Metro: Last Light - Review

...I wonder if they have Nuka Cola in Russia.

Metro 2033 established a cryptic, and occasionally frighting post apocalyptic world that was filled with a unique take on the post apocalyptic setting, and really pulled you into the dystopian setting. IT had plenty of faults, but there was certainly promise, and while Metro: Last Light hits many of the same issues as the original, it offers an overall better experience, and stands on it's own as a story of despair and hope, and the thin line between them in humanities darkest hour.

Like it's predecessor, Metro: Last Light is based off of the novels by Dmitry Glukhovsky, throwing you into a post apocalyptic Russia, where civilization has been forced underground into the winding tunnels of the Moscow Metro, while all manner of mutated monsters now lurk both above and below ground. The survivors have fractured into several factions who now fight over the few remaining resources, instead of banding together, putting humanity at risk of destroying itself. While Metro 2033 did have two possible endings, Last Light goes with the normal/bad ending as the backstory in which the main character, Artyom, destroyed a sentient race called the Dark Ones with a missile strike. Now, several factions are vying for control of the entire Metro System, and war seems increasingly likely. The story focuses on Artyom's journey to find a Dark One who somehow managed to survive the annihilation of it's race, and unravelling an insidious plot that threatens to destroy what is left of humanity as he struggles with guilt over the destruction of an entire race at his hands.The plot starts out very strong, and helps, alongside the atmosphere and world, to immerse you fully in the game. However, around the last third of the game, the story takes a really odd turn into the supernatural. It's not an awful story from that point on, but it feels like there was a huge missed opportunity to focus more on the dystopian Metro's survivors and a plot more grounded in reality. The finale is really kind of a dud as well, ending the game with a thud, instead of a bang, but overall the story is even better than the original, and does a good job of telling a tale of it's own instead of rehashing the original.

The characters are, for the most part, kind of dull. The Russian accents occasionally sound really forced and bad, though there are a few bright moments in the conversations between people and characters. It can sometimes seem as if the other characters hold your hand a little bit more than they need to, but there are large stretches of the game where you are alone and left to your own devices too, which keeps it from becoming a real issue. You can also discover hidden journal notes that, in a interesting twist, are written by Artyom himself, that offer great insight into his thoughts on whatever events are occurring, places he is visiting, or characters he is interacting with. It's an odd choice, considering Artyom himself is a silent protagonist outside of the loading screens where he runs down what is about to happen, but it's still an appreciated feature.

The atmosphere of Last Light is outstanding throughout the game. Exploring the metro tunnels is both creepy and thrilling, and the forays above into the ruin of Moscow are breathtaking and chilling. Some sections in the metro can feel a little too drab, but the variety found over the course of the game keep things interesting and fun. The game does a good job of mixing up action sequences, as well as slower moments that allow you to explore a bit and really take in the attention to detail. These slower moments are frequently some of the best, and there are plenty of hidden secrets and moments that are well worth the time to find.

The gameplay offers plenty of choice on how to approach situations, but the fights can be quite frustrating. While you can go in guns blazing, Last Light really rewards those who take the stealth route. In fact, often times it almost seems like Last Light is more of a stealth game than a shooter. Don't be surprised if your knife or fist feel like your primary means of eliminating human enemies. Monster encounters though don't offer a stealth option, which helps keep things fresh, though these fights range from simply okay to downright ridiculous. There are also a few boss battle style fights that feel uninspired and forced, and are more of a nuisance than a challenge. They can be quite discouraging, and can break the immersion a bit.

The enemy AI leaves a lot to be desired. Human enemies are predictable, and easily manipulated along with being just downright dumb. There are occasions where they won't even notice you taking out a friend a few meters away. The monster AI on the other hand is a little too difficult. Aside from being tough to take down in the first place, many bounce all over the screen, and attack you in numbers that can overwhelm you. They come at you very aggressively as well, and sometimes mistakes even on the normal or easy difficulty can be fatal. There's no real middle ground either really, fights are either just too easy, or too hard.
Also just as important to the gameplay are your gas mask and filters, which help you survive on the toxic surface, as well as some more dangerous parts of the Metro. Extra filters can be scavenged from supply crates and fallen enemies, and without them your gas mask is useless. You'll be warned when you need to replace the filter, but without one, you will suffocate and die. Gas masks can be damaged, but every once in a while you can find a replacement. Damaged masks don't function less efficiently than undamaged ones, but the cracked glass can interfere with your vision.

