This trilogy is not only the pinnacle of video games, but arguably the greatest work of art that I have ever experienced in any medium ever. Will definitely be writing a longer review after playing through the trilogy again in glorious 4k.
Only played through the first game so far but I've completed the trilogy several times in the least decade. It's amazing what these games were able to accomplish way back then. Greatest trilogy of all time and this refresh only makes it better.
Only finished ME1 so I'll update after each game.
Mass Effect 1: It feels vastly improved over the original version in a few areas, namely combat based ones. But it doesn't do enough to fix the issues of the game. Navigation can still be a pain if you aren't familiar with the game, the Mako sections of missions are horribly designed. Just linear paths that place 2-4 Geth Troopers in your path (that take half a second to kill each).
I do however realize that stellar level design is not why people are drawn to ME1, it's the establishment of the cast and the lore that's introduced. Both of which are actually stellar. The set plot is rather one note, but it's establishing the basis of the space epic so it gets a slight pass. As it does a great job of setting up the rest of the installments. I do appreciate how much your decisions matter, and that you face consequences depending on what you choose.
Most aspects of the game still lack depth. A fairly simple weapon/armor/skill system that is rarely required to actually advance. Very small enemy variety can lead to some boredom, etc. But overall, still a good game. Not great, not bad, just good.
☆☆☆
Mass Effect 1: It feels vastly improved over the original version in a few areas, namely combat based ones. But it doesn't do enough to fix the issues of the game. Navigation can still be a pain if you aren't familiar with the game, the Mako sections of missions are horribly designed. Just linear paths that place 2-4 Geth Troopers in your path (that take half a second to kill each).
I do however realize that stellar level design is not why people are drawn to ME1, it's the establishment of the cast and the lore that's introduced. Both of which are actually stellar. The set plot is rather one note, but it's establishing the basis of the space epic so it gets a slight pass. As it does a great job of setting up the rest of the installments. I do appreciate how much your decisions matter, and that you face consequences depending on what you choose.
Most aspects of the game still lack depth. A fairly simple weapon/armor/skill system that is rarely required to actually advance. Very small enemy variety can lead to some boredom, etc. But overall, still a good game. Not great, not bad, just good.
☆☆☆
It's incredible how a second game with some of the tightest third-person shooter gameplay, extreme depth that rewards you for engaging in its systems, nearly unparalleled character writing, and a wealth of post-game content can carry an entire franchise
Honestly, it's kinda hard to review this game. Instead of being just a straightforward review of a game, this is more of a collection/remaster, and I must be honest it's a damn good one.
Mass Effect is a franchise that completely defined the seventh generation of consoles and gaming as a whole. The series was created with the same love and passion that many of our modern-day Pop-Culture classics possessed when they first released. It created a new world to explore set in a future that could soon be our own, and created one of the best Sci-Fi pieces ever conceived. Mass Effect is more than just a game series, it's a worldwide phenomenon.
Recently, the series and its creator Bioware have seen some rough places recently with their newest games, and many have lost their faith entirely with them as a whole. This collection was Bioware rediscovering what made them special, and they put a lot of love and care into revamping these modern classics. I just hope in the future, Bioware does the same for Mass Effects' newest sequel and utulizes the elements that made the franchise great in the first place.
If your thinking about buying ME: Legendary Editon and haven't played the series yet, this is the perfect chance to do so. If you were a long-time fan like I was, it's the perfect way to re-experience some old memories with some old friends, especially with the newly revamped Mass Effect 1.
I love Mass Effect, and replaying the trilogy once again has reminded me of why I do. It's the perfect Sci-Fi epic, and whether good or bad, I'm excited to see what Bioware brings to the table for the continuation of Commander Shepherd's story.
Mass Effect is a franchise that completely defined the seventh generation of consoles and gaming as a whole. The series was created with the same love and passion that many of our modern-day Pop-Culture classics possessed when they first released. It created a new world to explore set in a future that could soon be our own, and created one of the best Sci-Fi pieces ever conceived. Mass Effect is more than just a game series, it's a worldwide phenomenon.
