Video of E3 Mass Effect demo hits XBLM
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jul 13th 2006 at 1:00AM }
Remember when we said "Bioware really went to town with the facial animations, something which immediately becomes obvious when you start whipping out your gun and shoving it in people's faces in your efforts to get information"? Yup, so do we, and it's apparent in this demo footage. With Bioware's impressive resumé, including Xbox hits Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire, Mass Effect is looking like a sure thing this holiday.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Zorak @ Jul 13th 2006 1:18AM
This game looks terribly dull. Fluid conversations? Nuanced facial expressions? Woohoo.
Keyser @ Jul 13th 2006 1:18AM
Wow this game is gonna rock
Wet Jimmy @ Jul 13th 2006 1:20AM
Woot! Looks like a good excuse to book a couple of weeks off work :)
tim @ Jul 13th 2006 1:38AM
is this only coming out on x360? or pc also?
Keith L. Dick @ Jul 13th 2006 1:39AM
Ain't no way I'm a Gonna Click on that Link...
No way...
Duscrom @ Jul 13th 2006 1:49AM
IMHO, i think that looks at least as good as MGS4... 'cept it's gameplay... and actually sustains a playable frame rate.
I want this game now... Despite the knowledge that Bioware is probabbly going to delay it till June...or holiday 2007.
Insomnia Bob @ Jul 13th 2006 1:54AM
GameStop lists this game as coming out on 4/7/2007.
Personally, I like your date better, and Gamespot's website is...sketchy, but can someone do some fact checking? This will be the game that makes me break down and buy a 360, so I MUST know for certain...
polly @ Jul 13th 2006 2:01AM
Looks like a prettier KOTOR minus the lightsabers.
Amos @ Jul 13th 2006 2:05AM
Oh my God this game looks simply amazing...That character interaction looks simply enthralling, and I'm hearing the combat system isn't too shabby on it's own. Knowing Bioware, I'll be sucked into this game's story like hardly any other along the way, and this Sci-Fi epic approach just seems so mesmerizing. This, among other games, will be THE reason I eventually purchase a 360...
Dux @ Jul 13th 2006 2:10AM
Wow. This game really shows off the power of the Xbox 360. This is going to be the BEST in graphics probably coming out for the 360 in the near future just above Gears of War....man I love my 360 lol, and we havent even seen th tip of the iceberg yet! wait another 1 yr or 2, and boy o boy! I think Im going to go play some 360...^_^ lol
Insomnia Bob @ Jul 13th 2006 2:12AM
UPDATE: GameSPOT lists as Q2 2007, several site list the game as coming out in "Winter 2006", and a few people on random forums through the intarweb say "BioWare sed X-mas, noobz!"
So, take that for what it's worth. Check BioWare's official website, no date there. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Paulo @ Jul 13th 2006 2:18AM
Damn, I tought it was next-gen NOMAD (1993 - http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/nomad )
It was enough to make me think of getting this console, even when I would spend a whole year paying for it...
bv @ Jul 13th 2006 2:43AM
Just downloaded the trailer for this on my 360. While i have to say the skin textures, facial structures and overall visuals are light years beyond what I'm used to, the gameplay still bears that "been there, done that" feeling. Looks to me like its going to be a lot of shooting, sniping, incinerating, freezing, bombing, throwing, and all around third person antics. Oh and there's also some Psi-Ops-esque powers you can use when you gain enough experience. I just wasn't feeling it. If they are going to spend so much time creating never before seen visuals, wouldn't you assume they took a different direction in gameplay? Of course I haven't touched the game and have no idea what it will play like, but the fact that the trailer did nothing for my gamer spirit shows they have some tinkering to do. Not trying to sound jaded or anything, but the whole Psi-Ops "use the force" idea has been done to death, this just seems like a graphical next gen makeover.
EzPz @ Jul 13th 2006 2:50AM
They still don't have the facial expressions up to the quality of what Valve produced with Half Life 2.
Kevin @ Jul 13th 2006 3:00AM
@EzPz - You ARE joking right? HL2's facial expressions were great but this blows it out of the water.
Insomnia Bob @ Jul 13th 2006 3:11AM
While I wont comment on the facial expressions in this game Vs. Half Life 2 (how can one put a value on what amounts to artistic technique?), I will say this.
