The original Mass Effect was a hugely popular title right out of the gate. With such a talented team
behind the game, it was destined to be great; BioWare has made some of the greatest games in recent
gaming history including Baldur's Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire (the
latter two appeared on the original Xbox). The team's pedigree of quality role playing games speaks for
itself.
In the original, you are tasked with creating and becoming Captain Shepard of the SSV Normandy, the
best of the best in the fleet, the fastest ship out there, coupled with an amazing crew and experimental
technology. The universe of Mass Effect is one that rather than being in a whole other universe to
explain the science fiction elements, just places the progress of humanity at a much faster rate than
what we are currently following. The action takes place in the 22nd century, and there are aliens and
spaceships and laser weapons and even a power called "biotics" that extremely resembles something
from the Star Wars franchise. The original was so groundbreaking in its team mechanics and playerdriven
story that the rumors of a sequel were circulating before the game even released.
This sequel, Mass Effect 2, game just a few years after the original, and was a polished tromp in the
same setting and system. The combat was tweaked a bit, and some of the more role playing game-ish
elements were dumbed down to appeal to a wider audience. These changes were met with varying
responses, but the verdict was in...Mass Effect 2 secured itself as one of the best Xbox 360 games of
the year; no doubt it will win Game of the Year.
The sequel allows you to import your save from the original, making the choices you made in the first
game have an impact on the story of your second game. The story of Mass Effect is truly up to the
player, and there is no concrete way of how events happen; the story of Captain/Commander Shepard is
truly yours to craft with the supporting cast of your choosing. Some of the characters from the original
make appearances, based on your choices in the original naturally, and some even join your crew this
second time around. To make up for those who do not join you in the sequel, there are more characters
to choose from this time around. With all of the DLC included, there are a total of 13 team members
that you can choose from.
The word "epic" is often used to describe large-scale sci-fi stories of recent history, and some of this
sci-fi epics have appeared on the Xbox 360; but the Mass Effect series transcends that title, to space
epic opera. The storytelling from the original to the sequel are superb, and the fact that the choices you
make, the mistakes you make, directly influence the story, allow for a much deeper emotional
connection than with any other series out there.
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