Recently, the series and its creator Bioware have seen some rough places recently with their newest games, and many have lost their faith entirely with them as a whole. This collection was Bioware rediscovering what made them special, and they put a lot of love and care into revamping these modern classics. I just hope in the future, Bioware does the same for Mass Effects' newest sequel and utulizes the elements that made the franchise great in the first place.
If your thinking about buying ME: Legendary Editon and haven't played the series yet, this is the perfect chance to do so. If you were a long-time fan like I was, it's the perfect way to re-experience some old memories with some old friends, especially with the newly revamped Mass Effect 1.
I love Mass Effect, and replaying the trilogy once again has reminded me of why I do. It's the perfect Sci-Fi epic, and whether good or bad, I'm excited to see what Bioware brings to the table for the continuation of Commander Shepherd's story.
Such a fantastic trilogy.
A really well-done remaster of the trilogy, the only complaint I have is I wish they put time and effort into fixing ME3 as they did with ME1 and the graphics for ME2.
It's so good to be back. I looked back at how I reviewed ME1-3 in my reviews and I was surprised that I didn't give ME2 a 5 star rating. God, that game is amazing. Legendary Edition fixes most of the annoying bullshit that made Mass Effect 1 a slog to play through so honestly I have to rate ME1 and ME2 five stars now. I let myself get too invested in the story again and ME3's ending really upset me (again) lol. Oh, what could have been.
Damn fine series with a few strange design choices, nevertheless they do not diminish the power of the narrative!
this is an interesting title in the database to score. do i average out my opinion of all three games? do i rate solely based on the quality of the remake?
i love the mass effect series, warts and all. i haven't run into any mechanical changes here that i've disliked, and there are only some minor character redesigns and lighting/color changes that i dislike. it ran completely fine, and it was so good to revisit the series in a complete package like this on PC with full controller support.
i love the mass effect series, warts and all. i haven't run into any mechanical changes here that i've disliked, and there are only some minor character redesigns and lighting/color changes that i dislike. it ran completely fine, and it was so good to revisit the series in a complete package like this on PC with full controller support.
I first played the Mass Effect trilogy when I was 14 years old and it changed my little life. It was the first time I got to witness gay romance on an epic scale. It was responsible for a lot of the early friendships I made as a kid and in a lot of ways, it helped me survive an abusive household.
I’ve revisited the trilogy many times since first completing it, designing all kinds of Shepards tailor made for certain decisions. The last time I properly revisited it and played through the entire trilogy was the summer of 2015; I was fresh out of my abusive home and going into my senior year. Appropriate that the remaster would release the year I’m moving into my first apartment under my own name and living alone for the first time. Major life changes and this series always seem to come hand in hand.
Despite all the bitterness I still feel for the ending and the bungling of Andromeda, my love for this series remains. There’s a magic to it, a magic that’s propelled me to pour thousands of hours into it and shed countless of tears. Nothing I’ve ever played has come close to capturing the love this series has running through it’s veins. Even now, as an adult, and after 6 weeks and 135 hours, I’m still just as in love with it as I was when I first finished it all those years ago.
There’s nothing I can even say, really, that hasn’t already been said. Mass Effect is just an impecable series and one that will follow me all my life. I’m so grateful to get to experience every bit of it again, to discover parts of the game I somehow hadn’t seen, and to share it with people who otherwise would’ve have been able to experience it.
It’s been a great ride.
I’ve revisited the trilogy many times since first completing it, designing all kinds of Shepards tailor made for certain decisions. The last time I properly revisited it and played through the entire trilogy was the summer of 2015; I was fresh out of my abusive home and going into my senior year. Appropriate that the remaster would release the year I’m moving into my first apartment under my own name and living alone for the first time. Major life changes and this series always seem to come hand in hand.
