As promised, the first Mass Effect 3 details have arrived in US retailer mag Game Informer.
According to the mag, BioWare's third and final sci-fi instalment kicks off with Shepard on Earth, facing trial for the events that occurred during the recently released Arrival DLC for Mass Effect 2.
Confirmed squadmates from the GI article include Liara, Ashley/Kaiden, Garrus (if he's alive) and a man called James Sanders, who we're not familiar with. Wrex, Mordin, Legion, and Anderson will also appear in the game (if they're alive), but aren't confirmed as squadmates.
Mass Effect 3's set to include numerous endings, BioWare's confirmed, and just like the last game who you have in your squad and which allies you recruit will have a drastic effect on which ending you get.
The Illusive Man also plays a prominent role in the third game, and Cerberus is out to kill Shepard for reasons unknown, says GI.
In the gameplay department, RPG elements are being beefed up for the third game, says BioWare, offering players more freedom with character skills. Skill trees are said to be larger, and powers will evolve several times instead of just once, offering players even more freedom.
Weapons are similar to those in Mass Effect 2, except mods make a return, allowing you to swap out different parts such as barrels, scopes, and so on, which effect both the weapon's combat performance and appearance.
All classes can wield all weapons unhindered now, but will have limited slots to carry them. For example, only the Soldier can carry all weapons at once.
Finally, for those who've missed out on the series so far (shame on you) GI says Mass Effect 3 will feature a "previously on Mass Effect" comic to make decisions from scratch.
Good stuff. EA says to expect Mass Effect 3 this year. We'll hopefully have more for you soon.
Comments
62 comments so far...
TimHotston on 8 Apr '11 said:
What happens if you don't have the DLC?
El Mag on 8 Apr '11 said:
I am excite
http://www.talknerdytomelover.com/storage/thumbs-up-borat.JPG?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1297643340663
StonecoldMC on 8 Apr '11 said:
I am reliably informed that there is a comic that we watch where we then make our decisions that effect the outcome of the 3rd Game.
I still havent played ME2 yet
.
sened9 on 8 Apr '11 said:
My pants have just been jizzed
TheLastDodo on 8 Apr '11 said:
I hope all the doubters will quiet down a little now.
Now I've just got to finish ME2.
WHERESMYMONKEY on 8 Apr '11 said:
The begininng will still be the same but they'll prbably be a default set of decisions based on your paragon/renegade alignment. Since i'm a sucker for the decision based stuff and mass effect in general i'll probably download the arrival anyway.
Moribundman on 8 Apr '11 said:
Maybe they should scrap ME3 and just make the whole trilogy an abbreviated interactive comic
Oooooooooooooooooh I'm excited.
plightstar on 8 Apr '11 said:
True, people who didn't buy it are going to miss out on the worst DLC for ME2, I can see why they did it but its barely a hour long. Still looking forward to ME3 though, will be interesting to see what happens with the Illusive man after I told him where to go. Hope Legion is a squad member again, didn't get much time with him as he was very late game for me.
ste hicky on 8 Apr '11 said:
ash/kaiden? bout bleedin time. very,very happy with this news.
gutted if there's no mission with wrex though,i'd take him over grunt all day.
also,glad to hear that there's a bit more depth over 2 this time.
here's one that hit me the other night,there's no grenades in 2. i wonder what they were removed for?
also,i'm in the minority but i liked arrival. i didn't like the way there was no choice about the relay though (trying to avoid spoilers),so by default shep is on trial next time out. sure,it's no overlord/lotsb but what is? those 2 missions smoke anything in the retail game (pre dlc).
"In the gameplay department, RPG elements are being beefed up for the third game, says BioWare, offering players more freedom with character skills. Skill trees are said to be larger, and powers will evolve several times instead of just once, offering players even more freedom."
sign me up for more skill trees.
now,bioware,can we have the physics engine back from the first game so my adept's look incredible when picking vehicles,cover,etc... up?
can we have modular weapons and armour back too?
Moribundman on 8 Apr '11 said:
I'm sure its not just the Arrival stuff s/he's on trial for, although it would obviously feature if you played it. I'd assume given the mistrust of Shepard exhibited by all Alliance personel prior to Arrival that s/he's on trial for involvement with Cerberus as much as anything else... That would certainly explain why the Illusive man would be trying to shut him up even if you took the pro-Cerberus route at the end of ME2.
