The first game begins aboard the experimental SSV Normandy, commanded by Captain Anderson and his executive officer, Commander Shepard. The Normandy is being sent to the human colony world of Eden Prime to recover an unearthed Prothean beacon. To assist in recovering the beacon, the Citadel Council, the main government for most of the galaxy, have sent one of their top agents, a Turian "Spectre", named Nihlus.

Nihlus, Shepard, and a small team discover that the Eden Prime colony is under attack by alien synthetic life-forms known as the Geth, led by a rogue Turian Spectre named Saren Arterius, who kills Nihlus. After the battle ends, Shepard locates the beacon and receives a vision of biological creatures being slaughtered by machines.

The Normandy and its crew are summoned by Ambassador Udina, the Alliance's representative on the Citadel, to the galactic capital to report, but Shepard is unable to convince the Citadel Council of Saren's treason without proof. Following several leads, Shepard recovers a recording of a conversation between Saren and an Asari Matriarch named Benezia, discussing their victory on Eden Prime. The recording also mentions the return of a force known as the "Reapers," as well as an artifact called the "Conduit". Confronted with this evidence, the Council revokes Saren's status as a Spectre, and makes Shepard the first human Spectre so that he can legally hunt down Saren.

Command of the Normandy is given to Shepard, who uses the ship to follow up on several leads provided by Anderson and Udina. On Therum in the Artemis Tau Cluster, Shepard finds and rescues Dr. Liara T'soni, Matriarch Benezia's daughter, who is an expert on the Protheans. On Feros, Shepard fights off an army of Geth and destroys an ancient life form known as the Thorian, a sentient plant-like creature that has the power to control whoever inhales its spores. Shepard also learns of Saren's flagship, Sovereign, which seems to possess unique mind-control capabilities. On Noveria, Shepard tracks down Matriarch Benezia while fighting off both Geth and alien insects known as Rachni. Benezia is eventually defeated, and she reveals that her mind is not being controlled by Saren, but that her and Saren's mind are being controlled by Sovereign. She soon reverts to Sovereign's control, and Shepard is forced to kill her.

After completing two of the previous three planets, Shepard learns a Salarian spy unit has uncovered one of Saren's bases on the planet Virmire. Once he arrives Shepard learns the base is being used to clone an army of Krogan warriors, and with the Salarians' assistance he assaults the base to detonate a nuclear device inside its walls. Inside the base Shepard discovers another Prothean beacon, which transfers its knowledge to him. Shepard is then confronted by Sovereign Itself, which reveals that It is what the Protheans and Geth consider to be a "Reaper". Sovereign explains that the Reapers permit organic life to develop, allowing species to discover the mass relays (which influence future technology) before exterminating them when they reach a certain level of advancement. After planting the nuclear bomb and attempting to escape the facility, the team is attacked by Saren. He explains that he has aligned himself with the Reapers to save organic life by making it "useful" to the Reapers. Shepard refuses to accept Saren's plan, and escapes Virmire before the nuclear warhead is detonated.

With the information Shepard's party has gained, Liara is able to pinpoint the Conduit's location on a Prothean world known as Ilos, a planet accessible only by a long-lost Mass Relay located deep within the hostile Terminus Systems. Shepard returns to the Citadel to request permission from the Council to pursue Saren, but Shepard's request is denied by the Council, who consider the Reapers too insignificant to risk a war with the Terminus Systems. Ambassador Udina locks Shepard out of the Normandy, but Captain Anderson steps in and helps Shepard to steal the ship back.

On the surface of Ilos, Shepard follows Saren into an ancient bunker deep within the planet, and encounters a Prothean computer system named Vigil, which explains the Reapers' methodology. Vigil explains that the Protheans on Ilos put themselves in underground preservation chambers in order to escape their destruction by the Reapers. Vigil also explains that the Citadel Station is a mass relay facility built by the Reapers to summon them from the dark space outside the galaxy. The Prothean researchers on Ilos created the Conduit, a miniaturized mass relay that allowed them to travel to the heart of the Citadel. Once inside, they sabotaged the process that would summon the Reapers. When Sovereign - a Reaper left behind to reactivate the relay when the next cleansing was due - awoke from hibernation, It found It could not activate the Citadel's mass relay. Instead, It plans to have Saren to use the Conduit to storm the Citadel with a Geth army and activate the Citadel's mass relay manually.

