Jumping from the steps of the lander onto the dusty surface of the Hollywood Pavilion, in which NASA staged a landing on the moon (it's our reviewer, so jokes can be ignored. - Ed.), Astronaut Neil Armstrong said: "This is a small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. "
Since Mass Effect is the opposite: it is a tremendous achievement for Bioware, and a great event in the world of gaming, but also a small step to ensure that someday deliver interactive entertainment on a par with other art forms. The temptation to compare ME c good movie is great, but comparing them still leaves little chance of the game.
And while up to Oscar and Cannes game designers far, let's talk about what Mass Effect is not as art but as an RPG.
 | |  | Capital of the World Mass Effect - Citadel - very reminiscent of Taris Knights of The Old Republic. | | In contrast to the "fencing» KoTOR, the emphasis here is on ranged attack, but to call the enemy gun in the mouth it is still possible. |
Old disease better than two new The first impression of Mass Effect - «Yes me here all familiar!" Indeed, those who played in the Knights of The Old Republic, will feel at home. Types of the characters, gameplay, graphic style, dialogue, quests, interface design - the list of similarities is simply immense.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that the authors have created ME on one samotsitirovanii. Rather, it seems to meet with the son of a man who knew well: a lot of familiar features in a completely different person. The impression is of acquaintance with the game mechanics are best expressed in the words of a famous anecdote about the Raven and the Fox: "Yes, podsokratili fable something!"
 | |  | When generating a character can choose from six classes: three basic and three mixed. | | Characters in the party six, but "on business" can take only two. |
Equipment Manager team simplified to extreme: here's a list of weapons, but - the equipment, and even get a list of upgrades. All neatly sorted, it is easy to compare, uncomplicated set, just replaced. Ammo never run out and shoot gnarled finger at the shutter release causes the overheating of the weapon only in continuous shooting.
No need to fumble for the carcasses, collecting valuable things: kill the enemy - and trophies with him by themselves were in your inventory, but rather to sacrifice some amount of money. Convenient, but sometimes from non-compliance "loot" of the situation a little box. For example, the test was "Normandy", and at the end of the conversation in the inventory for some reason added a pomegranate - not otherwise inspecting the admiral gave my name. A dose of copper-gel, human health or armor upgrades, which are regularly "fall out" of the opponents of machines (I wonder why they have them?), Generally are in order.
 | |  | Given that the trophies are almost in every trash tank ... | | ... Rather, it is Shepard can offer something interesting to marketers, rather than they him. |
Various weapons and ammunition "in the field, you can get what you want, sometimes come very successful designs, so it really pass the entire game, never looking to the merchants. Probably, it is still to be considered a disadvantage. But far greater problem is the lack of a crowd to process the extra items. Every junk falls on all sides from the horn of plenty - we are talking about dozens of things after a big hassle, and unnecessary utilization of each requires a minimum of three mouse clicks. Of course, this is very annoying.
Primitive role system will not name, but it has its own characteristics. Unlike many other RPG, where the parameters are pumping improve multiple characters (zadohlikom started - finished a superhero) in Mass Effect can be achieved only about 30 per cent growth for each of the indicators. The main contribution to the steepness of the hero is made weapons and equipment - that they are somehow able to gain a hundred percent. For this reason, again through the game you can even have pumped a character, however, from that little will change, because ME carefully dosing specifications issued by us "iron" depending on the stage of passage. This does not mean, however, that the development of the hero is useless: as the growth characteristics are also open additional or improved skills and abilities that can be very useful in combat.
 | Weapons |
Mass Effect offers four types of weapons: pistols, assault and sniper rifles, shotguns. The most convenient and universal are the assault rifles, but they are inaccessible to many classes (or rather, to use something they can, but with a penalty) - as a result have to be content with pistols. However, this is not a cause for frustration, because the difference between a pistol and assault rifle in the ME is not as significant as, for example, between "Makarov" and "Kalashnikov". From a good gun really a matter of seconds to shoot and walking tank, and heavy turret, not to mention smaller opponents.
| ru "class =" center2 first png "/> | |  | | | And this heavy turret will bow before the power of my gun |
Sniper Rifle in combination with special skills can be very useful in the destruction of particularly harmful enemies, but to use it anytime and anywhere is unlikely to succeed, so I have to periodically switch again on the gun.
