Combat against RPG, new enemies, and story spoilers - the first 90 minutes of the game
We played the first 90 minutes of [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3), including the first mission, and realized what kind of game [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) is.
So read on, but don't worry about major spoilers – we've moved them to the bottom of the article (below the spoiler), so you won't read anything you don't want to.
First, choose your playstyle
The primary task – before the ability to dramatically change Shepard's appearance – is the choice of what type of game you want to play. [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) has three modes - Action, RPG, and Story.
RPG is the core mode of [Mass Effect](/games?search=Mass Effect), it is the default setting. Action is for those who want to slash aliens to bits instead of enduring tedious conversations, meaning that the combat remains unchanged, but dialogue options are selected automatically.
Additionally, there is the Story mode, which allows for dialogue choices and makes combat much simpler. If you prefer to play it safe – that's your choice.
Liara is back, and she's a bit darker
A bit of a dull start to [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3)
Considering the exciting episodes shown at various press conferences and the excellent starting point of [Mass Effect 2](/games?search=Mass Effect 2), it's embarrassing to admit that the beginning of [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) feels a bit... underwhelming.
Let's not go into details – you can read about those below the spoiler – I'll just say that despite the unfolding events, the beginning of [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) feels emotionally awkward, lacking a spark.
RPG modifications/leveling up in [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3)
An enemy fell, experience gained, the level window unlocked. Even during the opening segment of the game, we earned a few points, providing a great opportunity to test out the new RPG features.
As in [Mass Effect 2](/games?search=Mass Effect 2), leveling up requires distributing earned points to acquire or enhance class skills. However, instead of the maximum of four, now a total of seven are unlocked, with the last three offering a choice between two entirely different upgrades.
There is a strong emphasis on action and episodes
Such skill development could be seen in [Mass Effect 2](/games?search=Mass Effect 2) upon reaching the maximum upgrade for a skill - for example, a choice between armor recharge or enhancement.
How the combat system improved in [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3)
For every fan of [Mass Effect 2](/games?search=Mass Effect 2), there's a rare, special voice claiming the game fades under the cover of the shooter genre. Bioware disagrees, asserting that the improved combat system is a blessing for all.
They are not wrong; thanks to modifications in the combat system, playing [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) has become more enjoyable. The camera, for example, is now closer to Shepard, and there is no option to choose which shoulder we will view from. This is disorienting at first but draws you closer to the actions.
There are also several subtle adjustments to maneuvers, such as jumping into cover without a prior duck or roll to evade enemy fire.
Additionally, there is a "overkill" effect when shooting a head: shoot an approaching enemy in the head with powerful weaponry, and the skull will explode with blood and bones. Perhaps this is inappropriate – especially for [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) – but it's satisfying.
Earth battles are not as engaging as one would hope
What's more interesting is how battles begin. Gone are the corridors with respawning enemies, replaced by greater variability.
In many places during the first mission, players could only control Shepard – whether hiding in the dark from enemies or preparing himself and his team for an ambush.
New abilities in [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3)
In the very first mission after starting [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3), Shepard and squad members Kaiden/Ashley (depending on your choice in [Mass Effect](/games?search=Mass Effect)) and James Vega head to the dusty red planet – Mars, where they acquire several abilities.
Our Guardian Shepard, for example, gained the Lift Grenade ability – which was locked until level 6 – along with combat mastery and endurance as passive upgrades.
Our group had Ashley, with the Alliance Officer ability, which increases weapon damage, and Marksman, which activates a powerful long-range shot.
James Vega's ability is Arms Master, a passive that increases weapon handling skills, and activated Carnage, which tears enemies apart.
Ashley/Kaiden and James are soldiers, so they share common core combat abilities.
Alongside this, there are a couple of modifications to existing abilities. Overload, for example, had minimal impact on everything except armor and mechanical creatures. Now it deftly stuns an organic enemy for several seconds. Perhaps this strategic gameplay is the advertised expansion of RPG elements?
New enemies will make you think about tactics
New enemies in [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) and improved AI
The main enemy in [Mass Effect](/games?search=Mass Effect) - husks of various forms and sizes, but now there are numerous new types.
