The galaxy is trapped in an endless cycle of extinction. Every 50,000 years an ancient machine race invades and with ruthless efficiency wipes out all advanced organic civilization. They leave behind only the scattered ruins of technology, destroying all evidence of their own existence.

Few believe this ancient legend. You, however, know it to be true. The fight to stop this extinction event has become the most important mission in the galaxy. "You must act without remorse, without hesitation, and outside the limits of the law."

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Blog RSS Feed Report abuse Latest News: Mass Effect 3 Private Beta Analysis [Spoilers]

About Mass Effect Fan Group with 5 comments by Mukridzsin on Nov 7th, 2011

Contents


The private beta of the demo contains two major features:

  • Singleplayer – You can only play the default male Soldier class “Sheploo” in this demo. It is actually a two part experience, involving the very beginning of the game, which introduces you to the game controls and tell you a story with the opening cinematics, and an extended version of the Sur’Kesh mission we’ve seen from various convention demos.
Mass Effect 3

  • Multiplayer – Galaxy At War, the multiplayer component of Mass Effect 3, adds a cooperative element to resource gathering for the optimal Mass Effect 3 ending. Multiplayer is, of course, completely optional, but can be a compelling feature addition to the franchise. Unlike singleplayer in the demo beta, you have access to all classes in multiplayer, however, you are limited to using a maximum of three powers. The number of powers you have available either correspond to your character’s level or purchasable upgrades called “Reinforcements” (see Customization and Reinforcements section).
Mass Effect 3

Singleplayer Options


Game Types

 The singleplayer portion of the private beta seems to include an option for three game types, which simply bundle combat difficulty selection and conversation mode choices:

  • Action Mode (Normal Difficulty, Automatic Dialogue Selection)
    For those who want to emphasize action and combat and minimize story management. Action mode will set automatic replies in conversation and a normal difficulty.
  • Story Mode (Narrative Difficulty, Manual Dialogue Selection)
    For those who want to emphasize story immersion and minimize combat pressure. Story mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a minimal combat difficulty.
  • RPG Mode (Normal Difficulty, Manual Dialogue Selection)
    For those who want to explore both realms of story and combat. RPG mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a normal combat difficulty.

Not to worry though, because regardless of your selection, you are presented with an options menu – after naming your character and prior to starting the game – allowing you to change the game type settings:

Mass Effect 3

All of the in-game combat difficulty descriptions:

  • Narrative
    For players who are more interested in story than combat. Shepard and squad members are stronger while enemies are weaker and much less aggressive. Weapons are easier to handle. This is non-representative Mass Effect combat experience.
  • Casual
    For players inexperienced with shooters. Shepard is tougher and does more damage, and enemies are slightly weaker and less aggressive. Weapons are easier to handle.
  • Normal
    For players with some experience with shooters and RPGs. This is the baseline Mass Effect 3 combat experience.
  • Hardcore
    For players who are looking for a challenge. Enemies are more powerful and aggressive. Advanced gameplay skills will be required.
  • Insanity
    For players seeking the ultimate challenge. Enemies are tenacious, react quickly, have heavily upgraded weapons, and use their powers mercilessly. Every advantage in combat will need to be exploited.

BioWare producer Jesse Houston has been quick to reassure fans that these three offered game types are simply a prototype and do not constitute the only options that will be available in the final game.

One feature that was present in this early build is a set of game play modes that are in development. In the beta code they are referred to as “action mode”, “story mode” and “RPG mode”. We want to stress that these features are still in the early stages of development and will receive considerable iteration and refinement. These modes are designed to give players an even finer degree of control over their game experience than ever before. Whether it be someone who finds the combat difficult but wants to experience the amazing story, someone who wants to focus on the action and combat game play, or fans who want the rich, story-driven RPG Mass Effect experience they’ve come to love – Mass Effect 3 will support all of these options

Singleplayer GUI

This should look rather familiar to players of the previous games in the series. One of the main differences appears to be in the display of the health and shield bars prominently at the bottom center of the screen.

Mass Effect 3

 We noticed that health regen seems to work a little differently in Mass Effect 3 from Mass Effect 2. In ME3, you will the health bar separated from the shield bar, and divided into fifths. Whereas health would regenerate with your shields in Mass Effect 2, in ME3 only the current fifth will activate. So, for example, if your health is cut in half, covering will only restore to it 60%. Your health recovers fully outside of combat.

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To be continued...

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Post comment Comments  (0 - 10 of 15)
BladeRunner162
BladeRunner162 Dec 28 2010, 3:12pm says:

Mass effect is my second favorite game! Right behind Half Life! I'm so looking foward to Mass Effect 3

+2 votes     reply to comment
catman_94
catman_94 Aug 12 2010, 4:37pm says:

nothing short of one of the greatest sci-fi epics ever created

+9 votes     reply to comment
romanius24
romanius24 Aug 11 2010, 3:53pm says:

finished those games so many times! :)

+4 votes     reply to comment
Next_Gen_1987
Next_Gen_1987 Apr 22 2010, 7:15pm says:

Great game! Thank You BioWare

+6 votes     reply to comment
Wulfburk12
Wulfburk12 Mar 1 2010, 6:52pm says:

love it

+4 votes     reply to comment
Admiral-165
Admiral-165 Feb 4 2010, 3:57pm says:

anybody here who likes Mass Effect 1or 2 should join the Mass Effect fan group!

Moddb.com

+2 votes     reply to comment
7game
7game Dec 20 2009, 6:14pm says:

I love this game is so Epic !! :D

+3 votes     reply to comment
viper276
viper276 Dec 18 2009, 9:39am says:

Great game 10/10
can't wait for Mass Effect 2 Woot!!!

+3 votes     reply to comment
-Mythic-
-Mythic- Nov 8 2009, 10:45pm says:

Woot! 1/2 off on Steam this weekend!

+2 votes     reply to comment
Omar007
Omar007 Oct 10 2009, 6:15am says:

Would be cool if they added a MP function. Even if it's only something easy/small/little gametype as Arena :(

But i finished the story line a pretty long time ago already and it's really cool ^^
Can't wait for ME2 :o

+2 votes     reply to comment
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Mass Effect
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Highest Rated (2 agree) 10/10

The beginning of the greatest trilogy ever.

Sep 11 2012, 8:34am by Urdnot.Grunt

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@BethGarrison93 We haven't seen one yet, but we'll definitely keep you posted!

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@WaveTradeInc We will be happy to pass your feedback along!

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@WaveTradeInc We'll keep you posted if we hear of anything.

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@JonasHolmes21 You never know. The merch folks are super secretive about their plans. Keeps us from playing with the prototypes. :)

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@redkatana @bioware Something like that. :)

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