Mass Effect 3 Reviews
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WorthPlaying gives it an 8.5/10:
Mass Effect 3 is the end of a trilogy, and unfortunately, it's a mixed bag. Merely seeing the end of countless plotlines is almost worth the cost of the title, and the gameplay remains solid and fun. A few new features do a lot to spoil the mood, and the frustratingly unsatisfying ending casts a shadow over the entire franchise. Mass Effect 3 is not a bad game, but it doesn't feel like Bioware learned much from Mass Effect 2. If you enjoyed the previous game, there's plenty to like here, and the bad parts are easy enough to ignore. However, the problems make Mass Effect 3 a game for fans only. The sure-to-be controversial ending means that even fans may find a lot to complain about, but anyone who enjoyed Mass Effect 2 will find a lot to like in the final game in the trilogy, even despite its flaws.
GameSpy gives it a 4.5/5 (the third page on multiplayer is new):
As for the impact on the single-player story, it's significant -- it's half as hard to get the "best" ending if you do it. But it only took a few hours of multiplayer to max out my War Readiness (which makes every War Asset point earned in single-player count to its fullest) in all five map zones. It happened so quickly, in fact, that I'm a little disappointed that I'm not earning as much of a reward for completing missions now. But I'll keep playing anyway for a while at least, because Mass Effect 3 multiplayer is an excellent co-op shooter in its own right.
Atomic gives it an 86%:
I think I will always consider Mass Effect, as a whole, to be one of the seminal experiences of my gaming life. I'd rather have it, flawed as it may be, than not have it at all, and Commander Shepard and his crew stand tall in my own personal heroic pantheon. But it also seems clear that, in the end, BioWare's reach has exceeded its grasp; Mass Effect is simply not as strong a game as could be hoped. Sure, it plays to all of the company's many strengths, but, sadly, also shows up more than a few of its weaknesses, never more so in the way the game ends on a high emotional note, and then immediately tells you to look forward to the DLC.
Cinema Blend gives it a 4/5:
Mass Effect 3 isn't that far off from the first game in the series. The elevators are still kinda slow and the combat is still an awkward mix of shooter and strategy elements. No one started playing Mass Effect for its technical execution or combat, though they bought it because they wanted an epic story. ME3 provides an emotional conclusion to the tale that started back in 2007. The series wasn't perfect but in the end it will be remembered for how it raised the bar for all video games.
The Telegraph gives it a 4.5/5:
BioWare, then, have managed to pull everything together for a terrific finale to their ambitious trilogy. While the individual parts of Mass Effect 3 aren't perfect, the whole is a remarkable achievement. It's an adage that's true of the entire series. Each game has its flaws and do not escape criticism as standalone titles. But the commitment to the long-game reaps its own rewards for BioWare, with five years of dedication from creators and players alike coming together for a suitably heart-wrenching end to arguably the finest video game series of this generation.
TweakTown gives it a 90%:
Mass Effect 3 is a stunning example of how to finish a multi-game story off. When BioWare announced the series and said they would do three games, people were doubtful they could pull it off. When they said it would happen within one console generation, it was seen as impossible, but BioWare has managed to pull it off. And not only have they delivered a trilogy of games, they have delivered a trilogy and story that will be talked by gamers for years and years to come. Mass Effect shows that if publishers are willing to take risks and take on new IP, it can pay off big time. We cannot tell you enough how much you need to play this game. There are a few slight things wrong with ME3, but when compared to the stunning story, gameplay and overall feel of the game, they pale into insignificance. BioWare take a bow - Mass Effect ends on a massive high. What we now need to wait and see is if EA and BioWare are strong enough to resist calls for a new game because based on the quality of this one, fans will be shouting for long and hard to return to the skies again.
The Washington Times gives it a 9/10:
Thanks to some exhaustive character development, heart-wrenching battle scenes and that Codex packed with information, Mass Effect 3 concludes a trilogy that plays out like Peter Jackson's grandiose Lord of the Rings and will satisfy committed players and Shepard devotees alike.
Softpedia gives it a 9/10:
The new game manages to reach almost all of them, with great gameplay mechanics, impressive visuals and a surprisingly addictive multiplayer. Sadly, its story disappoints right at the end and the closure delivered isn't enough for fans who've already gone through previous titles. You'll feel great throughout the game's journey, but the destination isn't exactly what you'd expect.
The Guardian doesn't score it:
This is a triumphant finale to Shepard's saga. Loose ends are tied up, side quests feel less diversionary, favourite colleagues return and there are still some significant surprises. Mass Effect is the best space trilogy since the original Star Wars films. And Star Wars didn't even have multiplayer.
A.V. Club gives it an "A":
Prior generations needed action figures and homemade costumes to feel like they were part of their favorite science-fiction epic. Mass Effect 3 makes that kind of hero worship feel outmoded. By making every one of us the captain in our own saga, BioWare has retired the one-size-fits all of Kirk and Luke in favor of something much more flexible. Mass Effect 3 is what it feels like to be your own biggest fan.
PlayStation Edge gives it a 9/10:
Overall my experience with Mass Effect 3 was positive. It has a few small issues here or there with targeting and graphical hiccups. In my opinion these issues are minor. Mass Effect 3 has an excellent story. Combat is fluid. The graphics are good. The multi-player is enjoyable. You can get the Platinum without being forced to play the multi-player. The replay value for Mass Effect 3 is extremely high. This game is definitely worth purchasing and keeping in your collection.
Neowin gives it a 9.5/10:
For a huge fan of the Mass Effect series, Mass Effect 3 is exactly what I wanted to finish the epic trilogy: an enthralling and brilliant storyline, polished gameplay with improved RPG and quest elements, tough decisions to be made and an all-round enjoyable experience. Couple it with surprisingly good multiplayer and you have a real winner that will surely be one of the best gaming experiences of 2012.
PC Advisor gives it a 4/5:
For all that, and even though it's arguably fallen so far into rote gunplay that it isn't quite the equal of its rightly-revered forebear, Mass Effect 3 is an uncommonly spectacular game and as much a must-play as 2012 is likely to offer.
Airborn Gamer gives it a 9.0/10:
Bioware are slowly killing and destroying everything they touch now so this might well and truly be the large half decent game they produce. Which is sad but greed and EA games have taken its toll on a company I once loved with a passion. If your a fan of the series or you enjoy learning new worlds or maybe you just like shooting things while being apart of a good story ? Check this game out!
The Gaming Vault gives it a 9/10:
The gameplay, the story, the audio, and the graphics leaves a lasting impression in your heart and your brain for years to come. If you've been keeping up with Mass Effect since the beginning then you need to play this game and even if you haven't this is a great entry point. Suit up, get your battle gear, grab your companions; it's time to save Earth.
Crunchyroll doesn't score it:
Even while doing everything else right, Mass Effect 3 has a few problems. Your Journal--normally a tightly-organized checklist detailing who to talk to and where--is much more vague now, forcing you to run around aimlessly until you find people you can interact with. A huge bug at launch kept me from importing the same Shepard I've had since the original game--while all my decisions and story were intact, I had to create a new character model from scratch, and while I was able to get him mostly right, he still felt kind of off. Hopefully BioWare will get around to patching that. The PS3 version has terrible graphical glitches and screen-tearing that will also hopefully receive a patch--everyone should get the chance to enjoy this great-looking, great-playing game as the series thunders toward its epic conclusion.