Shotgun - a weapon powerful, but kind of - is suitable only for close combat and slowly recharges. Since the opponents are usually many and the situation is changing rapidly, the gun looks a lot more versatile, and enjoy them much easier and simpler. However, running in narrow channels between the boxes is definitely better with a shotgun.
 | |  | Circulated a skill with protection up to a certain level, we will be able to wear heavy armor | | The management interface is easy and intuitive gear. |
Battles in the game very quickly, and in combat gameplay of Mass Effect recalls soon, BioShock - here, too, should be shot very fast and sharp adversaries are actively helping themselves "technomage.
If you remember, the developers have made PC-version of a special emphasis on refining the interface that would allow a more flexible, convenient and effective to control the actions of the group. The result is evident: the interface with "smart pause" is really easy, intuitive and in a good visible. Only snag is that the game creates a few occasions to use its "full blast".
 | |  | Shot for the cover of the magazine "Synthetic soldier of fortune", November issue. | | "Stay away or I turn the light bulb at full power!" |
Perhaps the first gamer and really not used to or because of lack of firepower will spend time on careful alignment of employees and permanent control over their actions. But it is worth a little accustomed - and such nonsense distractions already feel like, yes and no reason. Mass Effect, even on a heavy (Hard) level easily and naturally goes in a state of complete relaxation of the mind (apparently, so for fans of Prestressing in store two more furious level of complexity).
The whole point is that properly chosen, bleed and equipped party turns out Mass Effect "Bioshoka" in net "Doom" - Know yourself run forward and PUSH the trigger, shooting the appearing enemies. Doom will be even more varied - there are sometimes patrons come to an end and you have to switch to another weapon. And here and there are no problems with the ammunition, and the game may well be run over with the same gun or assault rifle (not forgetting their upgraded from time to time).
 | |  | I can fly! | | Ashley died, but after a few seconds she will rise again. |
Radical simplification (here may well be appropriate to a terrible curse "okazualivanie) project promotes the uptake of a computer-controlled teammates. In games past, where his partner regularly and desperately "tupili, had to watch their every move, otherwise the result was sad. In Mass Effect colleagues are quite reasonable and separately, especially using the special-abilities (if the corresponding item in the settings). Of course, the genius of tactics could not call them - notably in the limited space, where his partner happens to be stuck trying to fire through the wall or, worse yet, through the commander. But this does not happen so often, usually as companions delight. Sometimes, just think that out of the geezer a good idea to send a mission of its biotic force - and they are already floating in the air, unable to move his limbs: Liara effort, good girl.
The problem is solved by the death of comrades in a modern liberal. You do not have to be sad by pressing button «Load», that favorite avtomatchitsu biotichku or smeared on the wall stray missile. As soon as the skirmish ends, fallen team members are automatically "returned from the dead" with a small margin of health. But is the ability to "Agent SPECTRUM, you can revive them, even during the battle, and the more pumped this skill, so in the best condition soldiers return to duty.
 | |  | I love those moments. | | "Climb in prison and will be sitting, I said!" |
Normal characters are always in consumption Like KoTOR, the authors give gamers an opportunity to resolve the problems facing them as "good" and "evil" methods - both ways are effective, although not equally. Unfortunately, if we take a more productive, "Shining Path", will once again see the victory of good over reason: Shepard does, in general, the right things the right way, but speaks here as Leopold cat, adopted by Timur in his team for in the reality show: "Pioneer, you guys an example!". In his words and deeds is no trace of irony, sarcasm, ambiguity - as a result of a positive character goes unpretentious and straight as a rail. Try to escape from the jaws which reduces the "correctness" can be - just pump the skill of "deterrence" and stop worrying about their reputation of the hero-savior of the galaxy.
| ru "class =" center2 first png "/> | |  | When Shepard makes a face, even on this side of the screen is somehow not on itself. | | Eagle! It goes without saying - the eagle! |
For players who from time to time are not afraid to "show their teeth", the developers laid up a few surprises: not always (though often) aggression and pressure lead to an adequate response and subsequent murder. Unfortunately, Mass Effect is not too spoiled rich choice: a hero or reading around the lecture on "Guys, let's live together, slowly put weapons on the floor, and no one gets hurt", or without unnecessary rassusolivany sends enemies into an erotic journey on foot, gives a face or squeezing the trigger.