Half Life 2 had some really engaging characters, that really made you FEEL like you were there, speaking to them. Or...at least, being spoken TOO. Image what Half Life 2 could have been like...with a dynamic dialouge system.
As for bv's "been there, done that" argument, while it rings true, the same can be said of almost any game. Truely innovative games only come by once in a great while, and you know them when you see them. Mass Effect IS innovative, it's trying to bring you one step closer to TRUELY interacting with NPCs. To denounce is just because it isn't innovative on all fronts is more than a little jaded. I'd challenge you to find a game that isn't in some way built upon the previous generation.
Duscrom @ Jul 13th 2006 3:14AM
bv: I know you have 6 stars, and I'm probabbly not supposed to disagree with you, but I have to. There is alot to be said about using fancy graphics to improve immersiveness in the world. The major thing that s drawing me to that game is just the world and characters have me very interested. Espically the characters.
As for non-graphical upgrades.. there is the more dynaic conversation system, and there is also the tatical, squade based RPG elements.
Dux @ Jul 13th 2006 3:16AM
'As for bv's "been there, done that" argument, while it rings true, the same can be said of almost any game.'
Thats true. Just look at Gears of War, That game is influenced by RE4's over the shoulder shooting style. Thats what influenced CliffyB to make Gears of War that type of Horror action over the shoulder kinda shooting. Not that thats a bad thing lol, I loved RE4 and sure enough well G.o.W ^_^
EzPz @ Jul 13th 2006 4:02AM
Kevin- Go play HL2: Episode 1 and then try and tell me that Alyx's facial expressions aren't the best in any game.
jay cee @ Jul 13th 2006 4:24AM
it's ok but it looks like a slow fps
mirobin @ Jul 13th 2006 4:33AM
What is with you "its just another FPS" dolts? Try looking at something for the 5 seconds it takes to distinguish "first person" from "third person" before bitching about it.
KawF @ Jul 13th 2006 4:59AM
Looks like a somewhat nice game, even if I detest sci-fi-games in general.
What worries me is that they seem to claim that you travel around at least one galaxy exploring the story and worlds. How expansive will these worlds actually be? Will it be like in Freelancer, which had basically only one location on every planet available to visit, a bar or something simmilar. Will each world be the same size as the game map in Oblivion? How do they, if so, plan on storing a galaxy, with at least 5-8 visitable planets on one DVD9?
Or perhaps will they try to do something like in Elite with procedural synthesis of the game world? How will they then manage all the synthesised data? Will it be synthesised on-the-fly in realtime wasting precious CPU-cycles? Will it require a HardDrive to cache data on?
Will this perhaps be the first 360 game to come on multiple discs? Or will they cop out and just make the gameworld the size of Oblivion and simply call all the "cities" in it planets?
At least it looks good in that video. Here's to hoping it will be fun too.
The3rdNuisance @ Jul 13th 2006 5:27AM
Screw Halo 3, Fable 2, PGR 3, Forza Motorsports 2, Gears of War, Elder Scrolls, Bioshock, and Viva Pinata. How much can I sell my soul for on eBay, I need an X360 and this game. The fluid conversations part seems interesting to me, because I get to put a gun to people's faces just to see their expressions without going to jail!
This and Viva Pinata are possibly the zennith of gamepad based games! All I need is Slap a Mime for the Wii, and I'll be in heaven.
Dux @ Jul 13th 2006 5:33AM
'How do they, if so, plan on storing a galaxy, with at least 5-8 visitable planets on one DVD9?'
'Will this perhaps be the first 360 game to come on multiple discs?'
Your worries are my worries too :(
..stupid DVD9...But then again they fit all of Oblivion on 1 disc and that game is MASSIVE, but then again this game will be even bigger since its in a galaxy..still optomistic though! lol
AHH CANT WAIT FOR THIS GAME!
coalhalo @ Jul 13th 2006 7:23AM
Of course it all comes down to gameplay. Bioware has a good track record and everytime I hear something "new" about Mass Effect it seems to indicate good things are on the horizon. Personally I'm a little doubtful about the holiday 2006 release date. With games like this and other upcoming 360 games, I'm starting to get a smile on my face when I think about what I'll be playing in the near future.
demonichristmas @ Jul 13th 2006 8:04AM
That video has me sold. I just went over and read the ign previews from e3, and it sounds even better. Kotor was a good game, this looks way more fun, pretty graphics too, although I have never seen a game do a good bar/nightclub,
they are always vast empty rooms.
