Shawn-XBA
03-23-2007, 09:51 AM
An inside look at three of the six character classes of the upcoming RPG.
Although all of the Mass Effect media that has been released features a singular hero, the game is in fact an RPG with all of the character shaping elements you could hope for. The game begins with you designing your character including sex, background, appearance and character class. Which character class you choose will largely shape your character's approach to combat. To get the lowdown on the classes, we went to BioWare for the expert's explanation. Then, to top things off we added a bit of our own thoughts on each class. Read on for the info and then check back in the coming months as we showcase several locations and specific weapons you'll find in Mass Effect.
Soldier
What BioWare Says: Soldiers are combat specialists ideal for the front lines of a firefight. Soldiers begin the game trained with skills in both pistols and assault rifles, they have improved health and the ability to wear medium combat armor. As you progress through the game you can unlock assault training, skills with shotguns and sniper rifles, become able to perform first aid on yourself and party members, and wear heavy combat armor.
What IGN Says: If you've seen any footage of Mass Effect where it looks more like a shooter and less like an RPG, you've been looking at a soldier. Playing as a soldier, you should have no problem hitting the front lines and making your enemies get up close and personal with the business end of your shotgun or rifle. The combat we've seen from a soldier class is vaguely reminiscent of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, though you'll be customizing your weapons and improving skills throughout Mass Effect.
Engineer
What BioWare Says: Engineers are tech specialists. Using the holographic OmniTool they can decrypt security systems, repair and/or modify technical equipment, disrupt enemy weapons or shields and heal their party. Even though they begin the game with only pistols and the OmniTool, engineers can unlock the ability to wear light armor and to reverse engineer enemy technology. They can also learn to put up protective shields and to heal the party.
What IGN Says: Technology marches on so we can only imagine that engineers are even more valuable in the future than they are today. The world of Mass Effect is heavy on technology with everything from security systems to enemies themselves reliant on it. Many of the enemies we've seen in demos have been mechanical in nature, so we're sure the engineer will have obvious combat advantages even if they start the game with just pistols. If the soldier is the master of brute foce, the engineer will give you the opportunity to play the thinking man's game.
Adept
What BioWare Says: Adepts are biotic specialists. Starting out equipped with pistols and light armor, the true strength of the adept is through the upgradeable implants that give them their biotic powers. These powers can be used to lift or throw objects, shield the party and disable or destroy enemies.
What IGN Says: BioWare made themselves known to Xbox fans with Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Think of the powers you had in that game and then picture that Jedi on crack. Adepts can create their own cover warping the space around them, attack enemies from a safe distance, and toss objects around with their biotic powers. This is the magician class of the future with some of the coolest looking effects we've seen yet.
Link (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/774/774769p1.html)
Although all of the Mass Effect media that has been released features a singular hero, the game is in fact an RPG with all of the character shaping elements you could hope for. The game begins with you designing your character including sex, background, appearance and character class. Which character class you choose will largely shape your character's approach to combat. To get the lowdown on the classes, we went to BioWare for the expert's explanation. Then, to top things off we added a bit of our own thoughts on each class. Read on for the info and then check back in the coming months as we showcase several locations and specific weapons you'll find in Mass Effect.
Soldier
What BioWare Says: Soldiers are combat specialists ideal for the front lines of a firefight. Soldiers begin the game trained with skills in both pistols and assault rifles, they have improved health and the ability to wear medium combat armor. As you progress through the game you can unlock assault training, skills with shotguns and sniper rifles, become able to perform first aid on yourself and party members, and wear heavy combat armor.
What IGN Says: If you've seen any footage of Mass Effect where it looks more like a shooter and less like an RPG, you've been looking at a soldier. Playing as a soldier, you should have no problem hitting the front lines and making your enemies get up close and personal with the business end of your shotgun or rifle. The combat we've seen from a soldier class is vaguely reminiscent of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, though you'll be customizing your weapons and improving skills throughout Mass Effect.
Engineer
What BioWare Says: Engineers are tech specialists. Using the holographic OmniTool they can decrypt security systems, repair and/or modify technical equipment, disrupt enemy weapons or shields and heal their party. Even though they begin the game with only pistols and the OmniTool, engineers can unlock the ability to wear light armor and to reverse engineer enemy technology. They can also learn to put up protective shields and to heal the party.
What IGN Says: Technology marches on so we can only imagine that engineers are even more valuable in the future than they are today. The world of Mass Effect is heavy on technology with everything from security systems to enemies themselves reliant on it. Many of the enemies we've seen in demos have been mechanical in nature, so we're sure the engineer will have obvious combat advantages even if they start the game with just pistols. If the soldier is the master of brute foce, the engineer will give you the opportunity to play the thinking man's game.
Adept
What BioWare Says: Adepts are biotic specialists. Starting out equipped with pistols and light armor, the true strength of the adept is through the upgradeable implants that give them their biotic powers. These powers can be used to lift or throw objects, shield the party and disable or destroy enemies.
What IGN Says: BioWare made themselves known to Xbox fans with Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Think of the powers you had in that game and then picture that Jedi on crack. Adepts can create their own cover warping the space around them, attack enemies from a safe distance, and toss objects around with their biotic powers. This is the magician class of the future with some of the coolest looking effects we've seen yet.
Link (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/774/774769p1.html)