User summary:
Mass Effect is an action RPG and the first game in a space trilogy by developer BioWare. While comparisons may be made to their previous Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games, Mass Effect gives the player more control over combat and is set in an original universe. Some of the races populating this universe are blue-skinned Asari, synthetic-killing machines called Geth, and large saurian warriors known as Krogan.

During the game you play as Commander Shepard, the first human chosen as an elite S.P.E.C.T.R.E. agent, tasked with investigating an ancient Prothean artifact on the planet Eden Prime. The game plays as a third-person shooter with the ability to pause combat and use the special abilities of both Shepard and squad members (all of which you can level up). As the game progresses you will also collect new weapons and armor to upgrade your squad, and new members will join you on your quest. The game features numerous dialog options, but uses a reactionary system where the player merely chooses what type of response they want without seeing the actual dialog choices. In order to maintain a cinematic experience BioWare chose to voice the main character as well as all NPCs, unusual for a game with such heavy RPG elements.

From the game box:

An ancient threat returns.

One final hope emerges.

As commander Shepard, you lead an elite squad on a heroic, action-packed adventure throughout the galaxy. Discover the imminent danger from an ancient threat and battle the traitorous Saren and his deadly army to save civilization. The fate of all life depends on your actions!

microbadges:

"You exist because we allow it, and you will end because we demand it."

"Anyone who fights us is either stupid or on Saren's payroll. Killing the latter is business. Killing the former is a favor to the universe." -Wrex

"The relationship is symbiotic. Organic and machine intertwined, a union of flesh and steel. The strengths of both, the weaknesses of neither." - Indroctrinated Saren

Trivia:

• In ME1 Ashley kills Wrex if he can't be talked down quickly enough. Ironically, in ME3 Ashley can be shot for refusing to stand down.

Each class has distinct proficiencies in three main areas: general combat using firearms or melee strikes, tech attacks, and biotics. Classes can be further specialized to have even more intense focuses or proficiencies. In Mass Effect, specialized class talents are unlocked once assignment UNC: Rogue VI on Luna has been completed. There are six specializations, two of which are available based on your initial class choice. Selecting a specialization offers access to a new trait that add ranks 7-12 to your class specific talent; ranks 1-6 are unchanged, and grant the same bonus when you take ranks 7-12. Specializations are only unlocked once per character and will then carry over to subsequent playthroughs with that character.

In Mass Effect, an untrained character cannot effectively aim with certain weapons, and classes less proficient in general combat may not even have the option to train with a particular weapon type.

	Class	Type	Description	Talent	Powers / Abilities	Specializations
	Adept	Biotic	The ultimate biotic, able to affect the physical world with the power of the mind. Gameplay focus is on disabling and debuffing enemies while dealing massive amounts of damage.	Reduced biotic cooldown and increased biotic protection.	Basic Armor Pistols (Weapon) Throw (Biotic) Lift (Biotic) Warp (Biotic) Singularity (Biotic) Barrier (Biotic) Stasis (Biotic)	Bastion Nemesis
	Soldier	Combat	A tough warrior, able to deal with a range of combat situations. The Soldier gets improved health, has the widest selection of weapons, and is eventually able to wear heavy armor. Gameplay focus is on getting into the thick of the fight, picking the right weapon for tactical situations, and outlasting opponents.	Increased health and better health regeneration.	Combat Armor Assault Training Fitness First Aid Pistols (Weapon) Shotguns (Weapon) Assault Rifles (Weapon) Sniper Rifles (Weapon)	Commando Shock Trooper
	Engineer	Tech	A tech specialist, able to quickly and easily manipulate the environment with specific talents, and repair or modify technical equipment. Gameplay focus is on shaping the battlefield during combat, healing the party, and debuffing enemies.	Reduced tech recharge time and increased tech protection.	Basic Armor First Aid Medicine Pistols (Weapon) Electronics (Tech) Damping (Tech) Hacking (Tech) Decryption (Tech)	Medic Operative
	Vanguard	Biotic / Combat	A powerful combatant, able to combine the offensive powers of the Adept and the Soldier. They have access to various weapons and armor, as well as biotics. Gameplay focus is on taking down enemies with quick and brutal force.	Increased protection from biotics and ability with pistols and shotguns.	Tactical Armor Assault Training Pistols (Weapon) Shotguns (Weapon) Throw (Biotic) Lift (Biotic) Warp (Biotic) Barrier (Biotic)	Nemesis Shock Trooper
	Sentinel	Tech / Biotic	Able to combine tech and biotics to manipulate the environment, disable and track enemies, or defend the party. Gameplay focus is on protecting the party using kinetic barriers and healing it with advanced medical training.	Increased ability with pistols and reduced cooldown time for biotic and tech powers.	First Aid Medicine Throw (Biotic) Lift (Biotic) Barrier (Biotic) Stasis (Biotic) Electronics (Tech) Decryption (Tech)	Bastion Medic
	Infiltrator	Tech / Combat	A tech-savvy warrior, able to win battles by quickly disabling and killing enemies. These soldiers focus on unlocking alternate routes, gaining access to good equipment, and obtaining an advantageous position over enemies in combat.	Increased explosive damage of tech mines and ability with pistols and sniper rifles.	Tactical Armor First Aid Fitness Pistols (Weapon) Sniper Rifles (Weapon) Electronics (Tech) Damping (Tech) Decryption (Tech)	Commando Operative