14 DAY TRIAL // More details about Mass Effect 3 are slowly appearing on the web, this time concerning the companions of the main character, Commander Shepard, as well as how weapons or combat have been changed from the first two games in the series.
Mass Effect 3 was officially showcased late last year, but only in recent weeks did we actually get to check out some of the first details about the game, courtesy of a lot of specialty magazines.
Now, the users of the BioWare forums have once again dug up some fresh information about the game, including the companions, the weapons or the combat that will be included in the recently delayed Mass Effect 3.
First up, the number of companions in the new game is going to be lower than in the previous title, which had 12 comrades for Shepard.
"Twelve was a big number in Mass Effect 2 - almost too big", Hudson concedes. "We're focused on a smaller squad with deeper relationships and more interesting interplay in Mass Effect 3' he explains "We're not going to have twelve again but we are going to do more with the characters on your squad including Liara, and Kaidan or Ashley. And we're bringing everyone back - every main character is in Mass Effect 3 somewhere"
This doesn't meant that previous companions won't be encountered by Shepard throughout his or her voyages in the galaxy, as Hudson confirms that characters like Jack, Mordin, Thane, Zaeed or Garrus are going to appear, albeit changed from the adventures of Mass Effect 2.
Weapons are going to be more customizable this time around, just like they were in the first Mass Effect game.
"Every weapon is modular and can be customized with up to five modifications; scopes increase a rifle's zoom factor, new barrels increase accuracy or damage. Sling your gun on a workbench and it can be customized for a job at hand. Guns sound better too," Hudson added, saying that BioWare collaborated with EA's DICE studio, the makers of Battlefield 3, on the topic of guns and how they should behave.
Combat will have a faster pace, as Shepard is more agile and can execute different moves like rolls or climbs, but enemies are also much more mobile, so players are going to have to use the whole level and move around in it if they want to defeat them.
The locations Shepard visits are going to be more varied, according to the developer, and include not only the homeworlds of the various alien races, like the Krogan, Asari, Turian or Salarian, but also some areas from Earth, specifically a mega city formed by Seattle and Vancouver, which will be explored by Shepard before and after the invasion of the Reapers.
Overall, Mass Effect 3 is shaping up to be a massive game and, even with statements about streamlining, is going to offer a huge experience to both longtime fans as well as those who are new to the series.