Despite all the bitterness I still feel for the ending and the bungling of Andromeda, my love for this series remains. There’s a magic to it, a magic that’s propelled me to pour thousands of hours into it and shed countless of tears. Nothing I’ve ever played has come close to capturing the love this series has running through it’s veins. Even now, as an adult, and after 6 weeks and 135 hours, I’m still just as in love with it as I was when I first finished it all those years ago.
There’s nothing I can even say, really, that hasn’t already been said. Mass Effect is just an impecable series and one that will follow me all my life. I’m so grateful to get to experience every bit of it again, to discover parts of the game I somehow hadn’t seen, and to share it with people who otherwise would’ve have been able to experience it.
It’s been a great ride.
[ESP]: Para que se sepa, ya jugué en su momento a ME1 y ME2 y el 3 lo tenia pendiente pero debido a un error con los datos, no pude continuar mi partida. Y ya pensaba en rejugar todo de nuevo para tener mi experiencia completa de la saga. Así que Mass Effect Legendary Edition llegó en el momento perfecto.
No haré comentarios de las dos primera entregas porque ya escribí en su momento las reseñas. Solo añadir que los DLCs de ambas, los cuales no tuve ocasión de probar en mi primera partida, son muy disfrutables y es un puntazo tenerlos en esta edición.
Mass Effect 3 empieza con mucha acción y prisa. Así te hacen sentir la urgencia de la situación en la que se encuentra la Tierra por la guerra con los segadores y por ende toda la galaxia. Todo para luego enviarte a hacer recados y favores.
No me convenció nada este enfoque. O vamos a saco o nos tomamos nuestro tiempo. El estilo de juego de Mass Effect no encaja con la situación que plantea la trama sobre detener una guerra que ya ha empezado contra unas maquinas más avanzadas que cualquier otra cosa existente hasta el momento.
Dejando claro que los segadores se toman su tiempo para eliminar la vida orgánica avanzada, tu también tienes tu tiempo para conseguir todos los recursos y apoyos para la batalla final. Ya se plantea la existencia de un dispositivo que puede acabar con los segadores pero para ello pues necesitas marcarte un avengers assemble con todas las razas de la galaxia.
He de decir que mientras lo jugaba, ME3 me ha dejado mejores momentos y más memorables con la tripulación y pelotón de Shepard que las entregas anteriores. Momentos graciosos, enternecedores y cómplices que se muestran con los antiguos y nuevos miembros, con referencias y guiños para aquellos que les han cogido cariño. Uno de los puntos fuertes, sin duda.
El combate es correcto, no dista mucho de lo ya mejorado con ME2 pero añade una cantidad de armas y complementos que me parecen excesivos para el desafío que plantea el juego. Pero también es parte del diseño, que cada uno se acomode en las opciones disponibles para que cualquiera pueda elegir y disfrutar.
La exploración es mucho más simple que en las demás entregas y aunque duele un poco admitirlo, es mucho mejor. En ME1 tenia el mítico Mako para ir rodando por ahí, pero en demasiadas zonas, amplias y complicadas a veces que terminaban por cansar por la recompensa que ofrecían.
En ME2, explorar cada planeta por recursos también acaba siendo aburrido para la cantidad que hay y aunque tiene alguna que otra misión con un Mako planeador, no aporta nada realmente.
En ME3 simplemente con una pasada rápida y apretar un dos botones ya tiene la exploración hecha, la partida tiene un ritmo mucho más rápido y dinámico, lo cual encaja con la trama.
Para el tema de romances, aquí he podido hacer un poco de trampa y escoger bien con quien quería tener la relación porque en mi primera partida no acabé de entender muy bien lo que hacia, así que otro punto a favor el poder rejugar los juegos.
No se exactamente de donde venia la polémica con el final de ME3 pero yo he jugado mi partida y he escogido mi final. Aun habiendo leído los otros finales y algunos me ha parecido más apetecible, me quedo con el escogido. Lo bueno de esto es que puedes jugar desde antes de la misión final para ver que ocurre con otras opciones.
