When BioWare was at the height of its game, fans were treated to one of the greatest video game trilogies of all time in Mass Effect. Although the third game’s ending became notorious for various reasons, that shouldn’t detract from the overall experience.
Commander Shepard’s adventures are engrossing in every sense of the word and whisk players away on a grand adventure that’s full of engaging highlights. In fact, there’s a strong case to be made that the original Mass Effect trilogy is gaming at its very peak.
An Epic Story That Pulls No Punches
The Trilogy Is As Epic As They Come, With The Stakes Becoming Higher In Each Entry
Mass Effect takes little to no time to set up an intergalactic conflict while introducing several alien lifeforms that try to establish superiority within the galactic federation. This is just the setup for what promises to be an earth-shattering story with dire ramifications.
The conflict between aliens is something that must be resolved to deal with a threat that can wipe out the entire galaxy if left unchecked. It ensures that every Mass Effect game is compelling in its own right, leading to a bombastic conclusion as the universe does everything in its power to survive.
The Reveal Of The Reaper Threat Is Legendary
Sovereign's Words Never Fail To Send Chills Down A Player's Spine
Before the Reapers multiplied in nature and became a universe-invading force, players got a taste of interacting with this race via Sovereign. This dreadnought is assumed for the longest time to be Saren’s ship, only for the truth to rear its ugly head.
Sovereign is actually a conscious synthetic lifeform and represents just one member of a race that will descend upon the universe to obliterate all life. The first conversation with this creature almost has a tinge of Lovecraftian horror attached to this moment, as players are left in awe and fear of the threat that awaits them.
Mass Effect 2 Is Easily One Of The Greatest RPGs Ever Made
From An Explosive Beginning To The Suicide Mission, This Amazing Sequel Simply Doesn't Let Up
Mass Effect 2 is one of the greatest games ever made, so much so that the entire trilogy’s quality is elevated by the presence of this title. It made major strides to improve the gameplay from the first title and upped the stakes considerably, something that is seen in the very start of the game.
Shepard’s Normandy blows up, and most people assume that this captain is dead. However, Cerberus reconstructs this legendary hero and employs their services to bring together a band of companions and stop the Collectors from helping further the Reaper’s diabolical plans.
Commander Shepard Is A Charismatic, No-Nonsense Leader
For A Character Who's Supposed To Be A Blank Slate, This Protagonist Has A Ton Of Personality
Most people assume that a blank slate protagonist needs a good cast to elevate the game instead of relying on the hero themself. This statement is true to an extent, but players were happy to see that Mass Effect doesn’t suffer from this.
Commander Shepard is a direct, no-nonsense individual who ensures that the job gets done, no matter what. The way he approaches a situation may change based on their morality, which helps make this character more interesting.
The Morality System Still Feels Meaningful And Iconic
The Paragon-Renegade Dynamic Is As Tantalizing As Ever
Binary morality systems may feel dated now, but Mass Effect had a way of making this work. Shepard could either be a paragon of virtue or go against the moral code as a renegade.
It was a simple yet great way to add weight to Shepard’s actions and made the original trilogy feel more iconic. The fact that people missed this in Mass Effect: Andromeda makes it clear that the Paragon-Renegade balance is something that fans consider integral to the Mass Effect experience.
The Story Of The Genophage Is Sci-fi Writing At Its Best
One Of The Most Epic Pieces Of Worldbuilding In Any Fictional Medium
The worldbuilding of Mass Effect is a huge part of what makes the experience so special, and the genophage is a great example of the same. The Krogan warrior race could breed at a frighteningly quick rate, and this forced the Turians to resort to drastic measures to stop the Krogan Rebellion.
This led to the creation of the genophage, a biological weapon that infected the Krogan race and prevented them from having kids. Not only did the invasion die out not long after, but the Krogan race was cornered and tried to figure out any way possible to reverse the effects of the genophage and save their species.
Every Alien Race Is Fleshed Out And Engaging
The Quarians, Krogans, Asari, Turians, Salarians, & Geth Are Just A Few Of The Game's Many Standout Alien Races
The Krogans are just one of the many races in Mass Effect that feel great to interact with. Humans are arguably the most boring race in space, with Quarians, Asari, Salarians, and the Geth, among other races, stealing the spotlight with their presence.
Each of these races brings its strengths to the table, making them a joy to interact with. It helps that the companions represent one of these races and give players a glimpse into the culture of these aliens and how they operate.
The Character Lineup Features Some Of Gaming's Most Notable Personalities
Liara, Garrus, Miranda, Garrus, Thane, Mordin, Tali… The Sheer Number Of Memorable Companions In The Trilogy Is Endless
To this day, fans still love Liara for her inquisitive attitude, which made her charming in the eyes of many. Garrus was another standout companion who had a sharp tongue and was reliable in his own right.
These are just a few of the many Mass Effect companions who are a joy to interact with. There are some odd, boring party members, but these can be comfortably ignored in favor of the many interesting characters that players can interact with in the Mass Effect trilogy.