Adjutorium Nostrum In Nomine Bioware

Mass Effect
(360; $59.99; Rated M for Blood/Language/Partial Nudity/Sexual Themes/Violence; masseffect.bioware.com)



A handful of hours into this title, and I realize I've just barely scratched the surface of this epic sci-fi opera that's better at acting like "Star Wars" than Episodes I and II ever were. "Mass Effect" elevates the action-based role-playing game to levels that no other game has: namely, it allows the RPG purists out there to tweak, refine, and micromanage every step of their character and his party, while still lets the action junkies run-and-gun their way to galactic victory without much need to worry about hit points and damage percentages- it's all done in the background for you.

Although it borrows liberally from franchises like "Star Wars," "Battlestar Galactica," and "Star Trek," "Mass Effect" still manages to define itself as its own intellectual property as it pays homage to the 70's sci-fi pulp fiction it emulates. The character designs are as varied as anything you'd see in the Mos Eisley Cantina, the costuming has a distinct retro-feel, and the music contains hints of John Carpenter-styled synthesizer- all of which makes the galaxy of "Mass Effect" feel like a legitimate addition to popular Science Fiction. The story is tightly woven, the backgrounds on the history of the universe is exhaustive, and the presentation is incredibly cinematic. Notwithstanding the quality and volume of other holiday titles, it could be the only game you play for the next several months.