Mass Effect is about as close as you can get to starring in a slightly trashy 80’s science fiction flick. Bringing in a range of influences from the likes of Blade Runner (the music), Dune (the impenetrable plot) and Star Trek (the tight uniforms), it still manages to stay consistent through strong voice acting and a brilliant cast of characters.

The gameplay runs along ‘action RPG’ lines, offering and even split between real-time gunfights and squad management, where you kit your characters out with upgraded gear and abilities. It’s a well balanced mix that allows for a variety of playing styles, from thoughtful strategy to run-and-gun action heroics.

Some players will find the amount of plot exposition and dialogue a bit much, although Mass Effect’s innovative conversation system goes some way toward making up for this. It’s not an easy issue to resolve, though, and many will see the dialogue as essential to creating the consistent and believable universe that Mass Effect offers. A bit wordy, but with so much depth and variety it’s definitely worth the effort.