Mass Effect - Preview @ Reuters

Reuters has a preview of Mass Effect with input from Ray Muzyka and others, concentrating on the "digital actors" and cinematic angle:

The title's customization options mesh with combat, exploration and dialogue to create what BioWare says will be a trilogy over the lifespan of the Xbox 360.

"The net effect of it is you really feel like it's a seamless, emotionally compelling experience, where you're both the actor on the stage and you're also the director of the entire movie, of this interactive fiction," said BioWare chief executive officer Ray Muzyka.