Mass Effect (pc review)

[Humberto]

Developer's reputation irreproachableness, BioWare was first made a name for PC (Balder's Gate, Never Winter Nights), before turning to Microsoft consoles.If titles like Knights Of The Old Republic and Jade Empire have first emerged on Xbox, then they have all been adapted to our favorite machines and small latest is no exception to the rule. Six months after its release on console, Mass Effect actually arrives on a PC in a version that the developer believes most successful: various defects milling Xbox 360 have been lifted, the interface has been redesigned and some new features have been incorporated ... Jug eons on coins


Mass Effect PC is better in PC because of the controls

In 2148, an expedition earth has updated the remains of a very advanced extraterrestrial civilization.. In just half a century, mankind has been able to achieve a truly prodigious leap and engage in galactic travel. Human settlements have multiplied throughout the universe and many other intelligent races have been encountered, humanity is still sidelined.The Council, a sort of United Nations of the future, does not in very high esteem and when Geths, robots for the less aggressive, attack our descendants, we can not say that supporters are scrambling ... It is on this synopsis apparently very conventional begins Mass Effect and the adventures of his hero, John Shepard.

Numerous small improvements add up nicely.


If it starts as second in command on the Normandy, the latter will quickly take lace and ensure "like a big" the destiny of this jewel of the human fleet. . Before reaching that point, however, it is possible to go through the box creation of the character. Possible, because BioWare allows us to either select a character already created (John or Jane Shepard), is to review the full hero: it passes through the choice of name (the name remains Shepard for a better immersion in history) and sex and a stage full morphological and finally by choosing a character class among six. Soldier, engineer or fan are the main and replace the classic warrior, technician and magician. In addition, three bi-classes are there… for those who do not choose!



The selection of character made, the adventure can really start and from this point of view, there is not much compared add a test version of the Xbox 360 After a quick training mission when it comes to retrieve a tag on the planet Eden Prime, Shepard maintains a threat to humanity that we can not really describe without risking deplorer scenario rather well, bandanna Thursday All would perhaps no chance at the Oscars, but it is much more successful than what we usually see in a video game. The events are many twists and have the merit of not being pulled by the hair even though they are sometimes a little telephones.


Still hampered by graphical hitches

This first mission to Eden Prime is also an excuse for us to explain the operation of the game, but it also gives the general tone of the missions of Mass Effect.We learn to control our character, playing with his skills, to pursue with its weapons, but in addition, we are experiencing management team.For each mission should be playing two companions actually choose from six available, and if this first mission they are taxed, then it will be necessary to make sure that you take teammates "in phase" with the content of events: be supported Two followers when he must play the main gun to accomplish the goals is obviously not the best choice!


Krogans. Why'd it have to be Krogans?

This management team, albeit relatively small, is interesting and allows us to further address the first difference between the versions PC and Xbox 360. Indeed, we can now enjoy a more pleasant and better designed to play with the skills of our character, but also to involve our fellow travelers.The orders are simple but allow for example Shepard put his team in order to cover it. Alas, no real change at the level of artificial intelligence with the result that they are left free, teammates seem quite stupid.However, it is also true for the enemies and we therefore urge regulars to bring the maximum difficulty at the outset (the two highest levels are to release), so as not bored.

Dating aliens proves tricky. Don't hold their hand but do bring flowers

In the game itself, the fighting had little to do with what role-playing we have used so far: they would rather tend to bring a Mass Effect Of Gears War for example. Thus, our Shepard and his crew must move towards an objective being careful to enemies, using the elements of scenery to planner and using their powers to thwart shields for example.All can be classified in the category of game action / tactical view to adopting a third person unusual on PCs. The handles without any displeasure and use the mouse gives the precision referred nice, even by turning off all aid available in the options!




BioWare in flagrant delicti of Shepard age

Progress on the interface by Demitting / BioWare also take all their senses and give an extra dimension to the fighting, the coup, gaining intensity. Idea simple, but devilishly effective: a shortcut bar particularly its appearance so that we can drag skills favorites.With a simple touch of the keyboard, you can then, at the appropriate time, make valser our opponents' way Jedi "or recharge his shield ...The authorities maintain the variety of console version of the game and still contribute as much to the renewal of these clashes which otherwise would have been quickly repetitive. Everything is not, however, rose in the universe very successful Mass Effect.


