Mass Effect 3

[Shadow Fire]

Director: Casey Hudson

Producers: Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk

Music: Clint Mansell, Sam Hulick, Christopher Lennertz, Cris Velasco, Sascha Dikiciyan

Starring: Mark Meer, Jennifer Hale, Kieth David, Seth Green, Tricia Helfer, Martin Sheen, Freddie Prinze Jr., Brandon Keener

Rating:


Plot
Commander Shepard has been on Earth for some time now, on court-martial for causing the destruction of a batarian star system, resulting in the loss of over 300,000 batarians. The Alliance doesn't seem to believe the commander's claims of the impending Reaper invasion. However, when radio signals from Alliance bases go dark, Shepard is brought to face the Defence Committee. The Commander is briefed, and confirms the committee's fears: The Reapers are coming. The biggest fight of their lives is about to begin, but before the meeting can continue any further, the Reapers arrive, and waste no time in decimating the Vancouver headquarters. Commander Shepard survives, and with Admiral Anderson, before preparing to head towards the SSV Normandy.

Fighting Husks and Cannibals along the way, the commander and admiral head through a building that had been devestated by a Reaper blast. Shepard hears a noise inside, and notices a young boy hiding in the air duct. The boy is frightened and tells the commander that he can't be helped. When Admiral Anderson calls out to Shepard, the commander looks back to see the boy is gone. On the way forward, the two find a pair of marines who survived crash-landing in a shuttle. When the shuttle's distress beacon is activated, they must fight an endless wave of Cannibals, but the Normandy makes it in time. Shepard jumps on board, but Anderson stays on Earth, stating that someone is needed to take charge of the human resistance movement. However, he reinstates the commander's Alliance commission, telling the Spectre to seek help from the Citadel Council. As the Normandy flies away, Shepard watches as people are evacuated. Suddenly, the commander notices the young boy from earlier, who climbs into a shuttle. As the shuttles fly away, a Reaper shoots them out of the sky, killing all the occupants. Shepard looks away in anguish, before the Normandy flies away, leaving Earth behind in order to seek aid for the planet.

Commander Shepard receives an objection from Lieutenant James Vega, but explains Admiral Anderson's orders. Joker suddenly contacts the commander and explains that a distress call has been received from the Prothean Archives on Mars, so the Normandy sets course for the red planet. Upon arrival, it is discovered that Cerberus are executing the scientists stationed there, and are looking for something. After reuniting with Liara T'Soni, the asari revealing that there are plans for a powerful weapon to be used against the Reapers, it becomes evident that the attack on Mars was an inside job, instigated by a new scientist, Dr Eva Core. After proceeding through the base, Shepard finds the data, but it is being erased by Core, who is revealed to be an advanced synthetic. After a chase, she critically injures one of Shepard's squadmates, before being terminated by the commander. The Reapers approach Mars, forcing a hasty retreat. The Normandy heads for the Citadel, both to seek aid from the Council, as well as to help the critically injured crew-member. The final stand against the Reapers is only just beginning...


Review
Mass Effect 3 is the final game in the Mass Effect trilogy, bringing a close to the series. The entire engine was upgraded and extensively modified to bring a better experience. There is also an online multiplayer section, which can also have a big effect on how your single player campaign will end.

Like with Mass Effect 2, if you're starting a new game, and have a save file from Mass Effect 2, in which Commander Shepard survives the final mission, you can import your character. The game remembers literally everything from the previous two installments, meaning your decisions in Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 will affect your Mass Effect 3 experience. Characters who survived the final mission on Mass Effect 2 will have cameos, all of which play an important role.

With the Reapers wreaking havoc on most of the Milky Way galaxy, it has now become a little more dangerous when scanning through systems. The Reapers may detect your presence and proceed to give chase. Again, the Mako is no longer available, though it is referenced. The weapons system is somewhat similar to that of Mass Effect 2, with a few adjustments. Weapons can be upgraded, provided you have the appropriate credits. They can also be fitted with accessories that will help make them better suit your needs. The leveling system has also received an overhaul. When upgrading power bonuses, there are three single-tier bonuses, plus two split-decision powers. You must select which bonus you wish to activate for the final three bonuses on each power.

Visually, the game supercedes Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2. There is more detail in facial expressions, and blood is even improved. The music fits well with the significantly more dire circumstances of the game. Additionally, Bioware finally saw fit to fix an issue that the previous games had with romance. Homosexual relationships are now able to be pursued. A male Commander Shepard can now romance Kaidan Alenko (provided he was saved on Virmire in Mass Effect), or Steve Cortez, the new shuttle pilot, while a female Commander Shepard can romance her new officer, Specialist Samantha Traynor, a woman who takes a similar role to Kelly Chambers from Mass Effect 2.

There was only one problem with this game at launch, and that was the endings. Depending on your total accrued war assets, you will have a choice of endings. However, they left much to be desired, as too many plot holes were made, and it felt like many things were left unanswered. However, Bioware have released an Extended Cut DLC which adds additional information to the ending. Best of all, is that this DLC will be provided for free until 2014. I can safely say that the DLC definitely made the endings much more satisfying. Loose ends are tied up, and I felt satisfied... though my first attempt at the new ending saw me dooming galactic civilisation. Oops.


Overall
Mass Effect 3 is a must play game. If you're a sci-fi aficionado, it is definitely something to consider picking up. On second thought, don't consider, just get the game and enjoy it! Save the galaxy from the Reapers!