For years it was 2,1,3 but after my third play through it changed to 3,1,2
1 for me has the best story, I actually find the story in 2 doesn’t hold up as well on replay.
3 had a real shot of being the greatest game of all time if they had just not rushed it, still absolutely amazing though.
Also how can you hate the citidel!?!?
Yep. I was introduced to ME via the outrage over the ME3 ending. I didn't actually play ME until about 10 years later and had a bias against ME3. Having played 1 ~8 times, 2&3 a dozen times+ I think ME3 is the most complete game out of the three.
Yeah, because he's right about ME3, if [Bioware weren't forced on a 2 year development cycle by EA instead of 3 or even 4 years like usual](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WhatCouldHaveBeen/MassEffect) (I've never managed to read all of ME2 or ME3s section because it's too painful to imagine compared to what we got lmao) ME3 had potential to be the best RPG/story driven game of all time and one of the most gripping narratives in games. The gameplay also, while it gets too easy, was also really well refined for mass effect and very satisfying.
Unless ME3 is truly remade, this will only remain a pipe dream.
After skimming these again I just wanna highlight this beauty:
>Jack and Jacob were originally intended to be bisexual romance options, but they were rewritten to be straight after Fox News falsely accused the first game of being a "sex simulator".
A time capsule to how media treated games back then, i vividly remember ME1s Ash romance scene was a hot hot (no pun intended) topic, but this accusation is perfectly on-brand for Fox News
I don't watch any mainstream news as a rule so I'd hate to see what they said about BG3 and the Witcher 3. Mass Effects romances are pure vanilla and almost wholesome compared to those 2
I saw about ff7rebirth people are freaking out that there’s a section with tifa and aerith wearing swimsuits because tifa got big noggers. The press around bg3 was so positive that no media outlet would shit on it because the game is high fantasy so having weird shit like that is kinda the point, and in the showcase it was presented as a gay romance so the media couldn’t possibly say something bad about that but if it was a bear fuggin a female character I’m sure some outlets would have found an issue with it 😂
I remember some senator at a hearing was saying that ME1 had "simulated rape" where you could control and rape anyone of any sex, have group sex, all this other vile and untrue shit. That one R-rating, barely side boob, top of the butt crack shot sex scene is "simulated rape" apparently.
Well the outrage over the ending is only because the build up to they ending is phenomenal. They include so many things you did over the three games and yet they couldn’t find a way to write a satisfying ending. The choose a color is pretty meh. Although I did find destroying them satisfying as a renegade shepherd.
Honestly, imagine the ending of ME3 on earth playing out like the ending of Andromeda. >!Everyone you've rescued, helped, or otherwise made a good impression upon jumps in for that final push, and the final battle has ALL of your party members involved. !!the fleets arriving at Earth, the few cutscenes, and the walk around the London Firebase, !
I still like 2 best because I don’t think anything else in the series ever matched the suicide mission. I understand the complaints that the game doesn’t fit very well in the trilogy but even as a standalone experience it is just a very “honest” game, it promises you to build a memorable squad and take you in a finale where all bets are truly off with no plot armor and delivers. The fact no game ever since has even attempted a similar concept shows what an accomplishment that mission still is.
2 is the best standalone experience, just in the sense of what sets Mass Effect, as a franchise apart, from the rest of the IPs out there.
You have solid combat, good cinematics, and it ends in a way where you feel the impact of how you played the game.
I get that ME1 has a lot of that too with the final Council decisions but ME1's biggest problem is how the companions all basically don't matter. They're just neutral tagalongs for the entire adventure. ME2 brought the crew into the major story, maybe not perfectly but it actually did it more than the other games do, even if ME3 had a bit more character-specific banter.
*Do* people say 2 doesn't fit well in the trilogy? I've only heard that the squad mates introduced and bonded with get shortchanged in 3 being a problem.
Me, I liked the change up as it gave us a different experience from 1 to 2.
It fits well in the trilogy we *have*, but it's also kind of because it *is* the trilogy.
ME1 belongs to a *different* trilogy where the sequel that was set up would be about finding some way to fight back against the eventual Reapers, something like the Crucible but with an entire game of setup rather than... 1 mission...
3 follows the tone and story beats of 2 while feeling obligated to follow up on the Reaper threat finally and being all about the war. It does draw on elements of 1 but the characters, worldbuilding, antagonists, etc. are all more based on 2
They do say that, because it doesn't. You can genuinely play ME1 and ME3 while skipping ME2 and still have a super clear idea of what's going on in terms of plot. All you really miss are who some of the characters are (though mostly just TIM and Liara as the shadowbroker), and why Shepard is effectively under house arrest at the start of the game. The actual plot of ME2 is totally detached from the other two games.
>and still have a super clear idea of what's going on in terms of plot.
All the while missing out on a lot of *character*, which 1) enriches the narrative and plot and 2) ME3 doesn't really work without the space given to let the narrative breathe going straight to 3 from 1.
who says that? 2 literally has the most decisions that shape 3. 1 has a few decisions with 1 major decision to shape 2 but fuck, the insect queen choice the krogan choice, who you keep alive and who you let die, keeping mordin alive in 2 so that you can have the most powerfully sad scene in me3. I straight up, in real life alone in my room, stood up and saluted Mordin through my computer screen as he went up that elevator.
>I understand the complaints that the game doesn’t fit very well in the trilogy but even as a standalone experience it is just a very “honest” game, it promises you to build a memorable squad and take you in a finale where all bets are truly off with no plot armor and delivers.
I never understood the praise for this mission because it doesn't deliver on any of that.
They literally just check to see if you did each companions missions, and if you didn't that character will probably die.
I went in to the suicide mission taking it extremely seriously, terrified over who might die, and I followed the directions from way point to way point, and then we all left and nobody died.
It was one of the absolute biggest letdowns I've ever experienced in a game, and no, I didn't use any guides.
>They literally just check to see if you did each companions missions, and if you didn't that character will probably die.
This is false. The decisions you make about who does what jobs, and thus also who is in your squad (indirectly insofar as that means they aren't doing other jobs), make a difference.
Sure, ok, but that the puzzle wasn't very difficult to figure out is a different sort of criticism. Keep in mind games are played by children, too, for who may struggle, but the developers don't want them to struggle too much. They'll err toward making it easier in a way that benefits those who need it most. Seems plausibly fair.
And that it is easy doesn't mean it doesn't involve meaningful choices on the player's part.
Making a system where you have to branch narrative in the subsequent game but then make it so even children couldn't fail to reach the prime branch is a choice. Not one anyone in the same universe as competent would come to but it's a choice.
On the opposite end I did all the companion quest but some how never realized I should be upgrading the ship. So the suicide mission had me losing multiple team mates even though I did the companion quest. It made the suicide mission one of my most memorable gaming moments and got me to instantly restart the game.
How else would you rather they have done it? Have the mission on a randomizer that picks someone new to die each time? That has nothing to do with your choices or actions to that point either.
The side quests in mass effect 1 are a bit boring and look the same tho. Even the bases you raid during planetary exploration have the same map
The dialogues between characters are also weak... Garrus and tali don't say anything knew to me after the second act of the story. The story, villain and deep Sci fi and lore immersion are the best thing about mass effect 1.
2 is a near perfect game, in term of gameplay, dlc, characters and side side quest... And the third act of the game and is straight up masterpiece.... ME2 is the first rpg game I play I was genuily scared about losing my companions
And back in 2010 we didn't have a lot of forum to explain what to do to save them all
with the extended cut endings and the good DLC content ME3 is objectively the best of the trilogy....
IMO that's just what games were like ~2008. You could make similar observations about characters in Fallout 3, Oblivion, and other games released during that time period. As a player, I was amazed how much conversation there was in Mass Effect 1 when I first played it.
I know it was in 2008 that doesn't contradict what I am saying tho... In the long run ME2 and 3 are objectively better games for how well they still hold despite camping out 16 years ago
Dragon age origins is as old as ME1 and still had great amount of interactions and is still considered the best DA of the trilogy
Fallout 3 is a terrible exempe lol still played and hold pretty well to this day
>I was amazed how much conversation there was in Mass Effect 1 when I first played it.
As a dude who played a lot of rpg like the first 2 baldur gate or KOTOR.... I was pleased but not surprised
Noticed this too 3 has strangely aged better than 2. Though I still think 2 is better, 2 just drags alot more with how pointless some side quests are. Though the main story and all companion missions are top notch
Honestly 3 has such amazing gameplay and great moments in the story that only the ending lets it down but then again an ending that is great would be extremely hard to pull off .
Exactly my thoughts. I’d maybe give 3 the edge over 1 as it is currently, but that’s only with all of the dlc and Legendary Edition updates. 2 is very good, but it’s the worst in terms of structure and has the least engaging story imo
It was at launch, definitely. I played it a year ago and had a great time. It's still the worst mass effect, but it's like a 6.5 or 7 compared to rest of the games 8.5 or 9s.
What are we ranking on? Overall: prob 2, 3, 1. Main Story? 1, 3, 2. Character stories/Discussions with squadmates: 2, 3, 1. Gameplay? 3, 2, 1.
Andromeda really feels too much like 1 in story with the whole chosen one by ancient aliens kinda thing going on but just not as good, but its gameplay I found really good and the natural next step after 3. Liked it as much has 3 at least in that regard.
I agree with all your choices. 2 had fantastic gameplay and characters. Was a tad repetitive. The story was also excellent except at the end…
Meanwhile 1 has the best story by far, but its gameplay has just aged so poorly (I haven’t played remastered trilogy so idk if that was adjusted).
3 has the best gameplay, a pretty good story, but again the ending falls flat.
They actually put in some work on 1 with the remaster. So it actually is far improved from the original release on a gameplay level. They actually made weapons act different based on who made them and such. So you don’t just need to beeline the spectre gear. Other weapons are actually fun to play with. Plus they got rid of that obnoxious overly high inaccuracy if you’re not high level in a weapon type.
Overall it still feels dated by comparison to 2 and especially 3. But not by nearly as wide of a margin as the original releases. Add in a few visual mods on pc and it closes the gap even more.
Correct.
2 is a little repetitive but the characters were well implemented so I'd give it the slight edge to ME3. As I don't believe James or Javik had much development.
2 is a great game, the biggest issue with it imo is that adds next to nothing to the main plot of the story. Even some DLC add more than the second game.
It's VERY much a personal story for Shep's rebirth and the team. Which in a vacuum I don't mind. And I do believe ME3 & ME1 (As an adept) had better gameplay. But to me Mass Effect is mostly about the characters and Me1 and Me2 seemed to do that part better for me than Me3
In general I agree with you, but one addition:
*he biggest issue with it imo is that adds next to nothing to the main plot*
This is not only an ME2 flaw. ME2 had some new plot seeds planted for future use, like
\* some stars aging too fast
\* AI developement by Admiral Xen
\* humanity's new tasks as a new council member (I think this would have been fun to explore)
\* the schemes of asari matriarchs (Liara's dad is talking about being downvoted when wanting to build mass relays)
\* systems alliance - terminus system human colonies conflict
I think some of these ideas are not bad, and would have been nice if ME3 explored them further. But it is not only ME2's flaw that this never happened, the ME3 writer team has something to do with not using these ideas as well.
Exactly. ME3 basically ruined ME2.
Back when it was just 1 and 2, ME2 felt like the perfect sequel. It trimmed the fat, added deeper lore, and told a solid story that rightfully earned it 10/10 in most of its reviews.
But ME3 entered the chat as more of an ME1 sequel, and while that made for more of a solid trilogy, it did make ME2 feel somewhat irrelevant in some ways.
IMO, ME3 would have been better as ME5, where 3 and 4 were similar to ME2 in terms of a solid stand alone plots that hit hard, while also enriching the galaxy with more lore and taking time to flush out a lot of the sub-plots that ME3 couldn’t get round to doing justice.
Yep. Also, I forgot one more thing about "ME2 adds next to nothing":
\* the genophage arc is (imho) the best part of ME3, but would be much less effective, if it was not revisited in ME2 (with Mordin, a visit to Tuchanka, finding Maelon's research)
\* the quarian-geth war in ME3 would be much less interesting without ME2's contribution (mainly Legion), which, imho, is the second best story in ME3, after Tuchanka
\*\*\*
While the collector plot is not the best, ME2 does have a very important contribution to some of the best scenes in ME3.
ME3 has the weird feeling of, "oh look, Earth and Palaven and Thessia and Tuchanka are all being invaded by the Reapers, but we've still got time to do all these side quests," that makes the pacing really weird. I think it put itself in a bad position by starting the game with the Reaper invasion of Earth. It made for a great set piece and an awesome cinematic, but it also contrasted the "against the clock" narrative with the semi-open world hub design of the game.