That is, of course, Shepard looks like an eagle and a stiff upper lip, but reasoning is subjective, we note that his image (albeit in a "correct", though in badass-variant) still lacks vitality. The developers wanted to portray the legendary hero, above which only the stars, and they successfully did. But the creators of a little heat from the bottom of pathos and character to add a little guile, the game would be much brighter. Of course, nobody requires that Shepard acted like a prickly on the outside but fluffy inside House MD - it would be too much - but a certain amount of humor and a bit of healthy cynicism never harm even the forces of good.
 | | ![Mass Effect, an overview of the PC-version of Gameland. ru]( "Mass Effect, an overview of the PC-version of Gameland. ru") Shawls armor mercenary Jayne Shepard particularly compelling. "alt =" In this dark cherry shawls armored mercenary Jane Shepard is particularly compelling. "w =" 247 "last =" 2 "src =" / post/41881/img/Mass-Effect- 23_s.w247.jpg "> | Phenomenon is the Savior of the Galaxy people. | | In this dark cherry shawls armored mercenary Jane Shepard is particularly compelling. |
 | |  | Ambassador Udin ago asking for it, that he counted his teeth, but in general it is a good guy. | | Pilot of The Joker - the classic type of the operator of the "Matrix". Unfortunately, little jokes and sluggish, the nickname is not justified. |
Partly compensate for excessive straightforwardness Shepard heroes of the second plan: for example, Ambassador Udin is quite difficult pepper, and teammates are not hopeless. In the best tradition of Bioware, each of sidekicks, partners have their own character, its ideology, its "skeletons in the closet, most of which translates into additional quests that we love so much.
Get at least Croghan mercenary Urdnouta Rex - because the authors can, whenever they want! Dour professionalism, grim fatalistic humor, soulful breakdown, buying it with relish - all with him. His wish to bring to it, just to hear comments on what is happening, though as a fighter Urdnout also very useful. But, of course, a killer android-HK-47 from KoTOR it does not match: the one piece of iron frostbite still unrivaled.
With a large margin for Rex go turianets Garrus, tries hard to resolve the complex moral and professional dilemma, and a young kvarianka Jacks, which we always want to ask "Gyulchataj, open face, but such an option in dialogs no.
 | |  | Each meeting with krogan - a little holiday, even if he is an enemy. | | "Yes, Rex, I too long going to talk to you like a man." |
 | |  | In kvariantsev no immunity, so is unlikely to ever be able to see Tali unmasked. | | Ashley and Garrus - not bad company for biotics or attack aircraft. |
But from Sergeant Ashley Williams, one frustration: being a very beautiful woman with the appearance of an Italian movie star in the snatch and the tediousness of soldafonstvu Ashley is able to shut up for the belt itself Shepard in his "authorized version". For this reason, the attitude of the dual: as the saying goes, the eyes are afraid, and hands reach. But those who are attracted to physically strong women with the character of light tank and a pair of steel eggs in reserve, will be from Ash crazy. However, Jane Shepard - a female version of the protagonist - to like them even more.
With exaggerated steepness Williams contrasts nicely soulful softness s azar Liary T'Soni: it is shy, sincere, thoughtful, sensitive, pokes her finger into the book, believes in the harmony of all things, and also a virgin. Almost Turgenev girl - if you do not take into account the age of a century, the powerful biotic abilities and dozens of enemies killed in battle personal account. But it is also unnatural colors and incomprehensible "feelers" on the head!