The weapons, while not numerous, are very diverse and offer plenty of choices for everyone, and each weapon can be modified with several attachments, which helps you really outfit your arsenal to your style. There are also throwable knives, claymores, and grenades. The economy system is, like the original, interesting, if not well executed. In the Metro universe military grade ammunition is the currency of choice, and it's rarity makes it extremely valuable. This ammunition can be used in weapons increase the damage and gives an advantage over enemies, but every shot you take is one less you have to use buying weapons, lesser ammo, and other goods. You could easily go through the game without ever visiting a store though, and I often forgot I could even use the military grade ammo in my weaponry, though on the high difficulty you can occasionally be forced into using it if you get too trigger happy.

There are some technical issues that can derail the experience on occasion. Texture loading in issues happen a somewhat often, and on the 360 the game crashes on occasion for no real reason. The PS3 version reportedly has some even more glaring issues including constant auto saving, frame rate dips, and even a glitch that allows you to go through chapters with all enemies frozen in place, though having not played the PS3 version I can't speak of how frequent or glaring these problems are.

SUMMARY

Metro: Last Light is not the kind of experience you usually get with shooters. The game world and environments are extremely detailed, offering a visually stunning and immersive experience, while the plot does an excellent job of giving you a reason to really enjoy wandering the Metro and the ruins of Moscow. It's not as strong a single player shooter as it could be, but it's still a fun and unique experience if you can forgive the terrible enemy AI and technical issues.

Pretty Fluffy

Where Metro: Last Light Succeeds

+ One of the most unique and well designed game worlds.
+ Great attention to detail.
+ Plenty of reason to explore, even in the confines of the linear gameplay style.

Where Metro: Last Light Fails

- Gameplay is uneven
- AI is either too hard or too easy, never just right.
- Technical issues can jar the experience on occasion.

Information
Metro: Last Light
Developer: A4 Games
Publisher: THQ
Genre: First Person Shooter
Rating: M

Borderlands 2 Review

...A horse made of diamonds.

When the first Borderlands came out in 2009 it was a surprisingly different kind of game to many shooter fans. The focus on the millions of possible guns, the addictive co-op play, the unique art style and charm. Everything about the game felt refreshingly different, so much so that most forgave it for it's rather bare bones feeling. When Borderlands 2 was announced, many of us wondered exactly what Gearbox had in store for us. In the end the approach to a second go around on Pandora was simple: improve on every single part of the game, while sticking to the formula of the original. The result is perhaps one of the greatest shooter experiences in quite some time.

Despite all the improvements, Borderlands 2 isn't much different from it's predecessor as far as the core experience goes. This game is still all about hunting down as much loot as you can find, and then filling anything that so much as moves with lead. Guns are still the main focus of the loot you'll encounter. The weapons you'll find are visually impressive, and I can't count how many times the little quirks of a new gun I had found made it feel unique to me. There are millions of possible guns you can find, which sounds daunting at first to a new player, but for the most part each class of gun operates the way it should. It's the stats of the various guns that really make each gun unique, and the possibilities are complex enough that it really does feel like there are millions of weapons to find. However, there are plenty of other bits of loot to hunt down. Ammo, grenade mods, character and vehicle skins, class mods, and relics. You will spend most of your time searching for anything shiny and new.


The game world itself is both familiar, and wonderfully different. The games feel is much the same from the quirky humour to the cel shaded graphics. The places you'll visit won't remind you much of the places that you visited when you last were on Pandora though. The environments you'll visit are much more varied than the vast desert that the majority of the first Borderlands took place in. There are frozen wastes, snowy valleys, grassy hills, and even a wildlife preserve to explore and loot thoroughly. The characters too are much improved time around. They aren't just static quest givers now, they engage in combat at times, and have more fleshed out personalities that are supported by excellent voice acting. Several of the characters, particularly the main villain Handsome Jack, rank among the most memorable of recent memory. In fact, some of the dialogue is so hilarious, it can be disappointing when sections runs over each other on occasion. Nevertheless, it almost feels like a whole new world entirely, but  also a more lively and engaging one.

