Does the demo manage to pump us up for the final game or does it fail to deliver?

Feb 14, 2012 15:47 GMT  ·  By

After an extremely long wait, Mass Effect 3 is finally gearing up for its release next month. Until then, fans need to make do with the demo that’s just been released across the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 today.

We’ve played through the first level of the demo to see just how it manages to introduce players into the epic action that’s set to be a part of Mass Effect 3.

Does it improve upon its successful predecessors or should it be left to fend off for itself in front of the Reapers? Let’s have a quick look.

The demo for the game starts pretty much just like the previous Mass Effect titles, letting you choose your own version of Commander Shepard, whether male or female, and customize his or her own appearance. After that, you choose your background, whether you were born on Earth or in space and various other things about your past.

The biggest new addition, however, is how you actually play the game, as you get to choose from three modes: Action, Role-playing, or Story. If you just want to shoot things and don’t worry about dialog choices, you can pick action. If you want to focus on the story and have an easier time against enemies, you can choose Story. If you want a mix of both, just like in previous games, you should choose Role-playing.

After this setup phase, you’re thrown into the action several months after the events in Mass Effect 2, with Shepard now being grounded because of his or her actions.

While veterans of the series should immediately feel right at home, things may seem a bit confusing for new players, especially since you’re quickly faced with the actual Reapers, a race of sentient space ships, invading Earth.

Thankfully, your old buddy Admiral Anderson is here to help, guiding you out of the wreckage as you make your way to the Normandy, your faithful ship. Along the way, there are some firefights against husks, but it’s not something out of the ordinary.

You finally rendezvous with the Normandy and, after some dramatic moments, you’re forced to flee Earth in order to rally the other races of the Universe against the Reapers, thus setting up the bulk of the events in the actual game.

Overall, while the demo is quite touching for veterans, it might not help attract people unfamiliar with the series. The firefights aren’t that impressive and you can’t make that many decisions in terms of dialog. Hopefully, the second level in the demo will be able to change this lackluster first impression.

Check out the video above for a playthrough of the first level from Mass Effect 3’s demo.