We often go back to games and unfortunately notice they haven’t aged quite as well as we would have thought. However, after playing the Mass Effect Legendary Edition I’m happy to say it’s even better now. Playing through the entire trilogy in one big playthrough was an experience no other games can capture.
Few games give you the freedom Mass Effect give you. Having the ability to do right or wrong with eventual consequences to your actions, whether big or small. Being able to control the fate of your companions by your actions with them throughout the game. Having choices from Mass Effect lead to Mass Effect 3 such as the Rachni Queen really gives your choices an impact on the world and on your mission.
Mass Effect 1
Our introduction to the series is unforgettable. We as humans are somewhat looked down upon. Yet, Commander Shepard is special and is getting promoted to spectre. Saren our main antagonist has the council on strings as no one will believe Shepard unless he has proof that Saren is trying to do something terrible. Mass Effect 1 lets us understand the worlds and how the alien races get along as most people hate the korgans due to their immense strength and caused the genophage to stop them from breeding.
Mass Effect 1 has the most dialogue out of the trilogy I would say and it serves well. The paragon and renegade system affects how others see you and can give you extra choices if you’ve levelled up enough in them. We rarely see games have a choice system like this anymore and it’s such a shame because it really does make the game feel so much more impactful and emotional. If we have a high or low paragon/renegade level we can change how the final boss may end up different.
Mass Effect 2
I think all who have played Mass Effect will agree that Mass Effect 2 is, without doubt, the greatest of the trilogy and debatably one of the best games ever. All of the companion missions were great story-wise as they provided lore for our alien friends and great backstories for them, while also giving us heavy choices to make for each of their missions. Connecting with your crew was so vital to the plot, yet it wasn’t even necessary to do. Mass Effect gave the player the choice to even care for their crewmates through optional dialogue.
We got to see more world in this instalment and all were fantastic. The DLC for 2 was again brilliant as we attacked the Shadow Broker and in Mass Effect fashion this ends up being important for three’s plot. The combat for two might be the best it ever was and felt more tactical than ever.
Mass Effect 3
Three is the most controversial due to its ending and after replaying, yeah it could have been done better, still, the game as a whole was really good. The threat of the reapers had never been so terrifying. It was clear after playing the Leviathan DLC that the main story had been rushed. I think if BioWare had been given sufficient time that we could have gotten an amazing ending as the Leviathan DLC felt more like the main story than just extra content. Having choices made in the original pop up in this was so satisfying as I felt my impact on the world of Mass Effect come into fruition.
Overall
The series is a masterpiece and with the sequel coming out I live in hope they can do it justice, unlike Andromeda. Never has a game made me ponder over decisions so much. Few games have such amazing companions may be the most recent to compare is Red Dead Redemption 2’s campmates. Even then I prefer the Mass Effect crew. Mass Effect will always be one of the greatest series to ever come out.