Honest Game Trailers Season 1 Episode 13 MASS EFFECT (Honest Game Trailers)
- PG-13
- August 9, 2014
- 4 min
In this episode of Honest Game Trailers, the team takes on the epic space opera that is MASS EFFECT. Spanning across three games, the series follows the adventures of Commander Shepard as they try to save the galaxy from the threat of the Reapers.
The first thing the episode points out is that despite its title, MASS EFFECT has very little to do with mass-effect, which is essentially a magical science that allows for faster than light travel. Instead, the game focuses on its immersive storytelling, character development, and decision making. The show praises the game’s brilliant world building, which is filled with a rich history, diverse races, and planets to explore.
The episode gives a rundown of the game’s mechanics, from the third-person cover-based shooting to the different classes available to play as. The game’s exploration is also appreciated, with the ability to drive around planets and discover new artifacts and missions. The show also highlights just how impressive it was to see all your decisions from the previous game have an impact on the sequel.
One of the highlights of the episode is the hilarious description of each of the game’s squad mates. From Garrus the space cop to Tali the space engineer, the show pokes fun at each character’s quirks while also acknowledging their importance in the game’s story. The episode also praises the game’s use of romance options, which was groundbreaking at the time of release.
Another aspect of the game that is given high praise is the morality system. The show acknowledges just how difficult it is to make decisions that will affect the outcome of the game, and how it really makes the player feel like they’re in a life or death situation. The morality system is particularly effective when it comes to the Paragon vs Renegade system, which allows players to take different approaches to problems based on the alignment of their character.
Of course, the episode doesn’t shy away from pointing out the game’s faults. The combat is sometimes criticized for being a little too simplistic, and the driving sections are mocked for being a nuisance. The show also acknowledges the infamous ending to the third game, which caused quite a stir when it first came out.
Overall, the episode paints a picture of MASS EFFECT as a truly epic space adventure. The show praises its storytelling, characters, mechanics, and world building while also acknowledging its flaws. Whether you’re a diehard fan of the series or just curious about the hype, the episode serves as a great introduction to the world of MASS EFFECT.