Wow, way behind the times - but several weeks later I have had ample time to play, enjoy, and digest Mass Effect. I thoroughly enjoyed the game, and this third instalment represents the culmination of years of effort and it shows. The gameplay is refined and polished, its look and feel are exemplary, and the writing was spot on.
Regarding gameplay, everything was fine tuned. From maps that cleverly took advantage of their cover system (a la Gears of War), permitted flanking, to the character progression system which expanded on power trees, weapons and weapon customization, and stream-lined story modes - and this is singleplayer campaign only! Long after having played singleplayer I am neck deep into multiplayer and loving every minute of it! N7 weekend challenges with pack unlocks, keeps the play experience interesting and fun!
Mass Effect's presentation is also top-notch. Many times through the campaign I would stop to take in the view. Martian sand storms blowing in, Reapers stalking the skyline, fire fights in space shadowed by burning planets, or sometimes just a beautiful vista on an unknown world on the edge of the galaxy. The score is also great, touching abnd moving in some moments, well paced and active in others - though I think it missed some of the hall mark ambient synth of previous instalments.
As for story, well, there has been a lot said about various parts of its story and plot, but personally, they hit all the marks and made most of my expectations (hey, I'm a Miranda fan, so they can't please everyone!). Although I did not play some of the alternate game modes, I appreciate that they also included "Action" and "Story" modes. One of their core tenets have been to deliver a cinematic experience, and so often it feels that way with exception for that little dialogue wheel at the bottom of the screen - that with "Action" mode that vision is fully realised, and I am sure there are some players out there who want to play the game that way. Highlights have to include conversations with Garrus, Javik (yes, I know he's DLC but whatever!), Grunt, Wrex, oh man there are so many - even Kirrahe from the original Mass Effect!
What is also incredible, which I am sure any fan who's played the previous two games has noticed, is the opportunity for variance in the game. I managed to make the choices I wanted to and save as many people as I could in my playthroughs of the previous titles, but I found myself wondering "what would have happened if X didn't survive?" "What if they weren't there to do Y?"
Anyway, in summary, Mass Effect 3 is an incredible game, and definitely worth the wait!
