Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station

Last updated
Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station
PinnacleStation.jpg
Developer(s) Demiurge Studios
Publisher(s) Microsoft Game Studios [lower-alpha 1]
Series Mass Effect
Engine Unreal Engine 3
Platform(s) Xbox 360
Microsoft Windows
ReleaseAugust 25, 2009
Genre(s) Action role-playing, third-person shooter
Mode(s) Single-player

Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station is a downloadable content (DLC) expansion pack developed by Demiurge Studios on behalf of Mass Effect franchise creator BioWare and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the 2007 action role-playing video game Mass Effect . Pinnacle Station was released for the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows on August 25, 2009. The pack follows a squad led by Commander Shepard as they undergo special operations training on Pinnacle Station, a concealed military training facility.

Contents

Pinnacle Station is the second and final downloadable content pack for Mass Effect. It received a generally negative reception from video game publications, with a predominant view among reviewers that the pack was uninspiring, unnecessary and represents poor value for money.

Gameplay

The player as Shepard arrives at Pinnacle Station, with an open panoramic view of astronomical objects beyond the station's exterior. Pinnaclestationview.jpg
The player as Shepard arrives at Pinnacle Station, with an open panoramic view of astronomical objects beyond the station's exterior.

Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station is a downloadable content (DLC) pack for the 2007 action role-playing video game Mass Effect . The pack takes place in 2183 on Pinnacle Station, a former military command center built into a giant asteroid which have been repurposed into a training facility for high-level special operations teams employed by the Citadel Council. [1] The player assumes the role of Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier who commands the SSV Normandy SR-1 starship and a recently appointed member of the Spectres, an organization of special forces personnel who answer directly to the council. [2]

The pack's content is accessible once the base game's narrative progresses to a predetermined point where Shepard attains Spectre status. [2] It introduces a training facility where Shepard can compete in eight virtual reality combat scenarios, simulated by holographic projectors which create visual representations of opponents and obstacles, and are divided into four different game modes. [3] Survival is a battle mode in which the player's squad fend off attackers for as long as possible; in Time Trial, the squad needs to take down a set number of enemies as quickly as possible; for Hunt mode, a timer counts down to zero and the player needs to add time to their clock by defeating up to a certain number of enemies; in Capture mode, the player runs to a predesignated point and holds their position for a short while until the capture is complete. [3] After beating the combat scenarios, the player would need to complete four more to unlock a special Survival mode, which is the same as the previous Survival challenges but the time limit is set at five minutes. [4] The premise of the pack is that Shepard will be rewarded with an apartment and "a steady influx of rare items" by successfully advancing through the challenge scenarios and emerging as the top competitor on Pinnacle Station's virtual leaderboards.

Development and release

Pinnacle Station was developed by American video game developer Demiurge Studios, with support from BioWare as their client. [5] In a documentary bundled with the Platinum Hits edition of the first Mass Effect game, Mass Effect lead designer Preston Watamaniuk described Pinnacle Station as "a Fight Club -style arena" and originally intended to include a similar arena in the base game, but the idea was ultimately dropped because the team did not have the time and they did not think they were able to do it well enough. [6] Project director Casey Hudson said they wanted to offer players "a much more combat-oriented, lighter-story experience," and suggested that the players could expect "a kind of casino gaming fight club space station". [6]

On August 25, 2009 Pinnacle Station was released, without any formal announcement or advertising prior, as a paid download for the Xbox 360 and as a free download for Microsoft Windows. [7] Shortly after the release of Pinnacle Station, reports emerged which revealed that some players experienced a glitch which was preventing the DLC pack from being registered by the game after it has been downloaded. [8] It was later discovered that this occurred because of a compatibility issue between the disc-based version of the previous DLC, Mass Effect: Bring Down the Sky which was included with Xbox 360 Classics or Platinum Hits version of Mass Effect, and Pinnacle Station. [5] [7] Jack Lamden, BioWare QA staff member, responded to concerns and provided assurance that his company were attempting to resolve the issue as quickly as they could. [5]

Pinnacle Station is unavailable on the PlayStation 3 version of the game. [9] [4] For the Mass Effect Trilogy compilation released on December 4, 2012, Pinnacle Station is available for free as per the standalone product of the PC version of the original Mass Effect. [10] Due to a loss of its source code, Pinnacle Station is not remastered for inclusion in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition . [11] In November 2021, modders restored Pinnacle Station for its unofficial inclusion on the PC version of Legendary Edition. [12]