I *did* enjoy Admiral Hackett saying "besides I'm not sure it even IS a Cerberus ship any more" with a sly smile when he was chatting to Shepard in Arrival.
Presumably Mr Sanders is related to Kahlee Sanders. I hope you can recruit some of the old guys. It would be a cop out if they gave you the freedom to let them live or die and then just relegated ALL survivors to a Wrex in ME2 style role... Although I can see ME3 being very much an Origins style quest to get help from each of the alien races by completing a plot mission for each.
That could be a tough sell for a 100% renagade player who's encouraged the Quarians and the Geth to go to war, encouraged all humans to be isolationist etc etc although I assume you'll just intimidate people to your cause...
kilatomato on 8 Apr '11 said:
Bioware have taken a huge step towards kicking me in the teeth with ME3.
Ive ragged on ME2 incessently over this past year (because it disappointed me so) but taking steps to convince me that things are improving in all areas is a good way to deal with that.
Plus massive kudos for no multiplayer. I think it was obvious that 99% didnt want it or care about it.
Mods sounding like a welcome and hugely needed improvement, along with expanded skill trees. Ashley and Kaidan being back is a HUGE bonus! No better way to repay the most neglected characters in the series so far. Liara back is great for my Shepard and his story. Cerberus out to kill Shepard again is also excellent.
Some things are not there that I would like to hear about, and I have no doubt Im not going to enjoy everything (though Ive never claimed to, not ME1, not any game, not even Baldurs Gate). But for the first time in nearly 2 years Ive heard rumblings of things I actually like for once.
My enthusiasm for the game, against all of my expectations, has gone up some. Possibly a day one purchase after all (though sadly after ME2, pre-order collectors editions months in advance are a thing of the past Im afraid).
Moribundman on 8 Apr '11 said:
Yes - as stated in the article!
As for Grenades, I think powers and heavy weapons basically took their place.
dannyhulse on 8 Apr '11 said:
Oh I can think of a reason why Cerberus is out to kill me!
I won't spoil it for those who haven't finished the second game but the last conversation with the Illusive Man, I may have p**sed him off
ste hicky on 8 Apr '11 said:
bring the lifts and party banter back instead of load screens that completely puncture the immersion. i know some didn't like them so make them skippable if people would rather watch the load screen for 30 seconds rather than ash/random alien/etc.. arguing between missions.
i'd prefer the world to feel more persistant,like 1.
oh,and i definitely p**sed the illusive man off at the end of 2. you think i was gonna keep any hint of the worst boss of all time around for 3? yeah,right.
justforkicks101 on 8 Apr '11 said:
but my shepard is brown bread, will i start as joker ?
ste hicky on 8 Apr '11 said:
nah man,if you went that way conrad verner get's the normandy and f*cks everything up.
Mental on 8 Apr '11 said:
It probably doesn't matter if you have or haven't played Arrival, the comic will most likely explain why he is on trial.
Also if your Shepard died in ME2 you can't import that save over to ME3.
justforkicks101 on 8 Apr '11 said:
he's brown bread too
my shepard isnt a very nice man
ste hicky on 8 Apr '11 said:
ah,missed it. i was happy enough with expanded skill trees.
just got on that bit then: "Weapons are similar to those in Mass Effect 2, except mods make a return, allowing you to swap out different parts such as barrels, scopes, and so on, which effect both the weapon's combat performance and appearance."
item tinkering ftw!
in that case the hanar who was seen arguing with c-sec in 1 over religous freedom of speech get's the gig instead.
he'll be based on blasto the jellyfish stings. he's the first hanar spectre with a gun in each tentacle and a chick in each port. "this one doesn't have time for your solid waste excretions,etc...."
Moribundman on 8 Apr '11 said:
Nope, you either start as a new (non-imported) game with the major decisions covered by a comic, or you play ME2 again and try harder this time!
ste hicky on 8 Apr '11 said:
i know jfk101 well. he tried alright....to kill everyone in both games that is.
i wonder if there'll be more payoff for psych profile exclusive missions like 'i remember you',etc... from me1. it was cool the way you got to pick a pre service psych profile that opened up exclusive missions for that profile alone (see corporal toombs,etc...)
an appearance by hanna shepard for my spacer profile would be most welcome.
Black Mantis on 8 Apr '11 said:
Pretty much what I expected, especially the skills tree stuff. It makes sense that Martin Sheen wants you dead, even if you did him a favour and handed over the Collector base. He always came across as shifty double-crosser and not someone who can be trusted.
