Game Groups > Mass Effect series

Mass Effect is a series of science fiction games developed by BioWare. The games merge role-playing game mechanics with squad-based third-person shooter combat. The first three Mass Effect games are set in the same futuristic universe, and are united by an overarching storyline and a common protagonist, the human Commander Shepard.

Setting and story

Mass Effect games are set in the end of the 22nd century. A discovery of a cache of technology on Mars, supposedly built by an advanced but long-extinct race called the Protheans, allowed the humans to travel beyond the limits of the solar system, establish colonies in space, and encounter alien civilizations within the galaxy. Many of these have been accustomed to space travel longer than the humans, utilizing artifacts known as Mass Relays to travel instantly across vast stretches. The most advanced races established a conglomerate body of governments known as the Citadel Council; other races (including humans) are represented by ambassadors sent there. The overarching story of Mass Effect games involves a new threat to the galaxy: a race of ancient non-organic predators known as Reapers, whose goal is to exterminate all organic life.

The universe of Mass Effect is populated by many alien species, each with its own culture, history, and peculiarities. The three that occupy permanent seats in the Citadel Council are the unisexual asari, who resemble blue-skinned human females; salarians, distinguished by their fast metabolism and short life cycles; and the fierce, honor-bound turians with raptor-like faces. Other alien species seen in the games include the environmentally suited humanoid quarians; the reptilian krogans, often engaged as mercenaries; the methodical, monotonous-voiced and quadrupedal elcor, and many others.

Mass Effect Andromeda is set in the Andromeda galaxy and the player takes on the role of Ryder. The game introduced 2 new alien species, the Kett and Angara.

Gameplay

In the first three Mass Effect games, the player takes the role of Commander Shepard, whose gender, appearance, and abilities are customized by the player. There are six character classes in the games, distinguished by their proficiency in firearms, tech abilities (sabotaging enemy defenses) and biotic powers, which are similar to magic in other games. Experience points are awarded for defeating enemies and completing quests. When a character levels up, the player can invest accumulated talent points to develop his/her skills (mostly combat-related) and passive abilities.

Combat implements cover-based third-person tactical shooter mechanics, similar to Gears of War. In the first three games, the player directly controls only Commander Shepard, but can position his/her two companions simultaneously, and pause the action to issue more specific commands to them. In Andromeda, a new combat system was featured which takes place in real time.

The player will be presented with choices during the course of the games, many of which would influence subsequent events. The morality system in the games allows the player to tend either towards the values of the law-abiding, honorable Paragon, or the rebellious, self-centered Renegade. Relationships with companions play an important role in the games; the protagonist can also become romantically involved with a companion, provided the player has chosen the right actions.

Related Groups

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Title Released Platforms Genres Moby Score
box cover thumbnail BioWare Bundle 2018 PlayStation 4, Xbox One (+1 more) Compilation
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Crackdown & Mass Effect Double Pack 2011 Xbox 360 Compilation
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2007 Xbox 360, Windows (+1 more) Role-playing (RPG)
8.6
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2012 PlayStation 3 Action, Role-playing (RPG), Compilation
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Mass Effect (Edycja Kolekcjonerska) 2008 Windows Special edition
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect (Limited Collector's Edition) 2007 Xbox 360 Special edition
7.8
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2 2011 PlayStation 3 Role-playing (RPG), Compilation
9.0
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2 2010 Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Role-playing (RPG)
8.8
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2 (2010 Edition) 2017 Windows Compilation
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2 (Collector's Edition) 2010 Windows, Xbox 360 Special edition
8.1
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2 (Digital Deluxe Edition) 2010 Windows Special edition
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Aegis Pack 2010 Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 (+1 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Alternate Appearance Pack 2 2011 Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 (+1 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Appearance Pack 2010 PlayStation 3, Xbox One (+1 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Arrival 2011 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
6.5
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Cerberus Pack 2010 Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 (+1 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: DLC Bundle 2017 Windows Compilation
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Equalizer Pack 2010 Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 (+1 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Firepower Pack 2010 Xbox 360, Xbox One (+1 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Firewalker Pack 2010 Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Kasumi - Stolen Memory 2010 Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Add-on
7.1
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker 2010 Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Add-on
8.1
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: N7 Complete Arsenal Bundle 2011 PlayStation 3 Add-on, Compilation
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Normandy Crash Site 2010 Xbox 360, Windows (+1 more) Add-on
6.8
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Overlord 2010 Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Add-on
7.7
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Recon Operations Pack 2011 PlayStation 3 Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Terminus Pack 2011 PlayStation 3 Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 2: Zaeed - The Price of Revenge 2010 Xbox 360, Windows (+2 more) Add-on
7.6
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Role-playing (RPG)
8.4
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3 (N7 Collector's Edition) 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Special edition
7.9
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Alternate Appearance Pack 1 2012 PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Citadel 2013 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: DLC Bundle 2017 Windows Compilation
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Earth Multiplayer Expansion 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Firefight Pack 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: From Ashes 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Groundside Resistance Pack 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Leviathan 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
7.2
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Multiplayer Collection 2013 PlayStation 3 Compilation
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: N7 Digital Deluxe Edition 2020 Windows Compilation
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Omega 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Online Pass 2012 PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (+1 more) DLC / Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Rebellion Multiplayer Expansion 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Reckoning Multiplayer Expansion 2013 PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Resurgence Multiplayer Expansion 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Retaliation Multiplayer Expansion 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+2 more) Add-on
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect 3: Special Edition 2012 Wii U Action, Role-playing (RPG)
8.0
box cover thumbnail Mass Effect Trilogy 2012 Windows, Xbox 360 (+1 more) Compilation
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box cover thumbnail Mass Effect: Andromeda 2017 Windows, PlayStation 4 (+2 more) Role-playing (RPG)
6.8

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