Shepard pursues Saren through the Conduit. At the same time, Sovereign and a massive Geth fleet assaults the Citadel itself. Sovereign lands on the central tower of the Citadel and begins activating the relay, while Saren uses the Citadel's defense systems to protect it. Shepard fights up the tower to the control centre and confronts Saren, either killing him personally or convincing him that he has fallen under Sovereign's indoctrination, prompting Saren to kill himself. The Human Systems Alliance fleet arrives to reinforce the Council fleets, while Shepard exposes Sovereign to attack. At this point, Shepard has a choice between ordering the Alliance fleet to save the Council or go directly after Sovereign. Saren's corpse then reanimates under Sovereign's direct control through the use of cybernetic implants, and begins attacking Shepard while the Alliance attacks Sovereign itself. Sovereign is eventually destroyed, and the reanimated Saren corpse disintegrates.

The precise ending of the game depends on several factors, including whether or not Shepard opts to save the Council during the final battle, and whether Shepard has a higher Paragon or Renegade meter.

* If Shepard saves the Council, they are inspired by Shepard's actions and bravery, and grant humanity a seat on the Council.
* If the Council is destroyed, the Systems Alliance assumes control, and humanity steps forward to lead the galaxy into the future.

Shepard is also allowed to choose between Ambassador Udina or Captain Anderson as the new galactic leader or Council member in the aftermath, but regardless of the choice, Shepard realizes that the Reapers are still a threat, and that they must be stopped.

They are about to return...

Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Action RPG
Platforms: Xbox 360 and PC
Release Date: 23rd of November 2007
Rating: Rated 12 by the BBFC for moderate violence and one sex scene (including potential same sex or inter-species sexual relations).


REVIEWS AND SCORES

http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/930279.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

G4TV: 5/5
GameSpy: 5/5
GameDaily: 10/10
GamerTV: 5/5
MS Xbox World: 10/10
OXM US: 10/10
OXM Australia: 10/10
VideoGamer.com: 10/10
GameZone: 9.8/10
Planet Xbox 360: 9.8/10
Xbox Evolved: 9.8/10
Game Informer: 9.75/10
Cheat Code Central: 4.8/5
GameTrailers: 9.6/10
TeamXbox: 9.6/10
GamePro: 4.75/5
WorthPlaying: 9.5/10
IGN: 9.4/10
Gamer 2.0: 9.2/10
Xbox 360 Advanced: 9.2/10
EGM: 9/10, 9.5/10, 9/10
ActionTrip: 91%
IGN UK: 9.1/10
1UP.com: 9/10
360 Gamer: 9/10
CVG: 9/10
Gamesmaster: 90%
GamesRadar: 9/10
GamesTM: 9/10
GameTap: 9/10
OXM UK: 9/10
PALGN: 9/10
Video Game Talk: 4.5/5
Xbox World 360: 90%
Yahoo! Games: 4.5/5
GameSpot: 8.5/10
UGO: B+
Eurogamer: 8/10
Hardcore Gamer Magazine: 4/5
Slashdot: 4/5
Edge: 7/10
PC World: 60%


GAME DESCRIPTION

Set 200 years in the future in an epic universe, Mass Effect places gamers in a vast galactic community in danger of being conquered by a legendary agent gone rogue. A spectacular new vision from legendary developers BioWare, Mass Effect challenges players to lead a squad of freedom fighters as they struggle against threatening armies to restore peace in the land.
Mass Effect is the first in a trilogy of games with an overarching story. As the first human Specter – sworn defenders of galactic peace – your mission is to halt the advancing armies of a legendary agent gone rogue. But as you lead your elite team across hostile alien worlds, you will discover the true threat is far greater than anyone imagined.
Mass Effect is described as an RPG with a third person action combat system.