I'd buy a 360 for this game. I'm just need a way to hook it up to my mac 24" cinema display.
VerticalEvent @ Jul 13th 2006 8:07AM
Here's an idea of how they could generate hundreds of planets and still manage to keep it on one disc (if that was the only thing on the disc).
Make each planet have a dozen variables, and that's it.
Manage each plane to include a name, sun (or suns, if they want to try playing that game) it's revolving around, number of moons, distance, size, and so on, and then, using a dynamic engine, interpret all of that information to create a fully functioning world. Simillar to what we have seen from the Diablo series in creating randomly-generated areas, except with potentially more variables and on a larger scale.
Game looks half interesting. The texture's on the main character look a bit too smooth for my liking and they should of showed at least two dark powers (the trailer kind of makes it look like there's only one for the whole game). If it lives up to the hype, I might have to break down and buy a 360.
Marc @ Jul 13th 2006 8:29AM
If this game is as exclusive as Jade Empire turned out to be, I'll just wait for the PC release (I don't own a X360 and I'm not going to buy one just for one game).
Viridium @ Jul 13th 2006 8:45AM
"resumê"? Are you guys just picking accents at random now? I think the naked "resume" is now generally acceptable, but if you want to go whole hog, try "résumé".
Thomas Crymes @ Jul 13th 2006 8:56AM
The "Why would I by X console for just one game?" argument is just too tired. I guarantee that anyone buying any console will find multiple games that they enjoy playing.
As for release dates. When will people learn that the dates in stores are just guesses, and any date more than half a year in the future is probably going to change. If you understand that, then there is just no sense to slamming any store for having incorrect dates. Even if the date comes directly from the publisher, delays can happen. I'd rather have a good game than an unpolished game rushed out to meet an arbitrary deadline.
Ozyman666 @ Jul 13th 2006 8:57AM
NCAA Football '07 demo is now up.
C. Grant @ Jul 13th 2006 9:00AM
Thanks, Viridium. Our CMS sometimes doesn't like special characters, like the acute accent mark in resumé. It's been amended.
Woody @ Jul 13th 2006 9:00AM
Looks pretty slick to me. First game to make me think "next gen". At heart its still a FPS but if they can get the squad system to work smoothly, I'll love it. I've been waiting for a game with good AI (both for my squad and my enemies) for a LONG time.
The other thing thats interesting is the convo's. At least my interest is piqued, first time in a long time. Go Bioware, I may have to buy an xbox360.
khkg @ Jul 13th 2006 9:19AM
Maybe I'm alone on this, but one of the things that really drew me into KOTOR and similar games going back to Planescape, was the freedom to develop your character . Squad based combat sounds cool, but what about a more cerebral approach? KOTOR had both, I hope this does as well.
How do you all feel about the Player Character being voiced? I think previous efforts in this genre featured silent text-only PCs and voiced NPC. I don't know about you, but the main character's voice sounds nothing like mine.. not too mention his screwed up face. Sometimes too much detail can take us out of the experience. Harder to identify with the character.
JimmyHACK @ Jul 13th 2006 9:21AM
ive always not liked biowares games due to the select what to say aspect, but now that they are adding combat of shooters due to the unreal 3 engine, ill definately have to give this one a try
Marc @ Jul 13th 2006 9:31AM
Thomas: The "Why would I by X console for just one game?" argument is just too tired. I guarantee that anyone buying any console will find multiple games that they enjoy playing.
I bought the Original Xbox for Jade Empire. I bought a few other games, but they were also released on the PC and I could have (should have) bought them on that platform. I sold my Xbox a year ago because I'd beaten Jade Empire and my Xbox was just collecting dust.
striderhayasa @ Jul 13th 2006 9:34AM
how is Mass Effect a FPS when it has third person gameplay?
Ru @ Jul 13th 2006 9:35AM
They should have dished-out on some better voice 'actors'.
DBX00 @ Jul 13th 2006 9:45AM
It looks like a solid game, but my initial impression of the gameplay was Gears of War with a different tactical spin to it. I'm not really an XBOX360 fan, but this game seems to be right in line with what sells well for that system.