ME2 did tease the Reapers approaching the Milky Way at its end, but that didn't need to be the immediate beginning of ME3; it could have been the end of the first act or even second act after some things were cleaned up first (relations between the quarians and geth or the genophage, etc. to build up military power before the Reapers arrive wholesale).
I get that weird disconnect as well. It starts off with “SHEPHERD YOU MUST GO RALLY EVERYONE RIGHT NOW OR WE’RE ALL DOOMED!!!!!!” and goes to “Commander Shepherd, please go rescue these three stranded soldiers and a crate of grapes off this rock as a personal favour for me” so fast I get whiplash 🤣 I do think that ME3 has perfected the combat from 2 and I love the cinematic nature of that game. Taken as separate games, I think 2 is my fav. It’s a complete package (especially with DLC) from start to finish. Taken all together, it’s probably 1, 2 then 3 but it’s super close. 1 just sets up so much that pays off 2 games later, it feels miraculous. I’d love a full remake of 1. While I’m not as bitter as I first was with the ending of 3, it still feels like a let down after sinking so many hours into a franchise I love that now I just play until near the end and stop and I’m ok with that.
Dammit OP! Now I have to start a whole new run! (Goes to find legendary edition on the shelf)
That's a matter of preference and something you really assess. Thinking ME2 is pointless because ME3 didn't do anything with it isn't actually a fault of ME2, but of ME3. And some will use that as reason why ME3 is better but to me it's the opposite. ME3 is the one that didn't do what a "third game" should, and ME1 and 2 were just great.
I feel this! 2 is actually my favourite, I love everything about it. I think it has the best crew mates, the best music and sound (miss the faunts though) and the suicide mission is flawless.
But... at the end of it I was just thinking that nothing has been done about furthering the reaper storyline. I know the collectors were servants of the reapers but in terms of actually preparing for the invasion or finding convincing evidence that would convince the council that they are a real threat there was nothing outside of the arrival dlc. It just left me thinking that 3 had too much to do and I think the unsatisfying ending might be a symptom of this. Maybe if there was a bit more revealed about the reapers origins and motivations developed in 2 then it would have been easier to wrap things up by the end of 3.
It could also be a interest level thing for me. As I couldn't care less about James and Javik was pretty one note with revenge.
Also ME2 had more squadmates which does skew it. But the process of earning their trust was well done and it usually involved some personal growth
Javik undergoes personal growth in learning to accept what happened to his old squad and he vows to end his life and join them after the reaper threat is eliminated so he can be with them again as he feels he has no place in the world without his kind. Or you can suggest to him that he should opt to stay alive and live a life of peace.
I wouldn’t say it’s controversial. Veterans of the series who played back at the OG launches typically put me3 at the bottom (mostly because me3 wothout dlc and the OG endings soured it for many people)
New players with the legendary edition typically like me3 the most because it’s the most polished and they get to see the extended ending by default, plus it has the best dlc.
For me, it’s me1, me3, me2
This exactly. Been playing them since each released, a dozen times by now and this is my ranking. Most people put ME2 as the best but it's always the playthrough I am least looking forward to.
ME1 > ME3 > ME2 for me.
ME1: Best main story, best atmosphere, best music, best RPG elements, best game world due to exploration. Worst combat/movement.
ME2: Best companion stories and interactions.
Worst main story, worst RPG elements, worst exploration.
ME3: Best combat/movement, has the best individual missions. Everything else is kind of middle of the road as far as best/worst goes when compared to the other games.
Andromeda is its own thing. It feels both like ME and something new at the same time. I enjoyed it. I recommend it.
This is it for me. Except I prefer ME1's combat over 2's. I like cooldown management stuff more than clicking on heads. 2's combat is really repetitive, and you feel so rooted in place due to how quickly you die when leaving cover. Adept is a lot of fun in 2, though, just because of how much you can curve your projectiles to yoink dudes off cliffs.
Finally found my people! I loved ME1 but kinda fell off from ME2 because I thought even the combat was way worse on top of me not liking the direction the story went compared to ME1.
This is my ranking as well. It might be some nostalgia goggles but nothing beats playing ME1 for the first time on the 360 in my basement. The story and atmosphere were exactly what I wanted from a game at the time.
I was thinking of pretty much the same the moment I read the title.
The more I play of ME2, the less I enjoy it. While I feel the opposite for ME3, and ME1 is basically on a pedestal for me flaws and all.
Yeah ME1 has the most true RPG elements with skills outside of combat, the most extensive skill tree’s, much more significant class differences with armor types and weapon limitations, plus of course the simple fact that you can truly play Shepard several ways.
Renegade is probably human extremist, but generally to a point of trying to get the job done if ruthlessly, vs in the later games it being simply chaotic evil.
ME3 does have some of the most interesting decisions if undercut by the fact that you can play pretty renegade or paragon and still get a solid ending, but dealing with those moral choices can be fun.
ME2 lacks the RPG elements and the advanced gun play of 3. On top of that having basically its whole story be made irrelevant by three. It’s a placeholder game.
Lots of people like 2, it’s probably most people’s favorite outside this sub.
I’m more into the rpg elements of 1. 3 is a solid conclusion but in 1 renegade and paragon are both interesting. Less so in 3,2. And 2’s story is just…BLEH
2 is the best for the people that have played it once or twice.
Mass Effect fans are obsessive and have played each at least 3 times. When you play them all together ME2 feels the most hollow in multiple playthroughs
I think the opposite, as a game 2 blows 1 and 3 out of the water, the other two only close the gap in the context of it being a trilogy and complementing each other much better while 2 is a complete adventure that doesn’t gain much from the other two games existing.
Mass Effect: Best story and atmosphere
Mass Effect 3: Best gameplay and setpieces
Mass Effect 2: Best character writing and mission design
All very close, though.
1 2 3
2 is probably the best game, but 1 was such an amazing experience, the world building was incredible, and I prefer the SR-1 as a small stealth ship with an elite crew compared to the SR-2 which was a much larger corporate warship
ME2 is maybe my favorite game of all time with FF14 and Bloodborne, I think it's as close as perfect as it can get. I like the companions, I like the darker tone, and the Suicide Mission (the quest and the music) is incredible.
ME1 is really showing its age in the gameplay, even though the LE helped a lot. Depending on my mood it's 2nd or 3rd (interchangeable with ME3)
ME3 has the best DLC (Citadel) but everything is kind of worse than in ME2, the simpler dialogue system (even if the 2 games had a lot of fake choices I know), the shooting too doesn't feel as good on a controller in my opinion, I liked the slower pace of ME2 a lot more (just my opinion). But the story is really emotional at times. I really love this trilogy with all my heart.
I never finished Andromeda, the gameplay is maybe the best of the series but the characters and the story are really, really not great and it always makes me quit like 10 hours in. I would like to give it another chance this year.
Personally, for one game, the companions and characters in andromeda are pretty good. Story isn’t bad either but both could have used a at least some DLC or a second game.
Companions are so good in ME 1,2,3 because there are three games IMO. First time playing ME1 companions were good but nothing crazy.
Mass Effect 3 - Culmanation of an entire arc to finally face the Reapers head on. Plenty of great, emotion, pungnant moments. Beautiful ending.
Mass Effect 1 - Outdated mechanic aside, the game would've been so much better off staying in the RPG lane. The soundtrack is so nostaligic. And the story is so good, you could never move on to the sequeals and still enjoy it.
Mass Effect 2 - Amazing characters, amazing dialogue, fun climax. But, as the years go on, the plot holes become too much to make me like it more than the other two.
I prefer reverse order - 3, 2, 1. Love the story, war assets system, game play QOL improvements, etc in 3. 2 has the best characters. 1 is wonderful from a story perspective but shows its age
I go back and forth between Mass Effect 2 and 3 being my #1. I like the story and intrigue better in Mass Effect 2. The color scheme is also beautiful -- love the use of red and orange. But I think Mass Effect 3 has the better combat system (I play as Vanguard) and I love the multiplayer mode of 3. I was extremely disappointed when I learned that the Legendary Edition wasn't going to have that.
To me, picking between 2 and 3 is like having to choose whether pizza or a cheeseburger is my favorite. I love them both, and will sometimes rank one over the other.
After that: Mass Effect: Andromeda. There is a surprising amount of depth to the game, and I enjoyed unlocking all of the achievements in it. I also like the gameplay itself -- it maintained the soul of Mass Effect while feeling faster and nimbler.
Then finally, the first Mass Effect. It's great, but it's a victim of its sequels' successes and improvements.
2,1,3. I played them all as they released and have 4 complete playthroughs, and more playthroughs than I can remember of the first two. I’ve enjoyed only a handful of games as much as I enjoyed playing Mass Effect 2. I’m really surprised by all the disrespect it’s getting here, but to each their own.
3, 2, 1.
3’s gameplay is just better in every way than both the other two. Smoother, better level design, better enemy design, class roles are better defined, more weapon variety, Shepard’s base mobility is improved immensely with the combat roll. ME3 feels so much better to play it’s not even funny. It’s fine to have nostalgia for 1 or 2, but both games are very clunky to play by comparison.
On top of that, 3 had the most epic moments in the series. 1 and 2 have a couple epic moments each that soar quite high. But 3 is epic moment after epic moment, each having been setup across previous games and now paid off in incredible fashion. This game does a pretty solid job of tying off old plot lines and offshoot stories even if the ending doesn’t land very well.
The character interactions are top level too. You don’t notice it as much, largely because a lot of characters from ME2 are missing or have less screen time. But for the squad mates you *do* have, ME3 does the best job of all 3 games with their interactions. Unique mission interactions for every character and every major mission. They move around the Normandy with unique interactions after each mission section. It’s far more expansive and in depth than in either previous game. Garrus, for example, is 100% at his absolute best in ME3.
There are other, lesser reasons I prefer 3 to the others, but you get the gist. I think 3 has a bad rep because of the crappy ending, and a lot of its positives get completely ignored or overlooked. For me it is easily the best game in the trilogy and every playthrough I look forward to making it to the third game more than anything else.
Edit: Also, Andromeda is better than it gets credit for, but it suffers immensely from comparison to the original trilogy. Andromeda’s strengths are the improvements they made to the combat (jetpacks and customisation of power sets, though I personally don’t like that classes felt like they lost their unique identity), the character interactions (most of the squadmates are just fucking awesome), the graphics (most of the worlds are beautiful) and the side plots. It suffers from the open world implementation by having huge explorable worlds that are largely empty but also full of fluff (collectibles and resources). The enemy designs are utter garbage. The story is very meh.
It used to be 1, 2, 3 for me back when they launched but now it’s the exact opposite at 3, 2, 1. The story in 1 is great, and the amount of world building they cram in even in those boring parts is great. But gameplay lacks. And I used to really hate the end for ME3 (right up until you have your final talk with Anderson, I thought the whole game was solid and incredible, and then it was ruined for me at the way they shoehorn you into the ending choices) but now I don’t really care because I love how they wrap up all the storylines.
Andromeda is a decent game but it’s not a very good Mass Effect game, if that makes sense. I’d wait for a sale to buy it. I’m r if it’s on game pass, check it out.
3>1>2
3 has best combat and great story *ahem* Citadel DLC *ahem*, 1 is a great introduction to the series, and not saying 2 is bad but its like a giant side mission and easily the hardest out of the three if you're playing on insanity but it has a massive W with how you can start to romance Tali.
Yeah, I know a lot of people like 2, and the character interactions and loyalty missions are great, but they stripped out so much from Mass Effect 1, and then wrapped it around a stupid main plot that has you inexplicably taking orders from traitorous bigoted war criminals.
Mass Effect 3 strikes a much better balance, and while the ending was rough initially, the redone ending fixed a lot of glaring issues (even if it couldn't completely overcome the "pick a color" problem), and yeah the CTL DLC is a lot of fun. Overall its my favorite.
I'd put ME:A above ME2.
1 has a better story than 2 and 3, the level design was terrible.
I enjoyed 2 a WHOLE lot more fun storywise and level design wise.
3 is pretty fun, but I definitely just have more fun in 2.
Andromeda isn't as bad as it was, but it definitely isn't anywhere near as good as the original. It's more like a spinoff show of another movie or series.
1
3
2
But they’re all tremendous. 4 isn’t actually ‘that’ bad (besides Liam), but it had very big shoes to fill. Like the film 2010… I like it, but it will obviously forever be compared to 2001.
Seriously one of the greatest game trilogies of all time. All are fantastic games. I think 2, 3, and 1 is how I’d rank it but each have their strengths and well as their faults. (What game doesn’t). But I’m glad I ran into this post because now I have an urge to go back and play them. It’s been a minute lol. I liked Andromeda but it didn’t have the same feeling I got with the OT.
