Summary
TheMass Effecttrilogy is often praised as one of the best single-player role-playing experiences of all time thanks to its rich lore, strong characters, and focus on meaningful choice. Just how much the upcomingMass Effect 4will build off the original gamesis unclear, but it’s worth dissecting the trilogy nonetheless, as it contains a number of unique features that can catch even veteran players off guard.
Although the threeMass Effectgames can differ greatly, the player experience can be broken into two broad categories: mission-to-mission combat and exploration, and non-hostile narrative sections. Essentially, each mission inMass Effectis separated by downtime in a neutral zone, usually the Normandy, where Shepard can bond with their squad mates and make preparations for the rest of the game. This structure is central to theMass Effectexperience, and the oscillation between fast-paced combat and world-building downtime helps the pacing a great deal. Knowing as much as possible about both of these design pillars is crucial to succeeding in all three games.
Mass Effect: The Ins and Outs
Mass Effect 2’s NPC Loyalty System Is Even More Important Than It Seems
Mass Effectisn’t the only relationship-focused RPG, but the franchise certainly places a premium on the player’s interactions with NPCs, as Shepard’s relationships with other characters can significantly impact the overall narrative of the series. A famous example of the series' emphasis on interpersonal relationships comes in the final mission ofMass Effect 2, during which every member of the Normandy crew, including Shepard, can be killed. Which characters survive this final mission depends greatly on whether Shepard has gained their loyalty earlier in the game.
What’s a bit unclear is the fact that character loyalty will actually impact the events ofMass Effect 3as well. For one thing, while Shepard’s death inME2simply isn’t considered canon, this isn’t the case for other characters, meaning that players can miss out onbelovedMass Effectcompanionslike Tali and Garrus entirely inME3based on their decisions in the second game. Additionally, while not every disloyal character is guaranteed to die in the final mission ofME2, failing to secure their loyalty can lead to their demise inME3.For instance, Kasumi can die in a side mission inME3if she doesn’t become loyal to Shepard inME2. Loyalty can also impact Effective Military Strength.
Combining Class Powers Is Crucial in Mass Effect
It’s not unusual forMass Effectplayers to have favorite squad matesthat they want to keep in their party for the majority of their playthrough, but character abilities need to be considered for optimal combat performance. The trilogy is centered on a mix of high-intensity third-person shooting and tactical decision-making, and ensuring that party composition is appropriately diverse can have a massive impact when it comes to dispatching different types of enemies.
For instance, tech-focused characters with the Overload ability will come in handy when facing synthetic enemies or overcoming certain shields, and biotics or soldiers can more easily dispatch enemies using tough-to-crack biotic barriers. By ensuring that Shepard’s companions have a good range of different skills, players can avoid unnecessary challenges. This is especially important when playingMass Effecton harder difficulties, as enemies will hit harder and rush the player, making efficiency vital to survival.
Don’t Overlook Effective Military Strength in Mass Effect 3
To achieve what is often considered the best ending to theMass Effecttrilogy (destroying the Reapers while keeping Shepard alive), players need to have a high Effective Military Strength. There are a number of decisions the player can make to influence their EMS with some, like befriending Khalisa Al-Jilani and saving the Rachni Queen in the first game, being not so immediately obvious. Keeping these less obvious decisions in mind and understanding that every choice, throughout all three games, can affect the final ending, is important for those looking for the best outcome, which may wind upbeing canonized inMass Effect 4.
Mass Effect Trilogy
WHERE TO PLAY
One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced. Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition. Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs – remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD.RELIVE THE CINEMATIC SAGA: Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds.EXPERIENCE THE LEGEND OF SHEPARD: Create and customize your own character, from appearance and skills to a personalized arsenal then lead your elite recon squad across a galaxy in turmoil.REFLECT ON YOUR CHOICES: Your choices seamlessly travel from one game to the next. Each decision you make will control the outcome of every mission, every relationship, every battle – and even the fate of the galaxy itself.
