Mass Effect 3 multiplayer demo now available for Xbox 360, PS3, PC

On Tuesday, the highly anticipated Mass Effect 3 singleplayer demo went live on all platforms.  By now, you've probably had a time to blast your way through the singleplayer demo, but that isn't all BioWare has in store for you.

If you've been following Mass Effect 3 news then you're probably aware of the new multiplayer component added to the game.  The strictly co-op multiplayer is referred to as Galaxy at War and is "meant to complement the amazing game" and "give fans a bonus for those who want to experience Mass Effect in different ways."

In it's most basic form, the Mass Effect 3 multiplayer is like a glorified sci-fi "Horde mode" from Gears of War.  For those of you unfamiliar, you will play alongside other players and defend against wave of invading enemies.  As you play through it, you will gain levels that will, in turn, help you play through the singleplayer campaign.  BioWare made to not "compromise the power of the singleplayer campaign", and has decided to make the multiplayer component completely optional.

It may sound confusing, but it's really pretty simple.  And REALLY fun.  But don't take it from me.  If you are near a console I suggest you download the Mass Effect 3 demo and see for yourself.

Now available, on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, is the newly added multiplayer component to Mass Effect 3.  The Mass Effect 3 multiplayer demo went live for all platforms last night, and should be available for everyone today.

The demo will give you a brief taste as to what you can expect from multiplayer when the full game releases – an all out war where players will face hordes of enemies with friends, which, in the final game will also contribute to your campaigned progress via the previously mentioned Galaxy at War.

You can choose from all of the six classes from the full game: Soldier, Vanguard, Sentinel, Engineer, Infiltrator, and Adept.  You will also gain XP to level up, but none of it will be carried over from the demo into the final game.  The demo includes two maps: Slum and Noveria.

As I said before, the Mass Effect 3 demo is available on all platforms.  The Xbox 360 version of the Mass Effect 3 demo can be added to your download queue via the Xbox LIVE marketplace. Kinect isn't required for the ME3 demo, but as you can tell by our impressions, it is definitely awesome.  The PC version can be found on Origin.