- Determine the fate of mankind as an epic galaxy-wide conflict unfolds. The player's decisions and actions will serve to shape the destiny of all life in the galaxy, while raising humanity to the pinnacle of galactic civilization via noble means or via tyranny.
- Mass Effect features a huge cast of in-engine digital actors that you will encounter as NPCs, enemies or as party members. Each will have life-like facial and body movements, and an advanced dialogue system will give them engaging personalities. The dialogue system is extremely intuitive, allowing for natural, flowing conversations with NPCs.
- Players will be able to choose from a variety of character appearances at the start of the game using a very detailed character creation system (the main character 'Commander Shepard' can of course be either male or female), and there are six main character classes to choose from which will define your character's skills and abilities. Throughout the game players can increase various statistics and decide their character's levelling path, which will have an impact on their performance during gameplay. Upgrading equipment, weapons and armour that are acquired during the course of the story will increase you character's abilities and will change the appearance of the characters.
- In addition to the main story arc of the game, players will be able to visit a large number of uncharted, unexplored planets which are not directly tied to the main story. At any time during the campaign, a player can choose to explore one of these planets in an all-terrain rover in order to discover new alien life, resources, ruined civilizations and powerful technologies.
- The game employs a real-time, party based, tactical combat system. Although combat will take place in real-time, you will have the ability to pause combat and issue commands to your party which they will then execute with the precision of a highly trained elite force.


FAQ

http://mefaq.sendu.me.uk/Main/HomePage" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


PREVIEWS

http://www.platformers.net/index/index. ... 4&Itemid=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3160981" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/803/803824p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gamedaily.com/blog/2007/07/1 ... lkthrough/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/mas ... 042p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.actiontrip.com/features/e320 ... fect.phtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1 ... Effect/p1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://kotaku.com/gaming/e307/mass-effe ... 277810.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=164790" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/770/770896p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.gamespot.com/events/gdc07/sto ... pid=930279" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1 ... Effect/p1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3157785" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id ... ectionId=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/ ... 317p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=147057" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3154092&did=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.gamespot.com/events/x06/story ... t;action;4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.firingsquad.com/features/e3_ ... /page2.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=140038" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=34256" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/ ... 726p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/mass ... id=6150171" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://games.kikizo.com/news/200605/074.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/11/xbox- ... ss-effect/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/706/706601p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/707/707270p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1 ... Effect/p1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


INTERVIEWS

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/816/816533p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/mass ... id=6175375" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/195 ... ive-QA/p1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://masseffect.bioware.com/forums/vi ... &forum=104" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/ ... 248p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/188 ... Part-1/p1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/189 ... Part-2/p1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/756/756883p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.actiontrip.com/previews/360/ ... ct_i.phtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/community/new ... effect.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gamersquad.com/category/Inte ... ffect-Q-A/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=146642" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://igo.ampednews.com/gamehub/1875/previews/645/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


VIDEOS

Extended Launch Trailer: http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_5419_en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Launch Trailer: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/27748.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Distress Call Trailer: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/27677.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
First few minutes of the game (Spoiler obviously): http://www.gamersyde.com/news_5061_en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
42 Minute Presentation (WARNING: beginning of game spoilers!): http://www.jeux-france.com/news21828_ma ... ation.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Character Spotlight Part 1: http://uk.gamespot.com/video/930279/617 ... al-movie-3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1UP Show's Preview Feature (15 mins): http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/13855" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
IGN's Live Demo (20 mins): http://stage6.divx.com/user/JannLee/vid ... on-From-E3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Extended E3 2K7 Trailer: http://uk.gamespot.com/video/930279/6175378" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Sample Conversation: http://gamevideos.com/video/id/13287" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E3 2K7 Gameplay Footage: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21499.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E3 2K7 Gameplay Footage (HD): http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21498.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
GameSpot's Live Demo (21 mins): http://uk.gamespot.com/video/930279/617 ... age-demo-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E3 2K7 Trailer: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21470.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E3 2K7 Trailer (HD): http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21471.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Battle Transmission Cutscene: http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php? ... mv&pl=game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Battle Transmission Cutscene (HD): http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php? ... mv&pl=game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Doctors at GDC: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/mas ... ay=6167127" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
X06 Demonstration: http://www.xboxyde.com/leech_3425_en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
X06 Demonstration (HD): http://www.xboxyde.com/leech_3426_en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MTV Exclusive Trailer: http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php? ... ov&pl=game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
MTV Exclusive Trailer (HD): http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php? ... ov&pl=game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Galaxy Map and Gameplay: http://www.gametrailers.com/umwatcher.php?id=10891" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E3 2K6 Walkthrough: http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php? ... ov&pl=game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E3 2K6 Walkthrough (HD): http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php? ... ov&pl=game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Video Interview: http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php? ... ov&pl=game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
X05 Trailer: http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php? ... ov&pl=game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
X05 Trailer (HD): http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php? ... ov&pl=game" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


