From the makers of PC based games such as Buldar’s Gate and Knights of the Old Republic, Bioware presents an epic adventure as vast as the imagination can fathom. With an amazing look and feel Mass Effect delivers an incredible story line and narrative to emerge as the strongest contender for best RPG of 2007.

For centuries humankind has been perfecting the ability to travel faster than light to travel through space, and by the year 2183 the journey across space is underway. Now the human race must find its place in a galaxy filled with danger. You are a commander in the Alliance Military and must stop a group of aliens that are poised to wipe-out humankind. Your actions and decisions will change the future of man and the universe forever.

If you are a bad decision maker then do not play this game, because it is all about your choices; the gameplay changes as you maneuver through the galaxy fighting some very determined aliens. When you start the game you quickly understand just how much you control your experience. Characters in the game will respond to you in different ways depending on how you talk to them and your back-history. At the beginning you can select a pre-made character or create your own. Bioware has given the player the ability to manipulate small details such as facial features, and larger aspects like the gender of your character.

After a character’s appearance is chosen, you select the background story. This will determine how people view you throughout the game. Next, comes the class selection; there are six classes to choose among and each class has its own characteristics that are made up of combat, engineer, or adept. Adept class specializes in biotic attacks that can lift and throw objects; combat class specializes in weapons training; engineering classes specialize in technology training. Out of the six classes there are some that focus on a specific ability or multiple abilities. If you like being a spell-caster then adept is your cup of tea, but if you want to jump right into the heat of battle then combat is the route to take.

Once you have selected your class the story begins: thrown into cinematic choice-based dialogue you are allowed to pick questions and responses. The response you receive is based on your conversation skills throughout the game; it is such a conversation based game that leaves you wondering where the action went. I like cinematics, don’t get me wrong, but why make a game like a movie. All you should be concerned with is getting the information you need to get closer to more carnage. The combat system is made up of weapons and various abilities. Getting used to the combat layout is the key to a successful mission. The LB trigger opens your HUD and allows you to choose what weapon you would like to use. Initially, you are only trained for the pistol, but as you progress you will train for the other weapons in your arsenal. The RB button pulls up your special ability HUD. During battle you can hide behind walls and objects by simply walking up to them. While hiding, hold down the left trigger to jump out and shoot your enemies. The game’s AI is not the greatest; enemies don’t put up much of a challenge and your teammates are bumbling idiots. If it wasn’t for an awesome story line, in-depth role playing, and stellar graphics Mass Effect wouldn’t have much of any effect, let alone a mass one.

Mass Effect is worth the buy, this is an experience that should not be missed!

Mass Effect for the Xbox 360 gets a solid B

Jeremy Hohman is the writer, producer and host of GameBytes a 30 minute weekly game news and review show. To see Jeremy’s latest pod cast or to rent & play the game reviewed simply go to; http://www.gnfgames.com