May 9, 2006 - Following Microsoft's conference today we were given the opportunity to check out Mass Effect in all its real-time glory. If you don't care for details, know that Mass Effect is looking really good. Representatives from BioWare were on hand to guide the main character, Commander Sheperd, through a number of fantastical science-fiction environments. In each area shown, from sprawling scenes on the ship Citadel to the dusty plains of worlds below, Mass Effect is clearly one of the best looking games for the Xbox 360. From what we were told, its game structure is sounding solid as well.

Mass Effect is all about choice. From Citadel, a 30 mile long capital ship, you'll blast off to every area of the galaxy. The massive craft doesn't look like a ship at all from what we saw, more like an eerie, electro-neon cityscape. In scenes where Commander Shepard was standing in swanky clubs lined with giant windows, expansive seas of high rises and tall lights were clearly visible far into the distance. When not exploring the massive Citadel, you'll have your own craft, Normandy, which can be customized according to your own preferences.

BioWare is implementing a new system of interaction to make Mass Effect the most accessible RPG to date. The demo showed an example of this during a mission to find a key informant. Commander Shepard attempts to coerce the location of the individual from a reluctant barkeep. Not only is all of the character interaction presented with voice-overs, the new interaction system allows you to communicate instantly. In what appeared to be a radial interface of sorts, each selection from the right analog stick will inflict an instant emotional reaction. It’s what Casey Hudson, Project Director of Mass Effect, describes as “verbal combat”. With the bartender looking for a bribe, Shepard takes an aggressive approach – pulling his blaster from the holster and aiming it at the bartender’s head. The expression of the barkeep changes immediately, with no need for text or cheesy dialogue to demonstrate his mood. At this point, the concept of “digital actors” is becoming a realization thanks to the Unreal Engine 3 and BioWare’s staff of artists and animators.

When you begin the game you can fully customize your character, from gender to facial features and hair style. You can also choose among a variety of different classes and assign proficiencies based on what type of character you want to use. The skills fall into three basic categories: combat, tech, and bionics, which are dark energy powers.