Learn more about Mass Effect. (Flash demo) Every 50,000 years, ancient machines swoop down and send the galaxy spinning into a continual cycle of extinction. Careful not to leave behind any evidence of their existence, these merciless machines have fooled everyone into thinking this deadly process is just a legendary hoax, but you know the truth. The most important struggle the galaxy has ever seen now needs your help. Join the fight against an alien onslaught and save the future of the universe.Take on the role of Commander Shepard of the SS Normandy and lead your elite recon squad in intense, real-time combat across a galaxy on the brink of turmoil and despair. Assume responsibility for the lives of your team members, whom you must rely on to stop the swarms of hostile alien enemies. The characters you control communicate via branching dialogue and display emotions through various facial expressions. This is an RPG that really thrusts you into the action. Choose your squad, weapons, skills and abilities, and customize your vehicles, armor and appearance. Most of all, harden your heart to face an enemy that lacks even an ounce of mercy.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
The release of Bioware's latest RPG, Mass Effect, has set a new standard by which to compare all other games, role-playing or otherwise. From the moment you are faced with seemingly endless customization options at the beginning of your quest to the bittersweet ending, Mass Effect creates more than just ambiance; it takes you to a universe you will care about deeply and not soon forget.
The story, augmented by phenomenal voice-acting comprised of a host of big name celebrities, is wonderfully told with a plot that surpasses many of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. What makes the story so intriguing is that you get to interact and choose how it unfolds; changing the outcome based on the dialogue and action choices you make. In fact, there are often so many choices that you have to play through the game at least twice to experience all of them.
Further bolstering the story and gameplay is the aural treat fed by the original score. Subtle and ethereal, it blends wonderfully with the varying emotions presented throughout the game.
Depending on your playing style the game can last anywhere from 30 hours and up, but that is just the first time around. Replay value is added by playing the same character multiple ways and, if you switch the gender of your character, an entire new voice actor speaks your lead character's part.
Even a near-perfect game such as this is not entirely without flaws. All of the complexities that make this game so amazing occasionally slow the frame rate and cause the screen to momentarily freeze or judder. Also, there are certain instances where the controls simply do not feel right, such as when you are driving your All Terrain Vehicle across uncharted worlds.
If you have not yet experienced Mass Effect, this is one piece of software you cannot afford to miss. It will play for hours, but you will remember it for months.
What's great about it: Lengthy campaign, beautiful graphics, phenominal soundtrack, intriguing story, replay value
What's not so great: Slightly tricky control at times, some graphics judder
Learn more about Bioshock - Xbox 360. (Flash demo) SynopsisImagine flying high above the arctic seas, anxiously awaiting your descent to dry land. Without warning, the plane plummets to the cold and unforgiving water at unimaginable speed. Once the aircraft makes contact, you realize that falling from the skies is only the beginning of this nightmare. Wrenched into Rapture, a doomed city beneath the sea, you come across a rusted bathysphere. You learn that this once idealistic society, the brainchild of a hopeful group of scientists, artists and industrialists, now has corpses littering the city limits.Going beyond run-and-gun corridors BioShock presents a unique and unpredictable first-person shooter experience in real time. In order to survive an onslaught of assailants, you must take control of your world by hacking mechanical devices, capturing security towers and crafting items to protect yourself. Upgrade your weapons and genetically modify your body to evade the grotesque ghouls who are after you. Make meaningful choices and mature decisions to ultimately answer the question: Should you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture or save them?
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Let's get one thing straight from the beginning: Bioshock is not a particularly difficult game. No enemy will re-spawn when you die and your money and items remain intact even when you don't. Although it may take you a couple of weeks to get through, you will get through it without frustration.
That said, Bioshock is a wonderful ride for those couple of weeks you become immersed in the world of Rapture. The graphics, audio, and original soundtrack are breathtaking. The story leaves nothing to be desired and you will find yourself emotionally attached to the various characters you encounter.
Because the game is so unique you will find yourself wanting to go back and put together the story all over again to catch the missing pieces from the first time around. In addition, and without giving anything away, there are different endings to the game depending on decisions you make as you play.
What's great about it: Graphics, Soundtrack, Story, Originality
Learn more about The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Platinum Hits. (Flash demo) SynopsisThe empire of Tamriel is on the verge of total collapse. The Emperor is dead. Desperate factions, mad with the scent of power, compete for control of the throne. To make matters worse, the gates of Oblivion have opened and vicious demons are laying waste to the land. The tide of darkness must be turned. The solidarity of the empire must be restored. Are you ready to save Tamriel?The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion continues the exciting roleplaying series. You will live another life in another world, choosing from a huge number of playable characters, from a sinister assassin to a wise sorcerer. An all-new combat and magic system hammers gameplay to a new level, letting you feel the ground you walk upon and the sting of every blow in combat. Stunning graphics capture the wonder of the setting, complete with bustling towns, dark dungeons and more. Shorter challenges, such as fighting bandits and creating magical spells, arise throughout your adventure, making this quest a rich and exhilarating gameplay experience.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Very rarely does a RPG match ES4:Oblvion's depth, length of play, graphics, or sound. I have been playing the game for months and I'm still only about half through it. This is the game's blessing and curse; at times it almost feels too long. The graphics are top notch (although longer load times and minor frame rate drops are some of the sacrifices you make) and the sound is fantastic (ambient sounds, especially in the wilderness, such as bird and cricket chips, immerse you into the world of Oblivion). A few minor technical glitches can make certain quests frustrating and force you to figure out how to complete a quest in a way other than the game designers intended. Other than those minor issues, this is by far the best RPG I have ever played on any system and is a staple game to any Xbox 360 owner's game library.
What's great about it: Length/depth of game play, graphics, sound
What's not so great: Almost too long, some technical issues can cause it to be very tricky to complete certain quests