There’s a good chance you’ve been playing the multiplayer demo for Mass Effect 3 for some time now. Bioware’s first attempt at multiplayer is an impressive one. It’s also the first time a games multiplayer will have a direct effect on its single player campaign. Bioware’s theme in Mass Effect 3 is a galaxy at war, to sell the idea of a galactic war, you and four of your friends fight in ‘Horde Mode' like battles against waves of increasing difficult enemies. Even if you’ve played the multiplayer experience in the demo, the full multiplayer component is set to be far beyond what you’re expecting ME3 to deliver. 

Casey Hudson has said this is the best time to add multiplayer to the series as it fits the theme of the game. Players will fight over resources that are key to the progression of the games single player story, while, receiving undisclosed benefits base on their success. Playing through the multiplayer mode will award you with upgrades and perks that carry over to your single player experience. Because the Mass Effect series is all about player progression through the upgrading of your Commander Shepherd, there’s a huge incentive to play the games multiplayer modes. Bioware has also pieced together the most fitting version of multiplayer for their game. Though we initially were somewhat concerned over Bioware’s choice to not allow players to engage in competitive multiplayer, the choice to add the feature  as a co-op mode, appears to be the best for the franchise.

Fighting over war assets in multiplayer that help you save the galaxy in single player, or the ability to play as other races not available in previous games, opens up both your arsenal and your understanding of the games story. Mass Effect 3’s tactical multiplayer style feels like a direct extension of the games single player gameplay. The games single player mode in the past was never about running and gunning, but a strategic use of your environment and the unique attributes provided by your squad mates.  By far the best part of Mass Effect’s multiplayer is the new more action orientated combat system. In past games Commander Shepherd moved and animated in a rigged fashion.  His ability to navigate the world was also very limited. With Mass Effect 3, Bioware has firmly entered the arena of the third person shooter, while bring a more action hero feel to the game. Though the demo allows all six classes to be selected, with access to the Slum & Noveria maps, things like earned XP, split-screen, new enemies, and anumber of other maps and modes have yet to be fully revealed.

No having a feel that’s liken to the Gears of War series, even including its own curb stomp, ME3 has become much more of a shooter than a strict RPG. It’s improved cover system and new cinematic melee system, makes this series inclusion feel more like the top action games to released; which works out great for multiplayer. The multiplayer in Mass Effect 3 is not trying to be the next high-octane action shooter, but its deeply rooting itself in tactics, depth and progression. If you, like many of us, thought Bioware’s attempt a multiplayer could become a tacked on feature no one would want to play, than there’s a good chance the complete version will be beyond what you’ve been expecting as well. The multiplayer beta is only a glimpse into what the complete mode will offer, it’s also safe to assume that Mass Effects multiplayer will be thoroughly supported through DLC and add-on’s in the future. Look for more Mass Effect 3 news in the coming weeks. For now, I recommend you perfect your teams combat tactics in the multiplayer beta, before things really get serious when the game release’s on March 6^th.