En resumen, Mass Effect ya es una de mis sagas preferidas en videojuegos y la Legendary Edition te permite jugar toda la historia completa. Por supuesto recomiendo la compra y jugar hasta reventar a esta aventura épica de ciencia ficción.
[ENG]: Just so you know, I already played ME1 and ME2 at the time and I had the 3 pending but due to an error with the data, I could not continue my game. And I was already thinking of replaying everything again to have my full experience of the saga. So Mass Effect Legendary Edition came at the perfect time.
I will not comment on the first two installments because I already wrote the reviews at the time. Just add that the DLCs of both, which I did not have the opportunity to try in my first game, are very enjoyable and it is a hoot to have them in this edition.
Mass Effect 3 begins with a lot of action and a rush. Thus they make you feel the urgency of the situation in which the Earth finds itself due to the war with the reapers and therefore the entire galaxy. Everything and then send you out on errands and favors.
This approach did not convince me at all. Either we go to sack or we take our time. Mass Effect's playstyle does not fit the situation posed by the plot about stopping a war that has already started against machines more advanced than anything else in existence so far.
Making it clear that reapers take their time to eliminate advanced organic life, you also have your time to gather all the resources and supports for the final battle. The existence of a device that can end the reapers is already being considered, but for this you need to mark an avengers assemble with all the races of the galaxy.
I have to say that while playing it, ME3 has left me with better and more memorable moments with Shepard's crew and platoon than previous installments. Funny, touching and complicit moments that are shown with the old and new members, with references and winks for those who have taken a liking to them. One of the strengths, without a doubt.
The combat is correct, it is not far from what has already been improved with ME2 but it adds a number of weapons and accessories that I find excessive for the challenge posed by the game. But it is also part of the design, that each one fits into the available options for anyone to choose and enjoy.
The exploration is much simpler than in the other installments and although it hurts a bit to admit it, it is much better. In ME1 I had the mythical Mako to go rolling around, but in too many areas, wide and complicated at times that ended up getting tired because of the reward they offered.
In ME2, exploring each planet for resources also ends up being boring for the amount that there is and although it has the occasional mission with a Mako glider, it does not really add anything.
In ME3, simply with a fast pass and pressing a two buttons you have the exploration done, the game has a much faster and more dynamic rhythm, which fits with the plot.
On the subject of romances, here I have been able to cheat a bit and choose well with whom I wanted to have the relationship because in my first game I did not quite understand what I was doing, so another point in favor of being able to replay the games.
I do not know exactly where the controversy with the end of ME3 came from but I have played my game and I have chosen my ending. Even having read the other endings and some have seemed more appealing, I am left with the chosen one. The good thing about this is that you can play before the final mission to see what happens with other options.
In short, Mass Effect is already one of my favorite sagas in video games and the Legendary Edition allows you to play the entire story. Of course, I recommend buying and playing to your heart's content in this epic sci-fi adventure.
No haré comentarios de las dos primera entregas porque ya escribí en su momento las reseñas. Solo añadir que los DLCs de ambas, los cuales no tuve ocasión de probar en mi primera partida, son muy disfrutables y es un puntazo tenerlos en esta edición.
Mass Effect 3 empieza con mucha acción y prisa. Así te hacen sentir la urgencia de la situación en la que se encuentra la Tierra por la guerra con los segadores y por ende toda la galaxia. Todo para luego enviarte a hacer recados y favores.
No me convenció nada este enfoque. O vamos a saco o nos tomamos nuestro tiempo. El estilo de juego de Mass Effect no encaja con la situación que plantea la trama sobre detener una guerra que ya ha empezado contra unas maquinas más avanzadas que cualquier otra cosa existente hasta el momento.
Dejando claro que los segadores se toman su tiempo para eliminar la vida orgánica avanzada, tu también tienes tu tiempo para conseguir todos los recursos y apoyos para la batalla final. Ya se plantea la existencia de un dispositivo que puede acabar con los segadores pero para ello pues necesitas marcarte un avengers assemble con todas las razas de la galaxia.
