A new Mass Effect game is in the works, which is exciting for obvious reasons. But Mass Effect 4 is still painfully far away, and to make the wait go down a little smoother, a refreshing draught of the original Mass Effect trilogy might be just what the doctor ordered.
There's some debate about whether Mass Effect Andromeda should be considered part of the mainline series, but its title and far-removed plot premise position it as more of a spin-off within the Mass Effect universe than a sequel to Mass Effect 3.
Of course, anyone who has never experienced Mass Effect firsthand owes it to themselves to dive into the series from top to bottom, but even veterans might want to consider revisiting it. It's been over a decade since Mass Effect 3 came out, after all, and fans of the original trilogy might be starting to feel a bit heartsick thanks to the dearth of Shepard-and Normandy-related content in the intervening years. With Mass Effect: Legendary Edition coming out in 2021, offering the definitive experience at a great price, a walk down memory lane might be long overdue.
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2025 Is the Year to Restart Mass Effect
The World of Mass Effect Has Plenty of Meat On Its Bones
There might not have been any new content added to the original Mass Effect games since 2012, but that doesn't mean that a repeat playthrough won't lead to new revelations. Indeed, although Mass Effect presents as more of a traditional action-adventure story with a space opera backdrop, its sci-fi lore is incredibly robust and sophisticated. After getting accustomed to the existential threats and character drama during an initial playthrough, it might be easier to digest some of these more thought-provoking narrative elements.
Taking time to fully exhaust all dialog options, read all logs, and study the series' environmental storytelling can be remarkably rewarding. Key facets of Mass Effect's worldbuilding, like the ethical dilemma of the Krogan genophage and the decidedly alien, potentially disturbing culture of the Asari, may take on new meaning on repeat playthroughs, as players assume a more academic approach to the story. And of course, Mass Effect is a choice-driven franchise, so it's quite literally impossible to experience every possible permutation of the narrative in one or even a handful of playthroughs.
Replaying Mass Effect Reveals Its Deep Combat Mechanics
While the first Mass Effect has admittedly minimalist combat, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 strike the perfect balance between party-based RPG gameplay and real-time third-person shooting. Repeat playthroughs, especially on higher difficulties, reveal the intricacies of this combat system, urging players to optimize party composition, positioning, and equipment and ability loadouts to dispatch enemies as efficiently as possible.
There's the matter of unique character builds as well. While none of the Mass Effect games have the build variety of something like Elden Ring, they do offer a surprising amount of diversity hinging on starting class. Playing as a Soldier feels notably different from playing as an Infiltrator or Adept, which feels different from an Engineer, and so on. Many game-changing abilities are locked behind specific classes, which helps multiple playthroughs remain refreshing, as the doors to fruitful experimentation are flung wide open.
But really, the biggest reason why one should replay Mass Effect in 2025 is that it's simply a fantastic series that gets better with age. There's nothing quite like the feeling of peeling back the narrative and gameplay layers of Mass Effect on a third or fourth playthrough, gaining additional understanding of its deep writing and game design.
Mass Effect 3
- Released
- March 6, 2012
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 3
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Mass Effect
WHERE TO PLAY
Earth is burning. The Reapers have taken over, and other civilizations are falling like dominoes. Lead the final fight to save humanity and take back Earth from these terrifying machines, Commander Shepard. You’ll need backup for these battles. Fortunately, the galaxy has a habit of sending unexpected species your way. Recruit team members and forge new alliances, but be prepared to say goodbye at any time as partners make the ultimate sacrifice. It’s time for Commander Shepard to fight for the fate of the human race and save the galaxy. No pressure, Commander.
Fight smarter. Take advantage of new powers and combat moves. Shepard can now blind-fire at enemies and build tougher melee attacks. Plus, when you fight as a team, you can combine new biotic and tech powers to unleash devastating Power Combos.
Build the final force. Build a team from a variety of races and classes, and combine their skills to overcome impossible odds. You’ll be joined by newcomers like James Vega, a tough-as-nails soldier, as well as EDI, a trusted AI in a newly acquired physical form. Keep an eye out for beloved characters from your past, but beware. Some may not survive the final battle….
Face off against friends. Enjoy an integrated, co-op multiplayer mode, and team up with friends online to liberate key conflict zones from increasingly tough opponents. Customize your warrior and earn new weapons, armor and abilities to build war preparedness stats in your single-player campaign.