Sounds like they are on the right track, I just hope we get the lifts back too!
justforkicks101 on 8 Apr '11 said:
i know jfk101 well. he tried alright....to kill everyone in both games that is.
lol it wasnt as easy as it sounds
Moorpheus on 8 Apr '11 said:
All sounds very impressive.
I think the unknown team-mate has to be the guy from the initial trailer (the guy who sounds a little like Sean Bean but isn't Sean Bean
).
PMIKE5 on 8 Apr '11 said:
Pictures/scans please
PMIKE5 on 8 Apr '11 said:
Pictures please.
Moribundman on 8 Apr '11 said:
Give the septics time to wake up...
I'm over there next week and will def buy a copy assuming nowhere in London is stocking it before then...
Moribundman on 8 Apr '11 said:
It's because you've embarrassed him and shown weakness.
Moving in with the goddesses and drinking Tiger Blood...
Moribundman on 8 Apr '11 said:
http://www.rpgsite.net/news/1061/game-i ... tails.html
feeg86 on 8 Apr '11 said:
Well well well. I'm on my second playthrough (PS3) and this makes the collector decision at the end a whole lot easier
. I saved it the first time round but now I think I'll destroy it this time round. Up yours Tim.
Also Grunt, Mordin, Tali, Zaheed and Kasumi (I think) died in the 1st playthrough so a little relieved to hear they won't play a big role (presumably).
nolim on 8 Apr '11 said:
I much preferred the more flexible approach to building your characters that the first game offered so it seems ME3 it taking a step back in the right direction. Still can't decide on whether to bother with the last bit of DLC, it seems it was very badly received but I want my Shepard to be fully up to date at the start of the new game.
YouGuysRock7 on 8 Apr '11 said:
Sure on one of my saves I got it on with Liara in the first game & Tali in the second....'Ooooh! Love Triangle!!!!'
photoboy on 8 Apr '11 said:
Disappointing how few of the ME2 team mates are returning. I hope the developers didn't listen too much to the whining ME1 fans.
Imaduck on 8 Apr '11 said:
f**k yea Bioware listened!
budge on 8 Apr '11 said:
All sounds promising now all i need is a return of the Mako and Jennifer Hale to put in one last performance of a lifetime.
kilatomato on 8 Apr '11 said:
"Disappointing how few of the ME2 team mates are returning. I hope the developers didn't listen too much to the whining ME1 fans."
The developers said all along that Ashley/Kaidan and Liara were "saved" for ME3.
Kind of a giveaway dontcha think? Its more that the whining ME2 fans didnt listen, and now Bioware have to listen to them whine.
I mean really, what did you expect from a squad where you can potentially lose 80-90 percent of it? For them all to return as squadmates? Not bloody likely.
I think its clearly only the gameplay front where they appear to have "listened" with the story and characters set a long time ago given their comments and now this confirmation, at least in some regards. Its good to hear about fresher powers and upgrade systems.
Hopefully now we also hear in future about better, less linear a to b environments centred around killing all the time, and also that the improvements to customisation translate into a more exciting in game economy.
I mean I really missed going to the citadel and buying things that were actually worthwhile you know?
AJDarkstar on 8 Apr '11 said:
Mass Effect is a good game. BUT:
BioWare did not properly map out the storyline of the trilogy, as evident from the ME2 DLC (Lair of the Shadow Broker & Arrival being the most prominent examples).
Every game is the same. Okay, Pokιmon does this, but it never had the audacity to call itself "Pokιmon 2" as yet.
ME2 was a shooter with some (very vague) RPG elements thrown in. I keep wanting to go back and give it another play-through with all of the DLC and to get the "proper" ending, but it just isn't as good as the first game.
The plot isn't that original, and the Illusive Man (should that be Elusive, perhaps?) is the Architect from Martix Reloaded.
That said, I still want to finish the story... I just don't expect to be amazed.
Moribundman on 8 Apr '11 said:
You seem to be inferring that the characters named (from the start of the game) are the only playable characters in the game. Don't be so bloody silly!
Obviously all permutations of Love Interests from ME1 & 2 will be in the game - Tali without a shadow of a doubt but also Miranda/Jacob/SubZero and I am sure Thane will not have an off-screen death pre ME3. Only question is whether any of these guys will be playable, but they will obviously be in there. Hopefully not just a Wrex in ME2 style cameo...