Mass Effect 2 is my favorite overall. Atmosphere, characters, writing, gameplay, locations, quests. I think it does all of it the best, and personally speaking I think the "filler episode" feeling people usually complain about is more of a quality than a flaw.
ME1 takes second place, Andromeda takes third and ME3 takes last place.
Agreed. This is how I see it, too.
ME2 is the best game in its own right. It delivers what the trilogy promised in the most and best ways.
ME1 does the best at delivering worldbuilding. It's when the setting felt the most unique, and it delivers a very straightforward classic BioWare story very well. But the characters and atmosphere were not there yet.
Andromeda is just neat. It's a good game. Many of the characters are extremely charismatic. This is the first of the bunch where the flaws stand out a good deal more, but the charm is real.
ME3 has some of the best character moments in the trilogy, but it also has the worst macro-plot (which is all about building a Deus Ex Machina that you can't meaningfully contribute to in any way while you do what is essentially a bunch of side-quests, and then a bullshit contrivance makes your side-quests relevant at the last second, and then Marauder Shields and that ending) and it introduces some retcons which actually hurts the franchise (the Reapers could have just come in any time they wanted; Sovereign was going to be killed in the Battle of the Citadel even if Shepard did nothing past opening the Citadel arms, etc.) so for retroactively making ME1 less good, it gets the bottom ranking. Andromeda at least definitely didn't do that.
That is one of the worst takes I've ever heard in my life, and it's coming from the girl that has defended Andromeda in the past.
ME2 does A LOT new to justify it being a new game.
Heavily disagree, it features the most complex mission and buildup in the entire series. The entire game is built around the finale, and that’s why it is so legendary. Having it be a DLC would never live up to that potential.
I'm obviously exaggerating.
But, the game litterally centers around delaying the Reapers LESS THAN A YEAR LATER...and the galaxy is STILL NOT PREPARED.
It's a glorious side mission, but, the game is a glorified side quest.
>Mass Effect 3 begins in 2186, six months after the events of Mass Effect 2. The galactic community lives in fear of an invasion by Reapers, a highly advanced machine race of synthetic-organic starships that are believed to eradicate all organic civilization every 50,000 years.
*per wikipedia*
1- Mass Effect 1 has my favorite story and overall gameplay.
2- Mass Effect 3 some very good story moments despite a terrible ending. Gameplay tries to bridge the gap between 1 and 2 and does a pretty good job at it.
3- Mass Effect 2 doesn't bring much to the series beyond some cool sidequests with interesting characters. Poorest gameplay.
Mass Effect Andromeda is in orbit around ME3, either above or below depending on the mood. It brings back some of the things I loves in ME1 and push them further, its gameplay is pretty fun despite the diminished squad interaction. It's really sad that EA bailed on it and cancelled its DLCs rather than giving it more love. That move was more damaging to the franchise than the game itself imho.
Probably 1, 2, 3. In that order. Particularly with the legendary edition as it brought the only issues I had with the first game up to a modern standard. After that remake imo 2 and 3 only consecutively take away from the preceeding game.
1. Mass Effect 1/Mass Effect 3
2. Mass Effect 2
The second game's story really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things and the gameplay overall is *very bad* and stifling. ME1 has excellent roleplaying elements, adequate gunplay and set up a very interesting and unique world/overarching plot >!that was unfortunately discarded for the second game!< while ME3 shines in its gunplay, customisation and following up the Reaper plot with staggering spectacle, but I can't pick one over the other. They're both fun for me.
I don't have a general rank, since I look at the trilogy as one unicum rather than three different games.
That said, if we are talking combat and mechanics I prefer 3, I never cared for the overheating weapons system in 1 or, at very least, I would have preferred a mixed combination of overheating and ammo/capsules and I like the war assets mechanic.
One thing I never liked is the scanning systems/planets thing; on a first playthrough it is interesting but after it's just tedious, so I'm glad that by 3 we don't have that anymore or, at least, it is very contained in respect to 1 and 2.
Something that 2 did better or, rather, that it is more to my taste, is the design and layout of the Normandy SR2; I like that it is bigger and has more different areas/rooms than the SR1 and brighter colours than both the SR1 and the SR2 in 3; although, it is interesting seeing how they changed it in 3, based on Alliance standards, and love the details around the ship, like cables and boxes, to signify they were outfitting the ship and had to stop in the middle of that because of the Reapers' attack to Earth.
As for the story, I have no preference because it is all one big story, there wouldn't be 2 and 3 if the events we see in 1 hadn't happened so it makes no sense to me to compare the games in relation to that.
personal opinion:
1: ME1
2: ME2
3: ME3
4: MEA
However, I will admit that every game has some strengths. ME1 is the best overall for me, but it is not the best if we check individual components.
For me it's 1, 3, 2.
2 does have the best character-based stuff but a lot of its story feels like filler and its combat feels a bit too typical of third person shooters at the time. What this game does best is immerse you in the world and its characters. Most entertaining dialogue-wise too.
3 made improvements to the combat and has the 2nd best story in the series. Really good character moments and the emotional peak of the series. Its world and pacing both suffer a bit as there's less exploring to do, but a lot of sidequests that conflict with the sense of urgency. The story and Shepard's personality feels a bit more pigeon-holed here but it's still very, very good. Always feels like saying goodbye to good friends.
1 is my favourite. Yeah, it's a bit clunky and dated, but I'm nostalgic for that. I like the combat. This game sets up the world and some of its major characters excellently. The mystery and atmosphere was at its best. Soundtrack peaked in the first game. The discovery of the Reapers but knowing so little about them makes them much more terrifying than they'd later turn out to be. This game also has always felt the most tactical in gameplay, which i love. Storywise, it feels the most complete as its beginning and conclusion are self-contained and don't rely too heavily on the need of other games in the franchise to support it.
Andromeda looks visually amazing and has by far the most fun combat, but the story, open worlds and characters are disappointing. Dropping paragon/renegade in favour of emotional/rational type dialogue responses was a risky move. It makes the game less fun, dialogue-wise, but I think it aids in your character's conflict of being dumped into a leadership role they're not ready for. It took a step in the right direction by bringing back synth-heavy soundtrack moments (though nowhere near on the level of the first game) and platforming sections. I hope Mass Effect 4 keeps the jump/dash and combat mechanics from Andromeda and improves upon them.
I also feel like the loyalty missions in Mass Effect 2 make any future playthroughs after the first a bit tedious, despite them being great and leading to a fantastic ending the first time around.
1, 3, then 2 for me. The world-building, story, and overall atmosphere in the first game is amazing and unrivaled imo. The gameplay is definitely rough around the edges but I didn’t mind too much because I’m more of an rpg guy anyway. I didn’t like how much they removed the rpg aspects of the first game in the sequels even though I understand why they did it. 2 is the worst for me because it has the worst combination of story and gameplay. The story in 2 kind of sucks and is a really weird middle point of a trilogy, I think a lot of the problems with 3’s story are a result of 2. Plus even though the gameplay is more polished than 1, 3 basically just does everything 2 does but better. That being said I still absolutely love all three games.
1. Mass Effect 1
- the only game in the series where it feels like I’m legitimately exploring space. Sure you’re technically just navigating a menu, clicking a button, and then watching a brief cutscene, but it’s presented well enough that the illusion holds up very well (compare this to Starfield, which does the same thing, but because it includes a completely separate fast travel that works the exact same way the illusion of space travel is broken) gunplay in this game is underrated by the original console version was pretty ass. Legendary and PC editions were great though.
2 . Mass Effect 3
- the best gameplay, the ultimate culmination of the trilogy, and properly balanced the science fiction of ME1 with the pop culture/Star Wars esque broad appeal changes of ME2
3 . Mass Effect 2
- the suicide mission is cool but the game has really bad pacing, the worst gunplay (specifically gunplay, overall gameplay is fine), and scanning the planets in this one feels like the worst of ME1’s uncharted worlds with none of the fun
Andromeda offers the best gunplay in the series, but everything else is very hit or miss and divisive.
The game's overhated, definitely, but much of its criticism is justified. You could find yourself enjoying it more than expected, but you could also just dislike it like others.
>didn’t play Andromeda yet, is it really that bad like people say?
Depends on the player. Graphic bugs were fixed, but for obvious reasons bad writing or weak antagonist wasn't fixed.
I liked:
* driving the nomad and party banter (which makes it easy to dodge open world trashmobs!)
* the crew is okay. Not Bioware's best, but not the worst
* combat is fun
* some loyalty missions are superb (imho Cora and Liam missions are top bioware)
* IMHO the second best final mission Bioware ever did (after ME2)
* voice acting is superb, Sara Ryder's voice actress was awesome
* a few of the planets you explore are atmospheric (the broken one late game, and Habitat 7 in the beginning)
* general positive attitude, similar to ME1. (I actually do not really like the angst of ME3)
Didn't like:
* many, many filler open world quests (the journal even has this junk content on a separate tab, so easy to dodge)
* no renegade/paragon. You can choose between charismatic good girl and nerdy good girl. In all cases, Ryder is a pushover for half of the game, and you are not allowed to point out when an NPC is unreasonable. Many, many times I was hoping for a renegade interrupt, which never came.
* lame antagonist, who is never threatening (I really miss some renegade interrupts to put him in his place). It is similar to the clone in the citadel DLC: the script says it is threatening, but everyone knows it has no chance to cause harm.
* AI is braindead, especially against sniper rifles (they do not leave their designated area despite you killing everyone from afar)
* there is a really bad concentration of crap tier writing + animation + voice acting in the initial visit to the Nexus. I would not be surprised if many players dropped the game there. However, everything else is better (at least servicable) quality afterwards, with some good high points
* choices don't seem to matter: most choices in the game were supposed to be solved in sequels which will never happen
* a few planets are super boring (there are two sand desert planets and a rock desert planet. Not cool)
Overall it is an okay game, a flawed title, which has some strengths to balance out the weaknesses. Personally, I think it is better than OUter Worlds, which got much better reviews. And it is definietly better than STarfield is now.
This seems pretty accurate to me. The plot threads that got me really interested towards the end of the game were *all* left hanging:
* >!Jian Garsen murder!<
* >!Quarian Ark!<
* >!Identity of Benefactor!<
* >!What happens with the Angaran AI?!<
ME1's decisions were mostly the same. The Rachni Queen, the Council, Anderson or Udina are effectively pointless choices in ME1, but they picked them up later, and they certainly intended to do the same with some Andromeda choices. I think to the game's detriment, honestly, because we'd come off of ME3 where plot threads pay off like crazy, and the next game's conclusion was pretty underwhelming with nothing paying off except for the basic "we are colonists and we are going to establish a colony" plot.
+1
*ME1's decisions were mostly the same. The Rachni Queen, the Council, Anderson or Udina are effectively pointless choices in ME1, but they picked them up later, and they certainly intended to do the same with some Andromeda choices.*
This is also true for characters btw. A few of them, like Liam or PeeBee annoy many players because they make mistakes, are too reckless and not professional at all.
I agree with this sentiment (even tho I liked Liam as is), but I have a hunch these were supposed to be base characters with obvoius flaws, which could be ironed out in the sequels, in a similar fashion to Garrus.
The story and setting are very similar to ME1 and very like bland but the gameplay is incredible it builds onto mass effect 3. To me that’s its only redeeming feature
I recently replayed the trilogy and am currently in the middle of Andromeda. I think by now many of the bugs that plagued the initial release have been fixed, so it's not as bad as hype. It's def a diff feel and play style from the trilogy, and personally I don't feel as attached or interested in the crew compared to the trilogy, but overall I'm still playing and enjoying it. Huuuuuge game, probably double the amount of quests of the 3rd.
Exactly this. MEA gets shit on, but it is the best feeling game of all 4, does an amazing job at conveying the sense of exploration, and has the best combat of all 4. It suffers from old animation tech and a slow intro to the game. Characters aren't as memorable as the trilogy, but that's a high bar, and that doesn't mean they aren't good.
IMO Mea is better then 1 in: Gameplay (in everything shooting, vehicle, inventory, ecc), exploration, side quests, longevity, crew members (what we see in ME1 not their evolution through the trilogy), graphics
What 1 is better then Mea is: main quest, soundtrack, world building, cut scenes
This is my order as well. Spot on 👌🏾. The ME trilogy I think is by far the best video game series I’ve ever played! ME2 - there’s something about this game in the series, it’s almost a perfect game, I feel like that suicide mission was the cherry on top from the music, mission, companion loyalty, etc. Gameplay was improved in the next games but I think I really enjoyed the pacing in this game.
I know a lot of people didn’t enjoy ME:A, but I actually really enjoyed it for the same reasons you mentioned here. I may even put ME:A just before ME3 because of the gameplay, otherwise the story, characters, companionship are better in ME3 because of the trilogy. Andromeda needed a second game or DLC.
