Publisher: Microsoft
System: Xbox 360
Cost: $60 plus monthly fee
Review rating: 3 1/2 stars
From developers of the mega-hit "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" comes another action/RPG of stellar proportions. "Mass Effect" tasks players with saving the universe as the main story line and lets them explore uncharted planets throughout the galaxy while completing side quests.
After the player creates a character, it's time to choose from six classes. Each one offers a different style of combat, with the Soldier as the master of firearms while the Adept defeats enemies using mental powers. As the player gains experience and rises in level, he can choose which powers to augment, further customizing the combat. Two squad mates will accompany the player every time he or she disembarks from the space ship, and the mates come in handy during difficult firefights.
I just wish the Mako's controls were a little more user-friendly.
In the end, "Mass Effect" offers players a futuristic journey through a fictional universe where they end up as the hero of the galaxy. Master Chief, eat your heart out.
Publisher: Ubi Soft
System: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3)
Cost: $60 plus monthly fee
ESRB rating: M
Review rating: 3 stars
Throughout the ages, covert organizations have relied on stealthy assassins to skulk in the shadows and perform their dirty work. Whether these killings are performed in ancient Japan or modern-day America, the idea that they are for "the greater good" is simply a matter of context.
In "Assassin's Creed," players struggle with this dilemma while they perform a series of assassinations for a real-life group known as the "hashshashins." Since most of the story takes place in the Middle East during the third Crusade, there are no guns or advanced weaponry to make the job easier. Instead, the player uses a hidden blade, a short blade, a long blade and throwing knives to take out his targets.
Perhaps the coolest element of the game is the fluid way the main character moves, especially when climbing. Every building in each major city can be traversed. All the player has to do is look for handholds to boost himself to greater heights, and the tallest structure can be scaled with ease. This really comes in handy when you are hunting targets or want to avoid winding your way through dense crowds on ground level.
While performing assassinations is fun, the events leading up to them quickly become repetitive. This is because the methods used to gather information are identical for each city. It would be nice if there were more to do than interrogate, pickpocket, eavesdrop, find viewpoints, find flags and perform missions for informers.
Fortunately, "Assassin's Creed" looks fantastic. Of special note are the sweeping city views from high vantage points and the dense crowds that meander around. If the story was more interesting and activities more varied, it could have been a contender for game of the year.
4 stars - Must have
3 stars - Pretty good
2 stars - So-so
1 star - Don't waste your time
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
E: Everyone
T: Teen (13 and older)
E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)
M: Mature (17 and older)
