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Mass Effect
Mass Effect is a sci-fi action role-playing video game released on three platforms: Xbox 360, PC, PS3. It was developed by BioWare in 2007 on Xbox 360, and already in 2008 was released on Windows and only in 2012 on PlayStation 3.
On May 14, 2021 an updated version of Mass Effect was released along with the second and third parts in the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition collection for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.
Release History
Was originally developed only for the Xbox 360. It was released for this platform on November 20, 2007. The PC version was released on May 28, 2008. In the PC version the graphics were improved, as well as developed an acceptable for personal computer keyboard and mouse control.
The localized Russian PC-version was released on June 6, 2008. Localization was made by Snowball Studio, 1C Company became the publisher. This edition features the original voice-over. In March 2009, planned to release a fully localized "gold" edition (with Russian voice-over), complete with "Death from Heaven" add-on, but the release was postponed until autumn of that year.
December 5, 2012 the English digital version for PS3 was released, which is distributed on the PSN digital store. It also includes the add-on Death from Heaven.
Gameplay .
The style of the game resembles other BioWare games such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) and Jade Empire. Unlike KOTOR, the player directly controls the actions of the character. The player can choose two companions for each task, and the choice can be changed only by returning to the ship (in KOTOR and Jade Empire you can do it almost at any time).
Just like in the aforementioned games, Mass Effect has some semblance of magic. Special individuals (biotics) have an innate ability to control local gravitational fields, which is reflected in the presence of some characters in a variety of telekinetic skills.
During combat, the player can enter the tactical menu (the game is paused), where he can change weapons (for himself or his companions) or specify which of the abilities to use. You can also select a target for an ability (your own or a companion's). Each ability has its own "cooldown" scale, so a player can use several abilities in a row. For example, you can use a "pick up" ability and then "throw" a helplessly floundering enemy into the opposite wall.
Combat System
Battles involve Shepard, who is controlled by the player himself, as well as two companions. Battles take place in real time. Characters are controlled in third-person with a camera attached to the controlled character's shoulder.
There are five categories of weapons in the game: assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, sniper rifles, and grenades. Weapons (except grenades) have infinite ammunition, but quickly overheat, so you periodically need to pause between firing.
Armor also plays a significant role, which is represented by three types - light, medium and heavy, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, light armor is always made with an emphasis on protection against technical and biotic damage, but has poor physical protection and weak shields, and heavy armor is effective mainly against physical damage and has powerful shields. Each class is only available to a certain level of armor - for example, heavy armor is only available to a soldier. Armor is different for all species, but human armor is available for Azari, due to their similar build. A flexible upgrade system is available for all weapons.
In addition to using different types of weapons, the player can fight enemies hand-to-hand or use biotics. Shepard and his (her) allies are protected by force shields that absorb the damage they receive. After a certain number of hits, the energy of the shield runs out, and then the subsequent damage takes away health points directly. The energy of the shield is restored automatically if the character was not attacked for some time, the health is restored only with panacelin or the corresponding skill. If allies are killed, they are automatically resurrected at the end of the battle, using panacelin they can also be brought back to their feet, but the game ends if Shepard is killed. In that case, the game loads from the last save.
Enemies have health points, and additionally can be protected by shields. The player can use special abilities that temporarily incapacitate the enemy or lift them into the air. Other skills give bonuses to the player himself, such as increasing his resistance to damage. Special abilities can also be used an unlimited number of times, but they have individual cooldown times.
Classes
There are six in-game classes (for humans), three of which are basic and three mixed:
Soldier - a combat specialist who can handle all types of weapons well, as well as wear heavy armor. Does not have biotic abilities.
The Engineer is a technology specialist. Uses a holographic uni-tool to hack into security systems, repair equipment, disable enemy weapons and forcefields, and treat allies. Has no biotic abilities.
Adept is a biotic specialist. Not trained to use heavy weapons, but has a wide arsenal of powerful biotic abilities.
Scout - a class that combines the qualities of a soldier and an engineer. More focused on using technical abilities than on healing. Can wear light and medium armor, and handle a sniper rifle and pistol.
Stormtrooper is a mix of soldier and adept. Lethal in close combat, as he can handle shotguns and use basic biotic abilities.
Guardian - A mixture of Engineer and Adept. Not well trained in combat, but most useful as a support. Better suited for biotic or technical work.
Synopsis by
The year is 2183.
