It’s 2012 and the release of one of the most anticipated games looms nearer:
On March 6th in the US, March 8th in Australia and March 9th in Europe, the third and final chapter of the series will be out and ready to play.
Rumours are buzzing around about what might be included and what will be involved. Here is a collection of some of the facts and some of the stuff that we’re hoping for.
WARNING: Mass Effect 1 and 2 spoilers are dotted across this article. Beware.
Returning Squadmates
Familiar faces will return to Shepards side in his final battle against the Reapers. In many cases this does depend on whether or not they have survived long enough.
Kaidan Alenko or Ashley Williams will be returning to service aboard the Normandy, depending on whichever one was saved in ME1 (or in the Genesis comic on PS3).
Tali’Zorah vas Normandy and Garrus Vakarian are also slated to make comebacks provided they survived the suicide mission of ME2.
Liara T’Soni, another powerful ally and possible Shadow Broker will also be joining Shepard.
If Shepard had begun a romantic relationship with Ashley, Liara, Tali, Kaidan or Garrus in any of the previous games, this will carry over and continue.
New Squadmates
Alongside the old crew, new talent will emerge to serve under Shepard. So far soldier James Vega has been revealed to be taking a place on board the Normandy.
According to Bioware, his role will be to help new players of the franchise to understand what is going on.
Bioware have also stated however, that the total number of squadmates will be less than the twelve in ME2. They are hoping for players to build stronger bonds with their smaller team with more intense interaction.
Returning Characters
As well as the squadmates coming to fight at your side, old comrades, allies and possibly enemies will be appearing in some form.
Once again though, a number of them depend on whether or not they are still alive after the events of ME1 and ME2.
Among the confirmed returnees are:
Urdnot Wrex David Anderson
Jeff “Joker” Moreau The Illusive Man
Kelly Chambers EDI
Mordin Solus Thane Krios
Miranda Lawson Legion
Jack Jacob Taylor
Zaeed Massani Donnel Udina
Captain Kirrahe Conrad Verner
Once again, any romantic entanglements from previous games will continue into ME3.
The Normandy
The Normandy will be back to serve as hub and homebase for the crew, but once again it will be receiving a refit and a whole set of new upgraded technology.
A Custom Story
We’re all getting used to RPGs offering us the choices between good and evil (or somewhere in between) and letting us have unique endings suited to our play style. But Mass Effect has a great added bonus of being designed in mind to being a trilogy.
Those who have played both ME1 and ME2 on Xbox or PC should know that the character created in the original could be ported over to the new game with all his or her choices and the outcome of the galaxy providing the starting point for the second adventure.
ME3 will offer the same option to use saves from previous games and continue your own personal story.
This means that anyone you lost in the suicide mission, will still be dead. If you chose to save Kaiden or Ashley in ME1, the other will still be gone. If you killed Wrex, he will not have become leader of his clan and so on.
Bigger Choices and Consequences
One of the games taglines is:
Not Everyone Will Survive
This can only clue us in to the idea that the final chapter is going to take the famous life and death choices from the other games to the next level.
The first Mass Effect had you choose between a best friend and a potential lover.
The second game threw you and your squad into a suicide mission with the potential to leave no one alive (aside from Joker).
The third game will put entire planets on the line. Your actions, your heroics or cowardice, your judgement and choices could spell the end or the salvation of millions of lives.
“With Mass Effect 3, we are delivering blockbuster action and heart-wrenching emotion on a scale that far exceeds anything we’ve ever done before. This is an all-out galactic war and how you choose to lead and play will ultimately determine how – and if – you can save the galaxy.”
said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series.
Improved Gameplay
Bioware has revealed a number of upgrades to the mechanics of the game.
Shepard will now be a bit more agile, capable of dodge rolls, leaping over obstacles without first taking cover and not getting tired after short sprints.
All characters will now be more proficient at melee attacks too, making them a more useful part of combat.
Enemy AI will also be improved. They will work as a team to try and combat players and their squad. They might use tactics like using melee enemies (such as Husks) to get in close while ranged enemies provide cover fire to suppress Shepard until their allies can reach them.
There will also be a few options to customise the gaming experience.
Owners of the XBox Kinect will be able to use it in conjunction with normal controls. It will not completely replace the handheld controller, but can be added for a different way of issuing squad commands and having conversations.
Mass Effect 3 also offers players different styles of gameplay to suit their own needs. Players who prefer story over action will have an easier time in combat, while people who prefer to get stuck into the action can have cutscenes set up with preprepared dialogue rather than choosing their own.
New Powers and Weapons
As is usual in game sequels, new stuff will be added to the already impressive arsenal.
As well as a selection of guns, new powers and abilities like the Biotic Grenade, Proximity Mines, Turrets and Fortitude have become available.
Pre Order Bonuses
Gaming fans have mixed feelings about these. Of course it’s great to have something a little extra to make you feel special, but on the other hand, it’s quite unfair for players you legitimately bought a game to be missing out simply because they waited a little while.
If not unfair, then at the very least it’s a clear sign of publishers caring more about what ends up in their pockets than what ends up in the fans consoles.
Anyway, a number of pre-order items will be available depending on where you’re from or where you’re buying.
All pre-ordered copies of the game will come with this:
M55 Argus Assault Rifle
Deadly at any range, the Argus boasts quick burst-fire to ensure ammo conservation and maximum accuracy on the battlefield.
Selected stores in the US and Game in the UK will also provide Pre-Orders with N7 Warfare Gear (modelled below). It includes:
N7 Valkyrie Assault Rifle
Deliver two rounds per shot with deadly accuracy and stop the opposition dead in their tracks with superior high caliber rounds.
N7 Defender Armor
Improved shields and health, players can survive even the most punishing of battles and withstand sustained enemy fire.
Increased ammo capacity. Additional ammunition compartments to ensure players are always battle-ready.
Amplified weapon damage. Built-in power cells provide an additional punch to weapon fire.
There is also one PC exclusive pre-order available through EA’s Origin Service:
AT-12 Raider Shotgun
Fires a large pellet spread, ensuring maximum coverage for close-range targets. Designed for superior rapid fire, the AT-12 allows for optimal recovery time between shots.
Multiplayer Action
Another subject which has caused worry among fans is the rumour of multiplayer.
The concern had is that RPGing is usually a solo experience, and people like it that way. Players enjoy exploring every little nook and having lengthy discussions with everyone that they meet.
The fear comes from having a squadmate who while you are trying to speak to a learned historian will be jumping around shouting ‘BOOOOOORED NOW!’.
Fortunately Bioware have spared us this misery and multiplayer is looking to be an optional extra experience.
In it, you create a new commando character who goes into battle agains the Reavers and their minions in a squad of four elites (Other players..).
It seems as though you can create a new character from scratch, and as added bonus it looks as though you might not be restriced to playing as a human. So far choices look to include (besides human), Asari, Salarian, Turian and possibly Krogan.
Although you will not be playing Shepard in these sections, your actions and events that are played out can affect the story of your single player campaign (in true ME style). As well as this, you may be able to unlock bonuses for single player Shepard.
