Mass Effect 3 Galaxy at War and 4 player co-op multiplayer details revealed

Bioware has today revealed details of the 4 player co-op multiplayer mode for Mass Effect 3 which will run on a Galaxy at War system.

As a bonus to the campaign, the 4 player co-op mode allows players to choose from a variety of classes and races from an elite Special Forces squad, and combine their weapons, powers and abilities to devastating effect as they fight together to liberate key territories from enemy control.  Success in multi-player will have a direct impact on the outcome of the single player campaign, giving players an alternative method of achieving ultimate victory against the Reapers.

Players will be unable to play as the main characters in 4 player co-op (Shepard, Garrus, Ashley, or Liara) as these are reserved for the single player aspect of the campaign, but will be able to create custom characters to fight on different and unique fronts in the war. This will include the ability to play as favorites like Turians, Krogans, Asari and more… each with their own unique set of abilities. Character progression, weapon upgrading and leveling up is present in co-op.

The 4 player co-op mode will run on a 'Galaxy at War system', in which gamers must build up a “Galactic Readiness” level, based on Commander Shepard’s ability to apply every possible asset – people, weapons, resources, armies, fleets, before entering the final fight against the Reapers.

Bioware have stressed that the Galaxy at War system is entirely optional and just another way players can have control over the game experience – it is still possible to achieve the optimal, complete ending of the game in Mass Effect 3 through single-player alone.