) or technical excellence and action (hate). This is a story-driven game with a lot of locations to explore and a lot of backstory that is revealed gradually through dialog and journal entries as the game goes on.

    To give you some idea of why I like this game, the last few games I really loved were the Thief series, Deus Ex, and Dreamfall. Here's a quick summary of what I think is good and bad about Mass Effect:

    GOOD: Deep story. Many characters to interact with if you choose, but only a few that you are forced to interact with to move the game along. Mini-game lock-pick system that is challenging but not frustrating. Tons of optional side quests, so you can skip them if you just want to cut to the chase, or do them if you're enjoying yourself and want to prolong the experience. Pretty good voice acting, in my opinion. Good third-person camera movement. Graphics were good, not excellent, for 2008.

    BAD: A bit glitchy; locked up on me three times during 50+ hours of gameplay. Some frame-rate lag, even with my 2012 graphics card. Less than perfect lip-syncing (but not terrible for a 2008 game). Most of the RPG elements such as level-ups and experience points are incidental to the actual game experience; you could blast your way through without paying any attention to your character's develop and not really miss much.

    Personally, I liked the "good" and wasn't bothered by the "bad," so I liked Mass Effect a lot and look forward to playing ME2.    … Expand
  11. ginolamantino
    Jul 22, 2012
    8
    Let's make this clear. This game is far from perfection. You will occasionally find some lil' glitches. And some aspects of the game will make you feel in pain if you're weak at heart. Neverthless, Mass Effect is worth not one but two tries. Begin by building your player aspects and then forge his personality through many entertaining missions around the space.You will find many elementsLet's make this clear. This game is far from perfection. You will occasionally find some lil' glitches. And some aspects of the game will make you feel in pain if you're weak at heart. Neverthless, Mass Effect is worth not one but two tries. Begin by building your player aspects and then forge his personality through many entertaining missions around the space.You will find many elements Mass Effect stole to his predecessors, yet it's undeniable you can enjoy at least 20 hours playing. Just choose wether you're the alien council savior or the damn human renegade. Or a miox of the two, why can't Captain have some sort of split personality?… Expand
  12. BlackPhoton
    Aug 4, 2012
    9
    This game is one of the best science fiction games up to date. It's a mix of RPG, Action (not the best though) and dialogue. Starting with the good things about this game. The epic storyline is truly worth going through and hopefully the trailer didn't spoil too much. Your character doesn't say a sentence that you don't choose. Bioware uses it's notoriously perfect dialogue wheel. DuringThis game is one of the best science fiction games up to date. It's a mix of RPG, Action (not the best though) and dialogue. Starting with the good things about this game. The epic storyline is truly worth going through and hopefully the trailer didn't spoil too much. Your character doesn't say a sentence that you don't choose. Bioware uses it's notoriously perfect dialogue wheel. During some very original missions you will be making hard choices that effect the story. The characters are a gold mine for Bioware. The RPG elements are there some may be exaggerated, but still fun. There are a lot of tweaks for weapons and armors. You can fully characterize your Shepard with looks, classes, even his scars and history. Mass Effect is an unpolished diamond and isn't perfect. There are three issues in the game. Auto-Save will rarely happen and it's a discipline to keep quick saving, make sure you holster your weapon and revive your squad mates or you won't be able to quick save. Another issue comes from long exploring and the tank Mako missions those could get really boring, but it's possible drive trough combat as long as the shield holds. Usually players will consider the combat the biggest problem, but remember when this game was made combat didn't get great as this. Your squad mates will be useful especially cause of their abilities. And with the RPG element combat gets interesting. However the AI can sometimes crash, talking about crashing there is a popular overheating bug for weapons at certain locations. If you manage to get trough the combat issues you will enjoy the wast galactic adventure.… Expand
  13. prossnip42
    Jul 29, 2018
    7
    Now before we begin i know i am very late to this but i recently purchased the Mass effect trilogy and i played through the entire thing. So let's start with the first one shall we

    Pros: -The atmosphere and the world building are top notch. Mass Effect works perfectly in establishing it's universe, the lore, the different species and the inevitable Armageddon coming your way to destroy    Now before we begin i know i am very late to this but i recently purchased the Mass effect trilogy and i played through the entire thing. So let's start with the first one shall we

    Pros:
    -The atmosphere and the world building are top notch. Mass Effect works perfectly in establishing it's universe, the lore, the different species and the inevitable Armageddon coming your way to destroy us all. Not at any point was i bored or disinterested. Hell even some of the more fetch based sidequests were very interesting

    -The story is phenomenal. People told me about how great the story in this franchise is and they weren't lying. Every decision you make can go back to bite you in the ass or even benefit you if you know what you're doing (Until Mass Effect 3 but we'll get to that). The voice acting is alos great for the most part

    Cons:
    -Now as much as i would love to say that Mass Effect one is a phenomenal game, it isn't. For one, the combat. It's awful. Like, really **** bad. The controls are slippery, using energy instead of ammo is pointless and cumbersome and the cover system is bar none the worst in the entire franchise.
    -The love interests. As i kept playing through the Mass Effect games i found out how important the love interests were. And Mass Effect 1's love interests aren't that great. There's Liara who's just amazing and then there's the boring space racist Ashley and the boring boring bucket of bore Kaidan. Seriously what do some of the fans see in Kaidan. He's so boring you might as well be romancing a stick with a gun

    In conclusion, all though flawed, Mass Effect 1 is a good start to what would become a great franchise    … Expand
  14. Sten-Bengt94
    Jun 4, 2014
    6
    I did not get immersed into this game and that is not the because of the story but it is because of the controls, hud and graphics of the game. It also got a bit repetitive so I couldn't continue because it wasn't fun enough to continue. Do not know why I bought it on sale because I regret it.
  15. The3AcademySins
    Jun 7, 2016
    8
    An amazing action/RPG/shooter space opera that tells an incredible story. While it hasn't aged too well (the combat in particular) this is still an unbelievably good that game I have no qualms recommending!
  16. Hambarr
    Jun 18, 2018
    7
    First of all, the main story of this game is fantastic. It is a really good introduction for the Mass Effect series which is one of the most iconic trilogy I have ever discovered in my video gaming experience. Each character is appealing in his own way, every companion has his own temper.

    However, there are some points that displeased me during my playthrough (maybe for some of them the    First of all, the main story of this game is fantastic. It is a really good introduction for the Mass Effect series which is one of the most iconic trilogy I have ever discovered in my video gaming experience. Each character is appealing in his own way, every companion has his own temper.

    However, there are some points that displeased me during my playthrough (maybe for some of them the reason is because I played this game recently and was disturbed by things that were considered good when the game was out) :

    - The side quests were really boring, most of the time they consist in exploring an almost empty planet then clearing a building which often looks like the one you cleared for the previous mission.

    - As I just said, the planets you will explore for the side quests are empty except for some resources and a building filled with enemies. This becomes quite repetitive after visiting some planets and makes exploration boring.

    - I personally disliked the fighting system with heating and weapon precision acquired through skill points, I found it very frustrating to wait until my weapon cooled to keep fighting.

