You never know what might be ahead for you in your own life, what is around the corner... The same goes for our species as a whole. Something that not everyone thinks about, as I think you need to be a "big picture kind of person" to really care about that concept.
Not everyone cares enough to think about what will happen next, let alone actually come up with ideas that are novel for us to imagine with them.
Beware of spoilers for the games in this analysis and deep dive post!
You play as Commander Sheppard a hero amongst the humans, and eventually highly regarded hero for the galaxy. Not without its ups and downs though!
I encourage you to read this post (excluding videos obviously) while listening to this in the background! -Music
What started out as a Star Wars game of all things, was a little known game called "Mass Effect". Which is about how when Humans became space flight capable we explored our solar system, and reached a point of plateau. This is because we didn't have the technology to be able to traverse other solar systems that are great distances away.
Then came into the picture, the Mass Effect Relays, giant structures that propelled us to the galactic community.
The Big Overarching Story
Imagine what it would be like if Humanity were to reach the galactic stage. Would it be akin to Star Trek or Halo, where a united world government or military leads our species? Would we annihilate ourselves due to war?
This is the point of science fiction, to explore those options, and see what could happen BEYOND.
Mass Effect is a series where the story centers around Humanity's role among many other races in a galactic civilization. When humans make it to Mars, we find remnants of an ancient civilization. That happen to teach us a lot about technology, and catapults ourselves into the next level of the Kardashev Scale.
Humans are relatively new to the Citadel, a sort of capital of the galaxy. In true homosapien fashion we rise quickly in the ranks, and over the course of the first game of the trilogy; Even become a Spectre (the main character does), and even one of the first new species to join the Council (the leaders of the galaxy).
Over the course of the three games we see the dynamics of various species, and how they all relate to each other. How they have been around MUCH longer than humanity has even been a player in the game. Let alone in the case of the Asari, longer than humanity has existed.
Each game in the series has a pretty amazing plot, and they all come together in each installment. Many would state that the 2nd game is the best, and I would agree. The third game is great all the way up to about 90% of the way through, with quite a poor ending (although mods help with that).
Despite the ending though the entire series is worth playing (IMO even Andromeda).
The Comradery of Loyal Teammates
If there is ONE thing that I think of when it comes to these games, only one, then it is the deep connections you have with your crew members. Some of the best missions of the series revolve around your crew, and in particular the "Loyalty Missions". A selection of really personal endeavors by your cast of rascals.
Do you attempt to persuade an alternative? Or do you encourage a renegade outcome?
The various companions you have throughout the series are as stark and different as they can be. Not because most of them are of different species, but rather because of their fleshed out life history.
The various trials and tribulations each person has had to face in their life. It is very human, and we are able to (as players) be empathetic towards their plights.
Each character (especially in Mass Effect 2 where the loyalty missions are ever more important) has their own special mission. That once completed will imbue them with a deep trust or connection with Commander Sheppard. Even unlocking an outfit that gives them a cohesive look, as the crew of the Normandy SR2.
Ironically I missed One Loyalty Mission
In my main playthrough I was really caught up in the action, and with the final events of the 2nd game coming to a close. There was one instance of panic, which was when your crew gets captured. While you technically have time to do a couple things, maybe explore a little bit more, there isn't much. If you delay too long your crew WILL die, and so I immediately jumped to the end. Right as I got my last companion: Legion.
I only had one more mission left, which was Legion's loyalty mission, and since I didn't do it the construct died in the final mission.
The Refinement of Gameplay WITH Story
The first game sold well over a million copies (not including the remaster), and that sparked the series as a whole. The series was conceptualized as a trilogy from the start, but whether or not it would be successful was the key factor.
Finding a footing
Each game adds its own twist to the series, and refines after the previous installment. I'd consider some choices in ME: Andromeda actually to be improvements as well. Such as the movement in the overworld/in battle.
The first game felt CLUNKY, and that actually prevented me from enjoying it originally. I literally turned it on, and left within the first mission because I could not get around the controls.
Eventually the story, characters, and world building convinced me to give it another shot. Not to mention friends and online thought leaders saying I should too. Once I got a handle on the controls I didn't put the game down. Finished it within a week, as I did have work to attend to.
Right after I bought #2 and then (for some reason separately) bought #3.
I beat both sequel games in quick succession as well.
The gameplay leaves you wanting more
These games are not just stories that you turn on and dissociate. Rather you get ever more present in the moment. Thinking on your feet, and true to the emotions that the game is conveying.
With various dialogue prompts or interrupts, you are able to add in your own personal decision making into the process.
Each choice you make amounts to something, and they all count. Every single big or even medium (sometimes down to the miniscule) decision you make will come back to you in the end. Whether for better or for worse.
Related Video:
What a Wonderful World of WorldBuilding
Given the chance would you make the sacrifice for humanity? For the galaxy?
The character we play as leads the galactic community as the Shepard of a new age.
What do you make of all of this?
Our character gets pushed back on every step of the way. No matter how much we plea for the council or even humanity's leaders to listen.
We need everyone to come together in unison to fight a greater threat.
All of this culminates in an epic showdown of a ragtime team of species from across the Milky Way against a threat so unfathomable that most people thought of it as a boogie man.
We know as players that this isn't true, and that the threat is real. How do we convey that into the game though? Well it is through our actions in the game, in the story, and in the world that is before us.
The various architects of this game series worked hard at fleshing out every aspect you can think of, and it shows. Most games don't take the time to reach back out to old characters to see how they are doing, let alone make them actually important to the story two games later.
Most games also don't have the SCALE of this series has.
Related Video:
To a Galaxy NOT so far away
Since these games take place in the Milky Way, the same galaxy we live in after all. They have an sense of taking place on our own front lawn if you will.
Even Andromeda is right next door...
This article was meant to share a love and passion for a game series, that when you play them you get caught up into the action.
It is the thrill of the chase, and you are very much a part of it.
A continuation of a story. Maybe not your story or my story, but our story. Our story as the human race, and where we might go next...
I collected some of my favorite links and videos below, and I encourage you to delve into them as well. I was really enjoying ArTorr's videos while I made this post.
YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE (Backlinks, and Related Posts): Additional Research and Recommended Readings
