Only 3 years ago did I first play "Mass Effect" on my Xbox. I placed in the disc expecting a simple space drama with aliens and fighting. By the end of the third game I had fallen in love with every character and had genuinely cried at several points across the series. As soon as I could I pre-ordered legendary edition and I wholeheartedly believe it is one of the best purchases I have ever made.
I'll keep things brief here but go in depth on the individual game posts.
3) Mass Effect (2007) 8/10. The game that kickstarted the franchise is a classic and is essential for anyone who's a fan of RPGs. Creating your commander or going with the default is your choice. For new players I'd suggest the default Shepard as this provides the easiest gameplay. This game established the brilliant and inventive world of Mass Effect as well as setting the foundation for the future of the incoming reaper threat. The companions all have something interesting to bring to the table allowing for genuine drama and heartbreak later down the line.
2) Mass Effect 2 (2010) 10/10 this game gives more of a backseat to the story and has its main focus as the characters. From the start of the game you're told that you most likely won't survive but you have to save the galaxy. Everything from the first game is improved and we have a much bigger crew which actually makes sense considering the stakes. Every companion brings something to the table, even the two I disliked in the form of Jacob and Zaeed. I enjoyed that the crew didn't always get along and you needed to gain their loyalty and settle arguments, and that final battle is a truly epic spectacle with heart and action that I'd argue rivals some modern films.
1) Mass Effect 3 (2012) 10/10 now I understand this is a controversial first place but I loved it. From start to finish there's emotion, humour, brilliant character moments and action. All the characters we love have their arcs finished in satisfying ways. There's heartbreaking decisions, conflicting moral choices and the struggle to unite a galaxy. Leaving Earth is the best opening to any of these games where you just need to survive. And that final battle of taking back Earth is a strong emotional victory lap that's well-earned. Is it self-indulgent at times, yes but rightly so. The Citadel DLC is pure fan-service but it does it masterfully and is self-aware at how goofy it's trying to be. All the characters come back making for a fun time while also carrying a somber tone knowing they're all going into the crescendo that is stopping the reapers. The highlight of this for me was the visits to Shepard's apartment and the party where each character basically got an emotional or fun goodbye and at the end all got to get loose and laugh one last time. This was a perfect ending to me and I was left heartbroken but happy at the end.
I'll keep things brief here but go in depth on the individual game posts.
3) Mass Effect (2007) 8/10. The game that kickstarted the franchise is a classic and is essential for anyone who's a fan of RPGs. Creating your commander or going with the default is your choice. For new players I'd suggest the default Shepard as this provides the easiest gameplay. This game established the brilliant and inventive world of Mass Effect as well as setting the foundation for the future of the incoming reaper threat. The companions all have something interesting to bring to the table allowing for genuine drama and heartbreak later down the line.
2) Mass Effect 2 (2010) 10/10 this game gives more of a backseat to the story and has its main focus as the characters. From the start of the game you're told that you most likely won't survive but you have to save the galaxy. Everything from the first game is improved and we have a much bigger crew which actually makes sense considering the stakes. Every companion brings something to the table, even the two I disliked in the form of Jacob and Zaeed. I enjoyed that the crew didn't always get along and you needed to gain their loyalty and settle arguments, and that final battle is a truly epic spectacle with heart and action that I'd argue rivals some modern films.
1) Mass Effect 3 (2012) 10/10 now I understand this is a controversial first place but I loved it. From start to finish there's emotion, humour, brilliant character moments and action. All the characters we love have their arcs finished in satisfying ways. There's heartbreaking decisions, conflicting moral choices and the struggle to unite a galaxy. Leaving Earth is the best opening to any of these games where you just need to survive. And that final battle of taking back Earth is a strong emotional victory lap that's well-earned. Is it self-indulgent at times, yes but rightly so. The Citadel DLC is pure fan-service but it does it masterfully and is self-aware at how goofy it's trying to be. All the characters come back making for a fun time while also carrying a somber tone knowing they're all going into the crescendo that is stopping the reapers. The highlight of this for me was the visits to Shepard's apartment and the party where each character basically got an emotional or fun goodbye and at the end all got to get loose and laugh one last time. This was a perfect ending to me and I was left heartbroken but happy at the end.