All Articles: Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3 “Reinstated” trailer shows off FemShep
The new trailer for Mass Effect 3, entitled “Reinstated,” shows off lady Shepard in all her badass glory. The franchise’s fans have been asking for an official trailer featuring the gender-flipped Shepard and it’s finally here. This game just keeps looking better and better with every scene they release.
Mass Effect 3 will be out for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on March 6. So until then, ponder if you’ll be taking enemies on as FemShep – or, you know, just regular old Shepard.
Download the Mass Effect 3 demo and get a three-week XBL Gold subscription
The Mass Effect 3 demo will be available to download from the Xbox Live Marketplace on February 14. It’s also said to include a pretty hefty chunk of the game’s new online multiplayer mode, which will require Xbox Live Gold. Thankfully, Microsoft will upgrade your Xbox Live Free account to Gold if you download the demo.
The upgrade will last from February 14 until Mass Effect 3 is released on March 6. And it’s the full Xbox Live Gold package, which means access to Gold-only features like online multiplayer across all games and the XBLA Deal of the Week as well as entertainment apps like Netflix, ESPN, and Hulu Plus.
Let’s hope the XBL servers can handle it.
Mass Effect 3 voice cast announced
As if fans weren’t already excited enough, BioWare announced the all-star voice cast they’re using for Mass Effect 3.
Of course, Mark Meer and Jennifer Hale return as Shepard and FemShep, respectively, and Martin Sheen will reprise his role as the Illusive Man. Other celebrities returning are Keith David as Captain Anderson, Lance Henriksen as Admiral Steven Hackett, Tricia Helfer as the Normandy’s A.I., Ali Hillis as Dr. Liara T’Soni, Seth Green as Joker, Carrie-Anne Moss as Aria T’Loak, and Yvonne Strahovski as Miranda.
But there will be some new voices as well, most notably Freddie Prinze, Jr. as one of Shepard’s allies, James Vega, and Jessica Chobot as news reporter Diana Allers. Prinze, Jr. even had an opinion about video games: “I have always loved science fiction and I have always loved games and Mass Effect is really the first time both come together successfully. It is a completely immersive game where you really feel like you’re part of this journey inside this universe. It will make you think, you will care about the character you are playing, and you will care about the characters that you bring into battle with you.”
Wow. Really? The first successful science fiction video game? I think some would balk at that.
Mass Effect 3 will be out on March 6.
Mass Effect 3 system requirements announced
The system requirements for the PC version of Mass Effect 3 have been announced, broken down into minimum and recommended specs. Behold:
Minimum Specifications:
- OS – Windows XP SP3/Vista SP1, Windows 7
*Supported chipsets: NVIDIA 7900 or better; ATI X1800 or better. Please note that NVIDIA GeForce 9300, 8500, 8400, and 8300 are below minimum system requirements, as are AMD/ATI Radeon HD3200, HD3300, and HD4350. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required. - CPU – 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (equivalent AMD CPU)
- RAM – 1GB for XP / 2GB RAM for Vista/Windows 7
- Disc Drive – 1x speed
- Hard Drive – 2.5 GB of free space
- Video – 256 MB* (with Pixel Shader 3.0 support)
- Sound – DirectX 9.0c compatible
- DirectX – DirectX 9.0c August 2009 (included)
Recommended Specifications:
- OS – Windows XP SP3/Vista SP1, Windows 7
- CPU – 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (equivalent AMD CPU)
- RAM – 2GB for XP / 4GB RAM for Vista/Windows 7
- Disc Drive – 1x speed
- Hard Drive – 2.5 GB of free space
- Video – AMD/ATI Radeon HD 4850 512 MB or greater, NVidia GeForce 9800 GT 512 MB or greater
- Sound – DirectX 9.0c compatible
What are you going to have to upgrade to get this game to run on your rig?
See how Mass Effect 3 is “Better With Kinect” in new trailer; Demo dated for February 14
Are you still curious how Mass Effect 3 will work with the Kinect sensor? Then you should definitely check out the trailer above, which features the BioWare team showing the world why the game is “Better With Kinect.”
Oh, and it also confirms that the Mass Effect 3 demo will be available to download from the Xbox Live Marketplace on February 14, making the question “Commander Shepard, will you be my Valentine?” much less awkward.
The demo will also be available on the PC and PS3, but a release date was not confirmed and I’m going to take a wild guess and say those platforms won’t have Kinect support either.
BioWare details Mass Effect 3 pre-order bonuses
Are you planning to pre-order Mass Effect 3? Of course you are, which is good, as BioWare is planning to offer a trio of cool pre-order bonuses for the game.
Regardless of which retailer you place your pre-order with, you’ll receive access to the M55 Argus Assault Rifle. You can check it out in the video above as it delivers “rapid-fire bursts to even the odds.” Pre-order purchasers who use EA’s Orign Store will be able to strap on an AT-12 Raider Shotgun, a gun with “superior firepower.”
Finally, GameStop shoppers will receive access to a complete set of N7 Warfare Gear. The N7 Defender Armor will allow your Commander Shepard to shrug off enemy fire with its “amplified shields” while the “high caliber fire” of the N7 Valkyrie Assault Rifle will prevent any further attacks. To see the N7 Warfare Gear in action, get out another trailer after the break.
Mass Effect 3 will be available in stores for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on March 6. (more…)
Spike TV VGAs: Mass Effect 3 is the most anticipated trailer of the show
Mass Effect 3 won the viewer vote for Most Anticipated Game at the Spike TV Video Game Awards and after viewing this new gameplay trailer, it’s easy to see why. In fact, I think Commander Shepard says it best at the 0:24 mark: “Holy shit!”
Mass Effect 3 will be available for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on March 6.
Mass Effect 3: N7 Edition is a collector’s dream
Are you a massive Mass Effect fan? If so, then listen closely, because BioWare wants to tell you all Mass Effect 3‘s “N7 Collector’s Edition.”
Retailing for $79.99 and available on the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, the N7 Collector’s Edition includes a treasure trove of goodies that fans have been requesting for a long time. I refer, of course, to the commemorative tin case with artwork featuring the official female character model for Commander Shepard. Oh, and MaleShep is on there too… if that’s your thing.
What else can you expect to find in the N7 Collector’s Edition? Behold…
- Premium metal case featuring commemorative artwork of Commander Shepard.
- 70-page hardbound art book featuring hundreds of unique and gorgeous illustrations from the BioWare development team.
- Limited edition Mass Effect comic by Dark Horse Comics, complete with unique cover artwork.
- Join the ranks of the N7 with the premium fabric N7 patch.
- Exclusive 4×6 lithographic print featuring a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.
- A full collection of in-game content that can’t be found anywhere else!
- N7 Arsenal Pack – Bring the firepower with the N7 Sniper Rifle, Shotgun, SMG, and Pistol.
- Robotic Dog – A faithful sidekick to keep you company on board the Normandy.
- Squadmate Alternate Outfit Pack – New appearances for your favorite squad members.
- N7 Hoodie – For Commander Shepard’s casual days on board the Normandy.
- Relive all the greatest moments of Mass Effect 3 with the digital soundtrack.
- Xbox Live Normandy prop for your Avatar. (Available on Xbox 360 version only.)
- Display your initiation in the N7 ranks with a collection of forum and social badges, avatars, and perks.