    Nevertheless, I would still recommend to play the game for its main story and its character design which are his strong points.    … Expand
  17. AdamC
    Sep 2, 2008
    7
    An initially impressive game that is ultimately too short and too repetitive. I clocked a game time of less than 15 hours, and this included many of the side missions. While the main storyline and the core gameplay (think action FPS/RPG hybrid) are fun, the side missions are unfortunately mostly boring, generic, and repetitive and dont add much to the game. Since there are a couple An initially impressive game that is ultimately too short and too repetitive. I clocked a game time of less than 15 hours, and this included many of the side missions. While the main storyline and the core gameplay (think action FPS/RPG hybrid) are fun, the side missions are unfortunately mostly boring, generic, and repetitive and dont add much to the game. Since there are a couple lingering and annoying bugs, I'd wait for another patch or two and for this one to hit the bargain bin before picking it up.… Expand
  18. MGrant
    Jun 8, 2009
    9
    Um....okay a few points. 1) I have no idea why people are complaining about lock ups. I played this game on damn near max on a2.3ghz Dual Core with a NVIDIA 7600 and was fine, no graphical issues, the game looked and ran great. 2)This is possibly my favorite game ever. The story was simple yes, but it still grabs you. The interaction makes you a part of it, and the fact that it is a rare Um....okay a few points. 1) I have no idea why people are complaining about lock ups. I played this game on damn near max on a2.3ghz Dual Core with a NVIDIA 7600 and was fine, no graphical issues, the game looked and ran great. 2)This is possibly my favorite game ever. The story was simple yes, but it still grabs you. The interaction makes you a part of it, and the fact that it is a rare game that gives you that "command decision" (those of you who have beat it know what I am talking about) as well as a few other twists and turns dependent on who you are and what you've done really gives you an interactive story feel. Bio ware didnt fail imo but the weapons and armor do feel a little old very soon with repatitve models and little to no difference in upgrades until about the end of the game. 3)While I give kudose for attempting at replayability, even going a drastically differernt path still feels too familiar and makes it difficult to play, even though I really want to (ie playing through with the higher gear or playing through as a bioic with assult rifle ) I criticise because thats part of the job of crticing a game but ultimately it is a great game, and its opne or two minor downfalls are really the only reason its not a perfect 10 and I wish metacritic had a better/more accurate rating system so I could go as far as 9.5.… Expand
  19. MikeC
    Jun 29, 2008
    8
    All around it's a very solid game, but with some weaknesses. The gameplay is excellent, I really enjoyed chucking the enemies around with the game's physics based biotics powers while also blasting them with a shotgun, and the different powers and teammates and teammates powers you can choose makes for lots of tactical variations. The actual plot is a bit generic at times (great All around it's a very solid game, but with some weaknesses. The gameplay is excellent, I really enjoyed chucking the enemies around with the game's physics based biotics powers while also blasting them with a shotgun, and the different powers and teammates and teammates powers you can choose makes for lots of tactical variations. The actual plot is a bit generic at times (great ending, though!) but the characters, dialogue and back-story is top notch, with some very interesting stuff. The secondary quests and explorable worlds have a very generic design (identical designs for many bases!), there's nowhere near the attention to detail that games like oblivion and GTA show in designing large explorable areas. I never had a problem with it crashing. Despite some of the bland and generic design of secondary content, I had a blast playing it.… Expand
  20. JohnL
    Oct 11, 2009
    10
    For what the game was intended to be, it's the best of the best. The only slight annoyances had in the beginning was the inventory system which has since been fixed. Mass Effect is an epic story, a full length feature film where you get to direct the ending...
  21. LeahR
    Jun 16, 2008
    9
    Mass Effect is a bold step forward in the evolution of action-RPGs. It's a modern, refined, squad-based Deus Ex, complete with a riveting, painstakingly realized world and narrative. Where it pales in comparison to Deus Ex is in its openness, or rather lack thereof: while the game world often gives the illusion of wide, unfettered space, you can't actually explore much of it, Mass Effect is a bold step forward in the evolution of action-RPGs. It's a modern, refined, squad-based Deus Ex, complete with a riveting, painstakingly realized world and narrative. Where it pales in comparison to Deus Ex is in its openness, or rather lack thereof: while the game world often gives the illusion of wide, unfettered space, you can't actually explore much of it, and what you can explore is fairly linearly designed. Still, the thrilling synergy of FPS and RPG makes the first playthrough a blast. The slick interface, snappy dialogue, well-paced and epic storyline, and frequent cinematic flourishes culminate in an engrossing experience. Bioware are masters of the linear action-RPG. It's time for them to push their boundaries, quite literally, and take a page from Bethesda in designing an open game world.… Expand
  22. Hermestik
    Nov 20, 2010
    8
    Graphics? Very good, Scenario? Perfect, Immersion? If you like Sci-fi it is great. But to appreciate it you must take your time. No rush, explore, listen to the ppl around, dive into the story. The path you'll choose will impact the second opus.
    Some bad points ? yes. The inventory system is too heavy, to much items in too short times. And the secondary quests can become somehow boring,    Graphics? Very good, Scenario? Perfect, Immersion? If you like Sci-fi it is great. But to appreciate it you must take your time. No rush, explore, listen to the ppl around, dive into the story. The path you'll choose will impact the second opus.
    Some bad points ? yes. The inventory system is too heavy, to much items in too short times. And the secondary quests can become somehow boring, a bit repetitive. But globally that game is a hit ! a Must have for all sci-fi, space opera, lovers.    … Expand
  23. virgo47
    Dec 26, 2010
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. While not old-school RPG this game should definitely satisfy also action shooters players - if they don't mind running around a few places (Citadel and Noveria especially). But even that is fun. Graphics, sound - all very good. Gameplay, control, menus - good as well. Story is very good - after all who wouldn't like to safe a galaxy, right? RPG - I'm no expert here, but you have to make some decisions that are more or less difficult - and they make some difference. Ironic enough - they make probably more the difference in Mass Effect 2. :-) Game time is also satisfying for such a cinematic game. Game also leads you nicely through and it's hard to get stuck in the story - which I prefer.

    Now the problems. Safe point before unskippable video and dialog followed by a fight where you often go down in a matter of a few seconds while you realize what's the best tactic. Safe points are PITA at least on two occasions. Two different modes (combat/non-combat) have two different control systems, but that can be handled. Exploration (material gathering) doesn't make sense. Terrain for Mako is dramatic, but needs smoothing - badly. Many bases on side quests are similar - but this is pardonable. Also - you'll likely use only a few characters from your team - but this may vary if you choose different profession. Character graphics (especially faces) are sometimes ugly - minor glitches disrupting otherwise nice cinematics. No major bugs, which is good.

    Favourite moment: Virtual intelligence notifying the enemy about other "customers" in line. That one made my day. :-)

    Bottom line: Great game, stunning story, a lot of fun.    … Expand
  24. SteelSoapy
    Feb 26, 2011
    9
    First off. Mass Effect is worth every penny. This game is seriously one of the most enjoyable games I have ever played. It's not the best at its first person shooter and role playing elements separately, but Bioware really knows how to put things together to create a unique game style that are only similar to their own, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. That old game was the reasonFirst off. Mass Effect is worth every penny. This game is seriously one of the most enjoyable games I have ever played. It's not the best at its first person shooter and role playing elements separately, but Bioware really knows how to put things together to create a unique game style that are only similar to their own, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. That old game was the reason why I was interested in Mass Effect. SW KotOR was one of my favorite games. Mass Effect blows it out of the water. The story lines in this game are incredible. Its easy to get lost in it. The player gets to choose what happens in the future that can effect what happens all the way through the second and to the third game of the Mass Effect trilogy. Customization is high. Graphics are good. I played on low graphics and found it satisfying. Each character has its own personality. This game is like a great movie that you get to play in. As for game play, again, weapons, armor, appearance are customizable with upgrades and levels. One down part is the driving across worlds with basically nothing and tedious mountains with the "space car". I just found it boring and time-taking. There is so much to this game it's tough to say it all, so just go give it a play-through and see what you think. Just don't go into the game expecting it to be some way, see it as something you don't even know about, and you will enjoy playing the game.… Expand
  25. virtualmatrix
    Jul 31, 2011
    9
    This is a wonderful game, it's not RPG'd to the extent where you need to pull out your calculator and its very straight forward. The gameplay is solid and the story is fantastic. It's not everyday where you come across a game like this so if you have the money I would say go out and buy this. I've played this both on PC and Xbox 360, I enjoyed it more on PC because of its accessibility,This is a wonderful game, it's not RPG'd to the extent where you need to pull out your calculator and its very straight forward. The gameplay is solid and the story is fantastic. It's not everyday where you come across a game like this so if you have the money I would say go out and buy this. I've played this both on PC and Xbox 360, I enjoyed it more on PC because of its accessibility, better graphics and much better controls with mouse and keyboard as opposed to a controller. Bioware went all out on this game. Typically its about an 18 hour game if you explore, if you rush you could beat this easily in about 12 hours. I've had a few run & gun sessions on boring, hot summer days.… Expand
  26. TommyH
    May 20, 2011
    9
    PC version of the game: Great story, wonderful direction like a really good movie, great music, great characters with great voice acting, great universe where all takes place. Good controls via the HUD and short-keys. Overall simply just great entertainment. I've had about the best 50 hours of gaming time in my life. Technically stable, with great graphics (for 2008 anyway but stillPC version of the game: Great story, wonderful direction like a really good movie, great music, great characters with great voice acting, great universe where all takes place. Good controls via the HUD and short-keys. Overall simply just great entertainment. I've had about the best 50 hours of gaming time in my life. Technically stable, with great graphics (for 2008 anyway but still today).
    Nit-picks: interior cells are mostly copy-pasted for the many side missions, planet worlds could have been more lively. Other than at the Citadel you hardly meet people other than bad guys of one sort or another. The inventory is a mess, should have some sort of sorting option. The controls of the vehicle are a bit whacko. So this is why I give 9 points, otherwise it would be one of the very few 10's I would ever give to a game.    … Expand
  27. Admiral_TSon
    Nov 21, 2014
    9
    A generally great game all around with a couple of minor issues. ME1 sets up the series with a fantastic plot and gives users plenty of opportunities to shape the plot with major decisions that have dire consequences. Plot, dialogue, and companions are well written and executed, while combat leaves something to be desired.

    Pros: -Excellent plot in foundation and execution -Well    A generally great game all around with a couple of minor issues. ME1 sets up the series with a fantastic plot and gives users plenty of opportunities to shape the plot with major decisions that have dire consequences. Plot, dialogue, and companions are well written and executed, while combat leaves something to be desired.

    Pros:

    -Excellent plot in foundation and execution
    -Well written team of companions
    -Player has opportunities to make important plot decisions that have an impact on the game/later series
    -Plot provides thought provoking commentary about current issues
    -Great musical score

    Cons:

    -Combat is a bit clunky--guns have unlimited "ammo" but overheat if fired a certain number of times
    -Cover system is very rudimentary and difficult to use practically
    -Missions in the MACO sometimes become tedious
    -Side-quests requiring you to travel to other planets in the game are boring and repetitive with copy-paste settings    … Expand
  28. cm182
    Jul 3, 2011
    9
    Amazing game. The story line is fantastic and I loved the gameplay, although it did take a while to get used to the inventory system and combat. The only thing that was a let down was the inability to avoid a lot of cutscenes that happened before combat, meaning if you had to start again you'd have to watch the cutscenes over and over again. Thankfully this is only a major problem early onAmazing game. The story line is fantastic and I loved the gameplay, although it did take a while to get used to the inventory system and combat. The only thing that was a let down was the inability to avoid a lot of cutscenes that happened before combat, meaning if you had to start again you'd have to watch the cutscenes over and over again. Thankfully this is only a major problem early on when your level isn't very high. Any fan of RPGs should play this!… Expand
  29. snowshreder
    Jul 5, 2011
    8
    This game is simply different a hybrid if you will the mechanics are new, the story is good, the movie or sense pull it together the weapons pissed me off why are there only 4 grades of weapon this is just lazy and makes firefights less interesting. overall this game was worth the cost.
  30. Str4toFortr3ss
    Oct 7, 2011
    9
    Mass Effect is one of the greatest sci-fi action/RPG games that I ever played. The world and the story is amazingly well designed, as well as the characters. Excellent voice acting, and wonderful music, makes this game even better ! It's a game that you have to play ! :)
  31. Ordish
    Nov 23, 2012
    9
    Installed this oldie for a little break from the FPS scene I've been in lately and I have to admit, it was quite pleasing. Certainly not ground breaking today but looking back to 2008 when it was released I can see how this game was rated so highly and deservedly so. The inventory system is a bit clunky but the rest of the game mechanics as well as the story line are fantastic. A solid 9Installed this oldie for a little break from the FPS scene I've been in lately and I have to admit, it was quite pleasing. Certainly not ground breaking today but looking back to 2008 when it was released I can see how this game was rated so highly and deservedly so. The inventory system is a bit clunky but the rest of the game mechanics as well as the story line are fantastic. A solid 9 hours of game play and pure enjoyment in a great and compelling story line. If you haven't played Mass Effect it is definitely worth the time to check it out.… Expand
  32. BasilZero
    Aug 30, 2014
    9
    Game: Mass Effect 1
    Genre: RPG/FPS
    Developer: Bioware/EA System: Steam (PC) Total Score: 93/100 Value Score: 9.3/10 • Story: 10/10 • Characters: 9/10 • GamePlay: 9/10 • Graphics: 8/10 • Sound: 10/10 • Music: 8/10 • Length: 9/10 • Replay Value: 10/10 • Player Value: 10/10 Pros +Great Dynamic story that keeps changing depending on what role, what decisions and    Game: Mass Effect 1
    Genre: RPG/FPS
    Developer: Bioware/EA
    System: Steam (PC)
    Total Score: 93/100
    Value Score: 9.3/10

    • Story: 10/10
    • Characters: 9/10
    • GamePlay: 9/10
    • Graphics: 8/10
    • Sound: 10/10
    • Music: 8/10
    • Length: 9/10
    • Replay Value: 10/10
    • Player Value: 10/10

    Pros
    +Great Dynamic story that keeps changing depending on what role, what decisions and actions you make in the game.
    +Multiple Scenarios, Paths and Endings which leads to multiple playthroughs and thus replay value
    +Class based gameplay system which allows you to have a different experience each time you play as a different class.
    +Character customization lets you create your own character in their own appearance, etc
    +A great mixture of RPG and FPS elements packaged into one game
    +Fantastic voice acting and a lot of voice over scenes
    +A great morality system that also plays in what bonuses you would get (i.e. discounts, certain decision options)
    +Leveling system has quite a depth that ranges from learning unique class abilities to weapon mastery
    +Save files are interchangeable between Steam and Origin.

    Cons
    -Some minor glitches could occur such as falling into the floor or certain scenes not being playable from time to time but nothing game breaking and does not happen often or repeatedly
    -Some of the visual designs look a bit outdated and last gen style (PS2/GCN/Xbox era)
    -Some of the side missions lead you to similar to same looking areas and structures
    -Some of the planets are so barren and empty with nothing but fetch quests or extra grinding for weapons and money.
    -Pinnacle Station DLC is not available for standalone purchases of Mass Effect 1. Only available for Trilogy purchasers.
    -Bring Down the Sky DLC has to be downloaded separately and installed unlike the description in the store page where it says its available already.    … Expand
  33. Ztride
    Dec 21, 2011
    8
    A great overall game, perhaps a little short when you remove the linear planet exploration side-quests. The game features great characters, a very interesting and quite original sci-fi setting and smart dialogue system. The combat, which has no re-loadable weapons but instead an overheating-system (featured on heavy machine guns in many other shooters) was refreshing.
  34. faf
    Aug 11, 2014
    8
    As the opening chapter in the Mass Effect Trilogy this game is brilliant. For the Sci-Fi fan byt he Sci-Fi fan.

    The universe in which ME plays off is deep and rich, lore hunters will love collecting all the Codex entries scattered throughout the game as they are all well written and really serve to immerse the player. The main quests are fun and dynamic. Fast paced and action packed    As the opening chapter in the Mass Effect Trilogy this game is brilliant. For the Sci-Fi fan byt he Sci-Fi fan.

    The universe in which ME plays off is deep and rich, lore hunters will love collecting all the Codex entries scattered throughout the game as they are all well written and really serve to immerse the player.

    The main quests are fun and dynamic. Fast paced and action packed you get real bang for your buck from these. The optional side quests get recycled many times over and feel very generic. By the end of the game it becomes tedious to drive around in the Mako and clear yet another rogue installation but the quests thankfully are short.

    Lots of Armour and weapons to pick-up and customize to your liking with a slew of upgrades to experiment with for maximum damage and surviveability    … Expand
  35. Resplendent
    Jul 23, 2012
    9
    Mass Effect is arguably the best single-player sci-fi game since Halo. The fact that it throws in RPG elements keeps it all the more enjoyable and replayable. Once you get used to the somewhat rigid controls, and once the story gets going, it's a thrilling game that you won't be able to put down. Getting to explore Shepard's relationships with his crewmates lets you really get to know themMass Effect is arguably the best single-player sci-fi game since Halo. The fact that it throws in RPG elements keeps it all the more enjoyable and replayable. Once you get used to the somewhat rigid controls, and once the story gets going, it's a thrilling game that you won't be able to put down. Getting to explore Shepard's relationships with his crewmates lets you really get to know them as distinct individuals. The histories of each planet were also wonderful to read. As with most games I love, the soundtrack leaves nothing to be desired. I've always felt music was just as important to any game or movie as the story, and Mass Effect's hits all the right notes. All fans of sci-fi should find this as brilliant as I did.… Expand
  36. e_x_p
    Mar 18, 2012
    9
    I was a non-believer of sci-fi games before this title. The amazing gameplays and hooking elements opened my eyes to this whole new world of opportunities. It doesn't feel repetitive at all to jump from planets to planets to harvest resources - especially when traversing territories in land vehicles, and encountering mini-bosses along the way. The storylines are immaculate - saving theI was a non-believer of sci-fi games before this title. The amazing gameplays and hooking elements opened my eyes to this whole new world of opportunities. It doesn't feel repetitive at all to jump from planets to planets to harvest resources - especially when traversing territories in land vehicles, and encountering mini-bosses along the way. The storylines are immaculate - saving the galaxy has never been this fun. A 10/10 title by its nature but 9 for me because of Borderlands' one-upper gun-centric RPG.… Expand
  37. bosnian
    Mar 13, 2012
    9
    This game is how rpgs should be done. Every character has a deep history and a valid reason to be where they are and do what they are doing. There are numerous ethical choices throughout the game that define your character, but also how the story will play out. Where as in the KOTOR you are forced to be either the ultimate good or the ultimate evil, here you can be any shade of grayThis game is how rpgs should be done. Every character has a deep history and a valid reason to be where they are and do what they are doing. There are numerous ethical choices throughout the game that define your character, but also how the story will play out. Where as in the KOTOR you are forced to be either the ultimate good or the ultimate evil, here you can be any shade of gray in-between. Classes you are allowed to play are vastly different and NPCs bring along variety of strengths and weaknesses. The only real negative in the game are the vehicle levels, as they are very long, tedious and don't bring anything new to the table.

    Good:
    - deep, character driven story where your actions throughout the game affect outcomes and behaviors of others.
    - you are allowed to play as ultimate good or ultimate evil, but also as many shades of gray in-between
    - high replay value

    Bad:
    - vehicle levels are long, boring and repetitive    … Expand
  38. TheFlaminboy
    Jul 21, 2012
    8
    Very good game, with some of the best story-telling I've seen in a game. Also a very epic ending, probably one of my favourite endings of any game. The reason why I'm only giving this an 8 out of 10 is because of the annoying Inventory system and because all the sidequests are too boring and have very similar map layouts, which takes a lot of fun out of the game, unfortunately.
  39. TheCommander
    Aug 7, 2012
    9
    I really liked this game. The story was excellent and I liked the RPG elements of the characters and equipment. I personally thought this was a much better game than Mass Effect 2 or 3 which I found disappointing due to the lack of RPG elements. The environments and space races were detailed, exciting and believable. I would say this is the best space game that I've played since star-wars.I really liked this game. The story was excellent and I liked the RPG elements of the characters and equipment. I personally thought this was a much better game than Mass Effect 2 or 3 which I found disappointing due to the lack of RPG elements. The environments and space races were detailed, exciting and believable. I would say this is the best space game that I've played since star-wars. Considering its like 10 bucks on steam this game is simply a must have.… Expand
  40. kane148
    Jul 24, 2012
    9
    Though not without flaws, this game is just great. As one would expect from Bioware, the game puts you into an expansive world full of lore and interesting characters. Honestly, that is the game's strongest point. While not impressive, the 3rd-person shooter gameplay is fun (though far less polished than ME2 and ME3) and there is a big galaxy to explore, full of uncharted pirate bases andThough not without flaws, this game is just great. As one would expect from Bioware, the game puts you into an expansive world full of lore and interesting characters. Honestly, that is the game's strongest point. While not impressive, the 3rd-person shooter gameplay is fun (though far less polished than ME2 and ME3) and there is a big galaxy to explore, full of uncharted pirate bases and treasures guarded by monsters. While the inventory system is somewhat unwieldy and managing gear becomes more of a chore later in the game, it does provide one with plenty of options and opportunity to specialize gear for specific play styles, missions, and enemy types. The game's biggest flaw is its infamous vehicle sections, which are often a huge pain, but this is a small part of the game and one need not spend much time on these sections if they are bothered too much. All in all, this is a great space RPG which is well worth the time and money. If you spend time exploring the galaxy and doing side-quests, you can easily get 80 hours out of this game--not bad for the $10-20 it costs these days.… Expand
  41. chronoT
    Sep 22, 2012
    9
    A marvelous introduction to an epic series. When Mass Effect launched it brought us a visually stunning sci-fi action role-playing game that was unlike any other experience. I really enjoy how the original has more RPG elements than later titles, with more story line choices and customization, and squadmates have an inventory. The weapon/armor choices and upgrades are the best the seriesA marvelous introduction to an epic series. When Mass Effect launched it brought us a visually stunning sci-fi action role-playing game that was unlike any other experience. I really enjoy how the original has more RPG elements than later titles, with more story line choices and customization, and squadmates have an inventory. The weapon/armor choices and upgrades are the best the series has to offer. The only thing that sets the original back from the second and third is the combat. Mass Effect's battles don't feel as smooth, especially aiming and the use of skills. Also, having unlimited ammo actually makes the game feel less realistic. It is although important to mention that the first is the most challenging in my opinion, where I found myself dying even on normal difficulty. Overall if you skipped Mass Effect 1 for any reason or think that it may not be as good as the others, do yourself a favor and play this game because to this day it is amazing.… Expand
  42. theirrelephants
    Jun 9, 2020
    8
    One of the best scifi rpgs I've ever played in my life. The shooting mechanics are a bit janky (this is fixed in the second game), but overall this game knocks it out of the park. A shining example of how Bioware used to make great games.