In general, with romantic affairs in the ME it's complicated, controversial and extremely carousing not work - it's not you, "Witcher", the citizens. Here galaxy is in danger, and you with your nonsense ...
 | | ru "class =" center2 last png "/> | Cade Alenko not so tiring to communicate, like Ashley, but it's still an option for gamers, girls ... | | ... For unbearable to watch as your character's native frame some Khmyrov. |
 | |  | Whom I love more - Ashley or Cade? | | Silly question - of course, Liaru! |
Speaking of the Galaxy Similarly, as Shepard can generally choose between "good" and "bad" ways, the story Mass Effect you can successfully evaluate the good-naturedly or in evil. The good-natured critic writes that "The plot incorporates the best of the classic SF works that we love, and mudslinger, dipped a pen into the black bile Basilisk witch nakaryabaet:" Mass Effect story is a compilation of the most common cliches of scientific and unscientific fiction . What is interesting, both are absolutely right (incidentally, this is a good illustration of the issue of "objectivity, reviewers).
Borrowing in the plot is really very much. Trained eye can easily see "Aliens" and Resident Evil c relying on this occasion by unscrupulous corporations, the Council and the Jedi and the clone army worms from Dune. These are attached indispensable ruins of an ancient civilization with a galloping over them armed to the teeth "by archaeologists, an indispensable ancient evil that will certainly come, if something does not make ... oh, do not take.
 | |  | "Joker, scratch boat - deduct from the salaries!" | | "Normandy" from the outside seems to be much smaller than the inside. Apparently, the effect of mass skukozhivaet crew to Barbie-size bed. |
And it's not to mention countless nod to the "Babylon 5" and other television series, kosmooper, as well as the One Ring - the truth, it is huge, flies and defiantly talks, but that is exactly my prelessst, I feel it in the ground I feel it in the water ... For the complete set is not enough unless the Predator and Harry Potter - but we still have two parts, so that all can be expected.
In this case, the story still get an interesting and exciting, let alone the needs of non-linear gameplay, it fits just perfectly. For this reason, wants to be a friendly critic, and stated: "Yes, borrowing a lot, but they are quite to the point and make the game even better."
 | | ru "class =" center2 last png "/> | And put tsaki and make three times as "ku" great root, incidentally, does not command? | | Oh no, more zombies! .. |
In addition, an impressive study of the world: in the Mass Effect is not inferior to the classic SF literature. Thoroughly thought through the history of many races, their philosophy, not to mention the uneasy relations between them or such necessary things for the genre, like the fantastic technology.
Unfortunately, not all aspects of the game can boast of such careful study. For example, apart from fitting suits (for which, of course, thank you), the women here are just two and a half model clothes: an open dress, semi-open dress and working unisex. The impression is that insidious enemy has enslaved the galaxy, and replaced all of the fair sex robots - how else to explain their polls agreed to go to the same, just different colors?
| Additional Quests |
Additional quests Mass Effect have been the object most serious criticism - and not without reason. Compared with topical planet, the scene of most of these jobs is as pathetic: all about everything available on one design, craft and mines and a couple of designs of underground bases, differing only in the arrangement of boxes. Themselves have deserted the heavenly bodies and of little interest.
 | |  | | | Scene of the planet looks pretty impressive |
Basically, all it would be nice if, in addition to the bare rocks and stations in the middle of nowhere would have been some truly interesting places not directly connected with the main storyline. But the budget is not elastic, so the developers have done all the planetary missions of the same pattern, and promised for Mass Effect 2 to approach this issue seriously and bigger.
But these jobs are also positive aspects: firstly, they are absolutely not necessary - armor, weapons, and lack of experience and so perfectly. Second, they open new branches script. Third, fighting in some additional missions beyond the more interesting and intense than the main line. Fourth, they allow plenty of MAKO ride over rough terrain.
This vehicle differs quite incredible maneuverability and can go up and down the steepest slopes. Not to mention how fun to shoot enemy infantry from large-caliber guns.
 | | ru "class =" center3 png "/> | |  |
My perfectly understand your Honestly, what studio Snowball is not yet fully overdubbed the game to release, even happy. Voiced performed magnificently, and with all due respect to our localizers to do dubbing at the same level they are unlikely to succeed. Very difficult to adequately reproduce deep bass Urdnot Rex, the impressive voice of Admiral Hekketa or iridescent steel, which is heard in the words of Jane Shepard.
By the way, if you want you can get by without any subtitle: the actors read the text of the measured and legibly, so that even people without sufficient language practice, with difficulty parsing that chatters Indians on the BBC, will not experience any problems with listening comprehension.
