Mass Effect Series Review: Part III

My exhilarating journey with Mass Effect began a little before ME3 was released. Out of the three games, ME3 provides one of the most emotional, and epic rides that an RPG has to offer. Before I began Mass Effect, I was pretty new to the RPG world, and because of this series, I now know what "Role Playing Game" actually means. ME3 provides the player with such an immersive universe, that they'll have to pinch themselves to make sure it's not a dream. With new worlds, mass relay's to jump, parts of the Normandy to explore, main and side quests, friendships, and relationships to continue, ME3 is bound to keep you entertained for a large number of hours.
In Part II of my review, I touched on emotional involvement. ME3 is quite possibly the most emotional and deepest story a video game has to offer. Building friendships with characters from the first game such as Ashley(or Kaden depending on the players decision in the first game), Wrex, Garrus, and Tali, the player is able to continue to dive deeper into Shepherd's and his crew members history like never before in the trilogy.

There are many moments in the game where BioWare proved that they create some of the best stories in gaming today. A part in the beginning of the game left me so speechless, and breathless, that I felt like it really just happened. As Shepherd dropped his head in pain and rage, I finally came back to reality when I felt the warmth of a tear trickle down my cheek. I soon found myself entrenched and hooked from that point forward, and it had only been twenty to thirty minutes into the game.

And finally ladies and gentleman, the Alliance Normandy SR2.

Something that I really liked in ME3 was the fact that it heavily emphasized Shepherd being a counsel appointed Spectre. There is an entire office that allows you to do things such as approving projects, shipments, etc., that only Spectre’s can approve. In the previous two installments helping people was only rewarding in a couple of ways, Shepherd would gain more paragon, and renegade points, money, and friendships in some cases, but BioWare decided to mix it up a little bit by making anyone Shepherd helps offer their services in the final battle. The Normandy has been changed a bit this time around so that there is a war room. In the war room you can look at the galactic readiness, who and how many races are helping in the war efforts, and the player can also communicate with key characters to get and give updated information. Another thing that is different is the galaxy map in on the second deck of the ship. The player is able to send out a signal to try and contact people in need of assistance, planets of interest, and floating rubble that can be of use. The only problem is, every time the player finds these things on the radar, the Reapers become more aware of your whereabouts. The more you do it, the more they know where you are, and eventually will find you with in that solar system. It then becomes a game of cat and mouse where the player navigates the Normandy out of that system to outrun the Reapers.

Most of Shepherds crew is nearly the same as it was in the first game, adding a few new faces; James Vega being one of them, voiced by Freddy Prince Jr., Vega is a dedicated soldier. He has a rough history, and looks like a total meat head, but once the player gets to know him they realize he has a big heart. Something else I noticed about Shepherd’s crew in this game is the moral support. Anytime a mission was completed I could go talk to them and they would always tell Shepherd how awesome he was doing, that he can and will complete the objective at hand, and how the galaxy sees him as the person responsible for all of the successes they'd seen. I’m not saying everyone is happy-go-lucky all of the time, but it seems like there is a lot more support portrayed this time around.

I probably spent about forty hours on this game, and didn’t even come close to completing everything. I went into the final battle prepared, but I could have completed around fifteen other side quests to gain more war efforts, and I know that there are more that I didn't see. Each time the player walks around the citadel and hears people talking about their problems, a message pops up indicating that there is a new quest in the codex. I believe about 10 of the 15 I left were quests initiated by simply walking around the citadel listening in on people’s conversations.

The gameplay is ME3 is so fluid and smooth that the player will have no problem picking it up for the first, or tenth time playing it. Not only is the story over the top amazing, but so is the action. I have focused a lot on how ME3 entrenches emotionally, but I haven't really taken the time to mention how explosive and intense the action in is this game. Not just ME3, but the first two as well. Customization is much larger this time around, and it's offered with armor, and weapons. When customizing a weapon on a workbench, the player is able to swap out several different attachments including scopes, melee knives, magazines, and even modifications to make certain weapons lighter. The player is also able to modify Shepherd's armor in more detail than was found in ME2. Instead of a few shoulder, torso, arms, and leg armor, there are several, and the player can either buy them at the citadel, aboard the Normandy, or find them hidden along each embarked quest. 

There's a reason they're called "Brutes".

Several choices that I made in ME1 carried over to ME3. One of the biggest choices was saving or killing the Rachni Queen in the first game. You finally see whether that was a bad or good choice in this game, and it can be very rewarding. Liara T’soni and Shepherd discuss their future in much more detail in my story. You can tell how much closer they have grown together, and the appreciation for one another there is. Several friendships from the first and second game expand to something much deeper and meaningful this time around. And when it comes time for Shepherd to address his crew for the last time, it becomes a very motivational and emotional experience.

I will touch very briefly on the ending of ME3. Many of you have probably heard, or experienced, that the ending is horrible. I agree and disagree. The reason I agree is that it’s sort of unsatisfying after so much time was spent on the trilogy. Not a whole lot of closure, that’s for sure. BioWare has heard the outcry from all of the fans, and is going to be releasing a free DLC that will hopefully help close the trilogy in a deeper and more meaningful way. But I disagree that the ending completely sucked. I felt a heavy burden when it came time to make a few choices, deciding the fate of myself, and the galaxy. Once my decision was made, I watched in awe as several events unfolded, and again, wept like a child with the overwhelming emotion I had built up for that moment. I didn’t want it to be over. I wanted to keep playing for hours and hours on end. Lucky for me, after the credits finished rolling, the game automatically loads back to a saved spot in the game that gives the player an opportunity to push through the final events of the game again. That meant I could go back and finish the 15 side quests before I decided to initiate the final missions of the game.

The multiplayer experience is totally unique in and of itself, and I can play it for hours on end. It gives the player the ability to provide even more war efforts to the story itself. Several classes and characters are available to play as, and all the weapons from the story mode are available in multiplayer once they are unlocked. In multiplayer waves of Cerberus, Geth, and Reapers come at you and three other teammates. The challenge is fighting off all of the waves, working as a team, and staying alive during those last waves. You can choose to play on a bronze, silver, or gold difficulty, and let me just say that each one is significantly harder than the last. This multiplayer experience is by far one of the best I have played, and the best part is that it’s BioWare’s first time doing this in the series.

I’m sure you’re aware this trilogy has an awesome story. Those of you who have played the game know exactly what I’m talking about when I say that it’s more than a deep story. It’s the experience and the actual “Role Playing” that got me invested heavily into this phenomenal series, and I don’t think you should hesitate trying this one out. You won’t regret one second spent in ME3, I guarantee it. I’m giving Mass Effect 3 a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I dont have any complaints about this game and it certainly deserves the rating.

Until next time, keep on gamin' on!