    The story is thrilling with good pacing, and your companions (with two exceptions, the human ones) are likeable or at the very least not dull. The    One of the best scifi rpgs I've ever played in my life. The shooting mechanics are a bit janky (this is fixed in the second game), but overall this game knocks it out of the park. A shining example of how Bioware used to make great games.

    The story is thrilling with good pacing, and your companions (with two exceptions, the human ones) are likeable or at the very least not dull. The main villain was very well done, especially considering that it is a talking space ship. Just the right amount of spooky and 'im above you.'

    The first of the series and ties with with mass effect 2 for my favorite.    … Expand
  43. DoesntMatter
    Dec 24, 2012
    9
    This game has almost everything. Story and gameplay are great and it's immersive. The world is huge and there's a lot to do in it. Exploring does get a little boring an repetitive, but then again you're not forced to do it. It's very visible that the controls and interface are tailored for consoles. Especially the menus aren't always perfect to navigate, but it's good enough and doesn'tThis game has almost everything. Story and gameplay are great and it's immersive. The world is huge and there's a lot to do in it. Exploring does get a little boring an repetitive, but then again you're not forced to do it. It's very visible that the controls and interface are tailored for consoles. Especially the menus aren't always perfect to navigate, but it's good enough and doesn't affect the gameplay too much.… Expand
  44. marto
    Aug 8, 2013
    6
    After I played for about 8 hours I finally surrender on the first planet outside the Citadel. Moving around is painfully slow, the dialogues are too long and most side missions are dumb as hell from the opening sentence. The inventory is so unpleasant that I don't look at it any more. Giving it a 6 because of the effort put into the game. It works. But it's so much behind Fallout.
  45. Jaz
    Feb 24, 2013
    9
    A great space RPG with compelling story, believable characters, immersing world and space exploration. Combat was ok as well the controls. But the strong point of this game -and the most important for me-was that you really felt that you were the hero who would save the Galaxy.
  46. Basem101
    Jun 21, 2013
    9
    am not a big fan of galaxy and universe games or shows and when this game came out i wasn't interested at all until i saw that it got really high scores so i decided to give it a try and am glad i made that decision cause this game is just amazing it made me feel like the fate of the whole universe rests in my hand with amazing story and gameplay and great graphics but i didn't give itam not a big fan of galaxy and universe games or shows and when this game came out i wasn't interested at all until i saw that it got really high scores so i decided to give it a try and am glad i made that decision cause this game is just amazing it made me feel like the fate of the whole universe rests in my hand with amazing story and gameplay and great graphics but i didn't give it 10 because of some bugs like i have to save every time the game doesn't save until u finish the mission so if i died in the middle of the mission i had to play it from the beginning and the mako car was sometimes frustrating but other than that it is so amazing and i could easily get over these issues i can't wait to play the rest of the series… Expand
  47. Kyle2086
    Oct 1, 2014
    9
    This was a very solid start for a series with a rich lore although cliche'd story. The combat system was thankfully overhauled in the sequels, and while it wasn't terrible, it did feel very 'casual' and the inventory system was a mess. The side missions tend to be bland and drag a bit, but overall it's a great experience and gives you a thrill ride from start to finish. You'll findThis was a very solid start for a series with a rich lore although cliche'd story. The combat system was thankfully overhauled in the sequels, and while it wasn't terrible, it did feel very 'casual' and the inventory system was a mess. The side missions tend to be bland and drag a bit, but overall it's a great experience and gives you a thrill ride from start to finish. You'll find yourself missing some of the diversity present in the first game with the alien races, and giving yourself the option to save or sacrifice major characters makes this a worthwhile experience. The dialogue is well written and the voice work is some of the best in video games. Definitely worth playing if you can find it.… Expand
  48. jssrfx
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    Mass Effect was, and still is, groundbreaking for its time of release. It truly is an epic science-fiction story which will provide you with many "aha-effects" if you are familiar with the popular science-fiction TV shows and movies.

    Playing this game I am often reminded of Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica, Starship Troopers, Farscape and even Stargate to a certain    Mass Effect was, and still is, groundbreaking for its time of release. It truly is an epic science-fiction story which will provide you with many "aha-effects" if you are familiar with the popular science-fiction TV shows and movies.

    Playing this game I am often reminded of Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica, Starship Troopers, Farscape and even Stargate to a certain extent, because the gateway-like conduit/relays are reminiscent of Stargates, or perhaps the jump gates from Babylon 5. The universe of the game is diverse, it is a story about co-existence, but also problems between humanity and alien races who have tried to establish a status quo on a huge, city-like space station called the Citadel.

    You start out with a character creation screen - and I do recommend you play the female Shepard, because the voice acting is so much better, and it simply is visually more appealing - and craft your own character just the way you like it. From here on out you're making decisions, forging relationships, decide whether you want to use diplomacy or force, and based on your chosen path the methods by which you achieve the mission goals (and the difficulty with which the game unfolds) the outcome might be different. You should also choose wisely who of your squad members you take on a mission, because sometimes having a higher tech ability might be more useful than combat strength. The customization option in terms of armor, weapon loadout and add-ons are also mindboggling. Make sure you keep your squad in good shape!

    I can honestly say that I've never before felt this connection to a virtual group of people in a single player experience, nor has it ever been that hard in a game to make a choice between who lives, who dies, who gets hurt by your choice, and who will become a close friend. The excellent voice acting (Lance Henricksen and Dwight Schultz to name only a couple of famous actors) does much to create immersion. The side quests in this first installment are a little repetitive, granted, but the story arch makes up for it, never mind the epic end-battle which truly happens on a cinematic scale and quality.

    If you like sci-fi, RPGs and action-adventure games that give you a lot of freedom given a linear story line (and take one or the other cliche), this is for you. And given the fact that you can continue using your character throughout the sequels, do start with this first episode of the trilogy. You will feel far more connected and familiar playing with a Shepard having already over 40 hours under their belt when embarking on the next journey.    … Expand
  49. timt
    Dec 18, 2014
    10
    A game would really have to 'wow' me to get a 10. Mass Effect is one of those rare games which did. It took me off planet Earth, and injected me into the stars. Amazing story, incredibly interesting characters which you care about, and fun exciting combat.

    Last year during Christmas holidays, I introduced my brother (a university student) to the game. He finished the trilogy in    A game would really have to 'wow' me to get a 10. Mass Effect is one of those rare games which did. It took me off planet Earth, and injected me into the stars. Amazing story, incredibly interesting characters which you care about, and fun exciting combat.

    Last year during Christmas holidays, I introduced my brother (a university student) to the game. He finished the trilogy in record time (was completely addicted). Afterwards he actually went through withdrawal - said was hard to go back to normal life after saving the universe, and that he missed those the characters in the game.

    In my view Mass Effect series is one of the greatest games of all time, and the first one is the best in the trilogy.    … Expand
  50. Futureops
    Nov 12, 2014
    9
    "Simply one of the best RPG you will ever play"

    Mass Effect is the best role playing game of all time, it easily pleases
    any RPG fan out there, the game does get repetitive for any non RPG fan
    but in the end, the final payoff is epic in scale!
    ----------------------------------------------
    GAMESCORE: 9.3 "SUPERB"
    ----------------------------------------------
  51. safteygamerpro
    Oct 18, 2014
    10
    Mass Effect is very fun with good graphics ok gameplay and a fun story. The part of the game that sticks out from the other mass effects is the open world the other games didnt let u explore as much as this game but they had the gameplay and story
  52. Honestcritic19
    May 22, 2015
    8
    A terrific sci-fi rpg with a really good story and memorable characters. The gameplay is okay, the big thing about the game is the story and how you can change the outcome of events. Get it.
  53. FabioFisher
    Nov 16, 2020
    10
    The universe of Mass Effect is wonderfull, the races, the playability, the characters, the combat is all Amazing!!
  54. jimbobslimbob
    Nov 24, 2014
    8
    A really good action/RPG game in every aspect. The story, voice acting, graphics, sound, music and gameplay are all good.

