Xbox Gaming in South Africa

Nothing says "romance" like an evening spent shooting aliens in the face. Which is fitting, since BioWare has announced that gamers will be treated to a demo of the hotly anticipated Mass Effect 3 on Valentine's Day this year.

"We are excited to be able to give gamers an expansive demo that will put them right on the front lines of this all-out galactic war," said Mass Effect series Executive Producer, Casey Hudson. "The entire scale of the game is bigger than anything we’ve ever done. With its intense action, deep customization and raw emotional power, Mass Effect 3 will deliver a spectacular action RPG experience to fans of the series and newcomers alike."

The demo, available on 14 February via Xbox LIVE, will put players in the thick of it, defending Earth against the Reaper invasion which makes up the opening sequence of the full game. Of particular interest though is the news that we'll get to try out the co-op side of things too, but there's a catch: Valentine's Day access is open only to those who "have activated their Battlefield 3 online pass or though other opportunities that will be announced in the near future." The rest of you will be able to get your co-op on when the mode becomes openly available on 17 February.