Nowhere are the improvements in Borderlands 2 more apparent though than the story. Borderlands had an interesting idea for a story at the start, but it never really took off. It never seemed like it was going in any one direction and characters felt rather lifeless and dulled overall. Borderlands 2 fixes this by giving the games narrative a much needed dose of direction. The story isn't anything all that different from the norm, and plenty of the plot points have been hit thousands of times before, but the game still tells a story filled with energy and emotion. In fact the story sometimes dips into territory that puts it at odds with the games humour, sometimes making you feel a bit uncomfortable. There was one section in particular where one of the characters is cracking jokes not half a minute after one of the most emotional moments of the entire game. The writing is outstanding for the most part though, especially in the side quests. While the main story missions are good, the side quests are where the games humour and smart script really shine, even if the quests themselves don't deviate much from the standard "go kill this" and "go get me that" formulas.


Creating a character in Borderlands 2 functions much the same as it did in Borderlands. There are four different characters you can choose for your character, and each has a unique skill they can use in combat. Sirens have the phaselock ability that can lock opponents in place for a few seconds, Gunzerkers have the ability to dual wield any two weapons in the game for a short period of time, Assassins can cloak and unleash a surprise attack, and Commandos can set up a turret that can help support your team. The ability trees this time around add some greater depth to how you can utilize your powers, and how you can build your character. Even within the same skill tree, there are options, and they allow you to really tailor your character to your playstyle. You don't even really need to worry about screwing up your class build because you can respec your class for a hardly noticeable amount of money. This really gives you the freedom to experiment and try things out if your not sure about them.

There is yet another component to building your character though. The Badass Rating system. It is a a list of all kinds of challenges for you to take one while your playing the game. Most revolve around things you'll be doing anyway, such as killing enemies with a certain gun, or killing the same kind of enemy so many times. After you complete a challenge, you'll get Badass points and after you quire enough points, you'll earn a token that can be spent on improving your character with a tiny boost to things such as weapon damage, accuracy, max health, shield capacity, reload speed, and others. These boosts aren't huge, but as you accumulate more tokens and add to your boosts, there is definitely a noticeable benefit to them. The best part is, these boosts are essentially unlimited, and benefit every character you create. You can turn the system off if you don't want the boosts, which is a nice touch too.

The gameplay is excellent all around for the most part. The guns all handle great and feel snappy and are just a lot of fun to use. There is a very good mix of enemies to take on with lots of variety in how they fight, whether it's psychos trying to bash you in the face up close, or a nomad with a huge shield. While there's plenty of canon fodder to take out, there are also plenty of enemies that will give you a good fight, and more than a few that will frustrate you to no end. It makes the game feel challenging without ever making it feel completely overwhelming. This makes firefights feel much more intense than they did in the original. The driving component of the game is still not strong enough though. Aside from a few missions that require it's use, they are largely just a means of transportation. That's a shame because the vehicles could be used to really change the flow of gameplay by throwing in a well designed vehicle based section now and again.

While the game does let you play on your own if you want to, Borderlands 2 is built to be experienced with others. Boss battles can often become a real chore on your own, and having backup can give you that extra support to turn a fight around. The combos and tactics that smart players can use to tackle enemy encounters make the game a lot less frustrating than when you are going it alone. It's also just plain fun to slaughter a horde of bandits with your pals.The second wind system that allows you to be revived by others, or to finish an enemy off to get back up, can't be utilized to it's fullest on your own either, and twice I was forced to bleed out because there were no enemies left to kill. There is a matchmaking system if your in a hurry to get into a group but you'll get the most out of co-op if you can team up with friends, that way you can communicate better and divide loot up properly instead of having everyone rush every piece of loot that drops.

Borderlands 2 is everything a sequel should be. It takes the formula that it's predecessor laid down and refines it, keeping all the things that made us fall in love with the original while simultaneously improving on all the things that needed to be improved. The gameplay is still amazing, but small tweaks have made gunfights downright thrilling at times, smarter writing has really fleshed out the world of Pandora and the people who live there, and the overall presentation gives the game a much more complete feeling. It's too easy to get lost for hours and hours wandering around, blasting through areas of enemies on a search for that next bit of loot, and the game offers enough incentive to keep coming back even without the soon-to-come DLC. Whether your looking for a great shooter game, or your looking for a great game to play with friends, Borderlands 2 delivers a great gaming experience.