    The game seems like a fusion of Dragon Age, KOToR and Neverwinter Nights all wrapped up together in a wonderful package. If you liked any of those games, you will undoubtedly like this! You follow the path of Shepard (male or female depending on your preference)    A really good action/RPG game in every aspect. The story, voice acting, graphics, sound, music and gameplay are all good.

    The game seems like a fusion of Dragon Age, KOToR and Neverwinter Nights all wrapped up together in a wonderful package. If you liked any of those games, you will undoubtedly like this!

    You follow the path of Shepard (male or female depending on your preference) in a desperate attempt to save the galaxy from the ominous Reapers. Along the way you recruit companions, fall in love and make tough decisions. It also allows for a little exploration in form of the many sidequests.

    You get to select from a multitude of different classes and level-up and outfit the characters however you want. It also features a squad ordering system (although basic) to position your squad tactically. The combat is in the form of an over-the-shoulder third person, cover-based shooter. It works well here when combined with your squads various strengths and weaknesses.

    All-in-all, a very good game that I would recommend to everyone interested in the format.

    Jimbo Rating: 8/10    … Expand
  55. perimeno
    Dec 12, 2014
    10
    This is the best game I have ever played. Although it's graphic is not as beautiful as the following MEs but the complex character evolution is the best in the series. Lot of people hate Mako quests but I have no problem with them. All in all my favorite episode is the first one in the series.
  56. Liuon
    Apr 12, 2017
    10
    Before that game, I wasn't interesting at all at playing Sci-Fi games because I found them too boring, even though I really like Sci-Fi movies. This game changed my perspective about games, gave me unforgettable experiences and initiated me into the world of Mass Effect. I will continue the series until the end to find out everything about this magnificent world.
  57. zampaconi
    Jul 30, 2016
    9
    Recensione temporanea da sostituire non appena disponibile quella definitiva. Recensione temporanea da sostituire non appena disponibile quella definitiva.
  58. samueldacruz
    Feb 15, 2017
    10
    Como shooter, é um jogo mediano (apesar de ter uma jogabilidade com elementos variados, dependendo da classe e dos companions), mas com certeza essa não é a proposta principal do Game. Mass Effect brilha mesmo é na história, esta, que pode tomar diferentes rumos dependendo de suas escolhas. Além dos pesonagens extramamente carismáticos (apesar do Shepard masculino não ser tanto), o jogoComo shooter, é um jogo mediano (apesar de ter uma jogabilidade com elementos variados, dependendo da classe e dos companions), mas com certeza essa não é a proposta principal do Game. Mass Effect brilha mesmo é na história, esta, que pode tomar diferentes rumos dependendo de suas escolhas. Além dos pesonagens extramamente carismáticos (apesar do Shepard masculino não ser tanto), o jogo tem um universo com diversos elementos sensacionais. Um dos meus games favoritos 10/10… Expand
  59. Promothane
    Jan 24, 2017
    10
    Mass Effect is a brilliant piece of work that will bring you unforgettable experience as you coming through the history of the Milky Way. I personally believe that this is the best game I've ever played due to the fact that I'd never felt so emotionally connected to story and character you're playing for. I strongly recommend this game to everyone who is passionate about Sci-Fi stories,Mass Effect is a brilliant piece of work that will bring you unforgettable experience as you coming through the history of the Milky Way. I personally believe that this is the best game I've ever played due to the fact that I'd never felt so emotionally connected to story and character you're playing for. I strongly recommend this game to everyone who is passionate about Sci-Fi stories, rich story line and extremely well-developed dialogues during your time in elevator ;)… Expand
  60. Verg9797
    Feb 16, 2017
    10
    Mass Effect is a science fiction gem! I regret not trying out this game sooner. It is a 3rd person action rpg. Released in 2008 it isn't the prettiest but with different mods such as the MEUTIM and some tweaks in the nvidia control panel(recommended) you can make it look good. Playing it on the PC and I instantly knew that it was meant for a console rather than pc. Other than that I haveMass Effect is a science fiction gem! I regret not trying out this game sooner. It is a 3rd person action rpg. Released in 2008 it isn't the prettiest but with different mods such as the MEUTIM and some tweaks in the nvidia control panel(recommended) you can make it look good. Playing it on the PC and I instantly knew that it was meant for a console rather than pc. Other than that I have found no flaw in it at all. I personally loved the combat that made you focus more on leveling up the player according to your own style. But the BEST bit about mass effect is Of course its incredible stroyline. You can determine the fate of this epic by choosing different dialogue options. I will admit that this game gave me goosebumps numerous times during my play-through. By the time I finished the game(12 hrs in 2 days) I felt like I had finished an incredible movie. This game has the stroyline that puts most JRPGs to shame. So, if you haven't had the chance to play this game before, stop wasting your time and JUST TRY IT!… Expand
  61. KittyWhisky
    Mar 20, 2017
    10
    I appreciated this game immediately. At first it seemed boring, and not very beautiful. But! Cost me my first job, as my opinion has changed!
    Mass Effect is the best space opera. I marvelled at how beautifully written dialogues. The range of answers is a good idea. The characters in the dialogue is sharp, it's like I'm watching a real movie!
    The plot is very intriguing and doesn't let go    I appreciated this game immediately. At first it seemed boring, and not very beautiful. But! Cost me my first job, as my opinion has changed!
    Mass Effect is the best space opera. I marvelled at how beautifully written dialogues. The range of answers is a good idea. The characters in the dialogue is sharp, it's like I'm watching a real movie!
    The plot is very intriguing and doesn't let go until the end! And this is only the beginning. The world and lore of the game is incredibly developed.
    Among the characters you are sure to find your favorites, and awake to take with you. Almost all the characters are interesting, with their history and views.    … Expand
  62. Khalazza
    Mar 13, 2017
    10
    A game would really have to 'wow' me to get a 10. Mass Effect is one of those rare games which did. It took me off planet Earth, and injected me into the stars. Amazing story, incredibly interesting characters which you care about, and fun exciting combat.
  63. Gor1945
    Apr 8, 2017
    8
    Лучшая игра в трилогии - но до уровня Стар варс Котор - все равно чутка не дотянула.
    Дальше у Биовар все пошло по наклонной.
  64. sirArterius
    May 12, 2017
    10
    The phenomenon and a breakthrough in rpg game industry. I totally love it's atmosphere and story.
    It was so ahead of its time.
    What the hell has happened with Bioware since those times of decent rpg games?
  65. md5fungi
    Dec 4, 2019
    8
    Mass Effect revels in its superbly epic homage to classic sci-fi and fantasy fare, creating an incredibly endearing cast of characters that will seem familiar to anyone somewhat versed in the genre. It's a good thing the characters are good, too, because most of this game involves you (Commander Shepherd) talking to them.

    The Commander Shepherd you decide to be over the course of the    Mass Effect revels in its superbly epic homage to classic sci-fi and fantasy fare, creating an incredibly endearing cast of characters that will seem familiar to anyone somewhat versed in the genre. It's a good thing the characters are good, too, because most of this game involves you (Commander Shepherd) talking to them.

    The Commander Shepherd you decide to be over the course of the game has long-lasting and potentially universe-changing consequences, and these consequences extend into the sequels of the series, should you choose to import your character (which you should absolutely do). This sense of consequence creates an immersion that few games even come close to.

    The FPS gameplay is solid, but by itself a little uninspiring. However, the character classes and their associated skills are what really make the gameplay of Mass Effect shine. You can play as the typical but somewhat dull run-and-gun class, but you can also play as a support class that can levitate and throw enemies, as well as overloading their shields. You can even play as a character that has the ability to hack robotic enemies and make them attack their own cronies. The classes are fairly distinct and they require different approaches to be successful.

    In addition to the skills, the game has a good number of weapons at different levels that can be upgraded for you and you are squadmates. People that don't care much for RPG-style upgrading may find this a bit tedious (I did), but it definitely adds variety to the gameplay.

    As far as how the game looks and sounds, it's still an awe to look at after all these years. The film grain and synth soundtrack give the game a sense of timelessness, and detract from the outdated textures. The character models are pretty to look at (especially the armor), and the environments are varied enough to keep things fresh (especially towards the end of the game). The voice acting is fantastic.

    After I finished Mass Effect, I was pretty blown away from the entire experience, and felt even more rewarded that Commander Shepherd's legacy would live on for the second game. The fact that I pondered over the decisions I had made throughout the game for days afterward is a testament to the immersion of this sci-fi marvel..    … Expand
  66. Sandro86
    May 15, 2019
    9
    This was a love from the first sight. Very cool rpg fight mechanics. Ending was superb just superb. But it had it's few problems.
  67. Solarka
    Aug 22, 2019
    9
    So, the beginning of the epic RPG/TPS science-fiction trilogy.
    If you try to browse the net researching about Mass Effect franchise, you might find a couple of not-so-favorable words about the first entry. After you actually play it though, the thought you typically get is: "What sort of masterpieces the other games are if THIS is considered the weakest entry in the series?" Yes, by many    So, the beginning of the epic RPG/TPS science-fiction trilogy.
    If you try to browse the net researching about Mass Effect franchise, you might find a couple of not-so-favorable words about the first entry. After you actually play it though, the thought you typically get is: "What sort of masterpieces the other games are if THIS is considered the weakest entry in the series?" Yes, by many this is considered the weakest entry, although there is a small group of people who think it is the best (as with any game in any franchise).
    About the good parts first. This the most RPGish game in the trilogy. Here you actually had to choose which weapon skills to max out, or try to max protection. If you want to be able to diplomatically solve various situations you have to level persuasion for good guys and frightening for bad guys. By the max level you will have only about a half of it covered. Leveling-up really matters here.
    The plot is another thing that makes the game shine. If you look at plainly the main plot, it might be the best in the trilogy. The way of introducing the whole universe to the player is introduced is executed very well. The side quests aren't exactly shiny, but decent.
    The graphics is a different topic. At times you will be feeling like you are playing a 2010 game.
    One of the main problems of the game was combat, which was the primary reason for people not to like this game as much as the following ones. It is sort of weird, but lets not forget that this is Bioware's first attempt at creating an action combat system. A good classic RPG with fine action combat is rear thing itself.
    There were other problems, like a rover that didn't seem to know of physics laws, most planets were just squares with pretty much same terrains and a little bit different textures. Yet none of them can make such a great game bad. It is totally worth trying, and if you are looking to get into Mass Effect franchise, do not skip the first game.    … Expand
  68. Genek13
    Nov 19, 2019
    8
    First in series, nut not best one :)
    Story is main strong point of this game. Visuals and mechanics are let's say - OK :)
    Many hours to play with satisfying cliffhanger.
  69. Piruz
    May 30, 2021
    4
    Let's say that it's just not the worst game ever. It's kinda bad in everything, but better than 2 and 3. Give it 4, because today i'm generous
  70. TudorPopescu
    Oct 31, 2020
    10
    The Mass Effect trilogy is my absolute favorite series of RPGs. Mass Effect 1 has interesting characters who evolve and change over time in this game, and also in the sequels. The villain has motivations that you can understand, maybe you even agree with certain things he says. He isn't evil just for the sake of being evil.

