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What's amazing is that not only are the visuals some of the best we've ever seen in an RPG, but the entire experience feels more like an interactive movie rather than a series of predictable dialogue choices. Responses are merely summarized rather than printed out word for word (we're unsure if there are captions available for those hard of hearing) so you must actually hang onto every spoken word to get the full experience. Not only is this decidedly different from other RPGs in the past, but it's another sign that BioWare is putting the added power of Xbox 360 to good use to create a truly next-gen experience.



The meat of the demonstration is served up next, as Mr. Hudson shows off the combat interface. As he controls Commander Shepard, he cycles through a series of weapon upgrades and special powers that, when combined together, devastate the enemy. Foes are levitated in the air and then blown to bits with deadly shotgun fire. He then attacks a lumbering spider-like robot flanked by smaller drones. To take the beast down, he issues commands to his partners, disables the enemy's shields, and then takes it down with one powerful shot in a massive display of destruction.



What really sets Mass Effect apart from standard RPGs is the ability to issue direct orders to your allies, take full control over them for certain tasks, and coordinate your attacks in real time like a tactical squad-based shooter. While it's safe to say that the Rainbow Six series is a more realistic representation of these fighting mechanics, the fact that Mass Effect so deftly melds cutting-edge graphics, movie-quality acting, and tactical action into a single package is impressive indeed. Though the game is slated for release in Q2 of 2007 (according to one GameStop representative, it ships in April) we can't stop thinking about it. Check out the video here and see for yourself.

We'll keep you posted for more news on this promising title as it nears release.