Reception

The Xbox 360 version of Pinnacle Station received mostly negative reviews from critics. [13] Erik Brudvig from IGN criticized the pack as "poorly constructed". He noted that Pinnacle Station contains almost no story elements, and argued all thirteen of its combat scenarios were bland, the arenas "look recycled", and the graphics a "perfect showcase" of the base game's technical issues. Brudvig said it offers nothing of what made Mass Effect an appealing game, and suggested that players skip the pack altogether as it may even adversely affect their anticipation for Mass Effect 2 . [4] Kevin VanOrd from GameSpot praised the salarian character Tech Officer Ochren, but criticized nearly every aspect of Pinnacle Station; he called the pack "a creative nadir in an otherwise excellent sci-fi universe", and an insult to fans who clamor for new content due to what he perceived to be poor value for money. [3] Jeuxvideo.com offered a broad criticism of the pack's content, save for the soundtrack though the pack does not offer any new compositions, and insinuated that it was telling of the pack's perceived dubious quality that Pinnacle Station was released without much fanfare or publicity. [14]

Not all reception of the pack was negative. Jeff Buckland from AtomicGamer gave a positive review and considered the pack to offer decent value when compared to pricing for comparable DLC packs from other video game titles at the time. Buckland said he would recommend Pinnacle Station to players who have completed the game at least once and who just want to "eke out a bit more fun". [15] Stephen Totilo from Kotaku had "more negative things to say than positive" with regards to the content offered by Pinnacle Station, which he described as "experimental" and its combat scenarios akin to the Kobayashi Maru training exercise from Star Trek . Nevertheless, Totilo concluded that he liked Pinnacle Station in spite of its flaws and suggested that it offered a glimpse into the multiplayer potential of the Mass Effect franchise. [16]

In a retrospective discussion about the DLC pack, Chris Thursten from PC Gamer suggested that Pinnacle Station is a notable example of DLC which is not entirely filler but is certainly missable. He noted that gameplay for DLC's like Pinnacle Station consists of nothing more than "new healthbars to whittle and new gear to find with companions whose voices are notably absent", and follows plotlines that add nothing consequential to the overall narrative. [17] Liana Ruppert from Game Informer was of the opinion that Pinnacle Station was enjoyable, and it allowed players to "hone combat skills in an exciting way". [11]

Notes

  1. ↑ Electronic Arts took over the publishing rights in 2011.

Related Research Articles

<i>Mass Effect</i> (video game) 2007 video game

Mass Effect is an action role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by Microsoft Game Studios, originally released for the Xbox 360 in November 2007. It is the first game in the Mass Effect series, and takes place within the Milky Way galaxy in the year 2183, where civilization is threatened by a highly advanced machine race known as the Reapers. The player assumes the role of Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier who must stop a rogue agent from carrying out the Reapers' galactic invasion. The game involves completing multiple quests that generally involve space exploration, squad and vehicular combat, and interaction with non-player characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander Shepard</span> Player character in the original Mass Effect trilogy of video games

Commander Shepard is the player character in the Mass Effect video game series by BioWare.

<i>Mass Effect 2</i> 2010 video game

Mass Effect 2 is an action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Microsoft Game Studios and Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 in 2010 and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 3 in 2011. It is the second installment in the Mass Effect series and a sequel to the original Mass Effect. The game takes place within the Milky Way galaxy during the 22nd century, where humanity is threatened by an insectoid alien race known as the Collectors. The player assumes the role of Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier who must assemble and gain the loyalty of a diverse team to stop the Collectors in a suicide mission. Using a completed saved game of its predecessor, the player can impact the game's story in numerous ways.

<i>Mass Effect 3</i> 2012 video game

Mass Effect 3 is a 2012 action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. The third major entry in the Mass Effect series and the final installment of the original trilogy, it was released in March 2012 for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. A Wii U version of the game, entitled Mass Effect 3: Special Edition, was later released in November 2012. The game is set within the Milky Way galaxy in 2186, where galactic civilization is invaded by a highly advanced machine race of synthetic-organic starships known as Reapers. It concludes the story of Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier who is tasked with forging alliances between species for the war.

Mass Effect is a military science fiction media franchise created by Casey Hudson. The franchise depicts a distant future where humanity and several alien civilizations have colonized the galaxy using technology left behind by advanced precursor civilizations.

