Mass Effect Review:

Once again, BioWare has developed a masterpiece. Mass Effect is a 3rd person shooter/RPG, and is a near perfect blend of both genres. Mass Effect has nearly unlimited re-playability, offering multiple classes to select from as well as BioWare’s signature morality options.

The story of Mass Effect is both original and masterfully executed. It is also interactive; your choices affect the outcome on the story. You play a soldier of the Alliance (human military forces) who is sent on a mission to investigate an artifact recently discovered on a human colony. The following events places your character in a galactic man-hunt which ends up unveiling a larger conspiracy that threatens all forms of life. I would love to elaborate on this, however I don’t want to spoil the plot for those who have yet to finish the game. Bottom line, the story is well put together, and it has a plot twist that is truly epic. In addition to that, you can indulge in the detailed lore of the game by using the ‘codex’ system.

Those who enjoy character customization will appreciate Mass Effect’s various customization options. Upon character creation you are able to select your character’s sex, physical appearance, background, class, and supplement talent. Half of the classes to select from are specialty classes, while the other half are hybrid classes. When completing a certain quest, your character has the ability to change into a prestige class, which serves to complement your individual play style, while retaining your core class attributes (Similar to KOTOR 2). As you advance in level, you are able to improve your abilities by investing in class specific talent points. You can also use a supplement talent, which includes a choice of any of the talent achievements that you have unlocked with previous characters (For example, if you unlock the Assault rifle talent achievement, you can can use the Assault rifle talent for a class that would not normally have it). Considering all of this, it is clear that Mass Effect offers a robust character customization experience (Singularity + Overkill ftw ).

Mass Effect employs both squad and vehicle based combat. In squad based combat, you are able to use special abilities and switch the weapons of any party member on the fly, using an intuitive circular HUD. There are no ammunition quotas in Mass Effect, but a cleaver weapon heating mechanic is used to balance gameplay. When your weapon overheats, it is temporary unavailable. You have the ability to customize your weapons, by using various round types, and weapon augmentations, which enhance your weapons abilities. This adds a strategic element to party management when facing certain enemy types. Vehicle combat is much simpler; you can only use your main gun, or rockets when using the planetary rover, the Mako. Overall, the squad based combat is very enjoyable and the vehicle combat is mediocre, although I can appreciate its role in the game.

The overall game progression of Mass Effect is linear, however you do have a great amount of freedom for exploration, once you have secured the game’s vessel, the Normandy. You have the ability to traverse to clusters, which contain multiple systems, which contain various planets. Almost every system has at least one planet that you can explore using the Mako, allowing the indulgence of many side quests, and money making ventures. The universe of Mass Effect is large, offering extended gameplay for those who are determined to explore the entire universe (like me ).

Overall, I have minor grips with Mass Effect. At times managing the Mako can be cumbersome, and the squad commands don’t always seem to work (in particular, the command that directs your squad to move to a specified location). However, this game is fantastic and highly recommended to those who enjoy both the RPG and shooter genres. If you are just looking for a strait up shooter, you may want to pass on Mass Effect (I have seen nubs criticize this game because they can’t figure out how to get past the Citadel, lol…l2read guys ;D). On the other hand, if you are looking for a 3rd person shooter that looks gorgeous, has a compelling story, and cleaver combat mechanics, you will want to get this game!

Scores:

Story: 10
Gameplay: 9
Graphics: 9
Overall: 9.5

Samurai Warriors 2 Review:

Samurai Warriors 2 is an epic hack-n-slash title. You have the ability to unlock 26 playable characters (24 characters playable in story mode). Those who like enjoy the button-masher genre, will appreciate the extended amount of game time Samurai Warriors 2 offers for those on a quest to get 26 characters to level 50 and obtain each of their best weapons (like me ).

SW2 offers 4 playable modes: Story, Free, Survival, and Sugoroku. Story mode is where you take your avatar though 5 stages revealing your avatar’s role in the story of the warring Japanese states. This is the mode that you must complete to unlock the majority of the available officers and a bonus stage. In Free mode you are able to play with any of the characters you have unlocked in practically every scenario. In survival mode, you are able to see how far you can advance within a castle of infinite floors. Sugoroku mode is mini game similar to Monopoly. I am disappointed with the lack of a officer creation mode, especially since it was available in the previous Samurai Warriors.

In SW2, you have the ability to develop your officers through gaining levels, acquiring skills, and obtaining weapons. Skills can be learned by defeating enemy officers, or purchased at the shop. Weapons have 4 levels of quality and can be upgraded to increase your officers attributes. The level 4 weapons can only be obtained on the hardest difficulty levels, upon fulfilling certain conditions. Some of these conditions are overwhelming and frustrating, as they can demand your presence in multiple locations on the battlefield simultaneously.

Each character has a string of attack combinations they can employ, which expands as the character increases in level. Many combinations have special utilities in combat, such as stunning effects, attacking all enemies in a radius, and triggering an elemental effect from a weapon. Also, each character has two unique special abilities they can use in combat. Some of abilities are pretty worthless, while others are really useful.

SW2’s storyline is surprisingly intriguing. The story revolves around Japanese lords, contending for the goal of unifying Japan. Each character’s storyline intertwines with one another’s characters storyline. The overall storyline varies depending on your character, but maintains a general consistency. However, my opinion of the SW2 storyline is bias; as I am interested in Japanese culture.

SW2 is an enjoyable title; although those who are not fans of the genre will probably be bored of the redundant game play. SW2 offers the amazing ability to allow the player to single handedly destroy hundreds of enemy troops. Also, In-game objectives also add an element of strategy, which can be used to turn the tide of a battle. Those who have enjoyed previous Koei titles will want to pick this one up.