He de decir que mientras lo jugaba, ME3 me ha dejado mejores momentos y más memorables con la tripulación y pelotón de Shepard que las entregas anteriores. Momentos graciosos, enternecedores y cómplices que se muestran con los antiguos y nuevos miembros, con referencias y guiños para aquellos que les han cogido cariño. Uno de los puntos fuertes, sin duda.
El combate es correcto, no dista mucho de lo ya mejorado con ME2 pero añade una cantidad de armas y complementos que me parecen excesivos para el desafío que plantea el juego. Pero también es parte del diseño, que cada uno se acomode en las opciones disponibles para que cualquiera pueda elegir y disfrutar.
La exploración es mucho más simple que en las demás entregas y aunque duele un poco admitirlo, es mucho mejor. En ME1 tenia el mítico Mako para ir rodando por ahí, pero en demasiadas zonas, amplias y complicadas a veces que terminaban por cansar por la recompensa que ofrecían.
En ME2, explorar cada planeta por recursos también acaba siendo aburrido para la cantidad que hay y aunque tiene alguna que otra misión con un Mako planeador, no aporta nada realmente.
En ME3 simplemente con una pasada rápida y apretar un dos botones ya tiene la exploración hecha, la partida tiene un ritmo mucho más rápido y dinámico, lo cual encaja con la trama.
Para el tema de romances, aquí he podido hacer un poco de trampa y escoger bien con quien quería tener la relación porque en mi primera partida no acabé de entender muy bien lo que hacia, así que otro punto a favor el poder rejugar los juegos.
No se exactamente de donde venia la polémica con el final de ME3 pero yo he jugado mi partida y he escogido mi final. Aun habiendo leído los otros finales y algunos me ha parecido más apetecible, me quedo con el escogido. Lo bueno de esto es que puedes jugar desde antes de la misión final para ver que ocurre con otras opciones.
En resumen, Mass Effect ya es una de mis sagas preferidas en videojuegos y la Legendary Edition te permite jugar toda la historia completa. Por supuesto recomiendo la compra y jugar hasta reventar a esta aventura épica de ciencia ficción.
[ENG]: Just so you know, I already played ME1 and ME2 at the time and I had the 3 pending but due to an error with the data, I could not continue my game. And I was already thinking of replaying everything again to have my full experience of the saga. So Mass Effect Legendary Edition came at the perfect time.
I will not comment on the first two installments because I already wrote the reviews at the time. Just add that the DLCs of both, which I did not have the opportunity to try in my first game, are very enjoyable and it is a hoot to have them in this edition.
Mass Effect 3 begins with a lot of action and a rush. Thus they make you feel the urgency of the situation in which the Earth finds itself due to the war with the reapers and therefore the entire galaxy. Everything and then send you out on errands and favors.
This approach did not convince me at all. Either we go to sack or we take our time. Mass Effect's playstyle does not fit the situation posed by the plot about stopping a war that has already started against machines more advanced than anything else in existence so far.
Making it clear that reapers take their time to eliminate advanced organic life, you also have your time to gather all the resources and supports for the final battle. The existence of a device that can end the reapers is already being considered, but for this you need to mark an avengers assemble with all the races of the galaxy.
I have to say that while playing it, ME3 has left me with better and more memorable moments with Shepard's crew and platoon than previous installments. Funny, touching and complicit moments that are shown with the old and new members, with references and winks for those who have taken a liking to them. One of the strengths, without a doubt.
The combat is correct, it is not far from what has already been improved with ME2 but it adds a number of weapons and accessories that I find excessive for the challenge posed by the game. But it is also part of the design, that each one fits into the available options for anyone to choose and enjoy.
The exploration is much simpler than in the other installments and although it hurts a bit to admit it, it is much better. In ME1 I had the mythical Mako to go rolling around, but in too many areas, wide and complicated at times that ended up getting tired because of the reward they offered.
In ME2, exploring each planet for resources also ends up being boring for the amount that there is and although it has the occasional mission with a Mako glider, it does not really add anything.
