The Mass Effect series is a groundbreaking epic that has immersed gamers in one of science fiction''s richest universes. Now BioWare and Dark Horse are proud to invite fans deeper than ever into the Mass Effect saga with The Art of the Mass Effect Universe! Featuring concept art and commentary by BioWare on the games'' characters, locations, vehicles, weapons, and more - Mass Effect 3 - The Art of the Mass Effect Universe is the most complete companion available to gaming''s most compelling series.
Art of the Mass Effect Universe
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
62 of 63 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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Length:
1:20
Mins
The first Mass Effect art book, The Art of Mass Effect, was quite good. The Art of Mass Effect Universe is even better.
This handsome 184-page hardcover art book covers art for Mass Effect 1, 2 and 3. Yes, you'll be able to get a sneak peek at the upcoming Mass Effect 3, that's if you don't mind a little spoiler.
The book is packed with concept art for characters, creatures, environments, props, weapons and vehicles. There are a few sketches but most are just gorgeous fully coloured designs. The art is top notch, the environment paintings are spectacular.
There's some overlap of content with the first art book that features the first game. Here, there are additional content which makes you wonder why they weren't in the earlier book. Anyway, the first art book is already out of print so it makes more sense to get just this one.
As all the designs come with insightful commentary, there will be a bit of a spoiler when you're reading the last chapter on Mass Effect 3. If you're just looking at pictures, then it should be alright and it'll give you a nice idea of what to expect visually in the next game.
Unfortunately for a book this good, the artists aren't credited, not even with a page on the list of names like they did in the first art book. In many instances, I wanted to find out who these artists are and their websites. This is a silly exclusion, a downer.
Overall. this is a great art book for fans of the game and sci-fi art. It should be one of the top art books for 2012.
(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
This handsome 184-page hardcover art book covers art for Mass Effect 1, 2 and 3. Yes, you'll be able to get a sneak peek at the upcoming Mass Effect 3, that's if you don't mind a little spoiler.
The book is packed with concept art for characters, creatures, environments, props, weapons and vehicles. There are a few sketches but most are just gorgeous fully coloured designs. The art is top notch, the environment paintings are spectacular.
There's some overlap of content with the first art book that features the first game. Here, there are additional content which makes you wonder why they weren't in the earlier book. Anyway, the first art book is already out of print so it makes more sense to get just this one.
As all the designs come with insightful commentary, there will be a bit of a spoiler when you're reading the last chapter on Mass Effect 3. If you're just looking at pictures, then it should be alright and it'll give you a nice idea of what to expect visually in the next game.
Unfortunately for a book this good, the artists aren't credited, not even with a page on the list of names like they did in the first art book. In many instances, I wanted to find out who these artists are and their websites. This is a silly exclusion, a downer.
Overall. this is a great art book for fans of the game and sci-fi art. It should be one of the top art books for 2012.
(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Matt W
Format:Hardcover
I am a huge fan of the ME series and in addition to the game, own several of the comics and previous art books. In advance of the ME3 release, I was happy to pick up this universe art book too. The book itself is big, hard bound, and features terrific, colourful, glossy images. If you are a ME fan you are sure to enjoy this. However, since I own several other ME books I figured this review would be more useful highlighting the differences as far as I can tell.
Mass Effect 1, pages 10-59
This sections details a lot of the concept work in ME1 including the alien species and the design aesthetic, such as the vehicles, mass relays, and weapons. I have the 2007 Art of Mass Effect book that came with the Prima strategy guide and some of the content in the Universe book overlaps it. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see new content as well. Given the 170+ pages of the 2007 book they could have easily poached from it wholesale to fill 49 pages so I am very pleased they added in stuff that I hadn't seen before; quite a feat given ME1's release 5 years ago.
Mass Effect 2, pages 62-129
This section is awesome and I have been eagerly awaiting the ME2 art content for some time now. I have the Prima Collector's Edition strategy guide for ME2 that has a small art section which is disappointing, showing mostly in game shots and some 3D renders. I have the ME2 Collector's Edition art book as well, the one included in the game, 48 pages long and about the size of a 4x6 picture, give or take. This one contained more concept work of the various worlds and some of the technology, like the Normandy 2, but was also underwhelming given it's size. Thus, I was very pleased to see the content in the Universe book for ME2.... Read more ›
Mass Effect 1, pages 10-59
This sections details a lot of the concept work in ME1 including the alien species and the design aesthetic, such as the vehicles, mass relays, and weapons. I have the 2007 Art of Mass Effect book that came with the Prima strategy guide and some of the content in the Universe book overlaps it. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see new content as well. Given the 170+ pages of the 2007 book they could have easily poached from it wholesale to fill 49 pages so I am very pleased they added in stuff that I hadn't seen before; quite a feat given ME1's release 5 years ago.
