Introduction
I'm currently replaying this series, and I find myself in awe in the game design. From the story, the characters, and even just the progression. It all comes together firing on all cylinders.
Someone mentioned this to me, or maybe I saw it in a video, but I can't quite recall. However I thought it explained the 3 games really well. Games are like longer movies or long TV seasons, but these 3 games operate separately. The first game didn't quite know what it wanted to be, a movie, or a tv season with each episodes. Causing the pacing to change a lot. However the second game acts like a season of episodes all coming together, which makes it much more faster paced.
The last game however takes a more cinematic and big picture approach like a movie. I think it works in the end. The first game was an experiment, as they needed to try as many things as they could to see what worked.
The Ground-Breaking Trilogy
Between the Renegade Shepard and the Paragon Shepard, or those that trail in between. The stories could feel quite different as you play. Your choices have weight, and while even when playing for the first time you can kind of see where things might go.
You can't fully comprehend the consequences of a choice you made two games ago, in the 2nd or even 3rd game in the trilogy.
The stories in each game grip you to your core, and amaze the inner fascination of the outer world. Not just the ideal of space exploration, or even the excitement about new aliens to meet. The deep thoughts of dread upon an overwhelming force, the balance of people's lives at stake, and even the relationships of the team members around you.
Note: Most screenshots are from Mass Effect 2, some from ME1, and at the time of the writing I haven't started 3 again yet. However the points are conveyed well in the images.
Immersive Storytelling
The Mass Effect trilogy weaves a narrative that pulls you into its universe, making you feel a genuine part of its expansive story and each entry grips your emotions and dedication.
I remember trying the first ME game back in about 2016 (8 years after it released, I was late to a lot of games). I didn't like it at first, the clunkiness of the combat, the dated graphics, it all kind of blocked me from enjoying it. However I gave it another shot, started to see the stunning vistas, and got hooked into the story almost immediately.
Now this was back on the Xbox 360 mind you, so the graphics were meh at best in today's standards. With the Legendary Edition now out everywhere, there really isn't an issue when it comes to what I faced.
I got so hooked into the story I immediately bought the second game, got even more hooked, and then bought the 3rd game.
Galactic Exploration
You have a whole galaxy in front of you, waiting to be explored. While in ME1 you stick to mainly Citadel based systems, so you are relatively safe if you will. Even not having to worry about fuel because of your military backing. Then jump to ME2 you are cut from the Military resources, but instead using Cerberus' backing. However you are more in the outer reaches of the galaxy, exploring new locations that differ greatly from the first game.
In the 3rd game you get a mix of both, and as well as visiting the homeworlds of the major species.
The Power of Choice
While there isn't a traditional "karma" system, there are the Paragon and Renegade systems. In my experience I tend to default to the Paragon, or the "good" side of things. Shepard is a hero no matter what, but the Renegade side of things makes you more of an "anti-hero". You're still going to do the right thing, but it may be a bit outside the box.
I often find myself doing a balance of both, but still leaning towards Paragon. It seems that in order to get the perfect playthrough. That you need to have a bit of both.
Even the act of picking up your companions is optional, and with some dying in the first or second game. They might not even show up in the 3rd, which could dramatically change the storyline.
Complex Characters and Relationships
Every motivation behind each of your squadmates comes from a real and almost tangible source. The motivations to strive for greatness by Miranda, the cunning from the ex C-Sec officer of Garrus, or the seeking to be more by the AI EDI.
It makes it feel like they are real life people, and you get attached to them. Ironically one of my favorite characters is Legion, whom you don't pick up until the end of ME2. He actually died on my first playthrough, and so I never got a chance to really get to know it.
Innovative Gameplay
ME1 was groundbreaking for its time, and although there were many issues with how it ran or gameplay. The actual story kept you going, the deep world building, and the impact of choices during the gameplay.
ME2 literally starts out with you dying. There is no way to sugarcoat that, and you have to figure out all that has changed since the first game. Its especially jarring if you come immediately after finishing the first. Having Tali or Kaiden just sort of blow you off in ME2, after having them right by your side in ME1 just a little ago. It feels shocking, just as if you were Shepard yourself.