    The story is excellent and has twists. There are choices and    The Mass Effect trilogy is my absolute favorite series of RPGs. Mass Effect 1 has interesting characters who evolve and change over time in this game, and also in the sequels. The villain has motivations that you can understand, maybe you even agree with certain things he says. He isn't evil just for the sake of being evil.

    The story is excellent and has twists. There are choices and consequences. Decisions you make in Mass Effect 1 can have an impact in Mass Effect 2 and 3. Characters could die and that will impact your story.

    I also like the space setting because I feel like there are too many medieval fantasy RPGs. Well done space RPGs are much rarer, This also allows for the introduction of new, unique races like the turians, the quarians, the krogan, the salarians and others. I am a bit tired of the typical dwarves, elves and orcs from medieval fantasy RPGs.

    There are also some light criticisms to make. The combat isn't that great and it can feel clunky. Also, the paragon/renegade system kind of forces you to go all in. If you play a more nuanced character, you may be locked out of certain options that require high paragon/renegade points. But the game is so good that these issues don't matter much.

    I can't wait for the remastered versions. If you like RPGs, you HAVE TO play the Mass Effect series.    … Expand
  71. bigreview122
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Phenomenal game! the story is amazing, and the gameplay isn't bad either, and graphics look far more advanced than any other game which released at the same time, a must-buy for anyone.
  72. lxRs451
    Nov 7, 2020
    9
    This game is a rough diamond in some ways - like the combat. Also, if you played KOTOR or some of the other earlier Bioware game you know what to expect and it's all set in a vast universe.
    The best part about this game for me is the atmosphere that is unmatched in the ME series and it is the thing that always pulls me back.
  73. kimi1775
    Nov 9, 2020
    8
    ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎
  74. Lattely
    Nov 22, 2020
    10
    It was only the beginning of the trilogy but this game make me a lover of videogames. When 10 years ago I play this game I just say: "Oh my, how many things in this game like a choose of equipment, weapons, interesting characters, dialogue variants and a lot of side quests". You can play this game endlessly like and all trilogy ( you always will find something new).
  75. Torgall
    Dec 12, 2020
    9
    Fantastic game that set up many standards for me. The main NPC characters and your relationship with them is great.
  76. RodrigoroRex
    Dec 21, 2020
    10
    "Mass Effect": Amazing game, it provides an amazing experience for the player. 7 out of 7. Played it on PC.
  77. Ubermetalhed
    Sep 24, 2011
    7
    Over hyped and overblown, this game is not terrible but it isn't great either. It is good in the most average sense of the word. Great graphics aside, repetitive combat, dull characters, atrocious driving controls and a story which doesn't become interesting till the last 5th of the game make it distinctly average. It's functional but the game feels extremely shallow, surprising seeing itOver hyped and overblown, this game is not terrible but it isn't great either. It is good in the most average sense of the word. Great graphics aside, repetitive combat, dull characters, atrocious driving controls and a story which doesn't become interesting till the last 5th of the game make it distinctly average. It's functional but the game feels extremely shallow, surprising seeing it came from the makers of the exceptional KotoR.… Expand
  78. shaun37
    Oct 26, 2011
    8
    Amazing well thought-out and executed, great voice acting, memorable characters and full of emotion and some of the most entertaining fights you'l experience. Mass Effect is just as much for RPG fans as it is for standard 3rd person shooter fans, with creative and unique classes and extremely fun combination of powers+gunfire. Enemies are challenging, story folds out extremely well andAmazing well thought-out and executed, great voice acting, memorable characters and full of emotion and some of the most entertaining fights you'l experience. Mass Effect is just as much for RPG fans as it is for standard 3rd person shooter fans, with creative and unique classes and extremely fun combination of powers+gunfire. Enemies are challenging, story folds out extremely well and world class graphics. Only 8 cuz of repetitive driving scenes and unnecessary and obscene amount of gear.… Expand
  79. Tata
    Sep 11, 2011
    10
    After getting a patch and playing the game again, I realized how great it is compared to the second one. Combat is much better, Story is better, feels more like an RPG. Darkside/Lightside returns from KOTOR (which is pretty good). For 5$, It's a must buy.
  80. cunningmunki
    May 23, 2012
    7
    A great story, brilliant design and enjoyable gameplay is marred by an appalling inventory and user interface. The acting and dialogue is better than most RPGs, and the combat is good, although a little restrictive at times. The Mass Effect universe seems vast to start off with, and an overload of new characters, species and back-stories in the first part of the game can make you feel likeA great story, brilliant design and enjoyable gameplay is marred by an appalling inventory and user interface. The acting and dialogue is better than most RPGs, and the combat is good, although a little restrictive at times. The Mass Effect universe seems vast to start off with, and an overload of new characters, species and back-stories in the first part of the game can make you feel like it's going to take a lifetime to remember all the races, politics and history, but eventually you learn the important parts and the rest fall into place. Unfortunately, the poor interface takes so long to learn and get used to, it takes a while before you really feel in control of your character and their abilities and really start to enjoy the game.
    I'm looking forward to playing part 2.    … Expand
  81. JaydenPickens
    Feb 20, 2019
    5
    This game is a mixed bag. Sure, it has an interesting story, but what else? The gameplay is tedious, the speed of our character is a joke. I saw turtles running faster than Shepard. I played the game using a trainer, so I could run faster and guess what... did 100% of the game and finished it in 20 hours. I don't even wanna know how much time I would lose with that snail running the gameThis game is a mixed bag. Sure, it has an interesting story, but what else? The gameplay is tedious, the speed of our character is a joke. I saw turtles running faster than Shepard. I played the game using a trainer, so I could run faster and guess what... did 100% of the game and finished it in 20 hours. I don't even wanna know how much time I would lose with that snail running the game has. And most of the game is just about movement. Developers do not respect our time. Stop making games with slow running, because I'm tired of looking for solutions for this. The story kept me going and there were not many decisions to choose from as the game advertised. This is not Fallout New Vegas my friends. I won't call this a waste of time, because I really enjoyed the story, but it's not something I will play ever again by my own volition. I hope the second game is better. Pickens can't choose!… Expand
  82. MusAddict
    Nov 25, 2011
    9
    I remember being introduced to this game by being told the complex story by my friend. The complexity of it all made me not interested, but he gave me to let me play. I turned it on, was amazed by the character creation, then got in-game. I instantly compared the species and story to other science fiction, and my first impression was that it was it was a poor original adaptation of StarI remember being introduced to this game by being told the complex story by my friend. The complexity of it all made me not interested, but he gave me to let me play. I turned it on, was amazed by the character creation, then got in-game. I instantly compared the species and story to other science fiction, and my first impression was that it was it was a poor original adaptation of Star Wars. Boy was I wrong. By the end of the game I shat my pants by the vast, epic feeling of needing to protect the galaxy from domination. Amazing story (to be expected from Bioware), cutting edge graphics (for 2008), and intuitive gameplay. The chat wheel was revolutionary for the gaming industry.… Expand
  83. Heben2
    Nov 17, 2011
    9
    Great rpg game with lots of possibilities and nice graphics. The story is brilliant and the combat feels intense. The only problem with the game is the number of similar, unimportant and boring sidemissions, the money that you get is of no importance and the stats selection and item management is way too complex. If no side quests are made, you can play through the whole game relativelyGreat rpg game with lots of possibilities and nice graphics. The story is brilliant and the combat feels intense. The only problem with the game is the number of similar, unimportant and boring sidemissions, the money that you get is of no importance and the stats selection and item management is way too complex. If no side quests are made, you can play through the whole game relatively fast, which is a shame, as it has such a great story to tell and so many possibilities to make even more. But still a great game and definitely worth your time.… Expand
  84. Geowil
    Nov 25, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good old Mass Effect. I have to admit that when the game first game out I thought it was stupid for only being released on the XBox. It was not until much later, when the PC port came out, that I picket it up at Direct2Drive. From the second I started playing it I knew there was something special to be had here. I was gripped by the story almost instantly, being a huge Sci-Fi nerd and all. This is a great series, cannot wait to see how it ends.

    That said, on to the review. Personally I never had many problems with ME1 during my first couple of play throughs, but as I did more the game seemed to degrade in quality. More weird crap would start happening and such.