Tony_Lavelle on 8 Apr '11 said:
Yes, bring back the lifts. and this time have them accompanied with some delightful lift muzak. The Girl from Ipanema tune would be ideal and set the right tone.
splitter on 8 Apr '11 said:
Too many spoilers in that article for my liking.
Imaduck on 8 Apr '11 said:
I agree with splitter, I'm kind of p**sed that I read the some of it
MattyR95 on 8 Apr '11 said:
''The Illusive Man also plays a prominent role in the third game, and Cerberus is out to kill Shepard for reasons unknown, says GI.''
Those bastards. I shouldn't have given them that collector base.
MattyR95 on 8 Apr '11 said:
I also hope that like 90% of the game isn't just spent getting team members. Or at last shake it up a bit, most of them were just shooting through a base or something, getting them and getting out. And then doing a single favor for them grants you loyalty, that should be affected by their choices through the game as well.
justforkicks101 on 8 Apr '11 said:
scan of new Ashely
http://narutoforums.com/showthread.php?t=684931&page=46
Imaduck on 8 Apr '11 said:
Thanks for that scan, she's looking .... healthy
justforkicks101 on 8 Apr '11 said:
no probs
ash, now with 20% extra boobage
PS3UberTool on 8 Apr '11 said:
How does the Shadow Broker content prove they didn't plan the trilogy out properly?
Of course as you've no doubt seen the storyboards for the third game you'd know else you wouldn't be able to mock the developers who have been making games for the last 10+ years.
StokedUp on 8 Apr '11 said:
OK all these details are good, but where the hell is Tali?? surly bioware arnt going to leave out Tali Zorah! She is my favorite character and my love interest (didnt have love interest in ME1) I hope bioware dont just leave her out and only bring her in for some DLC, shes been there from the start and should be in ME3. Also another character who should be in ME3 is Kasumi.
wwinterj on 8 Apr '11 said:
Nice information. I'll be sure to pick this up for the Xbox 360 (I have the other two on there). I didn't bother with any of the DLC though and doubt I will. I hope my decisions will still carry over. I don't want the comic making all the choices for me.
El Mag on 8 Apr '11 said:
So after shouting at us on horizon Ash became an high class escort/stripper to help pay for her race hate group functions.
Rothepony on 8 Apr '11 said:
Game informer is Shepard's favorite magazine on the Citadel.
legion on 8 Apr '11 said:
I'm happy they are making the RPG element deeper. I was really let down by how much they dumbed it down to suit the I.Q of COD players in the last game.
Brett Sinclair on 8 Apr '11 said:
Amen to that.And i thought i was the only one who liked the Mako.Exploring planets was infinitely more preferable to mining them from space.
Like it.But then he may also bestow his patronage on OXM and PSM in the pursuit of cheaper weapon upgrades.Shepard.The endorsing whore!
anytime on 9 Apr '11 said:
The mining with the mako in the first one was just driving about empty boring landscapes for 90% of the time. If they keep the same idea but make the environments more interesting then it would be great.
I hope they make the series go out with a bang because it deserves it, i would like to carry on in the mass effect universe in one shape or another though. Of course all of that is dependant on the outcome of the reaper invasion, there might not be a milky way to explore as we know at the end of it all, or a shepard.
divinebeetle on 9 Apr '11 said:
Be nice if they release some sort of ultimate edition with the DLCs for ME2 before ME3
Sammy_bham on 9 Apr '11 said:
A few people are asking about Tali.
here's my theory..
you need to unite all the major civilisations and race against the reapers.
my guess is she will no longer be a party member, but will be leading the flotilla assault against the reapers. (if she survived mass effect 2). I think her survival is paramount in quarians helping you.
same as grunt etc and the krogans / wrex.
if you upset the council (if you keep them alive) that will effect who helps you too.
bioware have got one hell of a job on their hands for ALL the different variables. I can see it being on 2 - 3 discs for 360. not for length of the game, but just purley for all the different outcomes, ( if you think about it, youve got all the difference beween paragon and renegade, then it depends on who survives as well as renegade and paragon., depends on all your morale choices, who you carried from me1, whether you saved the council or not.
huge task.
the amount of endings could creep into the 30's or 40's. Although i doubt bioware will let it get that silly. lol.
if anyone is as geeky about this as i am, please mail me lol
jehovahswitless on 10 Apr '11 said:
really hope u can have a 3 way with jack and garrus, with tali and miranda double teaming Mordin while thane spouts memories of a past a orgy in super quicktime! And Grunt standing in the corner periodically, well every 3 minutes groaning "i am KROGAN!!!!!!!!!!"