ANIMATED GIFS





SAMPLE IN-GAME ANIMATIONS

An idle Krogan: http://masseffect.bioware.com/_commonex ... 10x400.swf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Battle Master Urdnot Wrex: http://masseffect.bioware.com/_commonex ... 25x400.swf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


SCREENSHOTS



























More: http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/gallery ... Effect/p1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


DEVELOPER PODCASTS

Podcast 1
Listen to an interview with Mass Effect Project Director Casey Hudson where he answers your questions about Mass Effect. Highlights include:
* Space battles
* Uncharted worlds
* Current status of the game

Part 1: http://files.bioware.com/masseffect/aud ... _part1.mp3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Part 2: http://files.bioware.com/masseffect/aud ... _part2.mp3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Part 3: http://files.bioware.com/masseffect/aud ... _part3.mp3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


DEVELOPER BLOGS

http://blogs.ign.com/BioWare_Games/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


AWARDS

Awarded Best RPG of E3 2006 by the Game Critics Awards: http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/win.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
More awards can be found here: http://masseffect.bioware.com/previewsawards/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


WHAT IS 'MASS EFFECT'?

Inside the game universe, mass effect is a newly-discovered (for humans anyway) physics phenomenon that has properties along the lines of other physics forces such as gravity and electromagnetism. It's what physicists in real life are currently calling "dark energy," as an explanation for the accelerating expansion of the universe -- which has only recently been discovered and flies in the face of the previous notion that the universe's expansion should be slowing down because of gravity.
Certain beings are able to sense and manipulate mass effect much like some real-life creatures (such as sharks and eels) can sense and manipulate electromagnatism. These abilities will be augmentable via implants, and the manipulation of mass effect is referred to as 'Biotics'.


CHARACTER CLASSES

Soldier – Soldiers are Combat specific characters.
Engineer – Engineers are Technology centered characters.
Adept – Adepts are characters especially skilled with Biotic abilities.
Infiltrator – Characters who blend their Combat and Technical abilities.
Sentinel – Characters who balance using Biotic abilities and Technology.
Vanguard – Characters who mix their skills at Combat with their Biotic abilities.

More info:
http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/774/774769p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/781/781355p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


DOWNLOADS



Mass Effect wallpapers and avatars can be downloaded here:
http://masseffect.bioware.com/downloads/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


RECENT TIMELINE

2148 AD
Humanity discovers a small cache of highly advanced alien technology hidden deep beneath the surface of Mars. Building on the remnants of this long extinct race - known as the Protheans - humanity quickly masters the science of mass effect fields, leading to the development of faster than light travel.
2149 AD
Spreading out through their own solar system, humanity discovers that Charon, Pluto's moon, is actually a massive piece of dormant Prothean technology - a mass relay - encased in ice.
Once activated, humanity discovers that the mass relay allows instantaneous travel across thousands of light-years to a synchronized mass relay in another part of the galaxy.
There they discover several more dormant relays. Over the next decade humanity expands rapidly, establishing colonies and activating dormant relays to open up more and more unexplored regions of space.
2155 AD
To defend its rapidly expanding empire, humanity assembles a massive fleet and constructs an enormous military space station at the nexus of several key mass relays... even though they have yet to encounter another intelligent space-faring species.
2157 AD
Humanity makes first contact with another space-faring culture: the Turians. Unfortunately, the encounter is far from peaceful. Over the next several months a brief but tense conflict known on Earth as the First Contact war ensues.
This conflict draws the attention of the Citadel Council - a multi-species government body that maintains peace and stability throughout the known galaxy. The Council intervenes before hostilities escalate further, revealing the existence of the greater galactic community to humanity and brokering a peace between them and the Turians.
2165 AD
Humanity continues to expand, founding more colonies and establishing trade alliances with many of the other species who recognize the authority of the Citadel Council. In 2165 the Council makes official recognition of humanity's growing power and influence in the galactic community. Humanity is granted an embassy on the Citadel, the political and economic heart of the galaxy.
2183 AD
Commander Shepard - a promising young officer in the Human Alliance military - is assigned to the crew of the Normandy, the most advanced prototype vessel ever designed.


