Since many of you deal hunters have recently taken the plunge on the recently price-dropped Xbox 360, allow me to pontificate about two of the finest games you’re likely to play on that (or any other) system these days, and on the cheap to boot!

Mass Effect

In case you hadn’t heard, Mass Effect is the latest console RPG from BioWare, creators of Knights of the Old Republic.  Rather than stick with an already established (and woefully overused) license, they opted to create an all new sci-fi universe.

And what a universe it is!  The premise is that mankind has recently discovered beacons that allow them to travel to various points across the cosmos.  Apparently, humanity came rather late to the party, however, as there’s already an established multi-species intergalactic empire at work.  Thankfully, they’re not the overly hostile, "we will enslave you" types, but as newcomers, mankind is perceived as a tad primitive and uncivilized.  The whole thing works as a wonderful allegory for colonization; where humans and other species want to work together, but can’t help but feel skeptical about their new "friends."  Whether you play things by their rules is entirely up to you, and either path is among the most well-written and fully realized science-fiction universes ever conceived (in a game or otherwise).

It’s also a great action RPG.  With simple, but deep combat playing like a mix of Gears of War and Bioshock, getting into a scuff on your increasingly epic missions is always a pleasure.  The voice-acting and writing are top-notch, and the game wisely avoids one of the greatest pitfalls of the genre -- usually games of this type will give you a silent protagonist, or have you play as an established character, but not here.  In a revolutionary move, the game allows you to design your character, which is then used convincingly for in-game cut scenes.  You’ll really come to care about your personalized Commander Shepard.  It also has some of the best music in a genre packed to the brim with great music already.  In short, the game’s production values are fantastic.

The game did receive some criticism for not capitalizing on its promise of being open-ended.  It’s not.  Rather it’s a very linear shooter with lots of talking and leveling up.  The side missions are very simple and mostly there as an excuse for more combat, and your choices may not effect things as much as you’d like, but for a compelling sci-fi action/adventure, you really can’t go wrong with Mass Effect.

It’s $19.99 new on Amazon...

...or you can buy it for the same price from Gamestop where they also have it used for $14.99.