Wow, i really need to get out more!
jehovahswitless on 10 Apr '11 said:
seriously tho, can't wait for 3, on my 3rd playthrough and still loving it even tho i know whats coming, but now no what to do and what not to do, and any1 who sides wiv the illusive man needs a kick in th balls, that guys eeeevil!
well he better be, as like most have said, we didn't really have a good working relationship!
The only biting question is who to nail, miranda's got a banging body, jack's a badass, and tali, well tali's tali!
U know, its no wonder i'm perenially single!
well that and my tiny man parts can't be helping either!
pRM8 on 10 Apr '11 said:
Just played through the shadow broker DLC and now onto the Arrival DLC but it was so long ago from when I originally completed ME2 I cant feckin remember some of the decisions I actually made
Though I did get Mordin killed, starting to miss the funny guy.
The_KFD_Case on 11 Apr '11 said:
"In the gameplay department, RPG elements are being beefed up for the third game, says BioWare, offering players more freedom with character skills. Skill trees are said to be larger, and powers will evolve several times instead of just once, offering players even more freedom.
Weapons are similar to those in Mass Effect 2, except mods make a return, allowing you to swap out different parts such as barrels, scopes, and so on, which effect both the weapon's combat performance and appearance.
All classes can wield all weapons unhindered now, but will have limited slots to carry them. For example, only the Soldier can carry all weapons at once."
Do my eyes deceive me?!
Seems like BioWare may have listened to some of their long time fans after all, and have reincorporated what made them famous to begin with: RPG craftsmanship. Happy days! 
The_KFD_Case on 11 Apr '11 said:
Agreed. Initially it didn't bother me much due to the excitement of finally having ME2 in my hands, yet as time wore on and I completed the game, the euphoria diminished somewhat and cracks began to show in ME2's veneer. The bare bones RPG elements possibly being the biggest offender in my opinion. I'm hopeful that with this announcement ME3 may turn out to be a healthy balance between ME1 and ME2.
kilatomato on 11 Apr '11 said:
--------------------
Its not difficult to see where ME2 squadmates fit in. Ive seen the article in question, and it talks about lots of temporary squadmates, some who arent plot critical, and then a select few who are pivotal. Of the returning squadmates, I think its mostly clear that Liara and Ashley/Kaidan are likely to feature in the "plot pivotal" role. One of the biggest shots is default Shepard standing in the middle of Kaidan and Liara. The shoter screams "poster characters" like Ashley and Garrus or Miranda and Grunt/Thane from some of the earlier shots from ME1/ME2.
It also mentions some of the galaxies problems. As it was foreshadowed in ME2 (one of the few things the plot did somewhat respectably) there is a war between the quarians and the geth to retake the quarian homeworld. I think its not hard to see, no matter the outcome of her trial where Tali will fit in that. Shell be right in the thick of it. Unless shes dead, where most likely a shadow character will take up the slot ala Wreav from ME2.
Garrus has been highlighted as a more likely permanent squadmate, and I guess thats because he cant fit in to any such "species conflict" as well as someone like Tali. My guess is though, that hell be a slightly more peripheral squadmate. Hes there with the player, provided hes alive, but because hes also potentially dead there isnt anything significant plotwise surrounding him. Maybe just give him another short, cheesy romance his fangirls seem to love, and a few stupid "wingman" remarks that the fanboys do too, and then he can just shoot stuff with Shepard.
The rest you can work out easily enough.
It defintely appears though that, as promised by Bioware, Liara and Ashley/Kaidan were "saved for something important in ME3" because if they are not major squadmates and dont play a big role in the plot, then thats some hugely misleading marketing from Bioware. The first major release of information has them plastered all over as squadmates. I highly doubt they would do that if it were only for a short while in the grand scheme of the game, especially because of the already mentioned "saved for ME3" status. To me it looks like Ashley/Kaidan return to the same sort of slot they occupied in ME1, and that Miranda and Jacob did in ME2, with Liara taking up the second place (since only one of Ash/Kai will be available). It looks like they are there at the start of the game, and I dont see any sane reason why they wont stick with you for the rest of it.