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| From: Electronic Arts
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $26.48
You Save: $3.51 (12%)
New (27) Used (4) from $24.99
Rating:  193 reviews
Sales Rank: 949
Format: Dvd-rom
Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows Xp
Genre: shooter_action_games
ESRB: Mature
Media: Video Game
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Age: 17 - 20 years
Operating System: Windows 2000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 0.1 x 0.1 x 0
MPN: 19081
Model: 19081
UPC: 014633190816
EAN: 0014633190816
ASIN: B00140P9BA
Release Date: May 27, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 193
 Mass Effect DRM / SecuROM punishes consumers May 27, 2008
Shane Reid (Houston, TX United States)
67 out of 109 found this review helpful
SecuROM makes a comeback in Mass Effect requiring users effectively install rootkits on their PCs to ensure they are not pirating software. I can understand wanting to protect your product from being pirated, but the only thing this does is punish the end consumer actually paying for your product.
If you want to educate yourself as to what you will be putting on your machine when you install this game I advocate you read the wikipedia page on SecuROM, a technology developed by Sony who had no problems in the past putting a rootkit on your machine without your knowledge or consent (see Sony BMG CD copy prevention scandal).
I found the xbox 360 version of this game to be quite fun, but I can't give it more than one star for the PC due to their copyright protection scheme. It punishes legitimate consumers who purchased the product, especially if multiple activations are required due to the purchase of new computers or OS reloads.
 I am so ready to love this game, but... June 3, 2008
Legend (Boston, MA)
67 out of 95 found this review helpful
I admit it: I have been eagerly awaiting this game since word of a PC release reached my delicate ears. So, I prepared myself:
* I read the prequel book.
* Watched all the preview videos.
* Devoured all content on the Mass Effect website.
* Scanned all the reviews and accolades.
Needless to say, I was chomping at the bit in anticipation for the game to arrive. Well it did, and I am so disappointed.
No, not with the game itself, but the fact I can't even get it going on my Vista OS. After visiting EA's website and using their work-around methods for Vista, I almost got the game started. Almost. I think the game threw my system resources into overload, and at only 7 months old, it's a fairly decent machine. I suppose I'll have to try the game of my XP laptop, but that would mean using the second of my 3 activations. What a pain!
Disclaimer: Now folks, normally I don't add reviews without actually experiencing a product, and maybe I'll update once I get the game going on another computer, but this game clearly isn't Vista-friendly.
ETA 6/10/08: Okay, I haven't had much much time as I hoped to play ME, but I did get it going (yeah!) and am amazed at the quality of gameplay. Hopefully, I'll have some time to spend a few hours (heck...a whole day) playing.
3 activations, EA believes paying customers are criminals! May 27, 2008
Mark Twain "Ben" (East Coast, USA)
64 out of 95 found this review helpful
Securom is used in Mass Effect PC and it limits the number of installs to 3 before you have to call EA and prove you own the game. Who knows if EA will still support his game five or ten years down the road. However, that is not the biggest problem. I understand DRM is meant to curb pirarcy, but the DRM in Mass Effect is counter productive because it encourages people to pirate the game. The reason for this is because the pirate offer a better version compared to Bioware/EA. Until game publishers stop treating paying customers like criminal, do yourself and your fellow gamers a favor and do not buy this game until it is superior to 'other versions'.
Note: I played Mass Effect to death on the 360 and have been a huge fan of KOTOR, but Bioware has crossed the line.
Caveat Emptor May 29, 2008
Eliott Norbut (Anaheim, CA United States)
61 out of 89 found this review helpful
It's highly disappointing to say this about a BioWare game, because they consistently produce some of the best-designed RPGs with the best storylines of any company in the gaming industry, but be aware that because of draconian DRM measures dictated by EA, you're very likely to eventually wind up with a piece of software that will not run, regardless of the fact that you've already paid for it. Additionally, it will install extra monitoring software into your registry that you will not be able to remove without resorting to third-party software, and then only if you have high-functioning knowledge of the guts of your operating system.
I myself canceled my pre-order when I found out about the SecuROM malware included in this software package, and as much as I hate to do so, I must recommend to anyone else considering this title that they do not buy it, or Maxis' SPORE, also to be released later this year, which uses the same DRM scheme.
they're not lying, mass effect will certainly have a mass effect on your computer May 28, 2008
Montisori
57 out of 82 found this review helpful
I usually don't review products before I purchase them, but once in a while there is a ridiculous exception that necessitates preemptive action.
The other reviewers have already said all that needs to be said about the effects of installing the game. Honestly, I would LOVE to play this game; but when it comes with the cost of threatening the proper functioning of my system and potentially being monitored by some malware-like program, I will gladly look the other way.
Developers need to come up with better ways of preventing piracy instead of stooping so low. They condemn hackers and other such programmers but now they're behaving like them, how ironic...
Do yourself a favor and stay clear of this one until it's cured of its disease...
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