Captain Shepard, assigned to the experimental ship Normandy SR-1, subordinate to the Alliance of Systems, is sent on a mission to deliver an artifact of an ancient Protean civilization, found by archaeologists on one of the human colonies of Eden Prime, to one of the central planets of the Alliance. During the mission, the archaeological excavation area is attacked by the Geths, a race of intelligent robots who are also trying to capture the artifact. Upon contact with the artifact, Shepard sees some sort of vision of an apocalyptic nature. In the course of his further travels Shepard realizes that the vision is an omen of the future. On his way he meets representatives of alien races, who later join his team.
Shepard is tasked with neutralizing the Turian Saren, a former Spectre, a member of an elite unit dedicated to protecting the Galactic Council by any means necessary. Saren has somehow managed to form an alliance with the Geths. With their help, he wants to hasten the return of the ancient cybernetic race of Reapers, which, according to legend, should destroy all intelligent life in the galaxy.
Game World
Races
The game features almost all of the most advanced races that appear in the books. At the same time, it is reliably known that more races are known in the Galaxy at the time of the game.
The Azari are single-sex humanoids with advanced biotic abilities. They are the ones who discovered the Citadel and founded the Citadel Council.
The Batarian are a race of four-eyed humanoids whose social structure is very similar to that of humans, but whose society is dominated by criminal syndicates. They are the main political rivals of the Human Alliance.
The Volus are a non-humanoid, low-growth race, under the protectorate of the Turian Hierarchy in exchange for protection and stability. They are excellent entrepreneurs and the authors of the foundations of the galactic economy.
The Geth are a race of synthetic sentient beings created over 300 years ago by the Kvarians to serve as workers and soldiers. At a certain point, the Geths refused to obey their masters, resulting in a war. After defeating their creators, the Geth went into self-isolation, and all attempts to contact them were unsuccessful.
The Kvarians are a race of nomadic humanoids that wander the galaxy. Centuries ago Kvarians were one of the most advanced races and had their own planets, but they were expelled from there by the rebellious Geths, wiping out most of the race. Kvarans walk around in closed suits and do not reveal their faces, as their immune system is practically non-functional.
The Krogan are large bipedal reptiloids and are the most militant of the known races. During the conflict between the Krogan and the races of Citadel space, a biological weapon, the Genophage, was used against them, sterilizing the majority of the population (only one child in 1000 is born alive). The Krogan are an endangered species.
Humans are a more advanced version of modern humanity. Entered the Galaxy relatively recently as a result of a huge technological leap following the discovery of a Protean technology warehouse on Mars. Humans are considered the most aggressive race after the Krogan.
The Reapers are a cybernetic race, appearing from time to time to harvest the "harvest" of intelligent organic life. Between "harvests" Reapers hibernate in intergalactic space, waiting for the signal to awaken when the level of intelligent life in the Galaxy reaches the desired value.
The Proteans are an ancient, extinct race. Were very technologically advanced. It is believed that if the Proteans had not left many artifacts behind, most galactic races would never have left their star systems. The Proteans disappeared 50,000 years ago.
The Rahni are an extinct insectoid race that threatened to destroy the races of Citadel space about 2,000 years ago. They were defeated and destroyed by the Krogan.
Creatures of Light - Apparently a species created in ancient times to fight the "infernal machines" (most likely by "infernal machines" you mean Reapers).
The Thorian is a plant life form capable of taking over the bodies of organisms using special spores. This creature is older than the Proteans. All this time it has remained stealthy, watching and studying what is going on around it. It is unknown if there is more than one individual of the species or if the Thorian from Theros is the only one.
The Salarians are a humanoid race, the most technologically advanced in the Galaxy. Because of their accelerated metabolism, their lifespan is usually limited to 40 years. The Salarians are members of the Citadel Council.
The Turians are a race descended from birds. Experienced, cold-blooded fighters who are governed by a strict code of honor and discipline. They are the third race of the Citadel Council and have the largest fleet in the galaxy. The Turians were the first race of aliens encountered by humans.
The Hanar are a jellyfish-like aquatic race. The Hanar live in a theocratic society and worship the Proteans. Because of their religiosity, as well as their social characteristics, the Hanar often have problems communicating with other races who do not understand their rules and manners.
The Guardians are creatures that live only on the Citadel station. When the Azari first discovered the Citadel, the Guardians were already there. They resemble insects in form. In fact, they are organic machines, unable to communicate, whose function is to keep the Citadel running. There is an unwritten law of non-interference with the work of the guardians.
Elcors are a non-humanoid race of physically very strong beings. Elkoras do everything in a very long and measured way. Their main mode of communication is pheromone transmission, so when communicating with other races, elkoras convey their emotions and intonation in words.
