It's an okay game. Jade Empire and KOTOR were better, though. The thing with Mass Effect is it's either a really fun part, or a really boring part, no in between. The first part of the game is amazing. the last part of the game is amazing. The middle, however, sucks (the 3 planets Feros, Noveria, and Atemis Cluster). But I would say buy it since it's super cheap now and the sequel will be coming out soon.
I swill admit that the plot that you learn about on the planet before the final one is some of the saddest stuff in video game history.