Mass Effect Post Morten

A couple weeks ago I opted to ruin the rest of my work week and stay up way too late playing Mass Effect. I figured I owed it to myself to finish off the last plot mission after working more or less until midnight.

For the few that haven't played the game stop reading unless you don't mind spoilers.

I've read quite a few reviews of Mass Effect while I waited to find the time and money to pick up the game for myself. Most of the reviews complained about how the side missions felt disconnected from the main story. I didn't finish all of the side missions myself on the first play though, though on the second I'm very tempted to take my time and fully explore every world first before finishing the story. I personally found the missions and their locations very interesting albeit a bit repetitive at times.

Many of the side missions were inter connected either to the events of the main plot missions or the back ground of Shepard. Those that weren't shed some like on the history of the game world or it's current political state. Bioware certainly could have introduced more variety in the layout of the various bases raided during the side missions as there were really only a couple layouts that one visited over and over again.

On the main story, I found the discovery of Sovereign's true nature very interesting. There's definitely a lot of "why" left untold and up to future games or the player's imagination to revel. Playing through with the intent of emphasizing the paragon style I found the final confrontation with Saren very satisfying. The fact that I didn't have to fight him but rather archive victory through dialog fit the game, the way I had played it and was quite enjoyable.

Speaking of enjoyable outcomes, the infamous "sex scene" was actually quite satisfying in the end. I found various stages of the side story leading to that end felt a bit contrived and forced, how ever in hind sight I almost wonder if that wasn't intentional and just part of Liara's personality. I found the actual cut scene to be quite tasteful, almost on par with that from Matrix Reloaded, which was as tasteful as I've seen in mass media.

I can NOT wait to play the next game and see where Bioware's doctors take the story next. Frankly as far as I'm concerned they could do little in the way of improving the game and just release the next chapter of the story.

I do plan on diving back into the game once I've finished playing the other games on my plate. Tomb Raider Anniversary and Penny Arcade are currently waiting for me to have the time to enjoy them. When that's done I plan on going back into Mass Effect for another go.