<i>Mass Effect 2: Arrival</i> 2011 downloadable content

Mass Effect 2: Arrival is a downloadable content pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts and Microsoft Game Studios for the 2010 action role-playing video game Mass Effect 2. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in March 29, 2011. Set within the Milky Way galaxy during the 22nd century, Arrival follows the story of Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier who must stop an imminent invasion of a highly advanced machine race of synthetic-organic starships that plan to conquer the galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urdnot Wrex</span> Fictional character from Mass Effect

Urdnot Wrex is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who serves as a party member in the first game of the Mass Effect trilogy. He is a krogan, an alien race near-sterilised by other galactic races for their violence and high population growth. Introduced as an experienced krogan mercenary, his role changes in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 where he becomes leader of an expanding krogan clan and eventual head of state for the krogan as a whole. After over 1000 years of aimless apathy, Wrex seeks to bring back hope to his people and reverse their fate by undoing the genophage. He is voiced by Steven Barr.

<i>Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker</i> 2010 downloadable content

Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker is a downloadable content pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts and Microsoft Game Studios for the 2010 action role-playing video game Mass Effect 2. It was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 in September 7, 2010. It was also included in the PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2, which was released in 2011 by Electronic Arts. Set after the events of the Mass Effect: Redemption comic book, Lair of the Shadow Broker follows the story of information broker Liara T'Soni and her efforts to find an information dealer known as the Shadow Broker.

<i>Mass Effect 2: Overlord</i> 2010 downloadable content

Mass Effect 2: Overlord is a downloadable content pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts and Microsoft Game Studios for the 2010 action role-playing video game Mass Effect 2. It was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 in June 15, 2010. It was also included in the PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2, which was released in 2011 by Electronic Arts. Set on a remote Earth-like planet during the 22nd century, Overlord follows the events of an experimental virtual intelligence that has gone rogue after a scientist interfaced his autistic brother's mind with it.

<i>Mass Effect 2: Kasumi – Stolen Memory</i> 2010 downloadable content

Mass Effect 2: Kasumi – Stolen Memory is a downloadable content pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts and Microsoft Game Studios for the 2010 action role-playing video game Mass Effect 2. It was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360 in April 6, 2010. It was also included in the PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2, which was released in 2011 by Electronic Arts. Set within the Milky Way galaxy during the 22nd century, Stolen Memory follows thief Kasumi Goto and her efforts to steal a graybox that contains memories of her partner.

<i>Mass Effect 3: Leviathan</i> 2012 video game

Mass Effect 3: Leviathan is a downloadable content (DLC) pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts for the 2012 action role-playing video game Mass Effect 3. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on August 28, 2012, with a delayed release in Europe on the PS3 platform set for August 29, 2012. The pack follows Commander Shepard and the crew of the SSV Normandy SR-2 starship as they investigate the truth about the origins of the Reapers.

<i>Mass Effect 3: Citadel</i> 2013 video game

Mass Effect 3: Citadel is a downloadable content (DLC) pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts for the 2012 action role-playing video game Mass Effect 3. It was released for PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360 in March 2013. The pack follows Commander Shepard and the crew of the Normandy SR-2 starship on shore leave, where they must uncover the truth surrounding a conspiracy against Shepard.

<i>Mass Effect 3: Omega</i> 2012 video game

Mass Effect 3: Omega is a major downloadable content (DLC) pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts for the 2012 action role-playing video game Mass Effect 3. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on November 27, 2012, with a delayed release in Europe on the PlayStation 3 platform set for November 28, 2012. The pack follows Commander Shepard and the asari pirate queen Aria T'Loak as they attempt to liberate the space station Omega from the anthropocentric terrorist group Cerberus. Omega expanded beyond the developers' original plan during its development cycle, both in response to a mandate of freedom by BioWare management and as a result of the development team's desire to develop the experience they wanted, and incorporates cut content from the main game.

Downloadable content for Dragon Age: Origins, a role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, was announced prior to the game's release in late 2009 along with a commitment from BioWare to support two years of content. Up to seven major content packs were released: The Stone Prisoner, Warden's Keep, Return to Ostagar, The Darkspawn Chronicles, Leliana's Song, The Golems of Amgarrak, and Witch Hunt. The downloadable content (DLC) packs were distributed via Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and BioWare's website for the PC platform.

<i>Dragon Age: Inquisition – Jaws of Hakkon</i> 2015 video game

Dragon Age: Inquisition – Jaws of Hakkon is a downloadable content (DLC) pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts for the 2014 action role-playing video game Dragon Age: Inquisition. It was initially released for Xbox One and Microsoft Windows through Electronic Arts' digital distribution platform Origin, on March 24, 2015, and for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Xbox 360 on May 26, 2015. The pack follows the Inquisition's exploration of the Frostback Basin, an overgrown wilderness area populated by Avvar barbarian tribes and the site of an ancient Tevinter fortress, to determine the fate of the last Inquisitor and the powerful dragon he hunted.