SOME OF THE RACES IN THE GAME

Alien Races of Mass Effect article: http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news.php?id=250" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Humans:


Humans are a bipedal mammalian species from the planet Earth. They generally stand between 5 feet and 6.5 feet tall and their skin color ranges from pale white-pink to dark brown-black. A recent addition to the galactic stage, human society (called the Systems Alliance) advanced significantly with the advent of interstellar travel, made possible with the discovery of lost Prothean technology. Humans quickly expanded outwards and established more and more colonies on uninhabited planets. This fast expansion brought them into contact with the turians, with whom they quickly had conflict. The Human-Turian First Contact War brought humans to the attention of the species of the Citadel Council, who wasted no time in ending the war. In the brief decades since their "discovery", humans have quickly risen to prominence. In addition, humans have recently been given an embassy at the Citadel Council (as distinct from a seat on the Council).
Humans are generally seen by other species as intelligent, aggressive, highly adaptable and thus, unpredictable. Some dislike their rapid rise to prominence compared to their relative status as newcomers on the galactic stage.

Asari:


The asari are a bipedal species that have a seat on the Citadel Council. Of all the species in Council space, the asari are the most widespread, powerful, and respected. This is due in part, to their being the first species, after the Protheans, to achieve interstellar flight, (to discover and learn how to use the Citadel) and their position as a founding member species of the Citadel Council.
A typical asari individual has a blue and/or green complexion. In the place of head hair, the asari possess wavy folds of sculpted skin. The asari are the closest species aesthetically to humans. Though asari appearance is typically similar to that of a female by human standards, asari are non-gender specific, meaning they have no concept of gender differences. This is likely due to there being no physical difference to separate different sexes, though this has not been verified. It also has not been revealed whether asari reproduce asexually, without the need for another individual's genetic material, or whether they reproduce with the input of another individual, but are still non-gender specific, meaning that any two individuals could mate with one another to produce offspring.

Geth:
The geth are a bi-pedal, humanoid race of networked AIs that resides in the Terminus Systems. The geth were created nearly 300 years ago by the quarians as laborers and tools of war. When the geth began to question their masters, the quarians attempted to exterminate them. The geth won the resulting war. The example of the geth has led to legal, systematic repression of artificial intelligences in galactic society.



The Geth can learn and grow intellectually, but they progress far more slowly than an organic being. Still, the story of the geth's creation and evolution serves as a warning to the rest of the galaxy of the potential dangers of Artificial Intelligence.
The closer Geth physically are to each other, the more intelligent each one becomes. Effectively, they "share" brain power. An individual Geth has only a basic intelligence on par with animal instincts, but in groups they can reason, analyze situations, and use tactics as well as any of the organic races.
Over time the Geth have evolved into numerous sub-forms - from the diminutive but highly agile hoppers, to the gigantic, lumbering Geth armatures. It should be stressed, however, that in all forms the Geth are to be approached with extreme caution as they are universally violent creatures.

Krogan:


Biology of the Krogan Race
The krogan are a species of large reptilian bipeds native to the planet Tuchanka, a world known for its harsh environments, scarce resources and overabundance of vicious predators. The krogan managed to not only survive on their unforgiving homeworld, but actually thrived in the extreme conditions. Unfortunately, as krogan society become more technologically advanced so did their weaponry.
Four thousand years ago, at the dawn of the krogan nuclear age, battles to claim the small pockets of territory capable of sustaining life escalated into full scale global war. Weapons of mass destruction were unleashed, transforming Tuchanka into a radioactive wasteland. The krogan themselves were reduced to primitive warring clans struggling to survive a nuclear winter of their own creation… a state that continued until they were discovered by the salarians two thousand years later.
Due to the brutality of their surroundings, natural selection has played a significant role in the evolution of the species. Krogan reproduce and mature at an astonishing rate. Their large shoulder humps store fluids and nutrients, enabling them to survive extended periods without food or water. Their thick hides are virtually impervious to cuts, scrapes or contusions, and they are highly resistant to toxins, radiation and extremes of both heat and cold.
Biotic individuals are rare, though those who do possess the talent are typically quite strong in their abilities. But their most amazing physiological features are the multiple instances of major organs; these secondary systems are capable of serving as back-ups in the event of damage to the primary biological structures. This redundancy makes them incredibly difficult to kill or incapacitate in normal combat scenarios.

