Mass Effect (2007) – 8/10

Mass Effect (2007) As humans seek to ingratiate themselves with the tri-race Council ruling from The Citadel, an attack by a presumed-extinct species on the human-colonised planet Eden Prime hurls humanity, and Commander Shepherd in particular, into the middle of a crisis whose scope is beyond anything anyone alive has ever faced before. 8/10 An initial lack-of-fun, lack-of-focus and surplus-of-difficulty spike that is the first trap awaiting all RPGs is fallen headlong into here and coupled with technical shortcomings (let’s blame a Christmas 2007 release though the frame rate isn’t even steady during the end credits scroll, come on!) and an initial feeling of clunkiness in the game’s action may be enough to put off interested players. However, this is their very great loss as Mass Effect is a superb gaming achievement and successfully delivers a universe, characters and story worth playing through. Once the gameplay starts to come to the player (a natural curve in all RPGs), everything gells and makes this a game you’ll remember with fondness and look forward eagerly to playing through again. This videogame contains mild swear words, adult dialogue, substance abuse-related dialogue and violence, strong unpleasant scenes, very occasional mild gore, very occasional graphic violence and mild sex scenes, sensuality, mild nudity. Classified 12 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over. Available on Xbox 360. Available on Limited Edition Xbox 360.