<i>Mass Effect Legendary Edition</i> Compilation of the video games in the Mass Effect trilogy

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is a compilation of the video games in the Mass Effect trilogy: Mass Effect (2007), Mass Effect 2 (2010), and Mass Effect 3 (2012). It was developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. All three games were remastered, with visual enhancements, technical improvements, and gameplay adjustments. Mass Effect, the first game of the trilogy, received more extensive upgrades than its counterparts, specifically with regard to graphics, combat mechanics, vehicle handling, and loading times.

<i>Mass Effect 3: From Ashes</i> 2012 video game

Mass Effect 3: From Ashes is a downloadable content (DLC) pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts for the 2012 action role-playing video game Mass Effect 3. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 as a standalone download on March 6, 2012, and included with all retail copies of Mass Effect 3: Special Edition for Wii U. Set within the Milky Way galaxy during the 22nd century, From Ashes follows Commander Shepard and the crew of the Normandy as they investigate an attack on the colony of Eden Prime by the anthropocentric terrorist group Cerberus, where a Prothean artifact had recently been unearthed.

<i>Dragon Age: Origins – Return to Ostagar</i> 2010 video game content

Dragon Age: Origins – Return to Ostagar is a downloadable content (DLC) pack for the 2009 fantasy role-playing video game Dragon Age: Origins developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. It was digitally released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows between January and March 2010. The pack follows the surviving members of the Grey Warden branch in the kingdom of Ferelden in Thedas, the setting of the Dragon Age franchise. The Wardens return to the ruined fortress of Ostagar in the aftermath of a great battle between its defenders and an invading force of monstrous Darkspawn which takes place during an early sequence in Origins, which resulted in the deaths of Ferelden's king as well as the entirety of the Grey Warden leadership.

<i>Mass Effect 3</i> ending controversy About the 2012 Electronic Arts video game

Mass Effect 3 is an action role-playing video game and the third installment of the Mass Effect video game series, developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts (EA). Upon its release March 6, 2012 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows, Mass Effect 3 generated controversy when its ending was poorly received by players who felt that it did not meet their expectations. Criticisms included the ending rendering character choices inconsequential, a general lack of closure, plot holes, and narrative inconsistency.

References

  1. ↑ Demiurge Studios. Mass Effect. Electronic Arts. Codex - Technology: Pinnacle Station: Pinnacle Station is a turian space station that has been retrofitted as a military training facility by the Council. Invitees participate in a series of simulated combat encounters and compete against other participants.
  2. 1 2 Stephen Totilo (August 27, 2009). "Mass Effect, Joker DLC Asterisks: Play Before You Play". Kotaku . Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kevin VanOrd (August 28, 2009). "Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Erik Brudvig (August 25, 2009). "Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station Review". IGN . Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Robert Purchese (August 27, 2009). "BioWare fixing Pinnacle Station bug". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Robert Purchese (February 17, 2009). "Mass Effect to get arena DLC next". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on July 8, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Griffin McElroy (August 25, 2009). "Unannounced 'Pinnacle Station' Mass Effect DLC now available" (in French). Engadget. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  8. ↑ Griffin McElroy (August 26, 2009). "BioWare looking into Mass Effect 'Pinnacle Station' DLC glitch" (in French). Engadget. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  9. ↑ Kate Cox (November 1, 2012). "Original Mass Effect Available For PS3 On December 4, Some DLC Included". Kotaku . Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  10. ↑ Ryan Warden (November 1, 2012). "Ryan Warden: An Update on the Mass Effect Trilogy". BioWare . Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  11. 1 2 Ruppert, Liana (February 2, 2021). "BioWare Explains Pinnacle Station DLC Exclusion From Mass Effect Legendary Edition, "Heartbreaking"". Game Informer . Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Modders Have Saved Mass Effect's Lost DLC". November 2021. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station". Metacritic . Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  14. 1 2 "Test : Mass Effect : Pinnacle Station" (in French). Jeuxvideo.com. August 27, 2009. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  15. 1 2 Buckland, Jeff (September 9, 2009). "Mass Effect 3: Pinnacle Station DLC review". Atomic Gamer. Archived from the original on September 12, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  16. ↑ Stephen Totilo (September 4, 2013). "Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station Micro-Review: A Curious Experiment". Kotaku . Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  17. ↑ Chris Thursten (March 26, 2015). "Dragon Age Inquisition: Jaws of Hakkon review". PC Gamer . Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.