On the other hand, the combination of original voice acting and Russian subtitles makes it easy to evaluate the quality of translation. It is perfectly acceptable: although localizers persistently called dozens and dozens of regularly admit some of the other liberties, in most cases, you can be sure that the Russian translation of getting exactly what was said in English.
 | |  | Oh no! Once again you prosrali all polymers! .. | | Spacecraft "My prelessst" in action. |
Unpleasant touches except that any treatment of some terms. For example, if the authors of the original text would use vulgar mix of "brainwashing" instead of a far more impressive and appropriate in this case the word "indoctrination", they probably would have done so, the benefit, in English there and indoctrination, and brainwashing.
It is also unclear why call fleet «flotilla" - under such usually means a relatively small compound, for which English is the notation flotilla or small fleet; here we are talking about a major organizational unit.
And although, of course, this is not the only examples of "gag" mistranslation or editorial negligence, I can not say that they seemed particularly influenced by impression of the game.
 | |  | In salariantsev, it turns out there is a long tradition of spetsnaz. And in mind and not say. | | The monument in the form of transmitter weight - a typical example of Chekhov's gun on the wall "that can not be approved. |
The technical design of the PC-version is not without some flaws, but still quite acceptable. Mass Effect to quickly save, loads quickly, is very stable (the author of the article was not a single place in a time of passage) and demonstrates good correlation of image quality, resolution and frame rate. The engine provides a comfortable game at maximum settings at 1280 by 960 on video cards caliber GeForce 8600 GT. But anti-aliasing in Mass Effect, unfortunately, is not provided.
Despite the presence of multiple widescreen modes available in the list, the game managed to get run only in a single "native resolution monitor. Lower 16:9-options with scaling to include somehow failed, in contrast to the 4:3 mode, the full spectrum is available.
 | |  | Can anybody explain why the Heels are walking only a stripper? | | Mixed in a bunch of horses, people, sex of the character and the plural. |
The very picture would look quite nice and modern, if not the shadows. Dynamic shadows are terrible, and they are better off just because there is no realism they add, and all just spoiled.
Perhaps we should disable and motion blur: firstly, it often is very strange (for example, for some reason, "lubricates" the characters riding in an elevator), and secondly, it can have a positive impact on performance.
 | |  | God is with them, with the same dresses. But the fact that the entire assault team are exactly the same priests - a complete mess! | | And this is - a purely editorial blunder. Throughout the game word classified correctly translated as "secret" and only in this conversation blackout probe called them "classified." |
* If we evaluate the Mass Effect exclusively as a CRPG, and compare with other representatives of the genre, the game is beautiful, no doubt. Although the organization of the gameplay may seem to many fans, to put it mildly, atypical, and the balance sheet - odd. In any case, the master of Bioware has once again confirmed its status as living classics and trendsetters who are eligible for bold experiments.
However, if you approach ME Standards finest examples of "adult" entertainment culture (literature, film), a company that clearly marks the game, it becomes clear that the space for development is still huge: the story still secondary, dialogues give straightforward, and Drama watery. But we still have two parts, and who knows, maybe for the final series, we see something truly spectacular and mind-blowing world.
 | | ru "class =" center2 last png "/> | A pretty picture is achieved rather competent design than the "cool" technology. | | Why this game is a filter "on grainy film" resolutely clear. Fortunately, it is disabled. |
Until then, Mass Effect will not give bored - the game offers a fairly large world with many interesting opportunities and alternatives, which is downright calling: "to examine me again!". At a higher level of complexity, selecting a different character classes, an alternative model of behavior, or finding a new love. And anyone who has not passed ME again, and even better - two, a lot to lose.
| Minigames |
Unfortunately, Mass Effect is not pleased with diverse and inventive mini-games. Once found the Tower of Hanoi, a couple of times should be at random to pick the order of pressing sectors. And in the remaining 99% of cases faced with the need to hold the red arrow to the center through the obstacles - both pick locks, are found artifacts and even minerals. In itself, this mini-game is not bad, but only if it is not necessary to go a hundred thousand times in a row.
Yet there is gamble, but given the abundance of money, they are not very relevant.
 | |  | Galaxy with equal success can save, and John Shepard ... | | ... And Jane Shepard. Maybe someday they will still get married? |
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