The Rise and Fall of the Krogan
Roughly 2000 years ago the Krogan were a primitive tribal species trapped on a world suffering through a nuclear winter of their own making. They were liberated from this state by the Salarians, who "culturally uplifted" the Krogan by giving them advanced technology and relocating them to a planet not cursed with lethal levels of radiation, toxins or deadly predators.
But the Salarian intervention was not without an ulterior motive. At the time the Citadel was engaged in a prolonged galactic war with the Rachni, a race of intelligent space-faring insects. The Salarians hoped the Krogan would join the Citadel forces as soldiers to stand against an otherwise unstoppable foe. The plan worked to perfection: within two generations the rapidly breeding Krogan had the numbers to not only drive the advancing Rachni back, but pursue them to their home worlds and eradicate the entire species.
For a brief period the Krogan were hailed as the saviors of the galaxy. But without the harsh conditions of Tuchanka to keep their numbers in check, their population exploded. Over crowded and running out of resources on their new home planet, the Krogan spread out to forcibly claim other worlds… worlds already inhabited by races loyal to the Citadel.
The so-called Krogan Rebellions continued for nearly three centuries. The Krogan sustained massive casualties, but their incredible birth rate kept their population steadily increasing. Victory seemed inevitable. In desperation, the Council turned to the recently discovered Turian Empire for aid. The Turians unleashed the genophage on the Krogan home worlds: a terrifying bio-weapon engineered by the Salarians. The genophage caused near total infant mortality in the Krogan species, with only 1 birth in every 1000 producing live offspring.
No longer able to replenish their numbers, the Krogan were forced to accept the Turian terms of surrender. For their role in quelling the Krogan Rebellions the Turians were rewarded with a seat on the Citadel Council. The Krogan, on the other hand, still suffer from the incurable effects of the genophage. Over the last millennium Krogan numbers have steadily declined, leaving them a scattered and dying people. Faced with the certainty of their extinction as a species, most Krogan have become individualistic and completely self-interested. They typically serve as mercenaries for hire to the highest bidder, though many still resent and despise the Citadel races that condemned them to their tragic fate.

Salarians:


Salarians are a race renowned for their technical skill as well as their high aptitude for espionage. In the interstellar community, they've created many of the major technological advances that now fill the galaxy.

Turians:
The Turians were the last of the Citadel races to join the Council. Their features are avian, making them resemble humanoid birds or raptors. They have a reputation for skill and bravery in combat, but they are not known to be bloodthirsty. A rigid code of honor and strict discipline are the hallmarks of any turian officer. This includes humane treatment of prisoners and conquered enemies. A turian patrol unit will never willingly leave behind one of their own, no matter what the cost of saving them.



Turian society is highly regimented and very organized, and the species is known for its strict discipline and work ethic. Turians are willing to do what needs to be done, and they always follow through. They are not easily spurred to violence, but when conflict is inevitable, they only understand a concept of "total war." They do not believe in skirmishes or small scale battles; they use massive fleets and numbers to defeat an adversary so completely that they remove any threat of having to fight the same opponent more than once. They do not exterminate their enemy, but so completely devastate their military that the enemy has no choice but to become a colony of the Turians.
Other species see them as "men of action," and they are generally regarded as the most progressive of the Citadel races. Since their culture is based on the structure of a military hierarchy, changes and advances accepted by the leadership are quickly adopted by the rest of society with minimal resistance.

Volus:


Little is yet known about the Volus, but their heavy clothing and breathing masks are apparently a necessary garb when away from the unique atmosphere of their home world.
Chubby alien blobs, the Volus aren't your enemy - they like humans. Not that you would ever think these plump little guys could hurt a fly or anything.

Maw:
Hiding on a forbidding asteroid, the alien Maw gleams, glistens, and strikes pretty hard. Seeing it in motion is a thing of beauty. Time to run, though - these things may look good, but they're deadly!

Quarians:
A nomadic race of humanoid aliens, the quarians are generally shorter and of slighter build than humans. They dress in a scavanged assortment of materials, hiding their faces behind visors, goggles, or breathing masks. Some believe the quarians are cybernetic, a blend of machine and biology that can survive for a time in the cold vacuum of space. Others believe the quarians are simply so used to living on their substandard, makeshift ships that they never remove their survival suits.



Three hundred years ago the quarians created the geth, a species of rudimentary AIs, to serve as an efficient source of manual labor. But the geth rebelled against their quarian masters and drove them into exile. Now the quarians wander the galaxy in a flotilla of salvaged ships, secondhand vessels, and recycled technology. Other species tend to look down on the quarians, seeing them as scavengers and condemning them for unleashing a dangerous synthetic life form on the rest of the galaxy.