In ME3, simply with a fast pass and pressing a two buttons you have the exploration done, the game has a much faster and more dynamic rhythm, which fits with the plot.
On the subject of romances, here I have been able to cheat a bit and choose well with whom I wanted to have the relationship because in my first game I did not quite understand what I was doing, so another point in favor of being able to replay the games.
I do not know exactly where the controversy with the end of ME3 came from but I have played my game and I have chosen my ending. Even having read the other endings and some have seemed more appealing, I am left with the chosen one. The good thing about this is that you can play before the final mission to see what happens with other options.
In short, Mass Effect is already one of my favorite sagas in video games and the Legendary Edition allows you to play the entire story. Of course, I recommend buying and playing to your heart's content in this epic sci-fi adventure.
One of the greatest video game series of all time. Also some of the best science fiction I have ever experienced in any medium. A must play for any fan of games or science fiction in general.
Mass Effect Review - https://www.backloggd.com/u/MrChrystal/review/178780/
Mass Effect 2 Review - https://www.backloggd.com/u/MrChrystal/review/178790/
Mass Effect 3 Review - https://www.backloggd.com/u/MrChrystal/review/179050/
Mass Effect Review - https://www.backloggd.com/u/MrChrystal/review/178780/
Mass Effect 2 Review - https://www.backloggd.com/u/MrChrystal/review/178790/
Mass Effect 3 Review - https://www.backloggd.com/u/MrChrystal/review/179050/
me1: bad
me2: good
me3: i think there were a lot of things i liked and didn't like abt the choices the writers made but overall i liked it... its very much a bioware game LOL synthesis > the other endings idc
also garrus/tali/shep should've been a thing
me2: good
me3: i think there were a lot of things i liked and didn't like abt the choices the writers made but overall i liked it... its very much a bioware game LOL synthesis > the other endings idc
also garrus/tali/shep should've been a thing
Finished ME1 after a rushed playthrough(13:30 Playtime) and let me just say most of the quality of life improvements are 100% worth it. When I remembered playing the game when it came out in 2007 I'm sure in my head it looked and ran better then it was. Playing this in 2021 it 100% felt at home in my current library. Game itself does still have a few bugs(notably had one squadmate who couldn't move at all during Feros) but to me this is a remastered edition that's worth the price if you were at all a fan of the originals. Will update further after ME2/ME3
It's the same trilogy but up to 11. There's nothing more that needs to be said, except restore ME3's multiplayer and everybody will be happy.
Looks like shit
A really, really solid collection. The amount of effort put into improving ME1 was impressive (it might’ve even made it my favorite game in the franchise?), but I would’ve loved to see improvements made to ME2 and ME3 that went beyond texture improvements and bug fixes.
Obra maestra.
Refina y mejora la trilogía sin cambiar el vibe del original.
Por fin Shepard no parece un pato.
Refina y mejora la trilogía sin cambiar el vibe del original.
Por fin Shepard no parece un pato.
Unpopular opinion: Mass Effect 1 and 2 should have been visual novels instead of proper games. The gameplay feels like such a chore in both ME1 and ME2. It's just corridors and shooting very limited enemy types. The only thing that carries those games is the choices and the world -- both of which you can have in a visual novel. Also, ME2 doesn't really have a story??? It's just one long recruiting mission where you're prepped for ME3.
Mass Effect 3 is the only game in the trilogy that feels like a game. It's where it all comes together. The gameplay is solid and tight, and the story is moving fast.
I think this trilogy is overrated af because we didn't really have games where your choices actually mattered across the entire trilogy.
The lore and the world is pretty good though! And this is a pretty great remaster, not gonna lie.
Mass Effect 3 is the only game in the trilogy that feels like a game. It's where it all comes together. The gameplay is solid and tight, and the story is moving fast.
I think this trilogy is overrated af because we didn't really have games where your choices actually mattered across the entire trilogy.
