Mass Effect: Windows

Electronic Arts - 19081

1.5 stars from 41 review(s)

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Mass Effect (PC)

As the first human Specter -- sworn defenders of galactic peace -- your mission is to halt the advancing

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armies of a legendary agent gone rogue.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. Features Free Downloadable Content - The "Bring Down the Sky" downloadable content will be free for PC gamers to download. It includes 90 minutes of new gameplay, an original soundtrack, and a new uncharted world that introduces the deadly Batarian alien race. Tactical HUD - A new Tactical Heads-Up Display (HUD) allows players to access the Individual Squad Command, Biotics powers and Abilities and Weapons command interfaces all in one screen. Higher resolution visuals - The world, characters and creatures of Mass Effect are more stunning than ever before. PC Gamers will be in awe of the incredible vistas, cities and landscapes found in the Mass Effect Universe. Individual Squad Control - PC gamers will be able to control each of their squad mates via a simple to use interface. Re-designed Mako controls - Players can explore alien planets and engage in vehicular combat with an intuitive and fully camera independent control system for the Mako, their all-terrain vehicle. Enhanced Inventory System - Makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor. Fully Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC. New Decryption mini-game - Fully redesigned, the team created a mini-game that reflects the shape and methodology of the Omni Decryption Tool used in the game. New Save Features - Players can Auto Save with the touch of a key and Mass Effect for the PC also features an expanded number of Save slots Faster Loading Times - Mass Effect for the PC will have optimized and quicker loading times Widescreen Monitor Support Mass Effect PC Role Play and Strategy Computer Games Electronic Arts UniversalAs 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. Features Free Downloadable Content - The "Bring Down the Sky" downloadable content will be free for PC gamers to download. It includes 90 minutes of new gameplay, an original soundtrack, and a new uncharted world that introduces the deadly Batarian alien race. Tactical HUD - A new Tactical Heads-Up Display (HUD) allows players to access the Individual Squad Command, Biotics powers and Abilities and Weapons command interfaces all in one screen. Higher resolution visuals - The world, characters and creatures of Mass Effect are more stunning than ever before. PC Gamers will be in awe of the incredible vistas, cities and landscapes found in the Mass Effect Universe. Individual Squad Control - PC gamers will be able to control each of their squad mates via a simple to use interface. Re-designed Mako controls - Players can explore alien planets and engage in vehicular combat with an intuitive and fully camera independent control system for the Mako, their all-terrain vehicle. Enhanced Inventory System - Makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor. Fully Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC. New Decryption mini-game - Fully redesigned, the team created a mini-game that reflects the shape and methodology of the Omni Decryption Tool used in the game. New Save Features - Players can Auto Save with the touch of a key and Mass Effect for the PC also features an expanded number of Save slots Faster Loading Times - Mass Effect for the PC will have optimized and quicker loading times Widescreen Monitor Support Mass Effect PC Role Play and Strategy Computer Games Electronic Arts Universal

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Reviews

(41)

Rental versus purchase: Beware

Helpful

Mass Effect: Windows

I am not reviewing the content of the game except to say that Bioware has previously never disappointed me with its RPG's, and I expect Mass Effect is no different. I was highly excited to buy this game.

However, I like many others, canceled my pre-order when I discovered that I was not actually going to be buying the game, even though I was going to be spending $50 on it.

The truth is that this game comes with a new generation of digital rights management software called SecuROM. This DRM system does many things.

First, if your gaming computer does not have internet access then you cannot activate and play the game at all. Bioware/EA does not want your business.

Second, Bioware allows you three 'activations' only. Activations are tied to your computer's hardware and operating system configuration. If you ever reinstall windows, or upgrade a videocard, or add a new hard-drive, or even a simple cooling fan, you will need to use up another activation to keep playing mass effect on your

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computer. Several customers used up all three activations within a couple of weeks of buying the game as they tried reinstalling windows, or upgrading hardware, to overcome technical difficulties. Once you run out of activations and try to play the game again, you get a message informing you that you have no more activations left and that you should buy another copy of the game to get more. If you do some searching, you will find out that EA says that they may provide you more activations, on a case by case basis, if you contact them. They refuse to state what circumstances will be considered acceptable to them before allowing you more activations. At a minimum, you may need to provide a copy of your purchase receipt. You do actually keep your purchase receipts for $50 games right?

Third, SecuROM is a highly controversial piece of software. Its existence is not disclosed on the box, nor do you get notified that it is being installed on your machine. SecuROM installs registry keys that are not deleted when you uninstall the game. And these registry keys use illegal characters to prevent the user from being able to delete them manually. You must use third-party software to do so.

Fourth, SecuROM can include a module that provides 'information' to the game publisher. Bioware claims it is not using that module to do so, but there is no way to verify this.

Fifth, Bioware cancelled the re-validate online every 5-10 days policy that they originally stated the game would have. Expect to see this return in future games.

Lastly, Bioware/EA provides no method to de-activate a computer once it has been activated. Uninstalling the game from one computer does not free up that activation. Therefore, your ability to sell your copy of the game second-hand, guaranteed in the Copyright Act (Doctrine of First Sale) has been violated by Bioware/EA. Expect to see some lawsuits before too much longer.

If you think I'm blowing up the DRM issue out of proportion then, by all means, go ahead and buy this game. While you are able to play it I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. However, do not expect to be able to keep playing it years into the future without paying extra for more activations.

The same DRM system is also intended for use on EA games like Spore, and likely also Dragonage, plus many others.

If you are concerned about this kind of practice becoming the industry standard, then I urge you not to spend your money on this game or any other titles from EA until they abandon this DRM fiasco. There are games publishers who take a different approach (for example, the game Sins of a Solar Empire is DRM free) and who are much more appreciative of your custom.

41 review(s) | 0 comment(s) |

16 price(s) | 155 days ago at

DRM- No thanks!

Helpful

Mass Effect: Windows

Thanks to all who posted concerning the DRM. After researching it, I'v edetermined that it's a suckers move to purchase this game or any game with SecuRom on it.

There are plenty of really great games out there without this DRM hassle. I'll stick to those alternatives.

EA/MS...good job. You lost another paying customer.

41 review(s) | 0 comment(s) |

16 price(s) | 11 days ago at

Quick save before you crash!

Helpful

Mass Effect: Windows

I generally don't write reviews for games, but felt the need to warn off customers from this one. I've played through the game beginning to end and the story is a good one, when the graphics work its actually a quite well rendered game very similar to knights of the old republic. thats it for the good stuff.

The problem comes with the constant crashing (15 windows bluescreen crashes and numerous other lockups). EA tech support's briliant advice to counter act crashing was to hit alt-f4 (terminating the program) when it crashed. Also present were numerous texture problems, at one point I found myself driving a quite well rendered vehicle over a non-existent road on either side of which must have been lava, although it could also not be seen. This is surprising in that I have a N-vidia 8800 GTO video card that should easily handle the graphic requirements.

In short I wanted to love this game, but its implementation on the PC, ant EA's horrible customer support has put a nail in the

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41 review(s) | 0 comment(s) |

16 price(s) | 20 days ago at

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