Mass Effect trailer highlights tough choices

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 9th 2007 at 6:45PM }

If you've been following Mass Effect (and if you haven't, you really should), you know that BioWare has generally shown Commander Shepard -- the game's protagonist -- as a violent, short-tempered brute. Since you've been following Mass Effect, you also know that this is merely how BioWare prefers to show the character. In fact, players can make whatever choices they wish. If you want to create a glowing beacon of politeness and manners, that's up to you. While those choices seem rather insignificant, there are some huge decisions in the game proper. We were allowed to see one such choice at E3, one we are sworn on pain of death not to reveal. The trailer above illustrates one such choice. Answer the distress call of a planet under attack, or continue with the mission at hand? If Mass Effect can keep up this level of depth, we're all in for a treat come November 20th.

Tags: bioware, mass-effect, mgs, microsoft-game-studios

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dylan @ Nov 9th 2007 6:58PM

Can't wait for this game

TORO @ Nov 9th 2007 7:09PM

Careless Shepard ftw!

Will @ Nov 9th 2007 7:10PM

I seriously can't wait fo rthis game!

Will @ Nov 9th 2007 7:11PM

*for

MDJ2010 @ Nov 9th 2007 8:06PM

Haha, Evil Shepard says screw you to the distress call, I Like It!!!

Jonah Falcon @ Nov 9th 2007 9:14PM

There is no evil Shepard. You're either a Renegade or a Paragon - but you're ALWAYS a good character.

finnith @ Nov 9th 2007 9:46PM

Does that mean I can't rule the galaxy with an iron fist? *sniff*

Jonah Falcon @ Nov 9th 2007 10:27PM

No.

mikelhend @ Nov 9th 2007 11:10PM

Reviews of this game by the game sites and mags have been through the roof -- best-reviewed game to date for 360. My expectations are through the roof to match -- BioWare doesn't (normally) make duds.

MDJ2010 @ Nov 10th 2007 9:25AM

Jonah Falcon - I think you took what I wrote a bit too literally, I more meant that in this trailer he is a little evil by ignoring the distress call.
This really does look like the GOTY though (hmmm, I feel like Ive said that before this year for the 360) - the trailers are truly looking like playing this game is gonna be an epic experience!

Jonah Falcon @ Nov 10th 2007 9:50AM

No, he's not being "evil" - he's being practical, and acting for the greater good. It kills him to ignore the distress call, but his mission comes first. It's sort of the "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

Jcarpio @ Nov 10th 2007 10:21AM

This is why Mass Effect is described as "24 in space". The protagonist has to make the hard "for the greater good" choices.

MDJ2010 @ Nov 10th 2007 10:21AM

Wow, some people have no sense of humour!

Dei76 @ Nov 10th 2007 12:49PM

There's another video where a girl in white armour is pinned down, and you here male Shepard say something about he had to make a choice, to which she responds "I understand".

I don't know about anyone else, but that sounds like you can kill off major characters with you decisions?

Anyway, not totally convinced by the gameplay here, but it should be worth a playthrough just for the story.

ZombiesRPplsToo @ Nov 10th 2007 5:25PM

i hate when people pass up games like mass effect and bioshock, and just play halo all year.

(halo's good but there are better games)

Luke @ Nov 10th 2007 7:56PM

hey guys, people are selling this game on ebay now. K-Mart let some copies slip. I would bid on a copy but I am broke. Mass Effect is awesome.

Marcus @ Nov 10th 2007 9:31PM

Does anyone else feel the pressure we are under to buy all of these amazing games. Just in the past three months of the year we have had 5 or so titles that could very feasibily be game of the year. Namely Bioshock with it aural feel and story, Halo 3 for gameplay, multiplayer, and loads of features, Call of Duty 4 for the same reasons as Halo 3, Super Mario Galaxy for its level design and unparalled platforming, and now Mass Effect for story, gameplay, options, customization, and endless other treats. Looking ahead we also have Assassins Creed, Rock Band, Crysis, and who knows what else because its too hard to remember them all. People have complained when GTAIV, Splinter Cell: Conviction, and Super Smash Brother Brawl were delayed, but really don't lie when saying there won't be anything good to play this winter. Go Cavs!

Jonah Falcon @ Nov 10th 2007 9:31PM

"I don't know about anyone else, but that sounds like you can kill off major characters with you decisions?"

Not til late in the game, BUT... you could lose NPC squadmates based on your decisions as in, like the Krogan vs. Turian choice.

Mr B @ Nov 11th 2007 11:47AM

This should be a bit special by all accounts. I'm actually quite looking forward to playing it and I don't normally do sci fi games.

http://www.thelairofthemonkey.co.uk

Ryan @ Nov 11th 2007 6:59PM

"People have complained when GTAIV, Splinter Cell: Conviction, and Super Smash Brother Brawl were delayed, but really don't lie when saying there won't be anything good to play this winter."

I don't think many (if any) 360 owners were complaining when those games got delayed. By all accounts, most 360 owners were relieved to see GTA4 get delayed as there are just too many AAA titles coming out at once.

I imagine a delay of a big name title like GTA4 or Brawl hurts PS3/Wii owners a lot more, since there isn't the gobs of other triple A stuff to play.

jeff @ Nov 11th 2007 8:42PM

mass effect better get GOTY not halo 3, bioshock, or any ps3 or wii game. this game will probably be the most amazing game ever. and no way bioshock should get GOTY; that game got old after about 5 hours. it did start out awesome but then it just sucked and was the same stuff over and over.