MASS EFFECT: Still a MASTERPIECE 15+ Years Later (Retrospective Critique)

It’s been a little over 15 years since Bioware released the groundbreaking first entry in their classic space RPG franchise. Mass Effect was released as an XBox exclusive title on November 26, 2007 and went on to sell over half a million copies by the end of the year. Critics and gamers alike praised the game’s interactive storytelling, memorable characters and engaging combat.

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0:00 Introduction
1:28 Chapter 1 - Development
4:04 Chapter 2 - Gameplay
5:52 Combat
9:11 Morality
10:18 Side Content
11:46 Chapter 3 - Squadmates
24:20 Chapter 4 - Romance
26:48 Chapter 5 - Story
28:04 Eden Prime
31:03 Citadel Expose Saren
34:11 Therum
36:16 Feros
41:32 Noveria
49:20 Virmire
56:56 Council Betrays Shepard
58:42 Ilos
1:00:15 Ending
1:02:51 DLC
1:05:12 Legacy of Mass Effect

MASS EFFECT 2 RETROSPECTIVE

MASS EFFECT 3 RETROSPECTIVE

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[me]

I know a lot of people disagree but this is by far my favourite. The Lovecraftian element to the Reapers, the retro Sci-Fi music. The eerie Sci-Fi horror music. The lonely sense of insignificance on the uncharted world's. The fact you could armour up all your squad ect.

[DMaarten]

Since the changes in the LE, i love Mass Effect 1 even more ❤️

[Erenzilable]

When replaying LE I’ve realised that me1 is relatively timeless. When you boot up me3 you immediately feel the 2012-2013, it’s similar to a lot of stuff from 2012. Me1 on the other hand feels like nothing else.

[AndreaDelRiva]

The project director himself said (Kasey Hudson), this level of story telling and design "may never be attempted again". Since 2012, with ME3, I believe only the Witcher franchise was able to recapture this magic. I really do miss these type of games and quality, and none on the horizon seem to fill the black hole left by Bioware except itself.

[noahduncan]

What always gets me about Jenkins's death is just how little reverence there is for him. Not only is he killed by the first enemy of the first mission, the cutscene can't be bothered to spare him time to even show him falling down. To be clear, I mean that this is hilarious.

[dynastes]

LE was the best thing that could happen to Mass Effect. All three games play very well and I simply love experiencing them anew once a year. Has become somewhat of a tradition for me xD

[maddyo]

Omg...the grenades. I lose more grenades trying to reload than actually using them! So funny you brought that up! Also, I have to say I need to try to Renegade Shepard into threatening to toss Liara in a volcano! It has been missing from my life

[superwhiteboy]

14:42, you forgot to mention kadian was a kid (like 16), and the man he killed was a total POS who beat the hell out of him and his classmates and he ultimately killed the man in self defense

[jackal]

I actually really like the fact that theres still a boss fight after sarin offs himself it really showed how far he had fallen while indoctrinated and showed how advanced the reaper tech was.

[lidular]

One of the things people rare seem to mention is the almost lovecraftian horror of ME. One of the reasons I fell in love with the game is because of the mystery.
Each of the main mission, except vermire, has an element of unknown horror.
This is also why I love the leviathan dlc so much, it has the same feel, and I really hope ME 4 goes back to that a bit more

[revan]

Just started another play through of LE. These games never get old for me. Sci-fi epic storytelling at its finest. Please BioWare find this quality again for Dreadwolf and ME4.

[brucewaynetheplayboy]

The Changes in the Legendary Edition made Mass Effect 1 the best game in the trilogy

[bowweezzell]

In Kaidan's defence, he IS Canadian.

[sleepyatdawn]

The uncharted worlds provided some of my favorite exploration moments in gaming. They didn't have clutter and feel truly hostile and devoid of life. Like a planet.

[hisgreasiness]

The first in definitely the best. It's a game that isn't on rails, has great pacing and the soundtrack was outstanding. The following games were a bit too cheesy, although I still enjoyed them thoroughly.

[unceasingcape]

Honestly I first play this game in Iraq. It was 2007 and a Soldier in the battalion showed me this game. Since then, I've been a super fan!

[vinceA]

Agreed. This series is a masterpiece. One of the greatest game series ever made. One of the few games that actually depressed me when I finished it. I was down because I didn't want it to end. I wanted more. Plus I was a little ticked off that I couldn't get the ending for Shepard that I wanted.

[AvengerAtIlipa]

I really like the subtle Reaper foreshadowing in the various codex entries throughout the game. For example, Therum has large deposits of fossil fuels -- indicating a widespread, ancient ecosystem -- despite appearing to be a desolate, volcanic wasteland.

[EternalNightingale]

This is definitely one of those games I’d wish I could lose memory of and re discover again I remember playing it till the am when legendary edition dropped on inanity difficulty and then going onto ME2 and 3 and getting those trophies

[antoniocounts]

No one can really disagree, the first playthrough is magical, especially if you do everything.