Biotic powers are still rockin awesome

Thus, while the first player has an impression of great freedom, it is then a relative.. It can either decide to follow purely and simply the main scenario of the game (which takes a small twenty hours) or engage in countless side quests that will see the country. But in the latter case, and despite the number of systems available, we must admit that quite quickly around environments designed by developers. In the same way, once visited and "robbed" of their treasures, planets secondary no longer real interest.



Indeed, one could bring Mass Effect of The Witcher, another excellent role-playing PC in recent months.In one case as in others, some were disappointed by the freedom of action less important than expected, but in one case as in the other too, the scenario is there to accompany the player very beautiful way.The atmosphere adult The Witcher was a doubt while Mass Effect (also focused adult) has more on its ingenious system of dialogue. The latter has already caused much ink to flow, but one that deserves attention not because it allows players to slip into the skin of his character. Dynamics, we can actually act on the current conversation even though it is not over.


Tech/Biotic power hotkeys make combat fast and fluid

This is done very easily through a screening tool that shows several possibilities, depending on the attitude you want to adopt (aggressive, neutral, friendly), but also our willingness to accept side quests.Finally, it is also at that time that the skills charisma and intimidation may come into play . The latter actually add to the dialog options, options that you can not get that by having changed its character in this direction. Of course fans of role-playing "paper" will pounce, but this is still an element that ensures aspect RPG Mass Effect: as its progression, Shepard recover from the experience that can be attributed to various characteristics to be stronger, more skillful.

[Humberto]

BioWare aware that this sort of thing is not all players, an option that is available for distribution is carried out automatically for the entire group, only for fellow Shepard or for anybody.In this case, care should be taken carefully to the distribution points for maximum effectiveness.An efficiency that will directly influence the fighting, but not only: the choices made during the dialogues are also important! Depending on the options selected during these conversations, our character is rather more pragmatic and conciliatory. Two "alignment" that we can not compare good and evil classic role-playing, but which are important in some key moments of the game



We would have also liked that the developers here go further. It would have been possible for example to imagine that Uninvited players refuse to talk to a decidedly Shepard too violent / timid in its approach.It is unfortunately nothing ... Maybe for Mass Effect 2? Another relatively inconvenient, many explorations of planets are made through the Mako . The machine had been sharply criticized the release on Xbox 360 and whether the use of the mouse brings a plus, it's not quite it, and these phases of the game are without doubt among the least successful / most painful of all. This is the only technical point that this adaptation of the PC game does not really BioWare.

On the chart, there is no question of a revolution, we all became clear finer, less pixelated than the console version. Provided that have a sufficiently powerful machine (Pentium IV 3 GHz, 8600 graphics card, 2 GB of RAM), Mass Effect was also shorn of its slowdowns and other small saccades. The inventory is however still poorly managed, despite the very real progress made on the interface. Note also that despite the promise of integrating the mini-extension Bring Down The Sky, we have not seen anything yet come and that all ends soon enough to regulars especially with a rising level a bit quick for a role-play.Defects which, however, must not be forgotten that, as we recall in conclusion, Mass Effect is a great Thursday



Conclusion

In essence, everything has already been said about Mass Effect on the occasion of its release on Xbox 360 and this is not the PC version that radically changes things.BioWare actually sign a large class that risk, however disappointing roisters hard-as well as lovers of freedom. Despite a system of dialog worthy of all praise and a remarkable scenario which will crescendo throughout the adventure, we must recognize that all remains fairly linear. The many quests annexes provide some variety, but their integration could have been better thought while sequences aboard vehicles are disappointing.We must accept some constraints back in the game BioWare, but then in this case, what happiness. A science-fiction universe perfectly controlled / exploited, exciting twists and a staging breathtaking are the main strengths of the game Mass Effect is not confined to this and knows the pleasures vary with sequences of fighting very tactical or passages rather focus on the discovery.It emerges from BioWare under a special atmosphere that is almost magic ...That will be a long wait before the result!