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Mass Effect
Developer(s)	BioWare Demiurge Studios
Publisher(s)	Microsoft Game Studios Electronic Arts
Engine	Unreal Engine 3
Release date(s)	Xbox 360  November 20, 2007  November 22, 2007  November 23, 2007 Windows, Direct2Drive  May 28, 2008  June 5, 2008  June 6, 2008 Steam  December 18, 2008
Genre(s)	RPG
System(s)	Xbox 360, Windows, Direct2Drive, Steam
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Mature PEGI: Ages 18+ BBFC: 12 OFLC: Mature Accompanied & Restricted OFLC: File:OFLC R13.svg
System requirements (help)	2.4GHz 1GiB 12GiB Version 9.0c Windows XP
Followed by	Mass Effect 2
Series	Mass Effect

This is the first game in the Mass Effect series. For other games in the series see the Mass Effect category.

Developed by BioWare, creators of Baldur's Gate and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect is an epic next-gen RPG released worldwide in November 2007 for the Xbox 360.

Taking on the role of Commander Shepard, you lead an elite squad on a heroic, action-packed adventure throughout the galaxy. In the not-too-distant future mankind discovers alien technology on Mars that allows them to begin exploring the galaxy by finding and activating "mass effect relays" that have been lying dormant, left behind by an ancient alien civilisation that disappeared 50,000 years ago. Humans are able to join in with the galaxy's other species and begin to spread across worlds.

Not everyone is pleased with these events, however. Some species resent how quickly the humans have established a strong presence, and a traitorous elite Spectre agent named Saren has turned rogue and is pursuing his own agenda.

Mass Effect allows for open-ended gameplay amidst a deep, immersive story and is presented in a cinematic style.

[edit] Plot

The story revolves around an ancient alien prophecy stating that every 50,000 years a portal opens that separates the "normal" universe and a realm beyond, releasing an ancient artificial intelligence that will harvest all organic life, and the time of their return is approaching. As the first human Spectre—sworn defenders of galactic peace—Shepard's mission is to halt the advancing armies of Saren, a legendary Spectre agent gone rogue. Saren has mysteriously taken control of the Geth, a race of rudimentary A.I. networks, whom he intends to use to shape the galaxy in his image, and to exact revenge against humanity for their perceived injustices against his people.

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