Extremely Fluffy
Fluff Choice!

What Borderlands 2 Does Well

+ Perfect co-op title
+ Fun to explore and hunt down new guns and skins
+ Great gameplay mechanics
+ Well written and memorable characters and story
+ Plenty of reasons to keep playing

Where Borderlands 2 Fell Flat

- Single player can be very unfriendly
- Vehicles aren't utilized well
- Dialogue sections sometimes overrun each other

Information
Systems: PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3
Genre: First Person Shooter
Developer: Gearbox
Publisher: 2K Games
Rating: M / PEGI 18



Image sources:
#1 - http://www.saint-ism.com/2012/05/collectors-editions-for-borderlands-2-announced/
#2 - http://daxgamer.com/2012/04/new-borderlands-2-screenshots-released/
#3 - http://i1.cdnds.net/12/28/618x347/gaming_borderlands_2_screenshot_8.jpg
#4 - http://4logpc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/borderlands2-2.png

Marshmallow Fluff! Reviews: Skullgirls

These days it is very rare to see a brand new fighting game emerge onto the scene, especially when the genre is dominated by the top tier titles like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. It is even harder to try and carve out a place for a new fighting game to succeed, again because of the iron grip the major series in the genre have.

Enter Skullgirls, a 2D fighting game that blends a unique art style with a serious approach to the fighting game model. Don't let the downloadable game tag fool you: if you are a fighting game veteran you will feel right at home here. The game was developed with it's genre's community in mind. It was tested by the community and has been revised several times based on their feedback. The result is an excellent 2D fighter with a lot of potential to become something even greater.

Skullgirls story revolves around the eight playable characters in the game fighting for control over the Skull Heart, a mysterious artifact with the ability to grant a girls wish. The catch is that if the girl is impure of heart, the Skull Heart transforms the user into the Skullgirl, a monster that can unleash total devastation on the world. The world the game is set in is filled to the brim with criminal organization, strife, and conflict. At the start of the games story mode a new Skullgirl has emerged, causing the paths of a few young women to cross.

The games fights can be carried out in different matchups ranging 1v1's to 3v3's including any mix in between. The game is a little light on modes, There's a training mode, a short story mode for each of the eight characters, a randomized arcade ladder, and offline/online multiplayer. While there's not a whole lot to do, the basics are there.

The fighting mechanics themselves are excellent. The controls and set up are reminiscent of games like Marvel vs. Capcom, and the game plays fluidly with a quick pace to match. There are plenty of combos and strategies to be found, and the system really has been designed with the thought that the game can be played competitively in tournaments. Not that surprising given that long time tournament fighter Mike Zaimont served as the games project lead and lead designer. The games roster of wacky characters is incredibly diverse, covering all sorts of play styles, and each characters personality just as distinct. The options extend even further when you get into picking your team. You can pick from one to three characters to play with, and when bringing multiple characters in you will be able to perform assist attacks with the ones sitting on the sidelines. These attacks are customizable as well, which offers even more strategic options. Skullgirls will also automatically balance larger teams against stronger ones so that the fights are never one sided. The games online multiplayer is also a lot of fun, and runs really smoothly. You will certainly want to head online with this game.

The games system is not without issues though. This is not a very friendly game for newcomers. The AI unleashes relentless combos and attacks even on the lowest difficulty, and their aggression will quickly frustrate new players. There are also no move lists or references to be found anywhere (though Reverge has stated that all the characters move sets will be on their website soon.) That omission also robs new players of an aid that can help them learn, and even forces veterans to do a little learning. The games arcade ladder mode is also a bit funky, sometimes matching you with nearly identical teams back to back, something that can get a bit boring in a mode that is supposed to be about quick, fun, no nonsense, fights. There are also a few bugs that crop up once in awhile, something that will probably fixed through patches later, but still a problem as of now.