    You play as Commander Shepard, a soldier in the Alliance Navy. You are stationed on the MSV Normandy, a frigate class spec ops ship recently constructed. The Normandy was a dual venture between the Turians, an alien race in Mass Effect, and Humanity. The result was a ship that cost about as much as a fleet to develop and build but that also has some very cool tech built into it.

    You are on a dry run mission to test out the Normandy's stealth systems along with a Turian Specter called Nihlus. He is a guest aboard the ship sent by the Council, a governmental organization that governs the galaxy from a super station known as the Citadel. The Specters are said to be the right hand of the Council, they are a paramilitary organization that answer only to the Council but that have no oversight either. It is up to each Specter to complete their missions using their best judgement.

    The test run is interrupted, however, when a distress single from Eden Prime is intercepted. Eden Prime is Humanity's more successful colony out in Deep Space. It is seen as a tourist spot and is also a symbol of Humanity's will to explore and colonize worlds. They claim they are under attack by an unknown race. Captain Anderson, who leads the crew of the Normandy, orders them to set course to Eden Prime at top speed.

    When they get there they find that the colony is in ruins and a massive ship is parked on the surface. From the few video recordings sent from the colony before contact is lost we determine that the ones attacking Eden Prime are the Geth, a race of artificial intelligence created by the Quarians. They have not been seen in Citadel space for nearly three hundred years.

    Nihlus jumps out of the ship ahead of Shepard and his small team after the Normandy enters the atmosphere. Shepard's mission is to find out what the Geth are after and why they have attacked the colony.

    The story and universe of Mass Effects is super expansive and could be called a living thing. It is always expanding and it gives you a feeling that it actually exists. The development of the game is top notch and the dialog is very good. Sonically Mass Effect also hits a home run.

    The only reason I did not rate this a 10 is because of those few bugs I have encountered and plus the many bugs other people have been plagued with.

    ME1 is a true TPS RPG game with a massive array of weaponry, armor, and support items as well as mods to apply to those weapons. There are some weapons that are not accessible until you play in a New Game+. In your first game you can only get up to level 8 or 9 gear, but in your next play through, if you use a completed save to start from, you get access to up to level 10 gear as well as having new enemies placed into the world to make things a bit more difficult.

    Mass Effect is truly a masterpiece and no self respecting Sci-Fi RPG fan would not have this in their collection.

    There are two DLCs for this game: Bringing Down the Sky and Pinnacle Station.    … Expand
  85. 410MaXiMuS
    May 14, 2012
    10
    The start of the BEST story-driven trilogy in gaming history. It literally rivals Star Wars in terms of history / content. You'd be a fool not to play this game.
  86. davenbettridge
    Jul 11, 2011
    7
    Mass Effect is a mixed bag. On the one hand the conversation events, dialog, character and creature design, interior environmental design, its ambitious decision making ideas, some game play and RPG ideas are great and work well together but on the other hand the overall story becomes predictable, too much of the sci fi is cliche, the lack of tutorials means you dont understand how theMass Effect is a mixed bag. On the one hand the conversation events, dialog, character and creature design, interior environmental design, its ambitious decision making ideas, some game play and RPG ideas are great and work well together but on the other hand the overall story becomes predictable, too much of the sci fi is cliche, the lack of tutorials means you dont understand how the game works (even after finishing it), the shooting mechanics are crappy, the loot system clunky and the third quarter of the game becomes tiresome and repetitive. Mass Effect could also learn a lot of a game like Zelda Ocarina of Time for game pacing as there are large long sequences where the player finds themselves trapped in a non combat RPG environment for hours and hours rather then rewarding the player with new areas and action to break up the monotony. I found myself several times wanting to quit Mass Effect while playing and even found myself forcing myself to finish it. I dont want to seem over handed with my criticism as half of Mass Effect is good, but everything the game doe right, is then bogged down by issues. Mass Effect is a must play because of its superb sequel but as it stands by itself is only good, not great.… Expand
  87. grandpajoe6191
    Nov 11, 2011
    8
    "Mass Effect" is a great, superb game. Yes, it has quite some glitches as well as a monotonous start with repetitive missions, but after a few hours you'll get over it. The great thing about this game was the sexy graphics, solid gameplay, character customization, and DIALOGUE. Every decision you make affects YOU. Overall if you are a PC gamer, this is one great game you shouldn't miss.
  88. KostasI.
    Dec 20, 2009
    7
    This game is flawed. Quite flawed. It has mediocre combat mechanics, boring and small sidequests, empty planets, a vehicle that as a necessary evil cannot be hurt even if thrown 1000 feet down from a mountain range and into a crater filled with natural spires and the game itself is as dumped down as you can get for "console" use. However these "problems" are as far as the negative This game is flawed. Quite flawed. It has mediocre combat mechanics, boring and small sidequests, empty planets, a vehicle that as a necessary evil cannot be hurt even if thrown 1000 feet down from a mountain range and into a crater filled with natural spires and the game itself is as dumped down as you can get for "console" use. However these "problems" are as far as the negative criticism can go. The space opera that Bioware has created is for the most part an excellent piece of making something from nothing. From this point on the game "sucks" you in. The characters for the most part are interesting and the conversations between them realistic. It helps that your own character talks and acts (though the female protagonist is notably better than the male one) with enough believability for you to not feel detract from the experience. Musical score is excellent, visuals are sharp though they perform a little unreliably and the low res textures show their ugly face in a lot of places (like characters cloths and bodies). Its too bad that the game lasts only 20-25 hours and another good 10 or so with the sidequests counted in but its enough to satisfy. Overall the game can use a lot of improvements here and there but its a testament to the rest of the work done with this game that it feels as such. Dragon Age origins on the other hand....… Expand
  89. nicktaste
    Aug 7, 2011
    10
    Mass effect is a masterpiece. I simply loved the story and playing as a renegade commander shepard. The protagonist in this series is actually fun to play and kicks some serious ass. On insanity difficultly and starting off as a level 1 the game offers an entertaining yet not overly difficult challenge. Different character classes and paragon/renegade paths further contribute to the gamesMass effect is a masterpiece. I simply loved the story and playing as a renegade commander shepard. The protagonist in this series is actually fun to play and kicks some serious ass. On insanity difficultly and starting off as a level 1 the game offers an entertaining yet not overly difficult challenge. Different character classes and paragon/renegade paths further contribute to the games replay value. One of my favorite games of all time. While the game is not perfect i still reward it with a solid 10.… Expand
  90. Quality
    Jan 23, 2012
    8
    Mass Effect is a great sci-fi rpg created by top studio Bioware.
    Pros: A strong involving story set in an atmospheric setting. Your choices matter, and will, if you so choose impact Mass Effect 2. Amazing voice acting brings life to an array of interesting characters. Fine graphics that shines during the interactive cutscenes. The shooting/ action    Mass Effect is a great sci-fi rpg created by top studio Bioware.
    Pros: A strong involving story set in an atmospheric setting. Your choices matter, and will, if you so choose impact Mass Effect 2. Amazing voice acting brings life to an array of interesting characters. Fine graphics that shines during the interactive cutscenes. The shooting/ action aspects of the game are very solid.
    Cons: The side quests vary in quality. Some are great, others far weaker. Glitches and frame rate drops hamper the experience slightly.    … Expand
  91. ultraviper
    Mar 22, 2012
    7
    Great graphics (for its time), great story, and fun gameplay. It's a great game with a few flaws. The biggest flaw is the publisher. EA Games has completely stopped supporting this game. If you install it from scratch now, you can no longer get the (free to PC players) bring down the sky DLC as the webpage to download it no longer exists. You can't even add the cd-key of the game to EA'sGreat graphics (for its time), great story, and fun gameplay. It's a great game with a few flaws. The biggest flaw is the publisher. EA Games has completely stopped supporting this game. If you install it from scratch now, you can no longer get the (free to PC players) bring down the sky DLC as the webpage to download it no longer exists. You can't even add the cd-key of the game to EA's Origin service without help from a support representative, as the page to do so will tell you the registration was successful but then not add the game to your library. As for flaws in the game itself, skipping conversations is hard to do without accidentally picking a dialogue option sometimes because the skip key is the same key used to select an option. Also there is way too much loot in the game for the low inventory limit you have. You will tire of the "you are getting close to the 150 item limit" message very quickly. Other than that, the game is pretty short for a RPG but it's enjoyable, and the dialogue system adds to replay value because of the different options you get depending on whether your character leans toward good (paragon) or evil (renegade). And you'll definitely want to play this game just to get to its sequels if you haven't played it already!… Expand
  92. Kydos
    Dec 20, 2012
    8
    This is a great game with a lot of effort gone into creating the universe in which it takes place. The gameplay is fine, pretty standard cover shooting but with the ability to use squad powers as well as your own. Overall I felt the story was pretty compelling and my second time through I had the patience and the interest to read through most of the codex and dialogue options. MissionsThis is a great game with a lot of effort gone into creating the universe in which it takes place. The gameplay is fine, pretty standard cover shooting but with the ability to use squad powers as well as your own. Overall I felt the story was pretty compelling and my second time through I had the patience and the interest to read through most of the codex and dialogue options. Missions become a little repetitive and the side quests are pretty much clones of each other even going as far as whole buildings having the same layout even if they were built lightyears apart. Overall though I was always having fun except when trying to manage the poor inventory system. If you're into your sci-fi and your shooters, this is a must.… Expand
  93. Broyax
    Apr 17, 2017
    10
    Intelligent, impressionnant et fascinant : on en reparlera encore dans 20 ans, dans 100 ans, dans 50 000 ans... un monument du jeu de rôle et une nouvelle référence du space opera. C'est la quatrième fois que je le termine (sur PC -après les trois premières sur 360) et je ne m'en lasse pas.