Mass Effect 2, pages 62-129
This section is awesome and I have been eagerly awaiting the ME2 art content for some time now. I have the Prima Collector's Edition strategy guide for ME2 that has a small art section which is disappointing, showing mostly in game shots and some 3D renders. I have the ME2 Collector's Edition art book as well, the one included in the game, 48 pages long and about the size of a 4x6 picture, give or take. This one contained more concept work of the various worlds and some of the technology, like the Normandy 2, but was also underwhelming given it's size. Thus, I was very pleased to see the content in the Universe book for ME2.... Read more ›
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a huge fan of the Mass Effect games the world created around it. So with Mass Effect 3 on the horizon I jumped when this book came up for pre-order. And it was well worth the wait. It is full of the unique feel and art of the Mass Effect world. But it isn't endless amazing art, a lot of it shows the various sketches and design changes that different characters went through. It is broken into three section for each of the Mass Effect games. This shows how some character have changed over the course of this universe spanning adventure. Since the game is not out there are a few spoilers you will run across in the book in the Mass Effect 3 section. It doesn't give away any story that I could see, but it does show the art for some characters you will meet and recruit that haven't been mentioned yet in the previews. If you read between the lines it also strongly hints at some story elements. That said I saw no harm in it and was actually a little excited to know a little more before the game releases. It just increases my desire for the game. All in all I was very happy with this book. The hardcore Mass Effect fans will see it as a must have. But for any fan of the Space Opera genre will find a lot of wonderful art and design elements in this book.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By M. Hernandez
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a big fan of art books and this one did not disappoint. From cover to end, it was informative and beautiful.
Every main character, such as all of the companions, has a page dedicated to their origin. In Tali's case, they started with a Geth and with every iteration moved her further away from that model. There is a brief paragraph on the page explaining why they chose to go certain routes with character models or what the initial idea for each race was. The page covering Ashley's progression is one of my favorites. I would say more about Ashley's page but since it covers her story in ME 3, I don't want to give much away. Let's just say they've added a more feminine look to her and with good reason.
The pictures of the worlds were nice but even the Mako page was more in-depth. It was fun to see how the Mako went back and forth from modern tank to hovercraft (which they went with on ME2). The worlds and citadel parts were just a bit flat for my tastes. Still, it was nice to see the concept art.
The book covers all three games in the series and has a nice intro page with the ME3 CE Male and Female Shepard covers. It even dives into the Shadow Broker DLC from ME2. Really wish it had all of the DLC but it does cover Zaeed and Kasumi so that evens it out.
Overall I am quite happy with this purchase and it will be showcased in my bookcase for awhile. For those of you wondering, there is no DLC code with this book. The weapons DLC seem to be only for Barnes & Noble pre-orders, which is still active until Feb 20th if you are really that interested in the DLC.
Every main character, such as all of the companions, has a page dedicated to their origin. In Tali's case, they started with a Geth and with every iteration moved her further away from that model. There is a brief paragraph on the page explaining why they chose to go certain routes with character models or what the initial idea for each race was. The page covering Ashley's progression is one of my favorites. I would say more about Ashley's page but since it covers her story in ME 3, I don't want to give much away. Let's just say they've added a more feminine look to her and with good reason.
The pictures of the worlds were nice but even the Mako page was more in-depth. It was fun to see how the Mako went back and forth from modern tank to hovercraft (which they went with on ME2). The worlds and citadel parts were just a bit flat for my tastes. Still, it was nice to see the concept art.
The book covers all three games in the series and has a nice intro page with the ME3 CE Male and Female Shepard covers. It even dives into the Shadow Broker DLC from ME2. Really wish it had all of the DLC but it does cover Zaeed and Kasumi so that evens it out.
Overall I am quite happy with this purchase and it will be showcased in my bookcase for awhile. For those of you wondering, there is no DLC code with this book. The weapons DLC seem to be only for Barnes & Noble pre-orders, which is still active until Feb 20th if you are really that interested in the DLC.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good art book
It's what you would expect from a video game art book. I approve. I would recommend it for anyone that likes video game art books.
Published 3 days ago by Kyoki
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
I am a Mass Effect fan & this has what it advertises. I have collected most of the artworks I could buy. And this is a good piece to put into my collection. Enuff said.
Published 7 days ago by Mark Ohler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just Beautiful
This book contains absolutely beautiful artwork from the Mass Effect Series, from concept to final production is really cool to see the thought process put behind the characters... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Grayson A Baughan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art of the Mass Effect Universe review
Wow that a really interesting book that show the design process that they have gone through to create the material that we have all enjoyed while playing or reading the series.
Published 1 month ago by tyler fillmore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!
Great insight into the franchise! I love this book and franchise with all my heart! Amazing and definitely recommend to any fan out there! The hard cover is the best!
Published 1 month ago by D.A FAN
5.0 out of 5 stars
the inspirations of the best gaming trilogy current gen had to offer
I love mass effect, the universe the story the sound and most of the the art and imagery brought to life by hardworking and inspiring artists ad designers. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Syed Ali
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must have for scifi concept art fans
Tons of great designs. They really show you a lot of iterations which is one of the most important parts of concept design. They've created a really visually cohesive universe. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Samuel M Tung
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Item is as described - detailed display of the art and design process of the Mass Effect universe. Recommended for anyone interested in the process behind the aesthetics of the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Hayley
3.0 out of 5 stars
Only for the ME fanatic.
The book itself is nice and the pages are thick to prevent tearing. The content how feels lacking. There is not as much development art and commentary on how the series could have... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tyler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome book
The book was great for all Mass Effect fans, but i wish they show more stuff and characters anyway the book stills awesome though. Highly recommended!!!!!!
Published 2 months ago by Tom
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