This game is defiantly a fun fighter. However, a big part of this games appeal is it's aesthetics. The animations are absolutely stunning for 2D fighter, and the art is superb. Hand drawn characters rarely look this good. The game is extremely funny as well, with great one-liners, and it deliberately pokes fun at some of gaming's in-jokes. That said, this game can feel a little over sexualized. This game features an (as of now) all girl cast, and the designers took full advantage of this. The characters undergarments are visible quite frequently, and some of their combos and moves could give a few fan service heavy anime a run for their money. It's not a downside per-say, but it is a noticeable element that could bother some people. All that aside though, this games art style is certainly a stand out, and really catches the eye, and has a unique charm.

Skullgirls is a wonderful surprise. It's refreshing to see a western development team tackle this genre. It's a downloadable title, but it certainly could hold it's own against the big titles in the genre. Skullgirls has a lot of promise it can build on in the future, and the potential for a large community to build up around this game is possible. While it has it's faults, and it's a little content light, this is defiantly a game worth playing, and will give veteran fighting game fans something new to enjoy.


Gameplay

Skullgirls mechanics are solid, and the balanced and varied, albeit small,  character roster make this game a blast to play. It is a little harsh on newcomers.

Sound

The characters are all well voiced and varied. The music sets the mood, matching the art style well, but it doesn't really standout.

Story/Writing

Small story, but solid enough to get you at least a little interested. The hilarious lines the characters yell in combat will give you laugh or two, and the game has a great sense of humor.

Graphics and Design 

The art direction is remarkable, with a very nice art deco feel, and the setting for each battle area is wonderfully presented. The character designs are impeccable, although the amount of fan service could turn a few people off this one.

Lasting Appeal 

While the game itself is a lot of fun, the lack of modes holds this game back. The online multiplayer is great, but also suffers from a lack of choices in what to do.

Final Verdict!

Very Fluffy

Avalible on Xbox Live and PSN Network for $15.00 MSRP
Developed by Reverge Games



Image Sources:
#1. http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/02/xlarge_skullgirls.jpg
#2. http://shoryuken.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/skullgirls-bloodymarie.png
#3. http://www.theaveragegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/skullgirls_gamescom_parasoul_screens_02.jpg
#4. http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/skullgirls_pt_03_thumb.jpg

Marshmallow Fluff Reviews: Mass Effect 3

The first ever Marshmallow Fluff! review is here! Since I have never done a review before let me break down how this works. First up, no scores. At all. I'll break each section of the review up to cover different areas of the game (sound, gameplay etc.) Then at the end of the review the game is given a rating of one of the following four, Extremely Fluffy, Very Fluffy, Kind of Fluffy, and Not Fluffy At All and then there's a breakdown of what the game does well/not so well. Extremely Fluffy is a game that you is well worth your time, and doesn't have a lot of flaws or mistakes that take away from the experience, Very Fluffy might have a few problems but it's still a good game, Kind of Fluffy is a game that is kind of mixed or might just not deliver a very good experience, and Not Fluffy At All is a game that isn't very good at all. The breakdown gives people who want more details an opportunity to see just how high of a pass (or how low of a fail) a game is. If a game is good enough it will receive a Fluff Choice, a game that is truly exceptional and can not be missed by most players out there. Not every game that is Extremely Fluffy gets a Fluff Choice!

So without further adieu, let the review commence!

-----

Six years ago Bioware first debuted Mass Effect. Their goal was a simple one: to craft a trilogy of games where player decisions mattered throughout the entire series. They wanted to make you think about how your decisions would effect the story, not just in the present or near future, but all the way to the grand conclusion. Bioware has finally delivered the final installment of their storytelling experiment. Bioware has spent the last six years fine tuning the Mass Effect experience, taking fans comments into account and trying to steer this series towards a conclusion worthy of it's ambition.

And boy did Bioware deliver.

I'll be clear about this upfront, you will defiantly appreciate this game a lot more if you've played the previous two games in the trilogy. You don't have to, Bioware does a solid job of setting the stage for those who haven't, but you should if you really want to feel the true impact of this game.

