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The Best Games of 2012: Mass Effect 3

Full Title: Mass Effect 3
Developers: Bioware
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release Date: March 6, 2012 (NA), March 8, 2012 (Aus), and March 9, 2012 (EU)

I believe myself to be one of the biggest Mass Effect 3 fans on the planet, thus I cannot wait for Mass Effect 3 to arrive. I have been trying to starve myself of all new information to make the experience of my first play-through that much sweeter, but for the purpose of this article I’ve clued myself up on some of the info. Mass Effect 3 carries on the story from the previous games, and even keeps the consistency of your various choices made with Commander Shepard. As Mass Effect 3 is the end of the planned trilogy, the developers are not constrained by the necessity of allowing the story to diverge, yet also continue into the next chapter. This will result in a story that diverges into wildly different conclusions based on the player’s actions in the first two chapters.

Throughout Mass Effect 3, Commander Shepard will be bringing the civilisations of the galaxy together as allies to take back Earth and repel the Reaper invasion. The player’s choices throughout not only Mass Effect 3, but the entire trilogy, will affect the fate of these civilisations and the endings the player can receive.

Expect a lot of returning characters this time around, with the likes of Garrus Vakarian, Ashley Williams or Kaidan Alenko, Liara T’Soni and Tali’Zorah vas Normandy. While some squad members will be required, and core to the story, some will be optional and others may only be available for a single mission.

Animations and combat has been enhanced to ensure gameplay in Mass Effect 3 feels more fluid than the previous titles; not only that but the game will have Kinect features for Xbox 360 players, oh and before I forget to mention it, Mass Effect 3 will have online play for the first time in the series. It’s safe to say that this game might be my most anticipated game of 2012, and therefore it has the potential to be either my game of the year or disappointment of the year, there is no middle ground.

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I would also like to bring your attention to some ace Mass Effect 3 poster designs, intended to help build anticipation for the game. The designs are created by Rameez Quadri – one is a mash up of Mass Effect and Space Invaders in two different colours; and the other design shows both forces involved in Mass Effect 3’s war.