I got this for the art book, so I don't have a strong opinion on the guide. That said, the guide is useful for completionists like me. The "collecting" side quests may be quite hard to complete without any help as many of the objects don't show up on the maps until you get near them. This book will save you a lot of time by marking them out for you. Although you can get all the information you need online, it's handy to have a printed version while you're within the game.

The art book contains a lot of gorgeous concept art that really shows how much attention has gone into the design of this fabulous game. Mass Effect has one of the best game stories I've encountered, and if you love the story as much as I do, you'll enjoy reliving the game via the artwork and seeing how the design of the characters and aliens evolved into their final versions.

The chapters cover the gamut: characters, races, environments, vehicles - there's even a "details" sections that covers miscellaneous stuff like furniture. The pages are dominated by the pictures, descriptive text is present but minimal; the way it should be.

I would give the art book a 5 star, but overall the set receives a 4-star because the guide is pretty straightforward, and there's nothing really special about this so-called collector's edition.

What I like the best of this game is the atmosphere, the art of the game, and in the Artbook I have had what I expected, very good.

The guide looks very very very complete, but it has A LOT of text and tables. It's a complete guide but not a funny read

This collectible book is rich of a beautiful illustration set and show the creation process of a such great game as Mass Effet. If you consider a video game as a piece of Art, you will find this item as a must have. It give you the opportunity to continue the Mass Effect journey.

Considering the Art-work had been given as well I couldn't recommend this one enough, this was a great guide, informative and helpful if only a little lack-luster when providing alternative strategies and approaches to certain bosses and enemies.

Still, if you're like me and like extended manual's that you can pick up and start reading wherever you go, this one is great.

A recommendation though, even as it is a guide and should be obvious, more guides should implement "SPOILER" warnings before key plot element's are given away.

I found the hint guide to be very helpful, While I only referred to it after finishing a section or when getting stuck for awhile. It has information on all equipment, powers, locations and charecters and maps for all locations too.

The art book was nice, with lots of background information, though it lacked the depth that went into Half Life 2 Raising the Bar, its a good addition to any collection.

This is the first guide I have bought since I was in Jr. High a couple of decades ago.

Guide is good, it presents info in a compartmentalized manner so as not to spoil too much unless you want to be spoiled.

The art book is excellent and probably makes the pricetag of the whole package worth it all by itself if you're a Mass Effect fan.

I am a huge fan of Mass Effect. I've been playing games for two decades now - Mass Effect is the first that appeals to me in nearly every way.

That being said, there's a lot of good in this package. The art book is very professionally done - hardback, clear text, and what everyone who would care for this product should expect - detail, description, and knowledge. It was very entertaining to see prototype images on the faces, species, vehicles, and even weapons used in Mass Effect. It was also interesting to read the ideas that became the various species and creatures. I'm very glad to have the art book in my possession.

The game guide is, well, another game guide. It gives nitty-gritty detail on the stuff you can figure out on your own, and skims over the areas that might challenge you, but that's the nature of the beast. My only complaint is that - as I have seen with many of these guides - is frustrating print issues. In some of the side-tip text boxes, the text overlaps itself - words are printed on top of words and the entire section is completely illegible. There's little reason why an error like this should slip through product quality testing.

In the end you've got a product that's good but not great.

This set is wonderful...Sure the Guide Book isn't hard cover, but it is full of great tips, and no Mass-Effect fan should be without it. As for the Art Book, the guys at Bioware sure do have fantastic talent and imagination. A highly recommended purchase, especially if you love the game.

This package includes the Prima strategy guide and The Art of Mass Effect, but ONLY the art book is in hardcover. The strategy guide is still in paperback. There is nothing "collector's edition" about them.
These are the same books you would otherwise receive. I made this purchase in anticipation of having the pristine, beautiful box to house the hardcover strategy guide. Now I am left disappointed.