The path that Bioware takes to tell the final chapter in Commander Shepard's story is a brilliant examination of war and the price individuals pay in it, both physically and mentally, and Biwoare often pauses briefly to show the toll that this war against the Reapers takes on Shepard. In fact two of the scenes that paint his state of mind are not traditional Mass Effect moments, but they are among some of the most emotionally powerful moments in any game. In fact the whole game never sugarcoats the galactic situation. The Citadel, one the center of activity and political togetherness in the galaxy has become a place for refugees and casualties of the war, and there are many very small moments you will hear in passing that will impact you just as much as the big ones that  Shepard is directly involved with.

The characters and univerese are incredibly well presented, as they always have been. The voice acting for just about every character is outstanding, and the settings you visit are well detailed,. even the places you take return trips to manage to find a way to feel fresh and offer a new take on their location. The sounds of the various locations at war reel you into the action, whether it's the sound of a Reaper preparing to fire it's laser, or a gunship racing over head as it's chased by Reaper air units just keep, or even just a conversation between two refugees the sound design will keep you sucked into the experience. The past two titles have had some of the best original soundtracks in recent memory, and Mass Effect 3 delivers another epic musical backing to the universe. The music is more orchestral than it has been in the past games, but it also stays true to the sci-fi roots. The final overture is one of the most intense and satisfying and emotional moments of music in game ever. This is one of the most immersive game universes of all time.

Every major decision you make is tough one. For the first time in this series the right choice is never necessarily the easy one, and no matter what you do, or how hard you try, some people will make the ultimate sacrifice. Your decisions from the past two games play an important part in the story, including how has made it this far, but Bioware has done well to make sure that you don't miss out on sections of the game because of your choices, though those moments will change depending on who is alive or what choices you have made, making for different experiences for different playthroughs.

The story is presented fantastically. I have never played a game with a more cinematic feeling to it. Nearly every moment in this game is framed perfectly, and it really adds to the experience. The story rarely takes it's foot off the accelerator once it starts, nearly every hour is filled with pulse-raising excitement, and emotionally striking moments. Mass Effect 3 will often leave you stunned or speechless, especially when they involve the characters you've come to know from the past two games. Rarely has a game made me feel so much for it's characters but Bioware has found a way to really bring the characters life.  The ending of this game left me with no words at all. I could only sit there, as the credits rolled, and reflect on everything I had just seen. The story leaves no real questions either, wrapping the story up nicely. Bioware has become known for crafting amazing stories, but it will be hard to outdo what the experience that Mass Effect 3 brings to the table.

However, despite the intense narrative, the combat is not to be forgotten in Mass Effect 3. Combat is hectic, intense, and provides a good mix of challenge and entertainment. This really is the first Mass Effect title to embrace the shooting aspect of it's combat. The mechanics are solid, though the cover system can sometimes be a tad finicky, something Mass Effect has always seemed to struggle with. Level design is well thought out, and the environments are such that cover areas never feel forced. Some levels offer various opportunities to get you out of your comfort zone. Taking control of turrets to control a position or taking out a mech pilot and using the mech yourself changes up your tactics from time to time, and are often welcome changes in pace during a mission. The omni-blade also finally overs a viable option for melee in the game, though it can be somewhat difficult to line your enemy up properly to strike him down. Bioware has done a very good job of offering a multitude of different enemies to face off against, and each class of enemy has it's own purpose. I sometimes found myself having to retreat back a bit because the enemy tactics forced me to fall back to a better position, and dealing with some enemies like the banshee requires good strategy and use of you and your squad mates powers.

Fear not however, you have vast inventory of different weapons at your disposal to help you through combat, along with a multitude of modifications that can be made to them. Each weapon has it's own strengths and weaknesses, and Bioware has also found a really nice balance between customization of your weapons and armor, and keeping inventory management to a minimum. You'll find yourself sometimes saving credits for the things your really want, because you often times won't have enough for everything you want to get, making stores and finding credits during missions important once more.

When your not fighting to save the galaxy on the battlefield, you'll find yourself searching for resources to help your cause. Don't be concerned if you hated the system from Mass Effect 2 though, the scanning is streamlined this time around, and it can actual get kind of addicting to wander from system to system looking for additional ships and resources to aid in the fight against the Reapers. The minigames have also been otherwise removed, and there are no awkward vehicle segments to deal with.