The lore and the world is pretty good though! And this is a pretty great remaster, not gonna lie.
me1: 4.5
me2: 4
me3: 3
Collection: 4
me2: 4
me3: 3
Collection: 4
Mass Effect 1 is the game in this collection that has been most messed with. All 3 of these games are masterpieces. ME1 has the most engaging story. ME2 upgrades the combat and has the best characters. ME3 has the best gameplay and imo a good ending. I thing the progression with the same Shepard is the best way to play this series and my jaw was dropped throughout my entire playthrough. I want more but not Andromeda haha.
ME1: Just finished 1, i give it a 4 out of 5. While it improved a lot from the vanilla game, the limitations are still there, the Mako "worlds" where you can explore are so repetitive that starts to get boring, the combat improved a lot in this version, and it's bugged but way way less. What ME has to offer that maybe no other has, is that it makes you into a universe explorer, it's so beautiful watching the galaxies and the planets, the environments, it's a terrific RPG Sci fi game single player, that has no competitor until this day. The story is compelling and shows the fundamentals from the entire series, while it had a terrific story, a lot of the other points lacked in this game and improved a lot on the other games.
A great collection of all 3 games, and 1 has been redone to be an even better game than it was.
I love the Mass Effect trilogy, flaws, gripes, and all. Replaying this felt like the definitive way to experience the entire franchise for curious newcomers and long-time veterans.
It felt pretty clear that the original Mass Effect was given the most attention towards being overhauled and remastered. The other two games are more or less the same, with the addition of the graphical improvements and DLCs being integrated. Playing these as one giant sweeping epic made me appreciate them individually a bit more than I thought. Even the third one, while I still don't think is very good overall, has moments that made it feel more tolerable than my first play-through.
As a complete package I was able to appreciate what I thought were the greatest strengths of the Mass Effect, that being the setting, the engaging characters, and the world-building. The brilliant blend of multiple science fiction genres in one creative melting pot. Most specifically, the blending contrast of Star Trekkian Wonder and Lovercraftian Cosmic Horror. That's what kept me still engaged in replaying throughout the course of the entire three games, even knowing how it as all inevitably going to conclude.
Really, the biggest problem with the trilogy had more to do with the changing tides of BioWare and the development leads being too ambitious for their own good.
Mass Effect 2, while being a very good game on its own, didn't do what was needed to progress the story of the trilogy. To put it bluntly, it broke the franchise. The most it did was set up interesting and engaging characters who are bound to appear in the next. The game ends the same way as it started, with Shepard still finding a way to stop the Reapers who're coming. This felt like BioWare writing themselves into a corner in trying to develop a game that not only concludes what Mass Effect 1 originally set up, but also what Mass Effect 2 tangentially introduces as well. Combine this with the hellish production EA put the company through, the possibility for a satisfying ending to the trilogy became a pure fantasy.
Which is why we got a game that felt rushed, woefully underdeveloped, and an example of developers biting off than they end up chewing. Mass Effect 3's ending wasn't disappointing just because it was pulled out of nowhere and disrupted what was a good game. It was disappointing because it was cumulative of everything BioWare struggles and fails to deliver throughout this trilogy, and as game developers.
But regardless of the ending, and how Mass Effect 3 in general kinda just became as a game, the experience I've had with these characters, the world, and the stories in between those while playing as my own Commander Shepard hasn't been invalidated or made any less meaningless
It felt pretty clear that the original Mass Effect was given the most attention towards being overhauled and remastered. The other two games are more or less the same, with the addition of the graphical improvements and DLCs being integrated. Playing these as one giant sweeping epic made me appreciate them individually a bit more than I thought. Even the third one, while I still don't think is very good overall, has moments that made it feel more tolerable than my first play-through.
As a complete package I was able to appreciate what I thought were the greatest strengths of the Mass Effect, that being the setting, the engaging characters, and the world-building. The brilliant blend of multiple science fiction genres in one creative melting pot. Most specifically, the blending contrast of Star Trekkian Wonder and Lovercraftian Cosmic Horror. That's what kept me still engaged in replaying throughout the course of the entire three games, even knowing how it as all inevitably going to conclude.
