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Mass
Effect

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Mass Effect (2007) is a sci-fi adventure where you role-play a soldier named Commander Shepard, who must save the galaxy from a race of powerful mechanical beings. The series started in 2007 and has fourth substantial instalments that take you from that first mission to the following fall out and the ensuing war.

The game is a combination of exploring locations, talking to characters for information and action based shooting missions. Over the course of the game, your choices determine the story and how you shape your version of Commander Shepard and his or her team. This impacts not only the current game put also options in future games of the trilogy as well.

Main Series:
  • Mass Effect (2007) on PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • Mass Effect 2 (2010) on PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • Mass Effect 3 (2012) on PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U
  • Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021) HD version of main series on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

In addition to the newer game, Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017), you can play the series on the latest hardware as follows:
  • PlayStation: The original trilogy cannot be played on PlayStation 4 (it's not backwards compatible and not available on PlayStation Now). Mass Effect 2 on PlayStation 3 enables you to catch-up with plot and decisions via the Genesis content, if you didn't play the first game.
  • Xbox: You can play the trilogy on Xbox One's backwards compatibility either by purchasing the 360 games individually or subscribing to EA Access (for the trilogy) or Game Pass (for the first game).
  • PC: You can play the trilogy by purchasing them or via Origin subscription.
  • Wii U: Mass Effect 3: Special Edition on Wii U includes additional content and catch-up decision making to provide context for those who didn't play the first game.

There are also spin-off games on mobile that offer a different experience in the same universe:
  • Mass Effect Galaxy (2009) on iOS
  • Mass Effect Infiltrator (2012) on iOS, Android
  • Mass Effect Datapad (2012) on iOS
  • Mass Effect: Andromeda APEX HQ (2017) on iOS, Android

Along with the games themselves are a series of fiction books and guides that expand the storylines and flesh out the wider teachers of the galaxy.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Mass Effect 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 3 weeks ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Mass Effect (Series). Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is an Action, Adventure and Role-Play game with Narrative, Shooting and Traversal elements. This is a single-player game.

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 75 hours and 100 hours to complete. It can take up to 100 hours to beat the game, and that will only be one particular ending.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Although Mass Effect Andromeda is rated PEGI 16, the original trilogy are rated PEGI 18 for moderate violence and sexual content. Certain weapons can be used to shoot enemies in the head causing decapitation, resulting in headless torsos spraying blood from their necks. The game also contains use of the word '*!@?*' and also short cinematic sex scenes.

The Legendary Edition includes all single-player content and DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3. The remasters will run at 4K on compatible platforms, with forward compatibility and targeted enhancements on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.

Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Mature Accompanied (MA 15+).

Skill Level

13+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. There is a lot of reading required and dealing with multiple characters and systems.

CostsCosts

Mass Effect usually costs £14.99 to £59.99.
 

Mass Effect

Mass Effect (2007)

Steam Store PC £24.99

Mass Effect 2 (2010)

Steam Store PC £17.99

Mass Effect 3 (2012)

Steam Store PC £24.99

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

Mass Effect: Andromeda

PlayStation Store PS4 £34.99
Steam Store PC £34.99

Mass Effect: Andromeda Deluxe Upgrade

XBox Store Xbox One £14.99

Mass Effect: Andromeda: Deluxe Recruit Edition

PlayStation Store PS4 £34.99

Mass Effect: Andromeda: Standard Recruit Edition

PlayStation Store PS4 £17.99

Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 3

Mass Effect Andromeda

There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
  • In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
 
The games offer in-game purchases but the bundles and subscriptions of the original trilogy usually include the key elements for free. 
 
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
 

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 20/11/2007

Out Now: PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox X|S and iOS

Skill Rating: 13+ year-olds

Players: 1

Genres: Action, Adventure, Role-Play (Narrative, Shooting and Traversal)

Accessibility: 26 features

Components: 3D Third-Person and Open World

Developer: Bioware (@Bioware)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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