The multiplayer, once upon a time, was something I was the most concerned about. However, Bioware has really delivered a great horde mode like co-op mode that ties into the single player. Playing multiplayer can increase your "Galactic Readiness" meter in your single player story, but it's not required to succeed in the story at all. The mode itself is extremely fun, and offers objectives during the mission where it isn't just about shooting every enemy on screen. The missions are also challenging, especially as you up the difficulty, and it truly takes a team working together to achieve victory. At the end of every mission you gain experience to level your character with and credits to spend on packs that will give you new equipment, weapons, characters, and customization options which will keep you coming back for more all the time. Whether you want to supplement your single player experience or not, this mode is a solid addition to the game, and is well worth spending some time with.

Bioware has struggled somewhat with trying to find where this game belongs. The first title was heavy on the RPG, but the combat was weak and the side missions felt tacked on at times. The second one was much more action oriented, which made the combat much stronger, but the RPG elements seemed to all but disappear. Mass Effect 3 finds a happy medium between the two. Really across much of the game it'd be fair to say that it is a marriage between the best parts of the first two titles in the trilogy. 

Mass Effect 3's conclusion brings to an end one of the most finely crafted stories of all time. This is the kind of game experience that defines a generation of games. We haven't had a game series with a story so far above the rest in a long time, and for the people who played the first two, Mass Effect 3 is something so much more. It is impressive to see what Bioware has accomplished with this game. The Mass Effect series  has shown what a game is truly capable of when it comes to storytelling. As the credits rolled I felt the story was truly finished, but in the best way possible. It will take years for another game to deliver this kind of experience again. Mass Effect 3 delivers on it's promises and surpasses them. A masterpiece in every sense of the word.

(Final Note: This review is based on the 360 version of the game. I did not play this game with the 360's Kinect Function so I can't report how well that functions.)

Gameplay

Combat is intense, and offers plenty of complexity. The shooting aspects of this game finally feel like part of a shooting game, but the cover system is still not perfect though, and the omni-blade cane be frustrating to use sometimes.

Sound

The sound design of this game will pull you in and never let go. One of the most beautiful soundtracks of the past five years in gaming.

Story/Writing

One of the most intense and emotional stories of all time. It will be hard to outdo what Mass Effect 3 has done here. The pacing is perfect, and even small moments have impact. It can get a bit depressing at times but given the situation thats more something to be expected than it is a mistake.

Graphics and Design

The game is visually stunning, and the settings feel vibrant but also show how the war with the Reapers has taken it's toll. Some sputtering and stiffness can at times detract from the experience, but the important moments are well presented, and wonderfully executed.

Lasting Appeal

Playing through this game time and time again to see how things play out with different decisions, from the whole series and Mass Effect 3 on it's own, is well worth the time and the multiplayer is fun and addictive, which will also keep you busy for a while.

Final Verdict

Extremely Fluffy
Fluff Choice

Where Mass Effect 3 Succeeds
+ The story is intense and emotional throughout the whole game
+ Gameplay is hectic and fun
+ The universe is extremly immersive
+ The game leaves no "what if's" The end is clearly defined and wraps things up nicely
+ The cinematic quality is beautiful and the entire game is well presented

Where Mass Effect 3 Struggles
- A few graphical hiccups can detract from some of the big moments of the game
- Can get a bit too depressing for some people
- The cover system still doesn't always function properly. Omni-blade could use an auto targeting feature.


I hope you enjoyed the review, you can look forward to more in the future, I actually had fun doing this and I like the system I have in place. I have a few more changes coming, possibly in the near future. Will keep you posted (maybe) on whats going on, but I'm excited about some of the things I'm looking at doing.

Until next time!


Image Sources

#1. http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/promo/promo_1572.jpg
#2. http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/5911/2141069-at02_042.jpg
#3. http://punchdrunkgamer.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/257/files/mass-effect-3-2-1-12/mass-effect-3-screenshot-4.jpg
#4. http://images.eurogamer.net/2012/articles//a/1/4/6/4/5/5/9/Mass_2.jpg.jpg
#5. http://www.nohighscores.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/masseffect3_nuked.bmp
#6. http://www.thunderboltgames.com/s/img600/me3pm.jpg