Have you ever put off playing a game that seemingly every geek in the world is playing? For me that was Mass Effect. Recently I found myself in what I’ll call a gamer funk, nothing was keeping my attention and most of 2012′s releases I’ve bought had been a disappointment. I’ve done well to avoid spoilers so rest assured you’ll find no major ones here either. The controversy surrounding Mass Effect 3 really pushed me into getting started on the series.

I had played a bit of Mass Effect when I got a 360 but it had been a few years so I thought I would start once again from the beginning. I’m sure it was mostly due to impatience but I really struggled to feel a real connection with the first. I put in a good amount of time but in a move I already regret, I skipped ahead to Mass Effect 2. Instantly I fell in love with the game, one thing in particular was the much improved combat system. This was exactly the RPG/Shooter hybrid I needed to get me out of my gaming funk. Before I knew it any waking moment I could spare was spent with Commander Shepard and the rest of the Normandy crew. I played as a male Shepard in the soldier class. Given the choice I almost always choose a male character even though I myself am female. I also chose not to customize my Shepard, ok I’ll say it BioWare’s version of Shepard is pretty hot. Since we’re being honest, if it were an option, I’d never change Nathan Drake of Uncharted either.

54 hours of playtime later, including all of the DLC, I arrived at the end of ME2 fairly happy with my outcome with the exception of loosing one of my crew members. Poor Jack didn’t make it, Shepard sacrificed her loyalty due to his love for Miranda. It has since come to my attention that it is possible to keep her alive despite my relationship with Miranda. I unfortunately just made some bad decisions in the final conflict. I will correct this on my next play through as no doubt this will not be the end of my time with Mass Effect 2.

By importing my Shepard, I started Mass Effect 3 at a level 30 soldier. First impressions of ME3 are: wow! The graphics are stunning and I really enjoy the improved movements and combat that I feel are on par with the Gears Of War series and in my opinion one of the best in third person shooters. I’m only a few hours in and will be taking my time, cautious in my decision-making as well as tackling even the slightest side missions. It’s not without a heavy heart that I play this game. After having become so invested in these characters, I’m both worried and saddened that so many have hated the ending. Sure there’s talk of game changing DLC but is it possible to change a bad ending once it’s already out there? I’m sure I’ll have more to say about the outcome of the trilogy at a later date but for now it’s time for me to get back to playing so I can properly hate the ending like everyone else.

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• Mass Effect 3(unrealengine.com)

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