Mass Effect Preview

GameSpot is offering up a new two-page preview of Mass Effect, after checking out a near-final build of the game at BioWare's Canadian headquarters.
The last thing you'll do is pick from one of six classes in the game, three pure and three hybrid, which determine your fighter type. The three pure classes have three major traits that they'll evolve as they gain experience. Soldiers offer improved health, the ability to use all weapon types, and start with the ability to use medium armor with the option to specialize in heavy armor. Engineers are able to use an "omni tool" that allows them to decrypt security systems, repair or modify tech equipment, disrupt enemy weapons or shields, as well as heal their squad. Adepts rely on the unique "biotic" powers that let them lift or throw objects, shield their squad, and disable or destroy enemies.

The three hybrid classes essentially mix elements of the primary three. Infiltrators combine soldier and engineer abilities. Sentinels combine engineer and adept abilities. Finally, vanguards combine soldier and adept abilities. While you'll be able to develop the abilities of the different sets to their most advanced levels, which is same as the pure classes, the trade-off is that some of the classes just won't have access to some of the specific higher level abilities you'd only get in a pure class.