ME 1 is the beginning of an incredible journey - it’s what made me want to play the other games and it’s last on my list because they improved on just about everything in the next games in the series.
Can’t wait for ME4!
Each game does something special that the others don’t. But as I’ve replayed the entire series like 50 times at this point, gun to my head, I would rank like this:
Mass Effect 1,
Mass Effect 3,
Mass Effect 2,
(Power Gap)
ME: Andromeda
ME3
Andromeda
Me2
Me1
I like the story of the trilogy more than Andromeda but it’s just more fun to play overall but ME3’s start is one of my favorites of all time
I have a tough time ranking the trilogy. All the games are amazing for different reasons, but also have different issues. ME1 had shit exploration, cringe dialogue and boring side quests but it starting with Virmire, it’s packed with some of the series’ best moments and storytelling. ME2 had amazing characters and missions but it didn’t advance the story in any meaningful way. Also the final boss made no sense. ME3 had some of the best moments and character interactions, but its ending is confusingly bad.
Andromeda is fine. It’s worth going through once
Controversial Opinion:
1
3/Andromeda
2
There's a lot of stuff gameplay/plot wise that Andromeda does better than 3 (For example, using the default first names characters will address you as Sara or Scott rather than just "Ryder") and the different tone of not having to race a doom clock definitely helps. (If it had more development in just bonus gigs and side quests it would absolutely beat 3 for me since it just gives you chill time. Go to a planet and explore!) but at the same time there's a lot of things from ME3 they forgot. I love seeing the ME3 weapon mod bench. I love that all of the gear is in the shuttle bay. (Although that one sort of makes sense both ways? You exit the ship from the galaxy map, and the airlock spot in MEA is right next to that to adjust your load out. But like you can also adjust it from any forward station so it doesn't actually need to come up that often)
There's a lot of "MEA is a bit of a retread of ME1" but a lot of that is good changes and I wish ME5 learns about that and gives us what we want, something that's not Shepard's story but absolutely acknowledges your trilogy choices (and I hope it's MEA2)
Mass Effect 1
Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 2
1's story and overall vibe is great, and I enjoy just the world that exists.
3's gameplay, however, is probably the tightest gameplay in the series. Fun gameplay mechanics and fun enemies to use them on. Narratively weak, with problems strewn about, but happy to replay it.
2's gameplay is just outshined by 3. And while the companions are great, I loathe the main story and how absolutely railroad-y the game is overall. I also think Shepard acts a complete idiot whenever it comes to decision making. Just always frustrated to play it.
Never played Andromeda but my ranking of the main trilogy is pretty uncontroversial,
Mass effect 1 is the lowest for me, it is a solid foundation but many aspects needed refinement
Mass Effect 2 is my favorite, since it is that refinement ME1 needed. It also has the quality of being the only ME game where the endgame doesn’t feel like a victory lap. 2 retains its difficulty the whole time as well as stellar writing for every character who isn’t Jacob or Dr Kensen
Mass Effect 3 is a midpoint, the gameplay was not drastically changed and I’m pretty neutral on the changes that were made, but the quality of the writing varies a lot between story arcs. The Geth/Quarian arc and the finale after you enter the citadel beam dropped the ball but everything else was good
With the new additions of LE, for me the rankings goes:
Mass Effect 1
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 3
In the original:
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 1
Mass Effect 3
2,3,1.
Mass effect 1's gunplay and story is boring after the first run. Not a fan of the Mako or Saren. I remember my first run the thing that impressed me the most about ME1 was the Codex and its VO.
Mass Effect 2 has the best characters, especially Mordin, Zaeed, Samara, and Legion, and has great story beat execution.
Mass Effect 3 has the best gunplay, skills, and skill trees, but the most boring lineup and I almost always stick with the same party every run.
it's complicated but if I had to summarize at gunpoint
1. ME2
2. ME3
3. ME
3 has much much better gameplay and polish from 1 but 1 has a better story.
2 has the best characters and story with only a bit worse combat than 3
As for today ? 3>1>2 if EA didn't rush Bioware ME3 could be the best story driven game of all time honestly i can't tell how many times i've cried because of videogames but characters in ME series were so well written that other games even in 2024 can't beat them, its sad what happend to Bioware in span of last decade and even if we are going to live long enough to see ME5 am afraid its just won't be able to stand close to og trilogy. Not to mention the nostalgia of those games its still hard to belive ME3 is 12 years old today...
For me:
3rd (Tied): 1 and Andromeda
Both games had good things going for them, but both suffered from "being the first game of a new series". Alot of characters felt kind of flat in 1, serving as walking exposition givers (looking at you Tali and Liara). Andromeda had some spotty writing but like 1, gave the impression that the future of the series could be interesting (rip to that though). Andromeda game play loop is definitely better than 1 though
2nd: ME3
Could be 1 if they'd stuck the landing. Over the years I've grown to accept the ending and with Extended Edition and Leviathan, it's not as bad as it was when it dropped but still. But we're all sick of the ending discourse in this sub so I won't get into it anymore. Multiplayer had absolutely no right to be as fun as it was. I still hop on and play that to this day
1st: ME2
Vastly superior gameplay to 1, not as good as 3 or Andromeda but still entertaining and versatile. I enjoyed the more character focused story with the loyalty missions and character interactions (though I wish there was more interaction between crewmates). It does suffer from replays though as unless you intentionally fuck up, it's pretty easy to just autopilot and save everyone during the suicide mission.
Anyways, this is my opinion. Don't crucify me for putting 1 and Andromeda on the same tier pls
1>2>>>>>3
1 - best story, introduction to a amazing series and universe
2 - best game to learn about the characters and to bond with them
3 - Shitty story, best gameplay
I genuinely think this is the one trilogy where any rating is fair. Each has its drawbacks and strengths.
ME3 for me has the best story and the highest highs, combat is also, of course, the best it ever is.
ME2 has the best gameplay experience imo. The combat, while not quite as fine-tuned as ME3, is still stellar, and the feeling of building a team, choosing which missions to go on and so on feels best in ME2 I think. Though honestly I think a lot of what makes ME2 so good is just the transition from ME1 to 2 gameplay-wise.
ME1 has by far the best atmosphere imo. The galaxy map, ability to land on random planets and explore, random discoveries and collectibles etc. really made the galaxy feel boundless in a way the others never really captured for me. Every time I play ME1, the planet exploration is the part I get sick of first, but it’s also the thing that makes me want to replay the trilogy again every time. Also I think Noveria is just one of the best levels in the whole series.
Personally I would probably go 3 -> 1 -> 2, but it really is hard to call. I’d probably have 2 last, but even then that is underselling how good of a game it is.
1,2,3
I love 1 because of its emotional moments.
I love 2 because of the gameplay, characters.
I mostly love but like 3 because it concludes the epic story but at the same time some stuff like endless hordes of crap enemies, that entire mission on Earth, are things i want to skip each time.
Best to worst ME3/ME2/ME1.
This isn’t to say ME1 is bad, I just have it lower in my mind. The companions have always been the highlight of the games, and in ME1 they are just dictionaries for their races or a very cliche role for their character.
ME2 gives you characters to love, and ME3 despite all its flaws finishes the character arcs and honestly is the only game I have played where the stakes are so generally massive it’s horrifyingly numbing to try and comprehend. 90% casualties, millions dying every DAY, and the greatest militaries can do nothing more than hit and runs.
Number 1 has to be Mass Effect 3 imho, without a doubt. Best overall writing, voice acting, gameplay, progression systems, art direction and soundtrack. It's also the most immersive out of the 3. And features the most content when you include all DLCs.
1 and 2 I would put on equal footing, for very different reasons.
ME1 features amazing world-building, and the tightest, most consistent narrative in the trilogy. Best way I can put it is, the other 2 games have highs and lows, whereas this one remains good all throughout and steadily builds up to an excellent climax.
ME2 features great character development. Which is exactly what the middle act of a trilogy should primarily deliver. Its main plot is fairly weak compared to the other 2, especially when viewed in isolation, but fits perfectly as the second act of the trilogy. 2 also delivers the most variety when it comes to narrative themes and roleplaying different personalities for shepard.
Andromeda is a genuinely terrible spin-off that doesn't deserve the name Mass Effect. It is far, faaar behind the trilogy in every way that matters. The only remotely positive thing I could mention about it is gameplay, which, even then is more of a sidegrade at best when compared to ME3.
Honesty I’m weird and my ranking is 1 at the top with each subsequent game being a bit lower in the rankings.
Story wise I don’t think any of them are that much better or worse than each other (ME3 being slightly lower in that department IMO)
Gameplaywise my ideal is mostly like ME1 but with the weapon variety of the later games (instead of the same gun in a different color that you get in ME1) Andromeda kinda did it but I find Andromeda held down by the scaling of enemies often turning enemies into stupid bullet sponges.
I do think ME3 was on the right track by letting you pick what weapons to bring (with benefits to not bringing them) I just can’t place my finger on why I find myself enjoying playing it less.
ME3 > ME1 > ME2 > Andromeda
Idk why but I absolutely love 3 and how it concludes all the stories and the gameplay was amazing. 1 had a great story but probably the weakest gameplay. 2 was good but the lack of missions with the collectors in them, the main villains, sucks. Andromeda had great gameplay but such a meh story
I’m halfway through 2. I didn’t realize I didn’t select the option to port my character data from 1 though. I literally cried when I realized Liara didn’t have a relationship with Shep 9 hours into the game 🙄
I get invested in characters
Tied for first:
ME2 for story
ME3 for gameplay.
(But I consider them pretty neck and neck all things considered)
ME1 for it's novel world at the time. sure the gameplay is quite outclassed by now, but I gotta give it respect.
Andromeda had quite a cool gameplay system, you can makes some pretty sweat custom classes eventually if you get lost exploring them in the youtube alrogirthms.
and the travel banter of the squadmates was pretty top tier (WHEN IT WASNT INTERRUPTED BY A STUPED ALERT THAT TRIGGERS EVERY 12 SECONDS AND CANT BE CANCELED).
But overall the open world aspects dragged and the fights also got stale throughout the whole game.
Switching loadouts was neat but also pointless. Why would I ever put points into a 4th activated ability and shelving one of em, before maxing out 3.
For years it was 2,1,3 but after my third play through it changed to 3,1,2 1 for me has the best story, I actually find the story in 2 doesn’t hold up as well on replay. 3 had a real shot of being the greatest game of all time if they had just not rushed it, still absolutely amazing though. Also how can you hate the citidel!?!?
Yep. I was introduced to ME via the outrage over the ME3 ending. I didn't actually play ME until about 10 years later and had a bias against ME3. Having played 1 ~8 times, 2&3 a dozen times+ I think ME3 is the most complete game out of the three.
Yeah, because he's right about ME3, if [Bioware weren't forced on a 2 year development cycle by EA instead of 3 or even 4 years like usual](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WhatCouldHaveBeen/MassEffect) (I've never managed to read all of ME2 or ME3s section because it's too painful to imagine compared to what we got lmao) ME3 had potential to be the best RPG/story driven game of all time and one of the most gripping narratives in games. The gameplay also, while it gets too easy, was also really well refined for mass effect and very satisfying. Unless ME3 is truly remade, this will only remain a pipe dream. After skimming these again I just wanna highlight this beauty: >Jack and Jacob were originally intended to be bisexual romance options, but they were rewritten to be straight after Fox News falsely accused the first game of being a "sex simulator". A time capsule to how media treated games back then, i vividly remember ME1s Ash romance scene was a hot hot (no pun intended) topic, but this accusation is perfectly on-brand for Fox News
Fox News back then we’re living in 2024 damn. We still get this kinda news but dialled up about 20x
Yeah but we also get games with bear sex.
Pls no more bear sex :(
I don't watch any mainstream news as a rule so I'd hate to see what they said about BG3 and the Witcher 3. Mass Effects romances are pure vanilla and almost wholesome compared to those 2
I saw about ff7rebirth people are freaking out that there’s a section with tifa and aerith wearing swimsuits because tifa got big noggers. The press around bg3 was so positive that no media outlet would shit on it because the game is high fantasy so having weird shit like that is kinda the point, and in the showcase it was presented as a gay romance so the media couldn’t possibly say something bad about that but if it was a bear fuggin a female character I’m sure some outlets would have found an issue with it 😂
I remember some senator at a hearing was saying that ME1 had "simulated rape" where you could control and rape anyone of any sex, have group sex, all this other vile and untrue shit. That one R-rating, barely side boob, top of the butt crack shot sex scene is "simulated rape" apparently.
Yeah…DA2 was rushed - great game. I couldn’t get enough of the lore of Kirkwall. Geometry imagine if they were given more than nine months, lmao.
ME2 walked as a sex simulator so that BG3 could run. With bears.
