Mass Effect Infiltrator and Datapad announced for iOS

Mass Effect 3's burgeoning transmedia efforts are continuing with two companion apps for iOS devices, Infiltrator and Datapad.

Mass Effect 3's burgeoning transmedia efforts are continuing with two companion apps for iOS devices, Infiltrator and Datapad.

Mass Effect: Infiltrator is a third-person shooter, which will feature "stunning graphics and authentic weapons and powers from the Mass Effect series" according to an EA presentation at a press event in New York (via Kotaku).

The setup is that you're freeing captured prisoners from a naughty Cerberus base, and in doing so you'll also discover more about why the pro-human organisation has become such a thoroughly bad lot in Mass Effect 3.

Mass Effect: Datapad, however, will show the status of your galactic map in Mass Effect 3 and allow you to fight the Reapers with a mini-game. Mini-games are clearly the secret to winning all-out galactic warfare.

When you're not fending off the Reapers you can also use Datapad to receive space-text messages from your crew, which means I can tell Garrus I love him even when I'm away from my console.

Playing both iOS titles (and Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode) raise your "Galactic Readiness" level in Shepard's campaign, which will need to be in excellent working order if you're looking to shoo the Reapers in the closing moments of BioWare's space trilogy.

Mass Effect 3 will be released for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on March 9.