Finished Mass Effect

Well, I finished Mass Effect this evening (about 8:45pm CST), and I have to say it was a VERY compelling story. It's well worth a playthrough if you even have a passing interest in Sci-Fi. I've always thought the RPG genre builds up to a fantastic letdown where you get played off with music, a stupid "congratulations" and a continue (with no clear goal), or a teaser for the next game in the series (that may or may not appear.) I've not spent much time with JRPGs, spending more time with Western ones, so I can't say if it's endemic. Granted, the stories in the old days (Ultima I and III, etc.) left a bunch to the imagination, but that was the fun part (having been an avid Infocom player in the early days.)

For those who are on the fence about Mass Effect, now that it's so cheap used, you can't lose. It's a grand ride that doesn't let up from the opening to the climax. I'm thinking about going through it again (as a different class), after the smoke clears. And anyone who bought the B.S. that FoxNews tried to stir up with the "sex" portion of Mass Effect, let's just say that you won't learn anything about Asari anatomy (or your own) from the "love scene". So a big raspberry to FoxNews for trying to stir a tempest in a teapot.

I should try it again before I hit Fallout 3, because I know Fallout 3 will be a time sink of Biblical proportions. I look forward to it, but like Oblivion, I know there are some LONG sessions in store. (Not that there's anything wrong with that...)

WHAT a GAME! 5 stars. :)