Batarians:
The batarians are a typically "seedy" species with large numbers in the crime syndicates throughout the galaxy. The batarians have a slimmer build than the average human but are about the same height, on average, as a human. They have four eyes, one inner set located approximately where that of a humans would be, and a second pair stemming from "stalks" on the side of their heads.

Hanar:
The hanar are a species resembling Terran jellyfish, they stand slightly taller than a human.

Protheans:
Protheans are a supposedly-extinct alien species that was extremely technologically advanced and was the first known species to use the Citadel to travel vast interstellar distances, the second much later being the asari. It is currently unknown whether protheans make an appearance in Mass Effect.

Rachni:
The rachni are an extinct insectoid species that threatened to defeat and overthrow the Citadel Council roughly two thousand years ago. They were defeated and completely eradicated by the krogan, who had been groomed by the salarians to perform this act. This indirectly caused the Krogan Rebellions much later.


OFFICIAL BOX ART

Collector's Edition:


The Collector’s Edition includes:
- A “Mass Effect” fiction book titled “Galactic Codex: Essentials”
- A 36-page guide to the “Mass Effect” universe, including a Citadel timeline and a guide to all non-human races, biotics and the key locations in the Perseus arm of the galaxy
- An additional “Mass Effect” art book titled “A Future Imagined”
- A 36-page collection of BioWare’s concept art for the game
- A bonus DVD of exclusive “Mass Effect” background material and additional content including:
“The Vision of “Mass Effect” documentary
“The Making of “Mass Effect” documentary
“Interactive Storytelling” documentary
“Inside BioWare” documentary
- 18 “Mass Effect” themed gamer pics (three unique sets of six)
- 16 dashboard themes (four unique sets of four)
- Ten songs from the “Mass Effect” soundtrack
- Five historical “Mass Effect” trailers from X05 through E3 2007 and the official TV trailer
- A demo for “Blue Dragon” and videos for “Lost Odyssey,” “Halo 3” and “Halo Wars”
- Design galleries featuring 600 concept images fully commented by the Art Directors

Standard Edition:


An exclusive bonus disc will be offered to consumers who pre-order either edition of the game at participating retailers and will include the following contents:
- A short documentary on DVD introducing the game
- 12 “Mass Effect” themed gamer pics (two unique sets of six)
- Eight dashboard themes (two unique sets of four)
- Three songs from the “Mass Effect” soundtrack on a CD
- Four historical “Mass Effect” trailers from X05 through E3 2007 on DVD
- A demo for “Blue Dragon” and videos for “Lost Odyssey,” “Halo 3” and “Halo Wars”


A FEW OF THE CHARACTERS

Saren Arterius (main villain):



Saren Arterius is the longest serving turian member of the Spectres - the elite military operatives answering directly to the Citadel Council. For 24 years he has been an agent of the Council's will, a zealous defender of galactic stability in the unsettled border region of the Skyllian Verge.
Official records of Spectres are sealed, but it is known that Saren followed turian tradition and entered the military at the age of 15. In 2155 he was promoted to active service after only a year of training, though it is unclear whether his unit was involved in any of the battles against human forces during the First Contact War of 2157.
In 2159 he became the youngest turian ever accepted into the Spectres. Intelligent, cunning and capable, Saren quickly developed a reputation for ruthless efficiency. Although there were a number of unsettling rumors about the brutality of his methods, there was no denying his results.
In recent years Saren has become an outspoken opponent of human expansion. Like many other non-humans, he believes the Alliance has become overly aggressive in its efforts to establish the people of Earth as a dominant species in Citadel space. As a Spectre it is generally believed he will continue to follow the will of the Council in this matter, but there are some - particularly among the Alliance - who fear Saren may soon decide to take matters into his own hands.