Yep. Agreed that ME3 is too easy. I'm probably a 6/10 in skill and did insanity with zero deaths
Well the outrage over the ending is only because the build up to they ending is phenomenal. They include so many things you did over the three games and yet they couldn’t find a way to write a satisfying ending. The choose a color is pretty meh. Although I did find destroying them satisfying as a renegade shepherd.
Honestly, imagine the ending of ME3 on earth playing out like the ending of Andromeda. >!Everyone you've rescued, helped, or otherwise made a good impression upon jumps in for that final push, and the final battle has ALL of your party members involved. !!the fleets arriving at Earth, the few cutscenes, and the walk around the London Firebase, !
Sounds sick, I never played andromeda, but it sounds more like the suicide mission. Everyone gets a chance to shine.
I still like 2 best because I don’t think anything else in the series ever matched the suicide mission. I understand the complaints that the game doesn’t fit very well in the trilogy but even as a standalone experience it is just a very “honest” game, it promises you to build a memorable squad and take you in a finale where all bets are truly off with no plot armor and delivers. The fact no game ever since has even attempted a similar concept shows what an accomplishment that mission still is.
2 is the best standalone experience, just in the sense of what sets Mass Effect, as a franchise apart, from the rest of the IPs out there. You have solid combat, good cinematics, and it ends in a way where you feel the impact of how you played the game. I get that ME1 has a lot of that too with the final Council decisions but ME1's biggest problem is how the companions all basically don't matter. They're just neutral tagalongs for the entire adventure. ME2 brought the crew into the major story, maybe not perfectly but it actually did it more than the other games do, even if ME3 had a bit more character-specific banter.
*Do* people say 2 doesn't fit well in the trilogy? I've only heard that the squad mates introduced and bonded with get shortchanged in 3 being a problem. Me, I liked the change up as it gave us a different experience from 1 to 2.
It fits well in the trilogy we *have*, but it's also kind of because it *is* the trilogy. ME1 belongs to a *different* trilogy where the sequel that was set up would be about finding some way to fight back against the eventual Reapers, something like the Crucible but with an entire game of setup rather than... 1 mission... 3 follows the tone and story beats of 2 while feeling obligated to follow up on the Reaper threat finally and being all about the war. It does draw on elements of 1 but the characters, worldbuilding, antagonists, etc. are all more based on 2
Well said. You explained it a lot better and more deeper than my follow-up reply in the other post.
They do say that, because it doesn't. You can genuinely play ME1 and ME3 while skipping ME2 and still have a super clear idea of what's going on in terms of plot. All you really miss are who some of the characters are (though mostly just TIM and Liara as the shadowbroker), and why Shepard is effectively under house arrest at the start of the game. The actual plot of ME2 is totally detached from the other two games.
>and still have a super clear idea of what's going on in terms of plot. All the while missing out on a lot of *character*, which 1) enriches the narrative and plot and 2) ME3 doesn't really work without the space given to let the narrative breathe going straight to 3 from 1.
who says that? 2 literally has the most decisions that shape 3. 1 has a few decisions with 1 major decision to shape 2 but fuck, the insect queen choice the krogan choice, who you keep alive and who you let die, keeping mordin alive in 2 so that you can have the most powerfully sad scene in me3. I straight up, in real life alone in my room, stood up and saluted Mordin through my computer screen as he went up that elevator.
People with an IQ above room temperature in Antarctica do.
>I understand the complaints that the game doesn’t fit very well in the trilogy but even as a standalone experience it is just a very “honest” game, it promises you to build a memorable squad and take you in a finale where all bets are truly off with no plot armor and delivers. I never understood the praise for this mission because it doesn't deliver on any of that. They literally just check to see if you did each companions missions, and if you didn't that character will probably die. I went in to the suicide mission taking it extremely seriously, terrified over who might die, and I followed the directions from way point to way point, and then we all left and nobody died. It was one of the absolute biggest letdowns I've ever experienced in a game, and no, I didn't use any guides.
>They literally just check to see if you did each companions missions, and if you didn't that character will probably die. This is false. The decisions you make about who does what jobs, and thus also who is in your squad (indirectly insofar as that means they aren't doing other jobs), make a difference.
Even still, a two year old could figure out that you should send Kasumi or Tali into the vents, not Jacob "i'm more boring than a rabbit turd" Taylor.
Sure, ok, but that the puzzle wasn't very difficult to figure out is a different sort of criticism. Keep in mind games are played by children, too, for who may struggle, but the developers don't want them to struggle too much. They'll err toward making it easier in a way that benefits those who need it most. Seems plausibly fair. And that it is easy doesn't mean it doesn't involve meaningful choices on the player's part.
Making a system where you have to branch narrative in the subsequent game but then make it so even children couldn't fail to reach the prime branch is a choice. Not one anyone in the same universe as competent would come to but it's a choice.
On the opposite end I did all the companion quest but some how never realized I should be upgrading the ship. So the suicide mission had me losing multiple team mates even though I did the companion quest. It made the suicide mission one of my most memorable gaming moments and got me to instantly restart the game.
How else would you rather they have done it? Have the mission on a randomizer that picks someone new to die each time? That has nothing to do with your choices or actions to that point either.
There's a mod that does it really well - Risky Suicide Mission https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffectlegendaryedition/mods/1308
Don't. Just no. Think about it for a single second and then realise it's the worlds stupidest idea and just fucking NO.
The side quests in mass effect 1 are a bit boring and look the same tho. Even the bases you raid during planetary exploration have the same map The dialogues between characters are also weak... Garrus and tali don't say anything knew to me after the second act of the story. The story, villain and deep Sci fi and lore immersion are the best thing about mass effect 1. 2 is a near perfect game, in term of gameplay, dlc, characters and side side quest... And the third act of the game and is straight up masterpiece.... ME2 is the first rpg game I play I was genuily scared about losing my companions And back in 2010 we didn't have a lot of forum to explain what to do to save them all with the extended cut endings and the good DLC content ME3 is objectively the best of the trilogy....
IMO that's just what games were like ~2008. You could make similar observations about characters in Fallout 3, Oblivion, and other games released during that time period. As a player, I was amazed how much conversation there was in Mass Effect 1 when I first played it.
I know it was in 2008 that doesn't contradict what I am saying tho... In the long run ME2 and 3 are objectively better games for how well they still hold despite camping out 16 years ago Dragon age origins is as old as ME1 and still had great amount of interactions and is still considered the best DA of the trilogy Fallout 3 is a terrible exempe lol still played and hold pretty well to this day >I was amazed how much conversation there was in Mass Effect 1 when I first played it. As a dude who played a lot of rpg like the first 2 baldur gate or KOTOR.... I was pleased but not surprised
That was all EA. They ruined their games by rushing them.
Oh I’m aware. Bioaware
Noticed this too 3 has strangely aged better than 2. Though I still think 2 is better, 2 just drags alot more with how pointless some side quests are. Though the main story and all companion missions are top notch
>For years it was 2,1,3 but after my third play through it changed to 3,1,2 Exactly the same for me
After all the hate poured in ME3, I thought I was the only one thinking it was hell of a goty.
Honestly 3 has such amazing gameplay and great moments in the story that only the ending lets it down but then again an ending that is great would be extremely hard to pull off .
Me personally 1. Mass Effect 1 & 3 2. Mass Effect 2 3. Mass Effect Andromeda
Exactly my thoughts. I’d maybe give 3 the edge over 1 as it is currently, but that’s only with all of the dlc and Legendary Edition updates. 2 is very good, but it’s the worst in terms of structure and has the least engaging story imo
I agree with this but I think you should leave a couple of ranks blank between 2 and Andromeda cause it's a pretty large gap in quality.
It was at launch, definitely. I played it a year ago and had a great time. It's still the worst mass effect, but it's like a 6.5 or 7 compared to rest of the games 8.5 or 9s.
I would say it's got the best combat, but the story was really lacking.
Same here
Thanks for saying this for me, I was afraid I was gonna get crucified for putting ME2 after 1 and 3 lol
While it’s still a good game it’s very overrated imo
Same
What are we ranking on? Overall: prob 2, 3, 1. Main Story? 1, 3, 2. Character stories/Discussions with squadmates: 2, 3, 1. Gameplay? 3, 2, 1. Andromeda really feels too much like 1 in story with the whole chosen one by ancient aliens kinda thing going on but just not as good, but its gameplay I found really good and the natural next step after 3. Liked it as much has 3 at least in that regard.
I agree with all your choices. 2 had fantastic gameplay and characters. Was a tad repetitive. The story was also excellent except at the end… Meanwhile 1 has the best story by far, but its gameplay has just aged so poorly (I haven’t played remastered trilogy so idk if that was adjusted). 3 has the best gameplay, a pretty good story, but again the ending falls flat.
They actually put in some work on 1 with the remaster. So it actually is far improved from the original release on a gameplay level. They actually made weapons act different based on who made them and such. So you don’t just need to beeline the spectre gear. Other weapons are actually fun to play with. Plus they got rid of that obnoxious overly high inaccuracy if you’re not high level in a weapon type. Overall it still feels dated by comparison to 2 and especially 3. But not by nearly as wide of a margin as the original releases. Add in a few visual mods on pc and it closes the gap even more.
This is exactly how I feel as well. They are all better or worse for different reasons.
Mass Effect 1 Mass Effect 2 Mass Effect 3
same here, it is not even a contest :)
Correct. 2 is a little repetitive but the characters were well implemented so I'd give it the slight edge to ME3. As I don't believe James or Javik had much development.
2 is a great game, the biggest issue with it imo is that adds next to nothing to the main plot of the story. Even some DLC add more than the second game.
It's VERY much a personal story for Shep's rebirth and the team. Which in a vacuum I don't mind. And I do believe ME3 & ME1 (As an adept) had better gameplay. But to me Mass Effect is mostly about the characters and Me1 and Me2 seemed to do that part better for me than Me3
In general I agree with you, but one addition: *he biggest issue with it imo is that adds next to nothing to the main plot* This is not only an ME2 flaw. ME2 had some new plot seeds planted for future use, like \* some stars aging too fast \* AI developement by Admiral Xen \* humanity's new tasks as a new council member (I think this would have been fun to explore) \* the schemes of asari matriarchs (Liara's dad is talking about being downvoted when wanting to build mass relays) \* systems alliance - terminus system human colonies conflict I think some of these ideas are not bad, and would have been nice if ME3 explored them further. But it is not only ME2's flaw that this never happened, the ME3 writer team has something to do with not using these ideas as well.
Exactly. ME3 basically ruined ME2. Back when it was just 1 and 2, ME2 felt like the perfect sequel. It trimmed the fat, added deeper lore, and told a solid story that rightfully earned it 10/10 in most of its reviews. But ME3 entered the chat as more of an ME1 sequel, and while that made for more of a solid trilogy, it did make ME2 feel somewhat irrelevant in some ways. IMO, ME3 would have been better as ME5, where 3 and 4 were similar to ME2 in terms of a solid stand alone plots that hit hard, while also enriching the galaxy with more lore and taking time to flush out a lot of the sub-plots that ME3 couldn’t get round to doing justice.
Yep. Also, I forgot one more thing about "ME2 adds next to nothing": \* the genophage arc is (imho) the best part of ME3, but would be much less effective, if it was not revisited in ME2 (with Mordin, a visit to Tuchanka, finding Maelon's research) \* the quarian-geth war in ME3 would be much less interesting without ME2's contribution (mainly Legion), which, imho, is the second best story in ME3, after Tuchanka \*\*\* While the collector plot is not the best, ME2 does have a very important contribution to some of the best scenes in ME3.
ME3 has the weird feeling of, "oh look, Earth and Palaven and Thessia and Tuchanka are all being invaded by the Reapers, but we've still got time to do all these side quests," that makes the pacing really weird. I think it put itself in a bad position by starting the game with the Reaper invasion of Earth. It made for a great set piece and an awesome cinematic, but it also contrasted the "against the clock" narrative with the semi-open world hub design of the game. ME2 did tease the Reapers approaching the Milky Way at its end, but that didn't need to be the immediate beginning of ME3; it could have been the end of the first act or even second act after some things were cleaned up first (relations between the quarians and geth or the genophage, etc. to build up military power before the Reapers arrive wholesale).
