Mass Effect Due on Xbox 360 November 20

BioWare's new galaxy-spanning, story-driven RPG title Mass Effect is due to ship to retailers November 20.

Microsoft Games and development studio BioWare have announced that BioWare’s epic sc-fi RPG title Mass Effect for the Xbox 360 is slated to ship to retailers on November 20, 2007, just in time to catch the end-of-year holiday buying season. Set against a sprawling galactic backdrop, Mass Effect offers a multi-dimensional, emotionally-charged story combined with action and tactical game play elements.

In Mass Effect, players take on the role of Commander Shepard of the SS Normandy, leading an elite recon squad across the galaxy in a desperate attempt to stop an ancient race of machines from returning and wiping out all advanced organic life. Players can customize their version of Commander Shepard, playing the character as a soldier, tech specialist, or boitics specialist, and choosing squad members, weaponry, skills, armor, and (of course) appearance. The game features cinematic graphics, hundreds of locations, engaging characters players can interact with, and (naturally) intense real-time combat sequences.

Although Microsoft is currently positioning Halo 3 as an industry-defining release, it clearly has high hopes for Mass Effect helping propel the video game industry toward a broader audience. And they may have some reason to be optimistic, since Mass Effect already garnered "Best Console Game" and "Best RPG" honors at last month’s E3 Expo.

"With Mass Effect, BioWare is delivering an incredible next-gen gaming odyssey. Our fans will journey through a vast, futuristic universe as they are challenged to make impactful decisions that will determine the very fate of the galaxy," said Ray Muzyka, Bioware’s CEO.