There were few available, but with the giant dog-like husks and their thick brethren, called "cannibals," the bestiary of Mass Effect 3 certainly adds to the variety.
There are reasons to expect the same from human combatants as a new shielded enemy appears while flying to Mars.
He turned out to be an empty spot for a singularity explosion that sent him skyward and stripped him of his shield, but it’s good that [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) forces you to change tactics on the fly.
It's also interesting how the enemy reacts. Simple things like smoke grenades hide their location, and one of the Cerberus operatives managed to dodge a Deformation attack and then responded with a grenade. If [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) can maintain such a level of tactical combat, it will be an absolute delight.
Puzzles in [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3)
It seems that the environment in [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3) will throw some puzzles at explorers - to diversify the gameplay.
James Vega is in no hurry to reveal himself as a character. At least in the first 90 minutes of the game
They could be as simple as finding the right path to an exit, but in one particular case in the demo, it was necessary to activate a set of moving lasers to access a locked door.
Solving it took a bit of brainpower. If this proves to be a regular occurrence in [Mass Effect 3](/games?search=Mass Effect 3), exploring each level will be a bit less tedious than in previous games.
Next – spoiler. It reveals details about the first 90 minutes of the game. If you don't want to know – don't read. Also, please refrain from discussing the text below in the comments.
Mass Effect 3 begins with Shepard on trial for his connection with Cerberus in Mass Effect 2.
A new team member appears - James Vega (voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr.). He has a rogue personality and is a soldier class.
Kaiden or Ashley (it all depends on your choice in the first game) returns. If you have no save, character creation elements will automatically determine who survived.
When the Reapers attack Earth, Shepard and Anderson must clear the area so the Normandy can pick them up. James Vega and Kaiden are not yet present.
After repelling the enemy from the Normandy, Shepard boards the ship, while Anderson decides to stay on Earth. He orders Shepard to fly to the Citadel in search of help. Shepard jokes that he won't be "taking orders" from Anderson anymore, to which he throws the captain his personal badge. "Consider yourself reinstated".
Onboard the Normandy, Shepard receives a distorted message from Admiral Hackett. Instead of flying to the Citadel, Hackett asks the captain to go to Mars, with which communication has been lost, presumably due to the Reapers' attack. Hackett says that Liara is currently at the Mars Archives, where she is researching Prothean devices.
Ashley/Kaiden and Vega will accompany Shepard to the Mars Archives.
Shepard and his team encounter a group of Cerberus operatives on Mars.
Inside the Mars Archives building, Liara appears from the ventilation system, fleeing from Cerberus operatives.
In conversation with Shepard, Liara mentions that she is trying to uncover the truth about a Prothean device that could help in the fight against the Reapers.
James Vega returns to Hammerhead, where the squad landed on Mars, and Liara takes a place in Shepard's squad alongside Kaiden/Ashley.
On the way to the Archives, Shepard finds short video transmissions of a woman, whom Liara refers to as Dr. Eva Core.
In the Mars Archives building, Liara explains that the Protheans studied the human race.
Learning that Dr. Eva works for Cerberus, Shepard and his team try to bypass the system to gain access to the archives. Ashley/Kaiden discover that the Cerberus operatives are husks, similar to those the Reapers use.
In the Archive, The Ghost appears as a hologram. He informs Shepard of his plans to use the technology to control humanity rather than assist him.
Dr. Eva captures the data and attempts to escape. Shepard and the team pursue her.
Eva jumps into a shuttle, and Shepard cannot pursue her. James Vega on the Normandy shuttle collides with the doctor's ship, and both crash to the ground near Shepard.
Despite the fire engulfing Eva's shuttle, she manages to crawl out of the wreckage, charred and marked all over her body, reminiscent of the husks. Ashley/Kaiden try to attack Eva, who defends herself with superhuman reflexes. She kills Ashley/Kaiden, then Shepard kills Eva as she approaches him.
Shepard lifts the fallen comrade's body, while James Vega examines Eva's body for the missing information from the Archives.
The demo ends as Normandy returns to space.
Thank you for your attention. To be continued...