Commander Shepard to Kick Even More Ass in 'Mass Effect 3'

The Reapers have taken Earth, burning and killing with a rampancy and scale that would make even Halo's Covenant blush. As Commander Shepard, you are Earth's last hope. You must rally the rest of the galaxy to defeat the ultimate threat -- ancient machines hell-bent on the total annihilation of all life.

Read more and check out the new trailer, "Fall of Earth," and the E3 gameplay video after the jump.

In Mass Effect 3, Commander Shepard has access to a whole array of new mobility options in combat. He can roll in and out of cover, and climb and leap over things. Shepard also has a new melee attack using a blade that emerges from his omni-tool. This combined with new weapons, new enemies, and new powers means Mass Effect 3 will be even more action-packed than the previous games. However, BioWare has also stated that Mass Effect 3 will have more character options, such as more power evolutions, than its predecessor, appeasing its RPG fans.

Former squad members, such as Garrus and Kaidan (or Ashley, depending on your choices in the first game), will be rejoining Shepard's team, as well as appearances by other characters, including (but not limited to) Captain Anderson, Urdnot Wrex, and Legion. The game will also be implementing Kinect, based on the E3 presentation, for giving your squad commands.

With an urgent mission, colossal foes, old friends, and a dependable warship, Commander Shepard is up for one of the year's most epic games. Mass Effect 3 is slated for a March 2012 release date, pushing it back from its original December 2011 release.

EDIT: I added "Invasion," the trailer below, that depicts the Reapers' initial attack on Earth. It's live-action and has a very War of the Worlds feel to it.