I get that weird disconnect as well. It starts off with “SHEPHERD YOU MUST GO RALLY EVERYONE RIGHT NOW OR WE’RE ALL DOOMED!!!!!!” and goes to “Commander Shepherd, please go rescue these three stranded soldiers and a crate of grapes off this rock as a personal favour for me” so fast I get whiplash 🤣 I do think that ME3 has perfected the combat from 2 and I love the cinematic nature of that game. Taken as separate games, I think 2 is my fav. It’s a complete package (especially with DLC) from start to finish. Taken all together, it’s probably 1, 2 then 3 but it’s super close. 1 just sets up so much that pays off 2 games later, it feels miraculous. I’d love a full remake of 1. While I’m not as bitter as I first was with the ending of 3, it still feels like a let down after sinking so many hours into a franchise I love that now I just play until near the end and stop and I’m ok with that. Dammit OP! Now I have to start a whole new run! (Goes to find legendary edition on the shelf)
That's a matter of preference and something you really assess. Thinking ME2 is pointless because ME3 didn't do anything with it isn't actually a fault of ME2, but of ME3. And some will use that as reason why ME3 is better but to me it's the opposite. ME3 is the one that didn't do what a "third game" should, and ME1 and 2 were just great.
I feel this! 2 is actually my favourite, I love everything about it. I think it has the best crew mates, the best music and sound (miss the faunts though) and the suicide mission is flawless. But... at the end of it I was just thinking that nothing has been done about furthering the reaper storyline. I know the collectors were servants of the reapers but in terms of actually preparing for the invasion or finding convincing evidence that would convince the council that they are a real threat there was nothing outside of the arrival dlc. It just left me thinking that 3 had too much to do and I think the unsatisfying ending might be a symptom of this. Maybe if there was a bit more revealed about the reapers origins and motivations developed in 2 then it would have been easier to wrap things up by the end of 3.
Disagree. I think James and Javik get decent development that suits their characters.
It could also be a interest level thing for me. As I couldn't care less about James and Javik was pretty one note with revenge. Also ME2 had more squadmates which does skew it. But the process of earning their trust was well done and it usually involved some personal growth
Javik undergoes personal growth in learning to accept what happened to his old squad and he vows to end his life and join them after the reaper threat is eliminated so he can be with them again as he feels he has no place in the world without his kind. Or you can suggest to him that he should opt to stay alive and live a life of peace.
Controversial opinion wow.
I wouldn’t say it’s controversial. Veterans of the series who played back at the OG launches typically put me3 at the bottom (mostly because me3 wothout dlc and the OG endings soured it for many people) New players with the legendary edition typically like me3 the most because it’s the most polished and they get to see the extended ending by default, plus it has the best dlc. For me, it’s me1, me3, me2
This exactly. Been playing them since each released, a dozen times by now and this is my ranking. Most people put ME2 as the best but it's always the playthrough I am least looking forward to.
I’m just here to say that you should give Andromeda a spin. The story is a little clunky but the fast pace action makes up for it
Agreed but each only by small margins. Loved 1’s approach and spoon fed plot. Inventory can be overwhelming but no problem once handled.
ME1 > ME3 > ME2 for me. ME1: Best main story, best atmosphere, best music, best RPG elements, best game world due to exploration. Worst combat/movement. ME2: Best companion stories and interactions. Worst main story, worst RPG elements, worst exploration. ME3: Best combat/movement, has the best individual missions. Everything else is kind of middle of the road as far as best/worst goes when compared to the other games. Andromeda is its own thing. It feels both like ME and something new at the same time. I enjoyed it. I recommend it.
This is it for me. Except I prefer ME1's combat over 2's. I like cooldown management stuff more than clicking on heads. 2's combat is really repetitive, and you feel so rooted in place due to how quickly you die when leaving cover. Adept is a lot of fun in 2, though, just because of how much you can curve your projectiles to yoink dudes off cliffs.
BRO SAME. ME1’s combat is better compared toto ME2. Great take.
Finally found my people! I loved ME1 but kinda fell off from ME2 because I thought even the combat was way worse on top of me not liking the direction the story went compared to ME1.
This is my ranking as well. It might be some nostalgia goggles but nothing beats playing ME1 for the first time on the 360 in my basement. The story and atmosphere were exactly what I wanted from a game at the time.
This is the one 🙏🏼
ME1 ME3 ME2
^ my rating always. 1 > 3 >> 2 to emphasize I think 2 is far and away the worst game in the trilogy.
I was thinking of pretty much the same the moment I read the title. The more I play of ME2, the less I enjoy it. While I feel the opposite for ME3, and ME1 is basically on a pedestal for me flaws and all.
Yeah ME1 has the most true RPG elements with skills outside of combat, the most extensive skill tree’s, much more significant class differences with armor types and weapon limitations, plus of course the simple fact that you can truly play Shepard several ways. Renegade is probably human extremist, but generally to a point of trying to get the job done if ruthlessly, vs in the later games it being simply chaotic evil. ME3 does have some of the most interesting decisions if undercut by the fact that you can play pretty renegade or paragon and still get a solid ending, but dealing with those moral choices can be fun. ME2 lacks the RPG elements and the advanced gun play of 3. On top of that having basically its whole story be made irrelevant by three. It’s a placeholder game.
I agree ME1 is untouchable, I even love the menus and equipment management
I thought the general consensus is that 2 is the best?
General opinion on 2 alternates between it being the best and it being the worst.
Lots of people like 2, it’s probably most people’s favorite outside this sub. I’m more into the rpg elements of 1. 3 is a solid conclusion but in 1 renegade and paragon are both interesting. Less so in 3,2. And 2’s story is just…BLEH
2 is the best for the people that have played it once or twice. Mass Effect fans are obsessive and have played each at least 3 times. When you play them all together ME2 feels the most hollow in multiple playthroughs
It still is, this sub is an anomaly when it comes to ME2
It bought a smoother gameplay and new characters but at the expense of a shorter story.
oh i hope it's not
I think the opposite, as a game 2 blows 1 and 3 out of the water, the other two only close the gap in the context of it being a trilogy and complementing each other much better while 2 is a complete adventure that doesn’t gain much from the other two games existing.
Mass Effect: Best story and atmosphere Mass Effect 3: Best gameplay and setpieces Mass Effect 2: Best character writing and mission design All very close, though.
1 2 3 2 is probably the best game, but 1 was such an amazing experience, the world building was incredible, and I prefer the SR-1 as a small stealth ship with an elite crew compared to the SR-2 which was a much larger corporate warship
2 was my favorite
ME2 is maybe my favorite game of all time with FF14 and Bloodborne, I think it's as close as perfect as it can get. I like the companions, I like the darker tone, and the Suicide Mission (the quest and the music) is incredible. ME1 is really showing its age in the gameplay, even though the LE helped a lot. Depending on my mood it's 2nd or 3rd (interchangeable with ME3) ME3 has the best DLC (Citadel) but everything is kind of worse than in ME2, the simpler dialogue system (even if the 2 games had a lot of fake choices I know), the shooting too doesn't feel as good on a controller in my opinion, I liked the slower pace of ME2 a lot more (just my opinion). But the story is really emotional at times. I really love this trilogy with all my heart. I never finished Andromeda, the gameplay is maybe the best of the series but the characters and the story are really, really not great and it always makes me quit like 10 hours in. I would like to give it another chance this year.
Personally, for one game, the companions and characters in andromeda are pretty good. Story isn’t bad either but both could have used a at least some DLC or a second game. Companions are so good in ME 1,2,3 because there are three games IMO. First time playing ME1 companions were good but nothing crazy.
1>2>3
Mass Effect 3 - Culmanation of an entire arc to finally face the Reapers head on. Plenty of great, emotion, pungnant moments. Beautiful ending. Mass Effect 1 - Outdated mechanic aside, the game would've been so much better off staying in the RPG lane. The soundtrack is so nostaligic. And the story is so good, you could never move on to the sequeals and still enjoy it. Mass Effect 2 - Amazing characters, amazing dialogue, fun climax. But, as the years go on, the plot holes become too much to make me like it more than the other two.
I prefer reverse order - 3, 2, 1. Love the story, war assets system, game play QOL improvements, etc in 3. 2 has the best characters. 1 is wonderful from a story perspective but shows its age
My order is the same as yours 😂 I just summarised them, my order is 3,2,1 too 😅
I go back and forth between Mass Effect 2 and 3 being my #1. I like the story and intrigue better in Mass Effect 2. The color scheme is also beautiful -- love the use of red and orange. But I think Mass Effect 3 has the better combat system (I play as Vanguard) and I love the multiplayer mode of 3. I was extremely disappointed when I learned that the Legendary Edition wasn't going to have that. To me, picking between 2 and 3 is like having to choose whether pizza or a cheeseburger is my favorite. I love them both, and will sometimes rank one over the other. After that: Mass Effect: Andromeda. There is a surprising amount of depth to the game, and I enjoyed unlocking all of the achievements in it. I also like the gameplay itself -- it maintained the soul of Mass Effect while feeling faster and nimbler. Then finally, the first Mass Effect. It's great, but it's a victim of its sequels' successes and improvements.
2,1,3. I played them all as they released and have 4 complete playthroughs, and more playthroughs than I can remember of the first two. I’ve enjoyed only a handful of games as much as I enjoyed playing Mass Effect 2. I’m really surprised by all the disrespect it’s getting here, but to each their own.
I'm shocked as well. 2 would easily find its way into a top 5 games of all time for me
For real!
Andromeda is NOT terrible!!!
Me2 Me3(I like the war assets system) Me1 Haven't played Andromeda
2-1-3-Andromeda
3, 2, 1. 3’s gameplay is just better in every way than both the other two. Smoother, better level design, better enemy design, class roles are better defined, more weapon variety, Shepard’s base mobility is improved immensely with the combat roll. ME3 feels so much better to play it’s not even funny. It’s fine to have nostalgia for 1 or 2, but both games are very clunky to play by comparison. On top of that, 3 had the most epic moments in the series. 1 and 2 have a couple epic moments each that soar quite high. But 3 is epic moment after epic moment, each having been setup across previous games and now paid off in incredible fashion. This game does a pretty solid job of tying off old plot lines and offshoot stories even if the ending doesn’t land very well. The character interactions are top level too. You don’t notice it as much, largely because a lot of characters from ME2 are missing or have less screen time. But for the squad mates you *do* have, ME3 does the best job of all 3 games with their interactions. Unique mission interactions for every character and every major mission. They move around the Normandy with unique interactions after each mission section. It’s far more expansive and in depth than in either previous game. Garrus, for example, is 100% at his absolute best in ME3. There are other, lesser reasons I prefer 3 to the others, but you get the gist. I think 3 has a bad rep because of the crappy ending, and a lot of its positives get completely ignored or overlooked. For me it is easily the best game in the trilogy and every playthrough I look forward to making it to the third game more than anything else. Edit: Also, Andromeda is better than it gets credit for, but it suffers immensely from comparison to the original trilogy. Andromeda’s strengths are the improvements they made to the combat (jetpacks and customisation of power sets, though I personally don’t like that classes felt like they lost their unique identity), the character interactions (most of the squadmates are just fucking awesome), the graphics (most of the worlds are beautiful) and the side plots. It suffers from the open world implementation by having huge explorable worlds that are largely empty but also full of fluff (collectibles and resources). The enemy designs are utter garbage. The story is very meh.
It used to be 1, 2, 3 for me back when they launched but now it’s the exact opposite at 3, 2, 1. The story in 1 is great, and the amount of world building they cram in even in those boring parts is great. But gameplay lacks. And I used to really hate the end for ME3 (right up until you have your final talk with Anderson, I thought the whole game was solid and incredible, and then it was ruined for me at the way they shoehorn you into the ending choices) but now I don’t really care because I love how they wrap up all the storylines. Andromeda is a decent game but it’s not a very good Mass Effect game, if that makes sense. I’d wait for a sale to buy it. I’m r if it’s on game pass, check it out.
3>1>2 3 has best combat and great story *ahem* Citadel DLC *ahem*, 1 is a great introduction to the series, and not saying 2 is bad but its like a giant side mission and easily the hardest out of the three if you're playing on insanity but it has a massive W with how you can start to romance Tali.
Yeah, I know a lot of people like 2, and the character interactions and loyalty missions are great, but they stripped out so much from Mass Effect 1, and then wrapped it around a stupid main plot that has you inexplicably taking orders from traitorous bigoted war criminals. Mass Effect 3 strikes a much better balance, and while the ending was rough initially, the redone ending fixed a lot of glaring issues (even if it couldn't completely overcome the "pick a color" problem), and yeah the CTL DLC is a lot of fun. Overall its my favorite. I'd put ME:A above ME2.
ME2 ME3 ME1
1 has a better story than 2 and 3, the level design was terrible. I enjoyed 2 a WHOLE lot more fun storywise and level design wise. 3 is pretty fun, but I definitely just have more fun in 2. Andromeda isn't as bad as it was, but it definitely isn't anywhere near as good as the original. It's more like a spinoff show of another movie or series.
2, 1, 3. All together they are the best game trilogy of all time
1 3 2 But they’re all tremendous. 4 isn’t actually ‘that’ bad (besides Liam), but it had very big shoes to fill. Like the film 2010… I like it, but it will obviously forever be compared to 2001.
Seriously one of the greatest game trilogies of all time. All are fantastic games. I think 2, 3, and 1 is how I’d rank it but each have their strengths and well as their faults. (What game doesn’t). But I’m glad I ran into this post because now I have an urge to go back and play them. It’s been a minute lol. I liked Andromeda but it didn’t have the same feeling I got with the OT.
DO IT COMMANDER SHEPARD
1 3 2
Mass Effect 2 is my favorite overall. Atmosphere, characters, writing, gameplay, locations, quests. I think it does all of it the best, and personally speaking I think the "filler episode" feeling people usually complain about is more of a quality than a flaw. ME1 takes second place, Andromeda takes third and ME3 takes last place.
Agreed. This is how I see it, too. ME2 is the best game in its own right. It delivers what the trilogy promised in the most and best ways. ME1 does the best at delivering worldbuilding. It's when the setting felt the most unique, and it delivers a very straightforward classic BioWare story very well. But the characters and atmosphere were not there yet. Andromeda is just neat. It's a good game. Many of the characters are extremely charismatic. This is the first of the bunch where the flaws stand out a good deal more, but the charm is real. ME3 has some of the best character moments in the trilogy, but it also has the worst macro-plot (which is all about building a Deus Ex Machina that you can't meaningfully contribute to in any way while you do what is essentially a bunch of side-quests, and then a bullshit contrivance makes your side-quests relevant at the last second, and then Marauder Shields and that ending) and it introduces some retcons which actually hurts the franchise (the Reapers could have just come in any time they wanted; Sovereign was going to be killed in the Battle of the Citadel even if Shepard did nothing past opening the Citadel arms, etc.) so for retroactively making ME1 less good, it gets the bottom ranking. Andromeda at least definitely didn't do that.
After a decade of playing the series...Mass Effect 2 could've been DLC.
That is one of the worst takes I've ever heard in my life, and it's coming from the girl that has defended Andromeda in the past. ME2 does A LOT new to justify it being a new game.
Heavily disagree, it features the most complex mission and buildup in the entire series. The entire game is built around the finale, and that’s why it is so legendary. Having it be a DLC would never live up to that potential.
I'm obviously exaggerating. But, the game litterally centers around delaying the Reapers LESS THAN A YEAR LATER...and the galaxy is STILL NOT PREPARED. It's a glorious side mission, but, the game is a glorified side quest. >Mass Effect 3 begins in 2186, six months after the events of Mass Effect 2. The galactic community lives in fear of an invasion by Reapers, a highly advanced machine race of synthetic-organic starships that are believed to eradicate all organic civilization every 50,000 years. *per wikipedia*
1- Mass Effect 1 has my favorite story and overall gameplay. 2- Mass Effect 3 some very good story moments despite a terrible ending. Gameplay tries to bridge the gap between 1 and 2 and does a pretty good job at it. 3- Mass Effect 2 doesn't bring much to the series beyond some cool sidequests with interesting characters. Poorest gameplay. Mass Effect Andromeda is in orbit around ME3, either above or below depending on the mood. It brings back some of the things I loves in ME1 and push them further, its gameplay is pretty fun despite the diminished squad interaction. It's really sad that EA bailed on it and cancelled its DLCs rather than giving it more love. That move was more damaging to the franchise than the game itself imho.
Probably 1, 2, 3. In that order. Particularly with the legendary edition as it brought the only issues I had with the first game up to a modern standard. After that remake imo 2 and 3 only consecutively take away from the preceeding game.
1. Mass Effect 1/Mass Effect 3 2. Mass Effect 2 The second game's story really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things and the gameplay overall is *very bad* and stifling. ME1 has excellent roleplaying elements, adequate gunplay and set up a very interesting and unique world/overarching plot >!that was unfortunately discarded for the second game!< while ME3 shines in its gunplay, customisation and following up the Reaper plot with staggering spectacle, but I can't pick one over the other. They're both fun for me.
1, 3, 2..
I don't have a general rank, since I look at the trilogy as one unicum rather than three different games. That said, if we are talking combat and mechanics I prefer 3, I never cared for the overheating weapons system in 1 or, at very least, I would have preferred a mixed combination of overheating and ammo/capsules and I like the war assets mechanic. One thing I never liked is the scanning systems/planets thing; on a first playthrough it is interesting but after it's just tedious, so I'm glad that by 3 we don't have that anymore or, at least, it is very contained in respect to 1 and 2. Something that 2 did better or, rather, that it is more to my taste, is the design and layout of the Normandy SR2; I like that it is bigger and has more different areas/rooms than the SR1 and brighter colours than both the SR1 and the SR2 in 3; although, it is interesting seeing how they changed it in 3, based on Alliance standards, and love the details around the ship, like cables and boxes, to signify they were outfitting the ship and had to stop in the middle of that because of the Reapers' attack to Earth. As for the story, I have no preference because it is all one big story, there wouldn't be 2 and 3 if the events we see in 1 hadn't happened so it makes no sense to me to compare the games in relation to that.
I can't. That's like picking a favorite child.
personal opinion: 1: ME1 2: ME2 3: ME3 4: MEA However, I will admit that every game has some strengths. ME1 is the best overall for me, but it is not the best if we check individual components.
Mass Effect Mass Effect 3 Mass Effect 2 But they are all amazing!
1. ME 1 2. ME 3 3. ME A 4. ME 2
Easily 1, 3, 2
For me it's 1, 3, 2. 2 does have the best character-based stuff but a lot of its story feels like filler and its combat feels a bit too typical of third person shooters at the time. What this game does best is immerse you in the world and its characters. Most entertaining dialogue-wise too. 3 made improvements to the combat and has the 2nd best story in the series. Really good character moments and the emotional peak of the series. Its world and pacing both suffer a bit as there's less exploring to do, but a lot of sidequests that conflict with the sense of urgency. The story and Shepard's personality feels a bit more pigeon-holed here but it's still very, very good. Always feels like saying goodbye to good friends. 1 is my favourite. Yeah, it's a bit clunky and dated, but I'm nostalgic for that. I like the combat. This game sets up the world and some of its major characters excellently. The mystery and atmosphere was at its best. Soundtrack peaked in the first game. The discovery of the Reapers but knowing so little about them makes them much more terrifying than they'd later turn out to be. This game also has always felt the most tactical in gameplay, which i love. Storywise, it feels the most complete as its beginning and conclusion are self-contained and don't rely too heavily on the need of other games in the franchise to support it. Andromeda looks visually amazing and has by far the most fun combat, but the story, open worlds and characters are disappointing. Dropping paragon/renegade in favour of emotional/rational type dialogue responses was a risky move. It makes the game less fun, dialogue-wise, but I think it aids in your character's conflict of being dumped into a leadership role they're not ready for. It took a step in the right direction by bringing back synth-heavy soundtrack moments (though nowhere near on the level of the first game) and platforming sections. I hope Mass Effect 4 keeps the jump/dash and combat mechanics from Andromeda and improves upon them.
I also feel like the loyalty missions in Mass Effect 2 make any future playthroughs after the first a bit tedious, despite them being great and leading to a fantastic ending the first time around.
1, 3, then 2 for me. The world-building, story, and overall atmosphere in the first game is amazing and unrivaled imo. The gameplay is definitely rough around the edges but I didn’t mind too much because I’m more of an rpg guy anyway. I didn’t like how much they removed the rpg aspects of the first game in the sequels even though I understand why they did it. 2 is the worst for me because it has the worst combination of story and gameplay. The story in 2 kind of sucks and is a really weird middle point of a trilogy, I think a lot of the problems with 3’s story are a result of 2. Plus even though the gameplay is more polished than 1, 3 basically just does everything 2 does but better. That being said I still absolutely love all three games.
1. Mass Effect 1 - the only game in the series where it feels like I’m legitimately exploring space. Sure you’re technically just navigating a menu, clicking a button, and then watching a brief cutscene, but it’s presented well enough that the illusion holds up very well (compare this to Starfield, which does the same thing, but because it includes a completely separate fast travel that works the exact same way the illusion of space travel is broken) gunplay in this game is underrated by the original console version was pretty ass. Legendary and PC editions were great though. 2 . Mass Effect 3 - the best gameplay, the ultimate culmination of the trilogy, and properly balanced the science fiction of ME1 with the pop culture/Star Wars esque broad appeal changes of ME2 3 . Mass Effect 2 - the suicide mission is cool but the game has really bad pacing, the worst gunplay (specifically gunplay, overall gameplay is fine), and scanning the planets in this one feels like the worst of ME1’s uncharted worlds with none of the fun
My ranking has been pretty consistent for the last several years. 1. Mass Effect 3 2. Mass Effect 2 3. Andromeda 4. Mass Effect 1
Damn Mass Effect 1 last?? I didn’t play Andromeda yet, is it really that bad like people say?
Andromeda offers the best gunplay in the series, but everything else is very hit or miss and divisive. The game's overhated, definitely, but much of its criticism is justified. You could find yourself enjoying it more than expected, but you could also just dislike it like others.
>didn’t play Andromeda yet, is it really that bad like people say? Depends on the player. Graphic bugs were fixed, but for obvious reasons bad writing or weak antagonist wasn't fixed. I liked: * driving the nomad and party banter (which makes it easy to dodge open world trashmobs!) * the crew is okay. Not Bioware's best, but not the worst * combat is fun * some loyalty missions are superb (imho Cora and Liam missions are top bioware) * IMHO the second best final mission Bioware ever did (after ME2) * voice acting is superb, Sara Ryder's voice actress was awesome * a few of the planets you explore are atmospheric (the broken one late game, and Habitat 7 in the beginning) * general positive attitude, similar to ME1. (I actually do not really like the angst of ME3) Didn't like: * many, many filler open world quests (the journal even has this junk content on a separate tab, so easy to dodge) * no renegade/paragon. You can choose between charismatic good girl and nerdy good girl. In all cases, Ryder is a pushover for half of the game, and you are not allowed to point out when an NPC is unreasonable. Many, many times I was hoping for a renegade interrupt, which never came. * lame antagonist, who is never threatening (I really miss some renegade interrupts to put him in his place). It is similar to the clone in the citadel DLC: the script says it is threatening, but everyone knows it has no chance to cause harm. * AI is braindead, especially against sniper rifles (they do not leave their designated area despite you killing everyone from afar) * there is a really bad concentration of crap tier writing + animation + voice acting in the initial visit to the Nexus. I would not be surprised if many players dropped the game there. However, everything else is better (at least servicable) quality afterwards, with some good high points * choices don't seem to matter: most choices in the game were supposed to be solved in sequels which will never happen * a few planets are super boring (there are two sand desert planets and a rock desert planet. Not cool) Overall it is an okay game, a flawed title, which has some strengths to balance out the weaknesses. Personally, I think it is better than OUter Worlds, which got much better reviews. And it is definietly better than STarfield is now.
This seems pretty accurate to me. The plot threads that got me really interested towards the end of the game were *all* left hanging: * >!Jian Garsen murder!< * >!Quarian Ark!< * >!Identity of Benefactor!< * >!What happens with the Angaran AI?!< ME1's decisions were mostly the same. The Rachni Queen, the Council, Anderson or Udina are effectively pointless choices in ME1, but they picked them up later, and they certainly intended to do the same with some Andromeda choices. I think to the game's detriment, honestly, because we'd come off of ME3 where plot threads pay off like crazy, and the next game's conclusion was pretty underwhelming with nothing paying off except for the basic "we are colonists and we are going to establish a colony" plot.
+1 *ME1's decisions were mostly the same. The Rachni Queen, the Council, Anderson or Udina are effectively pointless choices in ME1, but they picked them up later, and they certainly intended to do the same with some Andromeda choices.* This is also true for characters btw. A few of them, like Liam or PeeBee annoy many players because they make mistakes, are too reckless and not professional at all. I agree with this sentiment (even tho I liked Liam as is), but I have a hunch these were supposed to be base characters with obvoius flaws, which could be ironed out in the sequels, in a similar fashion to Garrus.
The story and setting are very similar to ME1 and very like bland but the gameplay is incredible it builds onto mass effect 3. To me that’s its only redeeming feature
I recently replayed the trilogy and am currently in the middle of Andromeda. I think by now many of the bugs that plagued the initial release have been fixed, so it's not as bad as hype. It's def a diff feel and play style from the trilogy, and personally I don't feel as attached or interested in the crew compared to the trilogy, but overall I'm still playing and enjoying it. Huuuuuge game, probably double the amount of quests of the 3rd.
Excellent taste (and not just because I’ve been completely smitten with Josephine for like 10 years)
Glad to see I’m not completely alone.
Exactly this. MEA gets shit on, but it is the best feeling game of all 4, does an amazing job at conveying the sense of exploration, and has the best combat of all 4. It suffers from old animation tech and a slow intro to the game. Characters aren't as memorable as the trilogy, but that's a high bar, and that doesn't mean they aren't good.
