Fresh from the critical and commercial success of “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,” video game developer, Casey Hudson collaborated on another project with BioWare. This time an original game, “Mass Effect.” Set in the future where Mass Relays allows a space crew to travel to various systems within the galaxy, a solider named, Shepard embarks on a mission to prevent a rouge alien from going on a genocidal rampage. Shepard will need help he can get from a team of unique individuals.
Released in 2007 (same year Uncharted came out) on Xbox 360, it received critical acclaim from critics. BioWare worked on two sequels with EA as a publisher. The second game earned huge praise and the third game was controversial. A compilation re-release of all three games under, “Mass Effect: The Legendary Trilogy” in 2021. A standalone game, Mass Effect: Andromeda” without Shepard involved is the most recent entry.
Anyway, “Mass Effect 4” is currently in development. This time, it’ll focus on brand new protagonist. Prime Video is working on a TV adaptation of Mass Effect. As of late 2025, no release date for both have not been confirmed. Before they come out in the future, I wanna share my thoughts on The Mass Effect Trilogy starting with the first game. Compare and contrast each installment’s pros and cons.
Today’s review contains no SPOILERS.
Victory & Defeat Aspects
Victory: Mark Meer & Jennifer Hale both did an excellent job for their respective voiceover performances as male and female versions of Commander Shepard.
Graphics brings a few elements to life including character models, fluid animation and various planets.
Other Cast Members such as Keith David & Seth Green both did a decent job for their respective voiceover performances.
Gameplay/Mechanics
- Presented as a third-person action-adventure RPG, you play as Commander Shepard leading your team on missions.
- Before you start a new game, you can customize Shepard by giving him/her a face or a prebuilt one. More tidbits including a background, pick any six Character Class. Picking a certain one will grant you unique abilities.
- Combat mainly involves weapons and abilities. Switch weapons for yourself and your partners. Order them to use their abilities on the offense or defense.
- Acquire armor and weapons to increase stats.
- Enemy Variety features different species with strengths and weaknesses. Exploit them by disabling shields and open fire.
- If you’re in a jam, find cover. Order your allies for cover as well.
- Karma System affects your choices and dialogue options.
- Earn XP by completing Main Missions, Side Missions, defeat enemies, obtain codex pages just to a name a few.
- Explore the galaxy by exploring various planets.
- Once you land on a planet, you drive a vehicle with a machine gun and cannon.
- Spend Skill Points on abilities, health and shields.
- Codex Pages provide details on the lore.
- A Romance Option enables you to have a boyfriend or girlfriend.
- Loyalty Missions are strictly important. If you want your favorite ally to live, complete their favor.
- Level Cap in Classic Mode is 50. New Game Plus bumps it to 60.
- New Game Plus retains your current level, skill points and gear.
- Once you beat the game, you unlock Hardcore difficulty. Think you can beat the game? If so, you unlock another one, Insanity. Adds more replay value.
New Stuff in Legendary Edition
- Visual Upgrades on Textures, Particle Effects, Smooth Frame Rate etc.
- Photo Mode enables you to take a nice snapshot.
- Constant Auto-Save. Word of advice. It’s best to do it manually.
- Less loading time if you’re on an elevator or landing on a planet.
- Legendary Mode Cap leveling system goes up to 30. However, you level up less, but gain more skill points.
- One good thing from EA. They didn’t include microtransactions.
Random Thoughts
- Wrex’s my favorite teammate.
- I picked Liara as my girlfriend.
- I never played the first game when it came out on Xbox 360. I’m more of a PlayStation guy. Luckily, it’s included in The Legendary Edition on PS4.
- I went with the Paragon route. Once I complete the whole trilogy, I’ll replay it on Renagade.
The game’s influenced by “Star Wars,” Star Trek” & “Starship Troopers.”
Jack Kelly (Myst series, Call of Duty series) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Shepard’s chemistry with his teammates and Normandy crew serves as the main highlight.
A DLC story, “Bring Down the Sky” involves Shepard and his team to prevent space terrorists from using a huge asteroid into crashing a colony.
The choices you make will determine the status quo of the sequels.
The Ending sets up “Mass Effect 2.”
Defeat: Side Missions are tedious lacking variation. Which is Unnecessary Padding. I didn’t like exploring planets, run-and-gun shoot ’em ups recycling the same interior design and collecting items.
The Mako made it hard for me to go up a mountain. No alternate way to fire a winch allowing Shepard to leave the vehicle and climb his way to his destination.
One of my biggest complains in between pausing and playing is switching weapons and armor. Felt like a chore.
It can be difficult to backtrack. Luckily, you can always look up a walkthrough on YouTube. I’ll let this flaw slide.
The Final Verdict: B-
A messy beginning of an epic game trilogy, some parts of the first game are good. Don’t worry, the second game gets better. If you’re new to the Mass Effect series, start with the first game.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 