Really, the biggest problem with the trilogy had more to do with the changing tides of BioWare and the development leads being too ambitious for their own good.
Mass Effect 2, while being a very good game on its own, didn't do what was needed to progress the story of the trilogy. To put it bluntly, it broke the franchise. The most it did was set up interesting and engaging characters who are bound to appear in the next. The game ends the same way as it started, with Shepard still finding a way to stop the Reapers who're coming. This felt like BioWare writing themselves into a corner in trying to develop a game that not only concludes what Mass Effect 1 originally set up, but also what Mass Effect 2 tangentially introduces as well. Combine this with the hellish production EA put the company through, the possibility for a satisfying ending to the trilogy became a pure fantasy.
Which is why we got a game that felt rushed, woefully underdeveloped, and an example of developers biting off than they end up chewing. Mass Effect 3's ending wasn't disappointing just because it was pulled out of nowhere and disrupted what was a good game. It was disappointing because it was cumulative of everything BioWare struggles and fails to deliver throughout this trilogy, and as game developers.
But regardless of the ending, and how Mass Effect 3 in general kinda just became as a game, the experience I've had with these characters, the world, and the stories in between those while playing as my own Commander Shepard hasn't been invalidated or made any less meaningless
I've played through this series twice in full before now, but never back-to-back-to-back in quick succession. It used to be pretty clunky transferring your character over between discs and managing DLC and whatnot. Having everything in one package makes it feel more like one grand space opera than three separate entries. I love these games dearly.
ME1 is clunky and dated now, but it remains extremely impressive how well it delivers massive amounts of lore and worldbuilding details without ever feeling like an info dump. It prepares you perfectly for ME2, which used to be my favorite of the series. The combat feels great and the backstories of each member of your squad are varied and phenomenal. The whole game is basically one big recruitment mission though, so I found myself enjoying ME3 even more this time around. The stakes feel high and the heavy story beats feel well-earned. ME3 is a damn near perfect game in my opinion outside of the very end, which is an undeniably bland way to wrap up the story. Everything leading up to that final choice is brilliant, but boiling down hours and hours of choices and character building to three very similar options is a bit disappointing. It doesn't bring the game as a whole down in my estimation though. This is an epic story, one of my favorite RPGs, and I am attached to so many of the characters. I will always love these games and I hope Bioware can make something this good again.
ME1 is clunky and dated now, but it remains extremely impressive how well it delivers massive amounts of lore and worldbuilding details without ever feeling like an info dump. It prepares you perfectly for ME2, which used to be my favorite of the series. The combat feels great and the backstories of each member of your squad are varied and phenomenal. The whole game is basically one big recruitment mission though, so I found myself enjoying ME3 even more this time around. The stakes feel high and the heavy story beats feel well-earned. ME3 is a damn near perfect game in my opinion outside of the very end, which is an undeniably bland way to wrap up the story. Everything leading up to that final choice is brilliant, but boiling down hours and hours of choices and character building to three very similar options is a bit disappointing. It doesn't bring the game as a whole down in my estimation though. This is an epic story, one of my favorite RPGs, and I am attached to so many of the characters. I will always love these games and I hope Bioware can make something this good again.
Teil 1 Beendet
Another trilogy I waited far too long to play.
Great 3 games, great value for all the game and dlcs, but they had chance to fix some bugs and add some obvious qol features but they didn't.
Don't get me wrong btw, i LOVED this collection but as someone who played for 137 hours and got all achievements, I waited more polishing. Especially journal needed some work across all games but they didn't bother.
BUY if you want to experience this great trilogy for the first time, or if you want to visit trilogy with DLCs
DON'T BUY if you played trilogy before and expect something different from original versions.
Don't get me wrong btw, i LOVED this collection but as someone who played for 137 hours and got all achievements, I waited more polishing. Especially journal needed some work across all games but they didn't bother.
BUY if you want to experience this great trilogy for the first time, or if you want to visit trilogy with DLCs
DON'T BUY if you played trilogy before and expect something different from original versions.