PLATFORM: PC, PS4 /5, XBOX ONE / SERIES X (REVIEWED) | RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
Originally released between 2007 – 2012, the first three Mass Effect games are quite rightly considered to be one of the finest trilogies in gaming. Commander Shepard’s mission to save not just humanity but the entire the galaxy from the Reapers – ancient beings who wipe out all organic life every 50,000 years in a sort of “great reset” for reasons not entirely clear (if we’re keeping things spoiler-free, that is) – spans all three instalments, taking him (or her – you can now play as a female Shepard in all three games, where previously this was limited to ME3) to countless planets where all manner of weird and wonderful characters from multiple alien races can be talked into joining his cause. The series might have had a couple of ups and downs (let’s not go into the general reaction to the original ending to the third game…), and the first game felt a little on the creaky side even back in 2007, but the Legendary Edition goes to great lengths to eliminate the rougher edges while polishing each game up with a shiny new coat of 4K UHD paint.
The first game has seen the lion’s share of gameplay tweaks, bringing it more in line with the later games in the series. Squad behaviour, AI and controls (particularly with regards to the Mako, Shepard’s notoriously finicky ground-based vehicle) have all been improved, along with a ton of combat refinements that make the game feel much more modern, and the updated visuals are a sight to behold, especially for those who remember wading through the original’s muddy and drab colours back in 2007. ME1 does still feel rather of its time, with a lot of facial animations leaving a fair bit to be desired and relatively sparse gameplay mechanics (you’re either shooting stuff, talking to people or completing quicktime events to hack into things), but it serves as a perfect appetiser to the games that follow.
Mass Effect 2 expanded on the original in every way imaginable, and is still an absolute joy to play through today. There are more planets to explore, more characters to recruit to your team, more lore, more varied gameplay and more heart-wrenching decisions to be made. Generally a much more accomplished game, it’s more confident and bombastic and action-packed than ME1, which is exactly how a sequel should be done. More of everything, basically! ME2 sees Bioware at their storytelling best too, and the consequences of your decisions will follow your character through the entire series (if you choose to carry your save file over), so you’ll need to pay close attention to who you’re getting friendly with…
Mass Effect 3 takes things in a slightly more cinematic direction, almost immediately throwing Shepard into a full-on action set piece in which the Reapers finally make their assault on the Citadel (and humanity, and the galaxy, oh good lord it’s all kicking off now). The series’ gameplay is absolutely at its peak here. Shepard’s movements are smoother, faster and much less clunky to control than before, combat is thrillingly fast-paced and enhanced with extra powers, and there’s a crazy amount of missions to work through as you build up your “galactic readiness” in preparation for the final showdown.
ME2 and 3‘s improvements are largely superficial, mostly limited to graphical overhauls, but they’re absolutely noticeable. The option is there to choose either quality or performance, depending on your set-up and personal preference. New-gen consoles are able to handle 60fps in 4K resolution flawlessly, combining with the shiny new layer of polish to make the Legendary Edition look better than ever. To sweeten the deal even further, every piece of previously-released single-player DLC has been woven into the games themselves, and there’s even a new photo mode which, at first, you assume you won’t use, but will end up with a folder full of screenshots on your console because so much of the game just looks so damn nice.
Seeing how your decisions affect the events that unfold during the trilogy’s 60+ hours is as gripping today as it was nearly 10-15 years ago, and each game’s story sets such high stakes right from the beginning that you really feel the weight of responsibility in a way that the majority of other games that try this sort of thing never really quite manage to achieve. Whether you’re going back to visit old friends or creating your very own sci-fi epic for the very first time, the modern upgrades and sheer amount of content on offer mean that the Legendary Edition is easily the definitive and best way to experience Shepard’s story.