Battle Master Urdnot Wrex:



Urdnot Wrex is one of the last krogan Battle Masters: rare individuals who combine powerful biotic abilities with the devastating firepower of advanced weaponry. Born into clan Urdnot, he quickly gained fame for his prowess in battle. He became a leader of one of the smaller Urdnot tribes while still a youth - the youngest krogan to be granted the honor in 1000 years...until he was betrayed by his own people.
The betrayal opened Wrex's eyes to the truth about the krogan: most would rather die in battle than try to rebuild their society through peaceful means. Realizing the warrior culture that once valued courage, strength, and honor had been reduced to glorifying pointless violence, Wrex turned his back on the rest of the krogan.
Over the past three centuries he has served no master but himself, working as a bodyguard, mercenary, soldier of fortune, and bounty hunter; there is little in the galaxy that can still surprise him. He doesn't speak often, but when he does his words are direct and often shockingly blunt - and people tend to listen.
Despite his brutish appearance, Wrex rarely loses his temper. The mere threat of his anger is usually enough to get what he wants. When his fury is unleashed, however, it is a truly terrifying sight.

Ashley Madeline Williams:



Meet Ashley Madeline Williams, gunnery chief of the 2nd Frontier Division on Eden Prime. During training, she certified proficient with the standard-issue M7 Lancer assault rifle and light and standard weight combat hardsuits. Among her notable characteristics are her steadfast endurance and aggressive instincts, which have made her into a reliable and dedicated non-commissioned officer. Every year since enlistment, she has used her mandatory week of leave to visit her family on Amaterasu. In 2181, she made an exceptional request for a week-long leave of absence from her posting at the Czarnobóg Fleet Depot, citing family issues. Additionally, her political opinions have proven problematic, given the focus on improving relations with the Citadel.
Following family tradition, Chief Williams enlisted in the Alliance Marines directly out of high school and was assigned to the Recruit Training Depot in Macapá, Brazil.
During training, she certified proficient with the standard-issue M7 Lancer assault rifle and light and standard weight combat hardsuits. She completed certification in zero-gee combat aboard the Rakesh Sharma Orbital Platform in Earth geosynchronous orbit. For Hostile Environment Assault Training, she was assigned to Fort Charles Upham on Saturn’s moon Titan. She was awarded a commendation for her bold assault technique in a field exercise simulating an attack on turian point defense emplacements.
Drill Instructor Gunnery Chief Ellison noted her steadfast endurance and aggressive instincts, and promoted her to the role of squad leader. After observing her effective tutelage of the less skilled members of her training unit, he promoted her to platoon guide. She maintains a friendly correspondence with DI Ellison.
Chief Williams has served in a number of ground force garrisons on Alliance colony worlds and industrial outposts. She has repeatedly requested transfer to a shipboard posting, but each request has been denied without comment by her superiors.
Every year since enlistment, she has used her mandatory week of leave to visit her family on Amaterasu. In 2181, she made an exceptional request for a week-long leave of absence from her posting at the Czarnobóg Fleet Depot, citing family issues.
Chief Williams’ platoon has logged unanimous positive feedback on her leadership in the recent fitness review cycle. Private Nirali Bahtia praised her focus on team-building exercises and “tough but fair” discipline.
Williams is a reliable and dedicated noncommissioned officer, but her service in rear-area garrisons has prevented her from gaining actual combat experience. Her aggressive instincts and tendency to speak bluntly are suitable for a field unit, but might lead to complications if her duties require her to interact with civilians. Additionally, her political opinions may be problematic, given the focus on improving relations with the Citadel.


VOICE ACTORS VIDS

- Seth Green interview: http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_4980_en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Seth Green outtakes: http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_4981_en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Short interviews with Keith David, Lance Heriksen, and Marina Sirtis: http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_4982_en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


MASS EFFECT: REVELATION



The book pictured above is a prequel to the game (the story takes place in 2148, 35 years before the game), and you can read the prologue here:
http://files.bioware.com/masseffect/rev ... ologue.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chapter 9 can be found here:
http://masseffect.bioware.com/galacticc ... r9_01.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The book was written by Bioware's head writer for the Mass Effect game, Drew Karpyshyn, who has also written two Old Republic Star Wars novels, the Baldur's Gate II novel and Temple Hill from the Forgotten Realm's Cities series.


THE AWESOME LIST

Aaronayl1
Crash Hornet
Exxy
GarthVaderUK
mcjihge2
Mogster
PsychoPriest
thesarge
Wedgie

They're going to find out he didn't die but he's so strawberry floated up that they'll have to give him plastic surgery opening up for more customisation? I really want to be able to carry my stats and skills over. They said you could and for them to kill Shepard and lose all that now will be going against everything they promised.

It will probably be him faking his death though so that no one can come after him and he can do what he has to off-books, free from interference.