Envisioned as a trilogy from the get-go, the final installment in BioWare’s award-winning sci-fi saga was released earlier this year. Mass Effect 3, published by Electronic Arts for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC platforms, garnered rave reviews and has raked in sales in the millions. The action is set in the 22nd century, shortly after mankind discovered the ruins of an ancient alien technology that helped them unlock the secrets of faster-than-light travel and utilize a galaxy-spanning mass relay network capable of transporting vessels between star systems almost instantaneously. Relative newcomers to this expansive universe, humans have encountered a variety of alien life forms, attempted to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with, and gained membership in the Citadel Council, a body that governs over its member species. However, danger looms, as the Reapers, a mysterious race inhabiting sentient starships, return from their long hibernation in dark space to harvest their crop: all organic life. The games place players in the combat boots of Commander Shepard, an elite human solider, as he attempts to save the galaxy from the Reapers and their minions. The role-playing action is designed to be both individualized and epic-scale. Throughout, players determine how the story will develop, and the decisions they make and the resulting consequences influence not only the progression of a particular game, but also the outcome of the entire series. The culminating chapter brings the battle home, and players must gather allies and muster forces to save Earth from annihilation.
Send teens who want a taste of the action to the Mass Effect 3 website to browse a selection of videos showcasing trailers, strategy tips, and interviews with game creators; access quick intros to the featured settings, weaponry, characters, and more; and download a demo. The “Mass Effect Wiki” provides information about each entry in the series; the extensive Mass Effect universe (plot elements, characters, alien races, settings, a timeline, and more); gameplay details, descriptions, and tips; and the latest news.
Book Tie-ins
Covering all three installments, The Art of the Mass Effect Universe (Dark Horse, 2012, Gr 7 Up) is jam-packed with images and insights. Penned by game-series insiders, executive producer Casey Hudson and art director Derek Watts, the book’s brief, descriptive captions provide a revealing glimpse of the scope of this huge-scale project, the thought processes behind the deftly envisioned cosmos, and the creative team’s dedication to making the characters and action as compelling as possible. Sections covering each episode delve into the development and evolution of characters (including a diverse array of alien species), intergalactic locales, vehicles and technology, weaponry, and more. True-life inspirations behind the design of certain elements are discussed, such as the gracefully flowing scalp tentacles of a blue asari (intended to resemble a woman emerging from the water with her hair swept back), NASA concepts referenced for the ultramodern interior of the Citadel (government seat), and a stealth spacecraft (Shepard’s Normandy) patterned after delta-wing fighters and the Concorde. The variety of ideas exhibited in row after row of preliminary sketches shows readers how the artists let their imaginations fly free before adapting the final product to satisfy the demands of the unfolding plot and fit within technical animation confines. Ranging from early renderings to dazzling production artwork, character concept drawings to dramatic full-page, poised-for-action portraits, the visuals are not only stunning, but also provide a sense of the game’s unique and groundbreaking photo-realistic design.
Graphic Novels
Dark Horse has also published a trio of Mass Effect graphic novels (Gr 9 Up) featuring stories developed by the game’s lead writer, Mac Walters. Bridging the first two games, Mass Effect Volume 1: Redemption (2010) is set just after an attack during which Shepard’s ship was destroyed. Dr. Liara T’Soni, a beautiful asari with a sharp intellect and a talent for biotics (the ability to use mass-effect fields to move matter), travels to the lawless Omega space station to search for the commander (or his remains). Facing one dangerous situation after another, Liara encounters members of Cerberus (a black-ops organization dedicated to ensuring human survival at any cost), other would-be allies, and numerous unseemly individuals while trying to get to the truth. The tale simmers with dramatic dialogue, plot twists, and explosive battle confrontations, and the artwork has a steely veneer that suits the dynamic action.
Set several decades before the first game, Mass Effect Volume 2: Evolution (Dark Horse, 2011) takes readers back to the year 2157 to delve into the past of the enigmatic Illusive Man, the mysterious head of Cerberus and an important character in the series. A mercenary soldier fighting alongside Earth forces during a war with the militaristic turians, Jack Harper comes into contact with an ancient alien relic that will alter him physically, fuel the fire behind his pro-humanity movement, and change the course of his destiny. Resplendent in icy blues and earthy browns, the crisp artwork does much of the storytelling, depicting both scenes of turbulent combat and quieter interactions that enhance character development. The dialogue is concise and the plot unfolds neatly, building suspense and presenting well-timed revelations.
In Mass Effect Volume 3: Invasion (Dark Horse, 2012), a prelude to the third game, the Omega space station is threatened when a horde of bio-mechanical creatures is unleashed by Cerberus scientists studying Reaper technology. In order to protect her territory, asari Aria T’Loak, ruthless crime boss of the vice-ridden station and the only one able to control its warring gangs, is forced to make an alliance with a general from the pro-humanity organization. As battles rage around and within Omega, power plays unfold, hidden motivations are revealed, and deceptions and double-crosses abound. Using her considerable cunning and her powerful biotic abilities, Aria is determined to stand against the enemy… whether it be monstrous marauders or so-called allies. Much characterization is created through the dialogue, as Aria and the intellectual General Petrovsky argue tactics and jockey for the upper hand, while Ashe, the no-nonsense Cerberus operative tasked by Illusive Man with infiltrating Omega, verbally vents his hatred for all things alien (along with plenty of expletives). Contrasting dark star-filled backdrops with bright interiors, the artwork vividly conveys the events and the intensity of the numerous confrontations between individuals and spacecraft. Scenes showing Aria utilizing her biotic forces to disarm, push back, or otherwise neutralize her foes are infused with sizzling blue shades and streaks of white lightning. Suspense, surprises, and high-octane action make for a page-turning adventure.
Publication Information
The Art of the Mass Effect Universe. Dark Horse, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors. 2012. Tr $39.99. ISBN 978-1-59582-768-5.
WALTERS, Mac & John Jackson Miller. Mass Effect Volume 1: Redemption. 2010. ISBN 978-1-59582-481-3.
_____. Mass Effect Volume 2: Evolution. 2011. ISBN 978-1-59582-759-3.
_____. Mass Effect Volume 3: Invasion. 2012. ISBN 978-1-59582-867-5
Ea vol: illus. by Omar Francia. Dark Horse, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors. pap. $16.99.
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