    Ses plus grandes (et immenses) qualités demeureront son histoire et son univers, créés à la fois    Intelligent, impressionnant et fascinant : on en reparlera encore dans 20 ans, dans 100 ans, dans 50 000 ans... un monument du jeu de rôle et une nouvelle référence du space opera. C'est la quatrième fois que je le termine (sur PC -après les trois premières sur 360) et je ne m'en lasse pas.

    Ses plus grandes (et immenses) qualités demeureront son histoire et son univers, créés à la fois à partir de rien et inspirés de tout ce que la Science-Fiction a produit depuis des lustres. Les choix, les dialogues, les personnages, l'implication du joueur, la crédibilité de ce monde... on n'avait tout simplement jamais vu ça avant.

    Bien sûr tout n'est pas parfait et les balades en mako emmerdent toujours autant et le système de combat (très bien conçu) pâtit du comportement désordonné de l'IA ennemie. Sur PC, le jeu est sensiblement plus beau que sur 360 et surtout 50 000 fois plus fluide. Le pad n'est pas supporté (hélas, mille fois hélas !) mais l'interface a été habilement repensée pour le tandem clavier/souris. Le jeu est également d'une stabilité à toute épreuve et jouit d'une excellente finition (aucun bug -même minime- à déplorer).

    Bref, il vaut son 10 : c'est bien la première fois que je finis un jeu... quatre fois !    … Expand
  94. karmasleeper
    May 30, 2011
    5
    Otherwise decent story and characters diminished by lackluster combat, cookie cutter environments, cumbersome AI, and black and white morality system with virtually no impact on the characters or game outside of final decisions made at the end of the game.

    Mass Effect has a cover system which at first leads you to believe you'll be needing to use it. Using cover is almost always a    Otherwise decent story and characters diminished by lackluster combat, cookie cutter environments, cumbersome AI, and black and white morality system with virtually no impact on the characters or game outside of final decisions made at the end of the game.

    Mass Effect has a cover system which at first leads you to believe you'll be needing to use it. Using cover is almost always a disadvantage since the terrible AI will almost always bum rush you in large numbers. Staying OUT of cover is an advantage in these situations as you have more camera control and are able to protect yourself from their suicide rushes. This reduces the vast majority of encounters to simply running around wildly. Additionally, while Mass Effect boasts a number of character classes to choose from, there is some overlap between abilities with certain classes, making the game seem more varied than it really is.

    Environments, outside of the main story missions, are almost entirely identical. Mass Effect allows you to explore a wide variety of planets, but the terrain differs little and often only in color pallet. While exploring or doing side missions, you come across many structures with identical layout and rooms. Side missions are plentiful, but differ little in structure. Go here, kill this, find that, come home. There is little incentive to explore the galaxy and partake in content outside the main story line. The morality system, if you want to call it that, changes little beyond Shepard's responses. Acting like an avatar of virtue and justice versus an impatient killing machine carries no serious ramifications nor does it alter the course of the narrative in any meaningful way beyond a few encounters in the main storyline. Mass Effect's interface is another weak point. The menu system was obviously designed for consoles. No effort was made to create a more streamlined and user friendly interface for the PC port. When shopping, there is no way to compare what you currently have equipped with what you are looking to buy. The game requires you to exit the shop, open your inventory, memorize the stats of the item in question, talk to the shop owner again, click through his dialogue, open his inventory, and scroll through the list until you find the item you were trying to compare. The story is good but you'll get the feeling you've heard it somewhere before. The characters in your party are generally interesting each with their own unique backgrounds. Some of the most fun I had with this game was wandering around the ship and getting as much background info out of the various characters that I could, even if a couple of them are somewhat flat. The universe is well fleshed out and there is a lot of interesting glossary material to read through for those interested in lore.    … Expand
  95. Asdoorip
    Aug 27, 2011
    10
    One of the best RPG/Action game ever, better than ME2.
    What I liked : Storytelling, Characters, Depth, Immersion, Very personal game, Makes you feel you have control.
  96. Yongx
    Dec 28, 2011
    10
    I got this game on sale from steam a few days ago, and finished the game with the good ending and a romantic relationship with Ashley. I have to say playing this game at 1920x1080 w/ max settings is amazing. I hadn't ran into an crashes or major bugs in the game. I have to say this game is the best. Only problem that really annoyed me was dying and having to start a entire level all overI got this game on sale from steam a few days ago, and finished the game with the good ending and a romantic relationship with Ashley. I have to say playing this game at 1920x1080 w/ max settings is amazing. I hadn't ran into an crashes or major bugs in the game. I have to say this game is the best. Only problem that really annoyed me was dying and having to start a entire level all over again but I fixed that by making my side mouse button auto-save.… Expand
  97. OliverGrau
    Dec 23, 2011
    10
    When I saw the graphics I thought my HP laptop never would have a chance running it, but I was wrong, I can play it in ultra graphics with ease! Such great graphics, which demand nothing see that is awesome! The gameplay is fun and filled with action. The story is deep and I feel like playing more, just keep discovering what this game is about. Some people would say all these cut-scenesWhen I saw the graphics I thought my HP laptop never would have a chance running it, but I was wrong, I can play it in ultra graphics with ease! Such great graphics, which demand nothing see that is awesome! The gameplay is fun and filled with action. The story is deep and I feel like playing more, just keep discovering what this game is about. Some people would say all these cut-scenes sucks, I agree and I disagree, because they are great they're really informative, and again, I just want to play instead watching some sort of short movie. Overall it's a great game, I suggest everyone gives it a try, because it's one hell of a ride!… Expand
  98. Sirik_Matak
    Jan 11, 2016
    6
    The first Mass Effect is the best from all three, but it doesn't mean it's actually something to write home about. Well, at least to someone who read anything in his life beyond pornographic fan-fics and pretentious novels of 2000s. Unfortunately, the big chunk of post 2000 playerbase is made of the illitarate defined by the lowest possible denominator.

    Mass Effect is a mediocre third    The first Mass Effect is the best from all three, but it doesn't mean it's actually something to write home about. Well, at least to someone who read anything in his life beyond pornographic fan-fics and pretentious novels of 2000s. Unfortunately, the big chunk of post 2000 playerbase is made of the illitarate defined by the lowest possible denominator.

    Mass Effect is a mediocre third person shooter with little character customization that offers 2 ways of playing the game. Shoot everything and shoot everything with space magic. Bare bones, if you add a typical HOT pop-a-mole combat philisophy implemented in this game, that doesn't even tries to cover (pathetic pun intended) itself.

    One thing bugs me after my second playthrough. This game looks half-baked, or aborted in an early production phaze. There are parts of the game, where it seems that there was a creative spark somewhere, someone had a vision of a great s-f/space opera game, that wouldn't just make money, but will offer all s-f tropes and classics from all over in one place for everyone to enjoy. Then the writing started, art-direction department attempted to do something with style, aaaand... few weeks later they had to say "eh - ♥♥♥♥ it". And left the game with few interesting places to visit, few Codex (in-game lore encyclopedia) entries and a whole lot of filler content probably made by unexperienced interns. I do believe that most of the content in the game is a work of unexperienced hacks, just look at the Mako part of the game. I don't believe it would be passable even for a student. It boils down to disattachment between the lore part of the game, and the actual gameplay. The lore, places and characters are giving you a premise of varied experiences, but at the end of the game it all boils down to TPS action in a terribly designed locations. C&C boil down to occasional speech check (and since no one will play without these skills maxed out, everyone will get that option) that will end all filler quests non-violently with absolutely cringe-worthy dialogue lines. Just listen to the final dialogue with Saren. I couldn't help myself but laugh while listening to it. It's like taken straight from a terrible 10 years old s-f writer on the Internet. Just terrible.

    For a buck it's worth checking out. Just prepare for some cringe-fest and a lot of autism-inducing activities.    … Expand
  99. K.G.
    Jun 8, 2008
    10
    Mass Effect is less an FPS/RPG hybrid than an interactive movie with FPS and RPG elements. The shooter aspect is 7/10, the RPG is 7/10, but the story, imagery, music all conspire to still elevate this game to classic status. I realize some people have had problems but for me Mass Effect was a totally bug-free experience. I have a feeling many complaints about bugs are due to people playingMass Effect is less an FPS/RPG hybrid than an interactive movie with FPS and RPG elements. The shooter aspect is 7/10, the RPG is 7/10, but the story, imagery, music all conspire to still elevate this game to classic status. I realize some people have had problems but for me Mass Effect was a totally bug-free experience. I have a feeling many complaints about bugs are due to people playing pirate copies. The save system serves to elevate the tension - compare this to Bioshock's Vita Chambers. Consolitis shows up in the limited and half-finished side mission worlds but otherwise the interface really looks and plays like a PC game. I would have also liked to see a space combat module as well - although I realize this game isn't Star Control IV sometimes I felt if I squinted really hard I could pretend it was.… Expand
  100. JohnC
    Jan 8, 2010
    10
    Great game with huge area to explore, great long interactive story, tons of guns and upgrades, plenty of characters to form squads with, and really immersive interactions between characters.
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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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. GameSpot
    90
    Whether you're a seasoned Spectre looking to suit up again, or a newcomer who has never set foot on the Normandy, the refined PC version is your best choice for experiencing this excellent game.
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  2. PTGamers
    95
    Mass Effect PC wasn't rushed, this version has clearly been thoroughly thought-out to exploit the advantages of this platform.
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  3. 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.
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