Mass Effect 3 Launch Guide

Ever find yourself in a situation where all of your friends are talking about the latest and greatest game, and you can't contribute to the conversation because you haven't been paying attention? Solve that problem with our Launch Primers: everything you need to know (except the spoilers) about a game that's about to be released.

Mass Effect 3
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
MSRP: $59.99
ESRB Rating: M

All Mass Effect 3 Content

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What kind of game is it?

Mass Effect 3 is an action RPG, with an emphasis on storytelling. ME 3 wraps up the Mass Effect trilogy, and completes the story of Comander Shepard. While character development and conversations are an important part, third person combat also represents a large part of the gameplay. 

Who's the Developer?

The famous RPG factory, BioWare. Makers of not only the Mass Effect series, but also Dragon Age and Star Wars: The Old Republic, BioWare is known for producing impressive, high quality gameplay and storytelling. The studio was started in 1995 by actual medical doctors Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk, and now has six locations worldwide.

What's the story?

Probably a better way to answer this is, what's not the story? Mass Effect 3 is the last installment in the Mass Effect trilogy, and wraps up the Commander Shepard storyline. You do not need to have played Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 to play Mass Effect 3; however, because the story is a big focus, it helps to have followed the series from its birth. If you're planning on picking up Mass Effect 3, but haven't played Mass Effect 2, we put together a video to help you. Check out our Previously on Mass Effect video below to get all caught up!

Multiplayer/Online?

Mass Effect 3 includes a 4-player co-op mode called "Galaxy at War." While not required, this multiplayer campaign is tightly intertwined with the single-player story. It offers unique missions that, if completed, will influence the outcome of the main story. No characters from the single-player campaign are featured in the co-op, but you will have the opportunity to create your own human character, or even play as non-human from different races including the Drell, Salarians, Krogans, Asari, and Turians.

What'd we say?

From Adam Sessler's Mass Effect 3 Review:

"Working in perfect concert with the writing is the digital acting, voice work, and non-interactive camerawork.  The conversation sequences may be less articulated than the cutscenes in Uncharted, but they convey all the necessary emotion because the voice acting is universally distinct and superlative.  What is more impressive in this Mass Effect outing are the cutscenes, some which I cannot see replicated even in film.  The framing in some scenes beautifully echoes the enormity and scope of the drama, vistas of devastation or threat.  Action sequences are very kinetic, and personal interactions have an intimacy that never feels static.  Mass Effect 3 is produced with such an amazing level of care and detail that it’s impossible not to get swept up in all its majesty."

Read the rest our Mass Effect 3 Review and find out the game's score!

See it in action: