Mass Effect Legendary Edition is now on GamePass

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is now available on both GamePass for Xbox and PC. The entire remaster trilogy is a must-play.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is now on GamePass

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

The highly successful remaster, Mass Effect Legendary Edition is now available on GamePass via EA Play. As of January 7, all subscribers of both services will be able to fully play the hundred-hour trilogy sci-fi game. This means that PlayStation users will also be able to get their hands on the game, provided they are subscribed to EA Play.

The Legendary edition brings together all three of the mainline games and over 40 DLC. This is almost all the content from the originals, minus the Pinnacle Station DLC which got misplaced.

Game Pass

At launch, the price of the collection was $59.99, which was already a great deal. In our review, we mentioned that it “is a great price even if you didn’t buy a remaster but you are getting a remastered version on top of that package so it is a really really good deal. “ Despite the price tag, executive Andrew Wilson confirmed that sales were “well above EA’s expectations”. This is quite good to hear, as this could reignite fans excitement for more entries into the Mass Effect universe.

Garrus, the best Companion

So now it’s even better for gamers as they will be able to experience this game for a relatively affordable price.

About Mass Effect

For those unaware, the Mass Effect games follow our hero, Commander Shepard, as they roam around the universe trying to save it from an ancient, cosmic threat. The player then recruits a squad of interesting companions, each with their own unique and memorable backstories and personalities. They even change quite dramatically over time, depending on what happens in the narrative.

Commander Shepard

The highlight of these games are definitely the stories that are being told. As all three games are bundled into one, it is easy to binge playthrough after playthrough. You get to immediately see the results of your decisions, game after game. Even though the story does not have large fundamental changes, you can see the effect you had.

That isn’t to say the gameplay is any bad either. Combat mechanics are fun and satisfying, especially in the second and third games. You have quite a lot of class variety and options available to you. Players can choose to be a Soldier, master of all weapons, an Engineer who is great at tech, an Infiltrator who specializes in long-range combat, or a mighty Vanguard who rushes into close-quarters combat.

Combat

The Legendary Edition Changes

The remaster was able to bring about many, welcome changes to the game. First off, there is now a unified character creator. All facial options will be the same across the games, ensuring that your commander Shepard looks (relatively) the same all throughout. You also get textures rescaled up to 4k resolution,  an uncapped framerate, and many many lens flares.

Another Cosmic Threat

Mass Effect 1 got the most attention, as it was the most dated entry. Aside from the graphical options, it got some combat rebalance and updated control schemes. This was most welcome, especially for the cumbersome to control Mako vehicle. Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 seem to have gotten purely graphical and performance enhancements.

The GamePass Value

With the addition of Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Microsoft’s GamePass continues to be a great value option to gamers. With its relatively affordable subscription model, it should really be something people consider as long as it’s available in their region.

Some of the other great games on Game Pass that RPG fans should definitely look at are:

Solasta: Crown of the Magister

One of the surprise hits of 2021 was Solasta: Crown of the Magister. This game is quite the faithful recreation of D&D 5E into video game format. It features a host of usual D&D classes, but also some homebrew ones such as the Greenmage or the Mana Painter Sorceror. A detailed character customization system allows you to create the hero you truly want to be.

Solasta Crown of the Magister

From our review: “Solasta: Crown of the Magister is filled with engaging and immersive adventures that are bound to keep you up all night. Whether you’re new to D&D 5E or not, you’ll want to immediately get your hands on this one. It is hands down one of the most faithful D&D adaptations out there, and one that will surely continue to endure in the years to come.”

Dead Cells

Dead Cells is another excellent game. It’s a tight Metroidvania rogue-lite game that features fast-paced, satisfying combat. Players take upon the mantle of The Prisoner, a headless warrior that’s dumped literally into one of the worst possible locations. The Prisoner must then fight through sewers, castles, and other randomly generated dungeons in the hope to obtain freedom.

Dead Cells

The game is so good that it was one of our Top 10 Metroidvanias to Play in 2021. It continues to get updates, both free and paid.

Mortal Shell

Mortal Shell is a relatively newer Souls-like game developed Cold Symmetry and published by Playstack London. Its look and feel will be very familiar to those who are used to playing the other Souls-like games. Dark and ominous locations, as well as difficult foes, are aplenty in Mortal Shell.

Mortal Shell

What sets Mortal Shell apart though, are the Shells and the Hardening ability. Shells are like character classes in other games. Players can choose to change their Shell very often, mixing up their playstyles. Hardening, on the other hand, allows plays a bit of breathing room as they can become invulnerable for a split second, negating damage from something that could have been a lethal blow.

If you’re going to pick up this must-play game, be sure to check out our Mass Effect Legendary Edition Tips & Tricks Guide: 10 Things All Players Should Know (Mass Effect 1) and our written review, Mass Effect Legendary Edition Review Impressions: Is it Worth it?

For more news, check out Hogwarts Legacy Wishlist – What I Want from the Open World RPG and Death Stranding Director’s Cut Releases on PC Spring 2022.