ME3 tries to replicate the shock that the 2nd game gives you at the start, but with Earth being attacked instead. You narrowly escaping the grasp of the greater threat. It has this weird PTSD side story with Shepard, that I honestly can't stand as it feels shoved in. However the plot threads of each of the missions makes up for it.
Combat System
Each game improves on the last.
In the first they tried to incorporate more RPG elements, and while they were fun. They end up being more tedious than they are worth. The 2nd game dumps them for a more action focused experience, and the 3rd game refines it into a more space shooter. However with the progression of the story, that makes the most sense.
Each gameplay style works out to be unique, and while I think most people's favorites are the biotic playthroughs. I found myself drawn to a more soldier-engineer style this time around. Although I forgot about the lunge the biotics get, I probably would have stuck with biotic had I remembered. I am curious though if they had brought in the style of combat they had refined in Andromeda, how much better the trilogy would have been.
Exploration and World-Building
The first game sees you exploring empty planets, but there is a sense of wonder that comes from that. Although after the first couple, you see the lines in sand, or the cracks in them if you will. They're beautiful to be sure, but once you played one of them. You basically have played all of them.
The second game takes a more mission based approach, and so there isn't really any exploration involved. However on the galaxy screen you do get to explore many many star systems.
The third game takes a more cinematic approach, and given the scale of what is going on. I think that is an appreciated choice.
Cutting-Edge Visuals and Sound
I know I trashed on the first game earlier in this post, but to be honest even back when I played it on the 360 it impressed me. With the new remaster the first game got a huge improvement. I really like the newer saturated visuals too.
Each game takes a really gorgeous look at what the galaxy could be. The textures are refined, and the antialiasing is strong. When I play it I don't think about FPS or resolution, I just play it, and enjoy it. Which is a big deal for me as I normally am deep into the graphics settings.
Graphic Design
The color schemes play throughout. The first game takes on a blue for this sci-fi feel, the second has the gold of Cerberus everywhere, and the 3rd takes its own identity. Although with a bit of red to highlight the upcoming impending doom.
Every bit of the user interface is clean, and they somewhat streamlined it for all 3 games to be more uniform too.
The dialogue allows for simple understanding. It isn't like Fallout 4 where you picked an option, and what your character says is something completely different.
Soundtrack and Voice Acting
The voice acting is superb, not much to say on that, besides that the voice cast gives it their all. There are also a lot of grade A actors that you wouldn't expect in a video game too!
While male Shep is great, the feeling you get from the conviction of FemShed is stronger, which is why she is the fan favorite.
The musical score is amazing, and always fires on all cylinders. Whether you are in combat, or simply exploring the Citadel. The music adds to the ambiance, and the feeling of the game. I love the intro music to the first two games. The 2nd is actually from the ending main mission, and is something I listen to on a regular basis. The two tracks I'm thinking of are "Suicide mission" and the "End Run".
Conclusion
I'm not even sure if this post truly encapsulates all of the feelings that I encountered while playing the games. Being able to see the progression in each of the characters as you play each game. It is something else. Its akin to seeing the progression of Hiccup in all three how to train your dragon movies. You literally see that he has aged, and the kid you once knew is a man now. Same goes for the young cowering Liara, to the fearsome biotic shadow broker.
The rebel C-sec officer Garrus becomes a noble protector. I could go on.
Each game left an impact on me as a person, and I will have that forever. Even going back to replaying the games I found myself seeing things differently. Like rereading an old book. You are a different person now years later, and the games feel different/new once again.
Enduring Impact of the Trilogy
These games showed what could be done in a sci-fi setting. They leave hardly anything to be desired, and the choices you make have weight.
While sure it isn't to the level of Detroit Become human, which came out WAY later, I am sure the makers of that game were heavily inspired by the vast array of choices in Mass Effect.
The trilogy left a high bar for whatever came after, then came Mass Effect Andromeda, which wasn't nearly as bad as it was made out to be. I'm sure at launch with the bugs it might have been, but now that they are all for the most part taken care of. It is wise to play Andromeda after you complete the trilogy in my opinion. I'm upset that the DLC was never released for it, but it was still a good game too.
Even after what Andromeda gave us, I look forward to the next upcoming installment.
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