Mass Effect Interview

Microsoft’s official Xbox.com website is featuring an interview with BioWare’s Casey Hudson, in which the project director answers three pages of questions about their upcoming sci-fi RPG, Mass Effect. Check it out:

Q: How is the combat being handled in Mass Effect? Is it purely real-time or more of a mix like Knights of the Old Republic offered, where you could pause at anytime and set up your next set of commands?

A: Mass Effect employs a real-time, squad-based, tactical combat system. It will look and feel like a third-person shooter, but it’s definitely an RPG in that it includes a target-lock system based on your character’s abilities. In addition to the use of advanced, high-tech weaponry, combat also incorporates the concept of “Biotics,” a science-based form of superhuman abilities, offering endless possibilities in combat.

Normally you can blast through the battlefield letting your squad members support you using their own tactics, but you can also pause the game and issue very specific movement and targeting commands to really coordinate well in battle.