Before any adventuring can begin, the player must interface with the galactic computer system in order to verify their identity and allow for character creation or selection if this isn't the first run through. The main protagonist is Commander Shepard, a veteran soldier, but exactly who Shepard is falls to the will of the player. Six classes are available to choose from giving access to a variety of different talents. Soliders favour shooting things, engineers fiddling with things and adepts conjuring things. The others: Infiltrator, Sentinel and Vanguard are a combination of the former. It's important to pick wisely because some choices make for an easier run through the game than others; combat tends to err on the side of the solider, other choices will require far more intricate management of team mates.

Shepard's back story also allows a degree of customisation; the choice of Spacer, Colonist or Earthborn, coupled with sole-survivor, war-hero or ruthless attitudes places a small tangent on interactions as progression is made through the game. The appearance of Shepard can be tweaked though is somewhat limited in scope; most of the sliders making subtle rather than obvious changes, but it allows for ownership of the main character: adventuring through Mass Effect leans towards a more player-centric experience rather than a fixed story driven path: you are Shepard, make it your own, it's something that's not appreciated straight away but this will change with time.

The game proper begins aboard the frigate SSV Normandy, commanded by Captain Anderson. The Normandy is on a course toward the human colony of Eden Prime, the mission to recover an ancient yet advanced piece of technology from a long extinct alien race called the Protheans. Shepard and her team soon discover that things are going to get rather complicated rather quickly. The recovery task turns from a simple run-fetch quest into a "saving the entire universe" gig, but then isn't this what all serving space marines really hanker after?

This first mission introduces the player to most of the aspects that are likely to be encountered throughout the Mass Effect universe. It is a place that BioWare have managed to architect without relying too much on their Old Republic routes. Yes there are nods towards Star Wars, but there are also nods towards many different aspects of Sci-Fi; fighting gives a definite feeling of Babylon 5, however, the developers have used their experience and made Mass Effect its own unique world with its own story and history. The Star Wars theme isn't missed at all, in fact if anything it only goes to bolster the experience that unfolds.

The main story arc takes Shepard and her team across a number of unique and intricately detailed worlds. There is much to discover and experience, particularly so at the Council Citidel. Exploring this quite vast space station before jetting off on the Normandy gives rise to side-quests that otherwise would be easily over-looked. Although a great number of these lack variety (indeed the ability to explore other worlds was overstated by BioWare to some extent) they're still worth taking the time out to do; certain missions such as that which takes place on the Luna surface of Earth's Moon work towards the advancement of specialist classes, and Earth rise is a wonder to behold. Even where the planets cannot be visited, almost every one has an entry in the Mass Effect encyclopaedia with a story behind it.

Combat in Mass Effect takes place in real-time, but it’s important not to think of it in terms of a first-person shooter. It may appear to work this way at first, but whether an enemy is hit by an attack or not is a chance-calculated event. This can leave the player feeling as if they’re not really in control; there is a degree of frustration where the aim is perfect, but the shot still misses. As a character grows in level and ability it becomes less of an issue, though it can be a little off-putting to begin with.

None of the other characters in the party can be controlled directly; instead commands must be issued through the team interface and directional pad. This allows weapons-use and special skills selection to be made and who to unleash the sci-fi death rays upon, as well as ordering subordinates to regroup or take cover. It’s not entirely necessary to do this, at least on the lower difficulty levels; it’s quite possible to take care of just Commander Shepard and leave the others to their own devices. Eventually everything in the room ends up dead, and that should be the aim of any ruthless military commander.

Where Mass Effect excels is with character, story and interaction. Conversations are flowing and thoughtful. A lot of time has been spent in the studios getting the voice acting just so, even for the bit parts. Star Trek fans will immediately recognise “Deanna Troy” who portrays the part of Matriarch Benezia. Some characters are enduring, some are whiny bitches, but all have a story to be told, and a story worth listening to. Wrex in particular is quickly enamouring. Are these convincing enough to pull the player further in? For the most part yes, but it requires more effort than Knights of the Old Republic, which pushed character development down the throat. The effort is rewarding though; after-all, not every RPG provides the opportunity to have lesbian sex with blue aliens does it? This interaction and player involvement is further emphasised with some tough and occasionally heart wrenching choices; things that can radically alter the trodden path. The decisions of command are never easy, never black and white, but sometimes a commander has to make a choice.

Mass Effect has the yearnings to be an epic and it almost achieves it. This universe is teaming with life and experiences, all with a clear and well fleshed out history. Whilst the main story arc can seem a little short, and the side quests a touch repetitive, there is room for several play-throughs. With Mass Effect, BioWare has managed to reach into the player's heart and mind and put them firmly in the commander's shoes; you are Shepard and the fate of the universe is in your hands.