Gameplay Mechanics of Mass Effect

Published December 3, 2007

The immense scope and subtle blend of disparate genres in Mass Effect™ makes
for remarkably involved game mechanics. This flagship role-playing game for Xbox
360® fuses classic RPG elements with the third-person and tactical shooter
genres, along with action/adventure and even driving mechanics. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the game's basic gameplay while you're still trying to digest the world, characters, and core storyline. So let's eliminate any of that confusion by addressing some of the most common gameplay questions about the game mechanics.

Left Trigger will pop you temporarily out of cover.

Understanding Power Control
The practical, well-timed use of Biotics and other special abilities in Mass Effect is the most critical factor in combat success. In order to best use these abilities, you must understand what they are as well as how and when to execute them.

Use the Squad menu or press Y while using the Power Wheel to examine skill descriptions. Spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with every available ability. The relationships between the various powers have some subtle effects. Knowing that Warp should always be used when first attacking an enemy to weaken their defenses, or that using Lift in conjunction with Assassinate to help set up an easy sniper shot, are two excellent and necessary combat tactics.

Once you understand the powers, use them effectively. This is a two-step process.

• First, head to the Options menu and select Gameplay. Set your Squad Power Usage to Disabled, or Defense Only if you want to fully control your allies (recommended on Veteran or higher difficulty). This will allow you to choose precisely when each power will be used and in what way.
• Second, use the right control stick when bringing up the Power Wheel to select each area or target you want to affect. For example, if you want to cast Singularity in the midst of an enemy group, use the right control stick to highlight the spot, select Singularity from the Power Wheel, and press A.

Check your journal for exact mission/assignment coordinates.

But I Hit Them!
Mass Effect controls much like a third-person shooter, but there is more to hitting a target than just aiming. The game takes aim into account, but also factors in character skill level with the equipped weapon, gun recoil and accuracy ratings, along with whatever upgrades you have selected (many of which reduce accuracy).

Cover Shot
Enter cover at any time by pressing against a wall or flat object. Crouch down (press down on the left control stick) if the cover is only half your height. Then, simply slide to one side of the cover or the other and hold Left Trigger to take aim at the enemy. Release Left Trigger to automatically regain cover.

If you take the bottom-right dialogue option all the time, you'll end up cutting yourself out of many a side-mission, or, for that matter, crucial plot information.

Sight In
There are a lot of variables that go into whether a bullet connects or not, but you can help things along tremendously by always pulling down the Left Trigger when aiming at an enemy. This simulates using the gun's sights, or scope in the case of the sniper rifle. Or, head into the Gameplay menu under Options, and set the Target Assist option to High to give you an even bigger edge when aiming.

Decrypting the Mini-Game
The hacking/decrypting mini-game has caused much confusion for newer players, but solving the puzzle is a relatively simple process. First, understand that all the game wants you to do is press the corresponding button as it's highlighted in the mini-game. However, the lower your decryption skill (and electronics skill when salvaging), the harder the mini-game. Keep those skills well stocked with at least one character in your party and you should be set.

Also, while the initial decryptions only call for three button presses, they ramp up eventually so don't think you're home free after that third button. Stay focused.

Tailor your weapon upgrades for each specific enemy.

Mako Considerations
Navigating alien planets in the Mako can be a job all its own, but add combat into the mix and time spent aboard the Normandy's all-terrain armored carrier offers more than a few challenges.

• The Mako is NOT the Halo® 3 Warthog. It accelerates, brakes, and turns all with the left control stick. The right stick is used only for orienting the cannon/machine gun turret.
• Yes, I said cannon. Though it may not be clear at first, the right shoulder button fires the Mako's high-powered cannon, which will reduce all but the most heavily armored enemies to rubble with just a single shot. Use the Mako's cannon as your primary weapon and outdoor firefights will go much, much smoother.
• While the cannon and even the machine gun turret are powerful, neither can properly angle down at enemies, so make sure you're fighting either at the same height or below your enemies.
• It's also worth noting that while the Mako can handle its fair share of steep inclines, it can't climb every mountain side. It's rare that a straight line over hilly terrain is the fastest path. Find a route around the mountains instead of through them.

Conversation Retread?
If you're tired of hearing the Normandy's quartermaster's opening greeting for the umpteenth time, or you're replaying a portion of the game and don't care to listen to the dialogue, press X in the middle of anyone's speech to cut them short and move on. Note this doesn't apply to cutscenes.

Informed Renegade
For many players the take-no-prisoners Renegade character arc is just too tempting to pass up, and for good reason. It's a refreshing break from the chivalrous, honor-bound route. The mistake many players make though, is in equating rudeness with Renegade. If you take the bottom-right dialogue option all the time, you'll end up cutting yourself out of many a side-mission, or, for that matter, crucial plot information. Choose the Renegade dialogue at the end of a conversation or when wrapping up a mission, not at the beginning.

Chat with crew members between missions. It's worth it.

Run and Bap
Often lost among the gunfire and Biotics is the ability to sprint at any time during combat (providing your meter is full). This is absolutely essential when playing on the Hardcore and Insane difficulty level, as you rush from cover to cover. Hold down A while running to sprint. It's great for closing the gap between you and an enemy so you can bash them with a melee strike. Press the right trigger when standing next to an enemy to rifle-butt or pistol-whip them.

'Nade Toss
Throw grenades by pressing Back, and then detonate them by pressing Back again. Aim low, at the feet of the enemy. Grenades can be upgraded just like any other weapon, so take the time to slot in the upgrade as appropriate for the situation. While you can't restock grenades at a merchant, there's a chance you'll find one or two every time you unlock or open a container, as well as from dispatched enemies.

Inventory Management
You can only carry up to 150 items at a time. That may seem large, but when you really start cranking out the missions, you'll quickly hit this limit. The bad news is that if you're over the limit and you select Equipment, you'll have to discard all the new, usually more powerful gear before you're able to manage the less potent equipment you've been toting around.

Didn't quite make it.

Make it a habit to manage your inventory after every mission, whether it's a quick side-quest or a primary story mission. All gear offers the same Omni-gel breakdown, so reduce the low-level gear you're carrying into Omni-gel, and sell off the higher-level weapons, upgrades, and armor you don't need.

Where To?
Your Journal entry's primary text isn't always crystal clear when defining where you need to head next for a mission or assignment. If you select the desired entry and press A, you'll uncover a more detailed explanation, describing exactly which System and Cluster you must explore, as well as other mission-specific information.

Ilos Save
If you want to complete the game before exploring every planet and completing every assignment, but still want the opportunity to return to do further exploration, create a Save before beginning the last mission on Ilos. This way, you can complete the main storyline, unlock the achievements, but still reload the Save and continue back through the game at your own pace. Or, you can start a new game using your original profile, which preserves your level, powers and equipment, but otherwise restarts the game from the beginning.

That's about it, Commander. With our Intergalactic Guide to Success as a Spectre, these tips should help you as you roam through the universe of Mass Effect.

Article by Ryan Treit