Microsoft has been steroiding through the presses with massive amounts of information pertaining to their Xbox and gaming brands. Up next for us here at CB Games, is a look at Mass Effect and the product information that MS has released regarding the game, its plot, its features and more.

Truly, we’ve only had kind things to say about BioWare and their legitimate next-gen project, Mass Effect. We may be cynical, snarky, smarmy, and...well...I think that’s all the bad things I’m going to say about us...but we have a lot of respect for Mass Effect. This game has a really giant creative edge over the competition and we’re curious how this all is going to play out. But for now, you’re here about the E3 Coverage and we’re all about giving it to you. So without further ado...

Mass Effect Product Fact Sheet:

• Incredible sci-fi RPG with a rich, engaging story line. On a distant planet an amazing discovery is made. Players must determine the fate of the galaxy as they lead an elite tactical strike force in an effort to stop an entity so malevolent that it threatens to tear apart the very fiber of galactic civilization. “Mass Effect” will take players to new depths for an action role-playing game, where they will be faced with morally complex decisions that have significant impact on the fate of all life in the galaxy. Players must succeed in their quest — no matter what the cost.

• Chance to explore uncharted worlds and uncover a mystery that defies imagination. In addition to the main story arc of the game, players will be able to visit a large number of uncharted, unexplored planets and locations that are side quests independent from the main story. At any time during the campaign, a player can choose to explore one of these locations and have the opportunity to discover new alien life, resources, ruined civilizations and powerful technologies.

• Varied squad-based combat. “Mass Effect” features a varied real-time, squad-based, tactical combat system. Players will enjoy intense, challenging and exciting third-person action-squad-based combat. Players and their squad-mates will be able to engage the enemy with ranged weapons and covering fire, biotic powers/science-based magic, and tech powers — all of which will be accompanied by amazing visual and physics effects that will add tremendous excitement and drama to the battlefield. Whether they utilize powerful biotic powers or the latest in military hardware, players will be well-equipped to take on whatever comes their way.

• Incredibly lifelike digital actors in a video game.“Mass Effect” will feature a huge cast of incredibly realistic non-player characters (NPCs), enemies and party members. Each of the characters encountered will have true-to-life facial and body movements. A revolutionary advanced dialogue and AI system gives them engaging personalities, creating individuals so convincing they will seem like the first true “digital actors” ever found in a video game. The resulting experience is one where players will feel like they are part of a rich, living world. To further the experience, “Mass Effect” will feature the voice talents of Seth Green, Lance Henriksen, Marina Sirtis and Keith David, well-known and respected Hollywood character actors.

• Character customization and deep role-playing systems. Players will be able to choose from and customize a variety of stunning character appearances at the start of the game, and can increase various statistics that will have an impact on their performance during gameplay. The reward system in “Mass Effect” is deep, well-integrated and extremely engaging. New equipment, weapons and armor that are acquired during the course of the story will change the appearance of the characters.

• “Mass Effect” will give players a huge breadth of additional customization options for their characters, weapons and vehicles. Talents and abilities will be upgradeable, and advanced talent options will become available at higher levels. Weapons and vehicles will be customizable to include various effects, abilities and upgrades. Each character class will have unique talents and abilities that will increase in power as the player progresses through the game.

• Next-generation gaming defined. “Mass Effect” takes full advantage of the Xbox 360 hardware, providing players with exciting new experiences, including high-definition graphics on an epic scale, and amazingly realistic characters who bring the world to life. Players will be immersed in a massive universe of unbelievable scale, meet characters who feel real, and most important, interact with them. As the future of gaming goes online, premium downloadable content and recognition of achievements will be available via the Xbox LIVE service.

• Mass Effect will retail for $59.99 and will be available this upcoming November.

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