Not that there’d ever be a doubt that Mass Effect 3 would be successful, did anyone guess it would be this good?

Unfortunately, we didn’t get our hands on a copy of Mass Effect 3 pre-launch, and reviewing it would clearly be a feat in and of itself. We’ll get around to it soon, of course, but until then, I’d like to present a few reviews from other gaming sites and let you know what they thought about BioWare’s latest. This list will grow as time goes on and we gather more and more reviews, and I’ll update the average as required to reflect the opinion of the masses.
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MASS EFFECT 3

9.3

(out of ten)
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• Joystiq (4.5 out of 5) – “It’s the most refined and it’s one of BioWare’s best, but it trades in some of Mass Effect 2‘s mystery and unrepeatable brilliance for a big-bang finish. Rather than hurling yourself into the unknown, you’re saying goodbye to what you’ve come to love over the last four years.”
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• Eurogamer (10 out of 10) – “transcends the genre boundaries of old and takes what it needs from across the gaming spectrum in order to finish its story in the most compelling, thrilling, heartbreaking way possible. Few gaming sagas come to a definitive close, but this one signs off in breathtaking style.”
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• Official XBOX Magazine (9.5 out of 10) – “From the visceral combat to the excitement of finishing Shepard’s 100-hour fight, Mass Effect 3 is a rare, magnetically engaging treat that’ll compel you to stay up well past your bedtime to do “just one more quest.” Safe travels, fellow Shepards. See you star side.”
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• EGM Now (9 out of 10) – “the payoff’s more than satisfying. Some cover and combat issues remain unsolved, though, and the idea of participation in a completely separate multiplayer mode potentially influencing your single-player ending is mind-boggling.”
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• IGN (9.5 out of 10) – “All told, Mass Effect 3 is an absolutely amazing game, one that successfully puts a bow on the Mass Effect trilogy while still leaving us hungry for even more. It looks and plays great, but Mass Effect 3’s true strength lies in its ability to tell a deeply-woven story.”
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• Gamespot (9 out of 10) – “Whether you possess a storied history with the series or come with a clean slate, Mass Effect 3 expertly entangles you in its universe and inspires you to care about its future.”
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• PC Gamer (93 out of 100) – “Satisfying in some ways, nonsensical in others, and ultimately too simple. But the sheer scale of the adventure it’s ending – and the music, which is gorgeous throughout – gives it an emotional impact that goes beyond its plot payload.”
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• Game Informer (9 out of 10) – “The galaxy didn’t prepare for the Reaper invasion, and defeat seems inevitable. The scribes at BioWare never abandon this tone throughout Mass Effect 3, leading to a dark story that beats mercilessly to the pulse of war and the death it delivers.”

So there you have it. A game that has, on all accounts, received a 9/10 or better. There is usually one review that deviates from the pack (I’m looking at you for your Skyward Sword review, Gamespot), but for Mass Effect 3, all major parties to be in a agreement. Fantastic work BioWare.

Keep an eye out for the definitive Eggplante review in the near future.