I'm just more interested in shooters that are more reality based (basically anything that doesn't involve aliens, spacesuits, or radioactive monsters) and games that don't use guns at all. Hopefully, in this generation we'll get some innovative ideas that aren't focused on shooting your opponent in different environments.
GamerZero @ Jul 13th 2006 10:16AM
Nice looking game but it's been done before.
It's about time developers made something original
with all that Next Gen power.
A wash-the-dishes simulator.
A working-in-a-factory simulator.
A paying-the bills simulator.
A food-shopping simulator.
Maybe an adventure sandbox game with all these elements.
I'm so bored of big guns,fast cars,kung fu,super heroes,etc,etc.
It's about time people grew up and gave up video games anyway.
I'm off,my wife wants me to do some weeding and fit a new shelf.
Pure BLISS!
Shank @ Jul 13th 2006 10:20AM
Wow, it is Freelancer meets Brute Force. I think I will pass.
UNCCShannon @ Jul 13th 2006 10:55AM
This looks like an awesome game, and with bioware I know I will not be disappointed b/c they can make some killer RPG's (and I hate RPGs). The graphics are smooth looking (hopefully that will translate to the actual gameplay) and the story looks as though it will be a good one. The best part about it is that I won't have to spend an arm and a leg, because it doesn't seem as though it will make it to the PS3 (if my memory serves me correctly, KOTOR wasn't on PS2). I could be wrong but hopefully this will be an MS exclusive, but the way the gaming industry works I doubt it.
SuicideNinja @ Jul 13th 2006 11:10AM
The game seems good until they showed the Squad RPG Shooter element. That part worries me.
If it end up as a Jade Empire with guns, then I'll be disappointed.
mike @ Jul 13th 2006 11:24AM
hell will freeze over before this game appears on ps3, its being published by microsoft... oh and its a trilogy of games which will be released over the next 3 or 4 years
basically bioware have 120 people working on this game for the next 3 years or so, epic is the word
Mark D. @ Jul 13th 2006 11:30AM
I'm so sick of the dumbasses trying to write this one off as an FPS.
Let's work at it: Arr-Pee-Gee with a third-person battle system.
And let's not forget the developer here. Bioware is no Digital Anvil, so the chances of this being a Brute Force failure are slim to none.
Oh, and by the way, you can customize your character, so if you don't like this guy, remake him, or pick a chick.
joe smith @ Jul 13th 2006 11:51AM
Hopefully they can stay out of the uncanny valley with the characters. If the story is truly epic and it feels like real SF, I'm sold. Given who is developing it, it seems like a pretty good bet that it will be great to play.
tim @ Jul 13th 2006 12:04PM
this is one of the only game iv seen taht truly looks next gen to my standards, killzone was the other ( hmm,...gci. Anyways, the naysayers are probably sony fans and wii fans (ya go play with ur wiimote and inferior graphics, if it costs $250, u can get a superior 360 for $50 more) but it did seem like they havnt perfected lipsync in the demo. But everything else looks crazy, gameplay does look kinda meh, but it looks too good not to try, i hope this comes out for PC because imma get a ps3 ( but not on launch cause they really dont have any hott launch title i want, and also its been reported that the cycle of shipments after the first one will use 65nm processors and also ill give time to work out any glitches ot overheating issues.
lol @ Jul 13th 2006 12:13PM
"I don't know about you, but the main character's voice sounds nothing like mine.. not too mention his screwed up face. Sometimes too much detail can take us out of the experience. Harder to identify with the character."
I'm positive you can customize your character much like in Oblivion..hair, skin color, sex, face shape and so on. But on the voice part, I'm guessing theres gonna be a "male" voice and a "female" voice, no matter what your character looks like.
msdarnell @ Jul 13th 2006 12:19PM
I'm hesitant about the voice acting. It seems a little off to me.
VampireHunter Z @ Jul 13th 2006 1:31PM
Is this the new age of Bitching? What's the problem with all these people asking for new innovation. Maybe you want them to make the gameplay in 2nd person perspective or better yet 4th person perspective. That would be really innovative to you.
You have never seen realtime conversations like these in a game before. Yet people are bitching about voice acting and that the voice doesn't sound like theirs. Thats the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. How are the characters going to have your scrawny voice?
I didn't pay much attention to this game at first because I'm more of a J-RPG gamer. But after seeing this trailer I'm completely sold.