Mass Effect 3 Preview

15 August 2011

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Posted by:Meg Smith

This Mass Effect 3 preview gives a quick look at what can be expected from Bioware’s upcoming science fiction, action-RPG, third-person shooter game!

Published by Electronic Arts, Mass Effect 3 is the newest installment of the hugely popular series. The game is to be released worldwide for the PC (Windows), PS3 and Xbox 360 platform on March 6th 2012!

Mass Effect 3 will directly follow on from events in Mass Effect 2 and will continue to carry over past decisions you have made. The game will begin with Commander Shepard on trial back on Earth as a result of events from the Mass Effect 2 (DLC pack Arrival). During the trial, Earth is attacked by Reapers.

Faced with insurmountable odds, Shepard is forced to flee the planet in order to gather support from alien civilizations and mount a counter-attack. But Cerberus has now turned against Shepard adding unnecessary difficulty to the mission at hand!

Check out the Live-Action HD Trailer!

In this video, game Producer Jesse Houston talks about the gameplay of Mass Effect 3.

Ray Muzyka demonstrates how BioWare have implemented the Xbox Kinect into the game at E3 2011.

In this video, Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk reflect on the success of Mass Effect 2 and how they are taking the right steps to continue the trend with Mass Effect 3.

Here is the live gameplay demonstration of Mass Effect 3 conducted at E3 2011.

Or take a look at this interview with Mass Effect 3 Project Director Casey Hudson!

Key Features of Mass Effect 3

Here is a list of key elements that will be available in Bioware’s Mass Effect 3, based on news and announcements made so far.

Story-Based Variables
Decisions made by players in the previous titles will carry over to Mass Effect 3. This in turn will open over 1000 variables in the story and gameplay and will shape how the player experiences the game overall.

New Game+
After finishing the game a “New Game+” option will be available. This allows the player to continue gameplay in the Mass Effect verse after the main story line has ended. It is here that players can find items they missed the first time around or finish side-missions.

Returning Characters
Bioware has confirmed the return of several characters from previous games. These will include, Illusive Man, Garrus Vakarian, Liara T’Soni, Kaidan Alenko/Ashley Williams, Legion, Tali’Zorah, Urdnot Wrex, Jack, Mordin Solus, Ambassador Udina, Captain Anderson, Zaeed Massani, Jacob Taylor, Miranda Lawson and Kelly Chambers! Characters killed previously in Mass Effect 1 or 2 will not be returning. This of course depends on a players’ specific game.

A New Character!
Bioware has also announced a new Character, James Vega. A human Systems Alliance soldier, Vega will also be a squad member in Mass Effect 3. While Vega is an experienced soldier, he is unfamiliar with the political workings and seedy nature of other planets around him. According to BioWare, James Vega will reflect the perspective of a new player coming into the franchise.

Increased RPG Elements
For the first time in the series, players will have specific skills that start along a single path before branching off in different directions. Player will have a choice to select only one upgrade or another. This, again, adds to the variety of possibilities in-game! Players will also be able to upgrade their weapons at workbenches.

A Love Triangle
If players achieved a love interest in both Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2, then there will be two love interests vying for Shepard’s attention in the third installment. This should make for some interesting character dynamics!

New locations
New locations will be revealed in Mass Effect 3. These include, the Salarian homeworld “Sur’Kesh”, the Asari homeworld “Thessia”, the Turian homeworld “Palaven”, the Quarian homeworld “Rannoch”, a human mining base in a Martian crater, and a giant city on Earth representing the combination of Seattle and Vancouver.

Combat
The series’ cover system has been improved so players no longer need to slide into cover then hop over objects. Players will have more options for moving around the battlefield too, including a refined sprint capability, rolling, and the use of ladders. Players can also blindfire their weapons from covered positions.

Like previous title, players can gain civilization’s alliegances. In Mass Effect 3 you can also lose them to the Reapers (similarly to losing squad mates in the suicide mission).

Enemies
Mass Effect 3 plans to be the most difficult in the series, with increased artificial intelligence to challenge players and increase the sense of reward. Enemies no longer act as individuals as they did in the previous games, instead fighting and supporting each other in units.

Kinect Functionality
Mass Effect 3 will include optional Kinect capability. This will allow players to choose dialogue options by reading the paraphrase aloud and give tactical orders to the squad via voice commands. Changing positions for example, or using powers, can all be achieved through this.

Watch the cinematic trailer!

Eagerly anticipating the final chapter in the Mass Effect series? Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your opinion.

Be sure to check out our Mass Effect 3 Screenshots Gallery & Mass Effect 3 wallpapers!