The influential and poignant Mass Effect trilogy left a lasting impression on players by amplifying the impact of choice in games and proving that personal connection excites players for the overall experience. It could only have been a story about saving the galaxy, but BioWare created a rich and complex world full of unique and realistic viewpoints that took into account the difficult decisions that must be made. With the fate of galactic civilization on your shoulders, Mass Effect didn’t get any easier, and that’s part of why the series still resonates with people all these years later.
The Mass Effect trilogy is a gaming experience not to be missed, which is why it’s so important to finally have a remaster. not just to keep the series’ legacy alive, but also to provide an easy way for players to access the story and play it through the way it is meant to be played with their DLC. While it’s not a perfect remaster, BioWare has done an excellent update on Commander Shepard’s adventure for a better, smoother ride in Normandy, and not just in the visual department.
The first Mass Effect received the most attention, which makes sense given that the game is now a teenager and hasn’t aged well. Even when it was released in 2007, the first game was rough around the edges as BioWare was still trying to figure out how to balance action gameplay with role-playing systems. The unique science fiction future of Mass Effect has always prevailed against error or frustration, but reliving those great moments brought with it some unfortunate reservations. With the improvements to Legendary, that’s no longer the case, and I’ve played through the first game in the remaster a lot more.
Many mechanical aspects have been tweaked here, from lifting class-based weapon restrictions to providing a more modern HUD. However, some changes are more important than others. For example, the new Mako controls made a huge difference in how I enjoyed the game. The traditionally clumsy vehicle steers better, moves faster and has better aiming mechanics for shooting. I used to be scared of jumping into this six-wheeled chaos vehicle, but thanks to those smoother controls, everything disappeared.
Speaking of better controls, ME1’s shooting is way better and closer to ME2’s gameplay, with smoother aiming and all the different types of weapons useful from the get-go. You won’t forget that you are playing an older quasi-shooter, but it makes playing that first game a lot better. The visual improvements here hit the hardest, especially the added detail in the lush surroundings that now feature richer vegetation, new particle effects, and improved lighting. The structures of these levels haven’t changed, but the way they have been visually enhanced makes them more interesting to explore, and more than ever I’ve stopped to take in the sights.
The visual improvements aren’t that big in ME2 or ME3, but everything looks better overall. Enemies and alien species are the greatest beneficiaries, but the age of the trilogy shows in the poorly lip-synching human faces. However, characters like Miranda look more natural alongside their fuller hair thanks to better lighting and more realistic makeup. In addition, most armor and casual wear have better shine and realistic folds, especially on characters like Tali and Liara. These may seem like small details, but they’re noticeable, add immersion, and just make for better looking games.
Plus, better camera angles make scenes feel more organic. Unfortunately, some errors are carried over from the original entries, e.g. B. Characters with stiff movements or awkward mannerisms. You also still see the occasional technical hiccup; I’ve seen a couple of stutters, freezes, and cases where Shepard got caught in geometry. Also note that while loading times (especially in the elevators) are shortened, they are still a little longer than expected.
Part of the fun of having the entire trilogy easily accessible in one place is being able to play the games in a row and see the developments and improvements between entries. I really appreciated being able to create a Shepard in ME1 that I can adopt in any game and not have drastic differences in their appearance between each game which adds a cohesive feel. The new customization options for your avatar’s appearance aren’t great, but I liked the more natural hair textures. With a new photo mode, you can also capture your favorite moments. It’s pretty normal and does the job, but the filters are limited.
Another great aspect of this pack is that it contains most of the DLC, such as: B. Standout elements like Citadel, Lair of the Shadow Broker and Leviathan. Unfortunately, The Pinnacle Station is not included because the source code cannot be restored, and BioWare has chosen not to broadcast Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer at this time. The latter is the most noticeable and disappointing omission. At least the progress of galactic readiness in single player is no longer tied to it.
Even these years later, Commander Shepard is a powerful force living up to its iconic status, and the trilogy is still compelling and well worth your time. The Legendary Edition is a great way to experience this powerful story. It offers just enough enhancements to have a better experience while staying true to the original. If you’ve been a long-time fan or haven’t had a chance to play one of the milestone franchises, this remaster is the place for you.
It’s exciting to see your decisions carry over to three games, but it’s also about the squadmates you meet along the way. So become Commander Shepard, gather people for your cause, make tedious difficult decisions, and watch others around you grow stronger because of your influence. The sacrifices and rewards will be remembered, and the Legendary Edition is a great reminder of why all these years later people still can’t stop talking about this series.
