<p>Gamers have been split over the announcement of a multiplayer mode for <em>Mass Effect 3</em> since it was announced. Is it a cool new bonus? A shameless tactic to discourage consumers from buying used copies? An attempt to make a RPG appeal to shooter fans? This week the multiplayer demo became available and it turns out that these views aren’t mutually incompatible.</p>
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<p>Yes, it’s a ploy to keep people from buying used copies of <em>Mass Effect 3</em>; the only way to play it is with a code that comes in new copies (Or by paying for the code if you buy the game used). But that doesn’t mean that this new mode isn’t <em>worth</em> the extra 5-10 dollars that that it takes to buy a new copy instead of a used one.</p>
<p>It’s a “Horde Mode” in which four players fight off waves of enemies together. You can’t play as Commander Shepard, but rather will have to create a new set of characters. It’s class-based and you have all of the classes from the single-player game to choose from, plus the option play as alien races once you level up. The demo offers Asari and Drell, but most of the galaxy’s sentient races will be playable in the full game. Each of these races has unique abilities too.</p>
<p>Playable aliens are a new feature for the franchise, and this alone will justify the multiplayer mode for some fans who’ve been dying to run around in the blue skin of an Asari.</p>
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<p><strong> Disappointed: No playable Elcor.</strong></p>
<p>Players can have multiple characters of different classes, each of which levels up separately but there is a shared pool of money for buying supplies and equipment. The system for buying equipment is rather unconventional because players buy packs of random items. This means that sometimes you’ll get equipment that can only be used by a class you don’t like but it also encourages players to experiment. Some of the loot is rare, including playable races and powerful weapons, so each gamer will find themselves with a unique set-up, and can show off their hard-to-find items.</p>
<p>Gamers concerned that it would be too much like a generic shooter should be pleased with the way that it feels distinct to the <em>Mass Effect</em> universe. The party can be balanced with an even mix of Biotics, guns, and Tech and it does recreate the sense of playing with a diverse team of aliens banded together against a mutual enemy. In the demo the only enemy you’ll be fighting is Cerberus, but the full mode will also have other foes including Geth Husks.</p>
<p><strong> Overjoyed: This includes Elcor Husks.</strong></p>
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<p>The demo only has a couple of maps, but it still gets a lot of variety out of the “Horde Mode” gametype. It adds in special objectives for some waves, such as one player interacting with a particular object while the rest of the team provides cover, or giving the team a series of specific enemies to bring down in order during a time limit. It’s very easy to imagine how this mode will play out with more maps, different enemies, and more diverse teams of leveled-up players.</p>
<p>The multiplayer mode is available now for Xbox, PC and Playstation 3 as part of the free demo download. There’s no official closing date for online demo at this time, but players are advised to jump in and level up quick.</p>

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