I've spent the past few days mulling over the end of a epic sci-fi series. I grew up watching Star Trek and yes I'm a Trekkie ( Deep Space Nine forever!!). Over the past few years I've been playing a RPG based Xbox game called Mass Effect from BioWare and I just want to say this...
Take a bow BioWare this series of games is awesome it is so touching. Emotionally it is a roller coaster full of highs and lows and comedy that is actually funny. It has action for those that crave being a gun toting hero but its more than that it's Electronic Shakespeare! It's a grand story a rich and detailed universe one that you can explore at your own pace. Like great science fiction stories its one of unbelievable acts of heroism. A dangerous journey. Untold discoveries. Exploration, adventure and DESTINY. Because while in the beginning your not aware of your potential and by the end you have to embrace your destiny. Why? Because in the end this is what you were meant to be, this is what you were meant to do. Only you could make it this far and only you can right the wrong and save the day, but at a cost. Sacrifice.
I'm not joking this is the "Choose your own Adventures " from my childhood. Your experience will be different than mine because you'll make different decisions. A left turn where i may have chosen right. While i play a pretty heroic character i have from time to time had to shoot someone in the foot or destroy a piece of information where you might keep it. You might not like a character that I love having on my team. You may dislike the mining and hell you may even auto level rather than spend the points and make the choice yourself. You decide and that is fantastic.
So now your saying to yourself " Really?" it's a game a video game. Let me tell you a little something this isn't pong. This really is a new form of writing as i said earlier "Electronic Shakespeare" This game you'll meet so many characters that evolve into dimensional beings, gone are the day of "Fighters" and "Thieves" "Rogues" and "Rangers" now you get Wrex, Garrus, Tali, Grunt, Thane, Liara, Mordin, Jack, Miranda, Jacob, Joker, EDI, Kasumi, Zaeed, Legion, Samara, Ashley and Kaiden . These people are all thought out and rich full of problems and passions. You'll fight along side of them, with them, for them and yes you'll have the option to sleep with some of them. They will become your Dogberry.
Is the game perfect? No. And that's ok science fiction does that sometimes plots are not answered story lines left dangling. For you LOST fans you may have a greater appreciation for that last sentence. It will put you into impossible situations where you have to make tough choices and the ultimate sacrifice. There's that word again. Sacrifice.
Maybe that's why i like Mass Effect. I love those types of stories. The troubled hero. The need for redemption. The heroic destiny. The journey to be what you were meant to become.
So if your a fan of Star Trek Deep Space Nine this is up your alley. Political intrigue and galaxy ending missions. Maybe that is why i designed my "Ben"Shepard to look like Avery Brooks to play Sisko one last time.
Now onto my next play through a bit more roguish this time I'm calling him "Mal"Shepard and he happens to look very much like Nathan Fillion.
Geek cred still intact.
If you want to experience this go to MASS EFFECT
If you already enjoy the game let BioWare know the people that love stuff NEED to be more vocal about there passions.