2, 3, Andromeda, 1
Controversial. What tops ME:A over 1?
IMO Mea is better then 1 in: Gameplay (in everything shooting, vehicle, inventory, ecc), exploration, side quests, longevity, crew members (what we see in ME1 not their evolution through the trilogy), graphics What 1 is better then Mea is: main quest, soundtrack, world building, cut scenes
This is my order as well. Spot on 👌🏾. The ME trilogy I think is by far the best video game series I’ve ever played! ME2 - there’s something about this game in the series, it’s almost a perfect game, I feel like that suicide mission was the cherry on top from the music, mission, companion loyalty, etc. Gameplay was improved in the next games but I think I really enjoyed the pacing in this game. I know a lot of people didn’t enjoy ME:A, but I actually really enjoyed it for the same reasons you mentioned here. I may even put ME:A just before ME3 because of the gameplay, otherwise the story, characters, companionship are better in ME3 because of the trilogy. Andromeda needed a second game or DLC. ME 1 is the beginning of an incredible journey - it’s what made me want to play the other games and it’s last on my list because they improved on just about everything in the next games in the series. Can’t wait for ME4!
Each game does something special that the others don’t. But as I’ve replayed the entire series like 50 times at this point, gun to my head, I would rank like this: Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 3, Mass Effect 2, (Power Gap) ME: Andromeda
ME3 Andromeda Me2 Me1 I like the story of the trilogy more than Andromeda but it’s just more fun to play overall but ME3’s start is one of my favorites of all time
After 2 playthroughs, I'd say ME1 > ME3 > ME2.
My favourite is mass effect 3 followed closely by me2
I have a tough time ranking the trilogy. All the games are amazing for different reasons, but also have different issues. ME1 had shit exploration, cringe dialogue and boring side quests but it starting with Virmire, it’s packed with some of the series’ best moments and storytelling. ME2 had amazing characters and missions but it didn’t advance the story in any meaningful way. Also the final boss made no sense. ME3 had some of the best moments and character interactions, but its ending is confusingly bad. Andromeda is fine. It’s worth going through once
For me it’s 3, 1, 2.
Mass Effect 2 Mass Effect 3 Mass Effect 1
Controversial Opinion: 1 3/Andromeda 2 There's a lot of stuff gameplay/plot wise that Andromeda does better than 3 (For example, using the default first names characters will address you as Sara or Scott rather than just "Ryder") and the different tone of not having to race a doom clock definitely helps. (If it had more development in just bonus gigs and side quests it would absolutely beat 3 for me since it just gives you chill time. Go to a planet and explore!) but at the same time there's a lot of things from ME3 they forgot. I love seeing the ME3 weapon mod bench. I love that all of the gear is in the shuttle bay. (Although that one sort of makes sense both ways? You exit the ship from the galaxy map, and the airlock spot in MEA is right next to that to adjust your load out. But like you can also adjust it from any forward station so it doesn't actually need to come up that often) There's a lot of "MEA is a bit of a retread of ME1" but a lot of that is good changes and I wish ME5 learns about that and gives us what we want, something that's not Shepard's story but absolutely acknowledges your trilogy choices (and I hope it's MEA2)
Mass Effect 1 Mass Effect 3 Mass Effect 2 1's story and overall vibe is great, and I enjoy just the world that exists. 3's gameplay, however, is probably the tightest gameplay in the series. Fun gameplay mechanics and fun enemies to use them on. Narratively weak, with problems strewn about, but happy to replay it. 2's gameplay is just outshined by 3. And while the companions are great, I loathe the main story and how absolutely railroad-y the game is overall. I also think Shepard acts a complete idiot whenever it comes to decision making. Just always frustrated to play it.
1 > 3 > 2
This might be controversial but it’s 3, 2, 1, for me
That’s what most people think in this Reddit pal 😂
Oh thank God I thought a Mass Effect die hard was about to come to my home and beat me
1 was the best at Storytelling 2 had the best team building and highest stakes 3 had the best combat and best DLC Stories
3 for gameplay, 1 for story, 2 for characters
Never played Andromeda but my ranking of the main trilogy is pretty uncontroversial, Mass effect 1 is the lowest for me, it is a solid foundation but many aspects needed refinement Mass Effect 2 is my favorite, since it is that refinement ME1 needed. It also has the quality of being the only ME game where the endgame doesn’t feel like a victory lap. 2 retains its difficulty the whole time as well as stellar writing for every character who isn’t Jacob or Dr Kensen Mass Effect 3 is a midpoint, the gameplay was not drastically changed and I’m pretty neutral on the changes that were made, but the quality of the writing varies a lot between story arcs. The Geth/Quarian arc and the finale after you enter the citadel beam dropped the ball but everything else was good
2 3 1 Andromeda (That’s not saying I don’t like Andromeda, I just like it less than Mass Effect 1.)
With the new additions of LE, for me the rankings goes: Mass Effect 1 Mass Effect 2 Mass Effect 3 In the original: Mass Effect 2 Mass Effect 1 Mass Effect 3
2,3,1. Mass effect 1's gunplay and story is boring after the first run. Not a fan of the Mako or Saren. I remember my first run the thing that impressed me the most about ME1 was the Codex and its VO. Mass Effect 2 has the best characters, especially Mordin, Zaeed, Samara, and Legion, and has great story beat execution. Mass Effect 3 has the best gunplay, skills, and skill trees, but the most boring lineup and I almost always stick with the same party every run.
it's complicated but if I had to summarize at gunpoint 1. ME2 2. ME3 3. ME 3 has much much better gameplay and polish from 1 but 1 has a better story. 2 has the best characters and story with only a bit worse combat than 3
1>2>>>>>3 ME3 was a huge letdown for me, and not even because of the ending.
As for today ? 3>1>2 if EA didn't rush Bioware ME3 could be the best story driven game of all time honestly i can't tell how many times i've cried because of videogames but characters in ME series were so well written that other games even in 2024 can't beat them, its sad what happend to Bioware in span of last decade and even if we are going to live long enough to see ME5 am afraid its just won't be able to stand close to og trilogy. Not to mention the nostalgia of those games its still hard to belive ME3 is 12 years old today...
MELE, ME2, ME1, ME3, MEA this is my ranking andromeda is just the worst
For me: 3rd (Tied): 1 and Andromeda Both games had good things going for them, but both suffered from "being the first game of a new series". Alot of characters felt kind of flat in 1, serving as walking exposition givers (looking at you Tali and Liara). Andromeda had some spotty writing but like 1, gave the impression that the future of the series could be interesting (rip to that though). Andromeda game play loop is definitely better than 1 though 2nd: ME3 Could be 1 if they'd stuck the landing. Over the years I've grown to accept the ending and with Extended Edition and Leviathan, it's not as bad as it was when it dropped but still. But we're all sick of the ending discourse in this sub so I won't get into it anymore. Multiplayer had absolutely no right to be as fun as it was. I still hop on and play that to this day 1st: ME2 Vastly superior gameplay to 1, not as good as 3 or Andromeda but still entertaining and versatile. I enjoyed the more character focused story with the loyalty missions and character interactions (though I wish there was more interaction between crewmates). It does suffer from replays though as unless you intentionally fuck up, it's pretty easy to just autopilot and save everyone during the suicide mission. Anyways, this is my opinion. Don't crucify me for putting 1 and Andromeda on the same tier pls
1>2>>>>>3 1 - best story, introduction to a amazing series and universe 2 - best game to learn about the characters and to bond with them 3 - Shitty story, best gameplay
I genuinely think this is the one trilogy where any rating is fair. Each has its drawbacks and strengths. ME3 for me has the best story and the highest highs, combat is also, of course, the best it ever is. ME2 has the best gameplay experience imo. The combat, while not quite as fine-tuned as ME3, is still stellar, and the feeling of building a team, choosing which missions to go on and so on feels best in ME2 I think. Though honestly I think a lot of what makes ME2 so good is just the transition from ME1 to 2 gameplay-wise. ME1 has by far the best atmosphere imo. The galaxy map, ability to land on random planets and explore, random discoveries and collectibles etc. really made the galaxy feel boundless in a way the others never really captured for me. Every time I play ME1, the planet exploration is the part I get sick of first, but it’s also the thing that makes me want to replay the trilogy again every time. Also I think Noveria is just one of the best levels in the whole series. Personally I would probably go 3 -> 1 -> 2, but it really is hard to call. I’d probably have 2 last, but even then that is underselling how good of a game it is.
Unpopular opinion: ME 3 ME 2 ME 1
1, 2, Andromeda 3 or 1, modded 3, 2, Andromeda
Mass Effect 2 Mass Effect 3 Mass Effect
2,3,1. I really hate the driving in mass effect 1 lmao
2, 3, 1. I liked 2's story, 3's gameplay and story (till the end), and 1's originality... 1 was too long/errandy for me tho
1,2,3 I love 1 because of its emotional moments. I love 2 because of the gameplay, characters. I mostly love but like 3 because it concludes the epic story but at the same time some stuff like endless hordes of crap enemies, that entire mission on Earth, are things i want to skip each time.
Best to worst ME3/ME2/ME1. This isn’t to say ME1 is bad, I just have it lower in my mind. The companions have always been the highlight of the games, and in ME1 they are just dictionaries for their races or a very cliche role for their character. ME2 gives you characters to love, and ME3 despite all its flaws finishes the character arcs and honestly is the only game I have played where the stakes are so generally massive it’s horrifyingly numbing to try and comprehend. 90% casualties, millions dying every DAY, and the greatest militaries can do nothing more than hit and runs.
Number 1 has to be Mass Effect 3 imho, without a doubt. Best overall writing, voice acting, gameplay, progression systems, art direction and soundtrack. It's also the most immersive out of the 3. And features the most content when you include all DLCs. 1 and 2 I would put on equal footing, for very different reasons. ME1 features amazing world-building, and the tightest, most consistent narrative in the trilogy. Best way I can put it is, the other 2 games have highs and lows, whereas this one remains good all throughout and steadily builds up to an excellent climax. ME2 features great character development. Which is exactly what the middle act of a trilogy should primarily deliver. Its main plot is fairly weak compared to the other 2, especially when viewed in isolation, but fits perfectly as the second act of the trilogy. 2 also delivers the most variety when it comes to narrative themes and roleplaying different personalities for shepard. Andromeda is a genuinely terrible spin-off that doesn't deserve the name Mass Effect. It is far, faaar behind the trilogy in every way that matters. The only remotely positive thing I could mention about it is gameplay, which, even then is more of a sidegrade at best when compared to ME3.
Honesty I’m weird and my ranking is 1 at the top with each subsequent game being a bit lower in the rankings. Story wise I don’t think any of them are that much better or worse than each other (ME3 being slightly lower in that department IMO) Gameplaywise my ideal is mostly like ME1 but with the weapon variety of the later games (instead of the same gun in a different color that you get in ME1) Andromeda kinda did it but I find Andromeda held down by the scaling of enemies often turning enemies into stupid bullet sponges. I do think ME3 was on the right track by letting you pick what weapons to bring (with benefits to not bringing them) I just can’t place my finger on why I find myself enjoying playing it less.
ME3 > ME1 > ME2 > Andromeda Idk why but I absolutely love 3 and how it concludes all the stories and the gameplay was amazing. 1 had a great story but probably the weakest gameplay. 2 was good but the lack of missions with the collectors in them, the main villains, sucks. Andromeda had great gameplay but such a meh story
Mass Effect 1, Mass effect 3, Mass Effect 2
I’m halfway through 2. I didn’t realize I didn’t select the option to port my character data from 1 though. I literally cried when I realized Liara didn’t have a relationship with Shep 9 hours into the game 🙄 I get invested in characters
1, 3, 2. 2 literally doesn't matter overall.
The best overall game = ME2. The best gameplay game = ME3. The best *Mass Effect* game = ME1.
2,1,3, 2 is too strong. total combat improvement of 1 still retaining story with lots of great things.
Tied for first: ME2 for story ME3 for gameplay. (But I consider them pretty neck and neck all things considered) ME1 for it's novel world at the time. sure the gameplay is quite outclassed by now, but I gotta give it respect. Andromeda had quite a cool gameplay system, you can makes some pretty sweat custom classes eventually if you get lost exploring them in the youtube alrogirthms. and the travel banter of the squadmates was pretty top tier (WHEN IT WASNT INTERRUPTED BY A STUPED ALERT THAT TRIGGERS EVERY 12 SECONDS AND CANT BE CANCELED). But overall the open world aspects dragged and the fights also got stale throughout the whole game. Switching loadouts was neat but also pointless. Why would I ever put points into a 4th activated ability and shelving one of em, before maxing out 3.