Locations and Astrography
The Citadel is a space station built by the Reapers along with an advanced network of mass relay transmitters, with the goal of tying the development of intelligent life to this network in order to further destroy that very intelligent life in one coordinated blow.
Characters
Team Shepard(s).
Captain Shepard is the main character. The first man to be honored with the rank of Spectre. As a field agent, Shepard has the authority to perform his missions in any way he chooses. At the beginning, the player can choose the appearance, gender, backstory, and class of the character. Depending on the chosen backstory, the course of events changes and the character's demeanor changes. Since Mass Effect is a game with fully voiced dialogues, you can only choose a character's name, the last name remains unchanged.
Ashley Williams is a human soldier. A beautiful and able to stand up for herself girl. A male character can have an affair with her. She is not a fan of aliens, possibly because her grandfather fought in the First Contact War and surrendered the Shanxi Colony to the Turians, for which he was dishonorably discharged, and Williams family members have been mistrusted by the Alliance ever since.
Dr. Liara T'Soni is a companion Azari, an archaeologist specializing in protean technology. Daughter of the matriarch Benezia. A character of either gender can have an affair with Liara.
Cayden Alenko is a human guardian, Shepard(a)'s assistant. One of the first humans with biotic abilities, trained on Gagarin Station. A female character can have an affair with him.
Garrus Vakarian is a Turian, a former Citadel Security agent. Retired after becoming disillusioned with the overly bureaucratic mechanism of his organization.
Urdnot Rex is one of the last Krogan of the rank of "battle master." These rare individuals can combine biotic abilities with high technology, and are brilliant with weapons. Despite his menacing appearance, Rex rarely loses his temper and is quite reasonable. He also prefers not to talk much.
Tali'Zora Nar Raya is a young Quarian who, during a ritual pilgrimage, discovered evidence of Saren's treachery. Like all Kvarians, Tali is excellent at all manner of technology.
Normandy Crew.
David Anderson is the commander of the USS Normandy and a major character in the prequel novel Mass Effect: Discovery, in which he meets Saren. Shepard(a)'s mentor and advisor. After enlisting Shepard(a) into the Spectre ranks, voluntarily turns over command of Normandy to him (or her).
Jeff "Joker" Moreau is the pilot of the Normandy. Despite his congenital bone fragility (Vrolik's syndrome), he is the best pilot of the Alliance.
Charles Pressley is Shepard(a)'s deputy aboard the Normandy. Pressley does not like the presence of aliens on the Alliance's lead ship.
Engineer Adams is the chief engineer aboard the Normandy. An experienced officer who has served on various Alliance ships. His last job was with the cruiser Tokyo.
Richard Jenkins is a soldier, originally from Eden Prime. Has no real combat experience, so tries his best to get into the "real business."
Dr. Chakwas is the chief medical officer of the Normandy. Likes working away from civilized space. Dr. Chakwas prefers a full-time job among the soldiers in Galactica to a quieter job in some human colony.
Alliance representatives.
Admiral Hackett is the commander of the Fifth Alliance Space Fleet from his headquarters on Earth. He does not appear in the game, but contacts Shepard(s) quite often to relay messages and assignments.
Donnel Udina is a professional politician and diplomat who represents humanity to the Citadel Council. Udina is the System Alliance's ambassador to the Council of Races.
Main adversaries.
Saren Arterius is a former Spectre Turian. Known for his brutal methods of working and extracting information. Deeply hates humans, possibly because of his brother's death in the First Contact War. After the events of the prequel novel, Saren makes an alliance with the Geths and finds the "Lord. He is the main antagonist of the game.
Matriarch Benesia is an Azari matriarch in alliance with Saren. Liara's mother.
"The Overlord" is Saren's ship. As you learn as you progress through the game, the "Overlord" is not a spaceship, but a representative of the ancient cybernetic race of Reapers, capable of taking control of the minds of organic beings.
Representatives of other races.
Nylus Kryk is a famous Spectre Turian. Saren was his mentor. Nylus is excellent at taking advantage of his enemy's weaknesses and always remains cold-blooded, though his methods are far from Saren's brutality.
Sha'ira is a member of the Azari race, considered by many to be an oracle. Profession - Companion, provides any services to her clients, most often of a certain nature.
Barla Von is a member of the Volus race, a financial consultant who works at the Presidio Financial District Bank. Vaughn has extensive experience in moving large sums of money, so he willingly sells his services to the elite of the Citadel. Barl Vaughn's real job, however, is information trading. He is an agent of the Grey Mediator.
