This week, Zero Punctuation reviews Mass Effect 2. In case you've lost your memories of the last few years from being slapped particularly hard by your dad's cock, Mass Effect 1 was BioWare's epic sci-fi action RPG with some spicy NPC diddling which hit the controversy circuit before any of the. Mass Effect 3, the epic conclusion to the Mass Effect trilogy, was announced on December 11, 2010.In Mass Effect 3, an ancient alien race known as the Reapers has launched an all-out invasion on.
.November 20, 2007March 21, 2017Mass Effect is a science fiction series developed by the Canadian company and released for the, and, with the third installment also released on the. Further information:The Mass Effect original trilogy takes place in a fictional version of the towards the end of the 22nd century.The Milky Way is inhabited by a variety of unique characters from many different sapient species, most of whom base their technological achievements on that of an ancient civilization called the Protheans. The advanced technology left by the Protheans includes quantities of a substance called 'Element Zero,' which alters the of anything near it when subjected to an electrical current. By using this 'mass effect,' the galaxy's many races are able to develop technologies such as,.
Roughly 3000 years before the start of the series, a galactic community was formed from the remnants of the Prothean civilization. The community is headed by the Citadel Council, a bureaucratic association led by three unique species: the Asari, a race of monogendered beings closely resembling blue-skinned human women; the Salarians, an amphibious species with considerable technological prowess; and the Turians, a heavily militaristic race of raptor-like humanoids. Over the centuries, the Council has encountered many other species that have become close political associates while others remain independent.In 2148, explorers on discover ruins of a Prothean outpost. Additionally, is discovered to be an artifact called a 'mass relay,' which enables near-instantaneous travel to; it is one of many mass relays littered about the galaxy. Their use allows humanity to come in contact with the Citadel Council and its associate species. As of the year 2183 (the time in which the first game is set), humankind is the newest species to join the galactic community and is still working to make a name for itself.The Citadel Council partitioned the Milky Way into five different sectors: the Terminus Systems, the Attican Traverse, Inner and Outer Council Space, and Alliance Space. Is a significant setting, particularly in the third installment.
A space station known as the 'Citadel,' which was discovered by the current inhabitants of the Milky Way, serves as the capitol for the galaxy; most species have an embassy there, and the Council meets there to deliberate matters of galactic import.The fourth game takes place in the Heleus Cluster of the, 634 years after the events of its predecessor. When the Milky Way races arrive there, Heleus is embroiled in a brutal conflict between two native races: the Kett, a barbaric race obsessed with assimilating the traits of other sentient species through a process known as 'exaltation', and the Angara, a humanoid species whose civilization has recently been targeted and nearly decimated by the Kett.
The Heleus Cluster is also the location of a series of ruins predating an advanced, spacefaring race known as the Jardaan.The Jardaan made use of powerful technologies to colonize worlds in the Heleus Cluster, which was otherwise extremely hazardous and naturally unsustainable for life. They later fled from the Heleus Cluster three centuries before the arrival of the Milky Way races, when a protracted battle against an unknown enemy faction resulted in the usage of a aboard a Jardaan space station. The weapon's activation unleashed a cataclysmic energy phenomenon known as the Scourge, which spread across the cluster and greatly damaged the Jardaan's terraforming systems. After the Jardaan left, the Angara, genetically engineered creations of the elder race and began to develop their own civilization before falling under attack by the encroaching Kett.Games YearTitleDeveloperPlatform(s)20071,200920102,2012IronMonkey Studios, BlackBerry 103BioWare,Mass Effect Datapad 42017,Mass Effect: Andromeda APEX HQ,Notes: 1. The PlayStation 3 and Windows versions of Mass Effect were ported. Available on Sony's streaming service 3. Mass Effect 3: Special Edition was ported.
Removed from the.Main series Mass Effect. Main article:Mass Effect (2007), the first game in the series, was originally created as an exclusive title for the Xbox 360 but was later ported to Microsoft Windows by, and to the. The game focuses on the protagonist, Commander Shepard, and their quest to stop the rogue Spectre Saren Arterius from leading an army of sentient machines, called the Geth, to conquer the galaxy. During pursuit of Saren, Shepard develops key relationships with other characters, primarily their squad team members, all while learning of a far greater threat in the form of the Reapers.
Saren has been mentally enslaved by the Reaper Sovereign, and sent into Citadel Space to initiate the purge of all advanced organic life in the galaxy, a cycle repeated by the Reapers every 50,000 years.Mass Effect 2. Main article:Mass Effect 2, the second main game in the series, was released on January 26, 2010, in North America and January 29 in Europe. A great deal of secrecy surrounded the game prior to launch, with few details emerging other than, Project Director for BioWare, stating that 'players should keep their save files, because decisions made by the player in the first game will continue to have influences on their character in the sequel'. The game takes place two years after the events of Mass Effect.
Human colonies are being attacked, their colonists disappearing without a trace. The game's protagonist, Commander Shepard, is forced into an uneasy alliance with the pro-Human paramilitary organization, Cerberus, in an effort to discover the cause. Evidence emerges pointing to the 'Collectors', an advanced, enigmatic race of insect-like humanoids. Adding to the threat is the revelation that the Collectors are working for the Reapers.
Shepard sets out on a 'suicide mission' to stop the Collectors, accompanied by a hand-picked team of soldiers, assassins, mercenaries, and specialists. Mass Effect 2 has received overwhelming critical and public praise since its release, for its characters, storyline, voice acting, and refined combat and gameplay with many critics calling it a major improvement over the original and an easy contender despite its January release. At 2010, it was announced that a version would become available, which was released on January 18, 2011.Mass Effect 3. Main article:Mass Effect 3, the third installment in the Mass Effect trilogy, was released on March 6, 2012. Casey Hudson commented that Mass Effect 3 'will be easier to develop because we don't have to worry about continuity into the next one'.
However, decisions are routinely imported from the two previous titles to Mass Effect 3 in order to maintain continuity within the series. In the final chapter of the trilogy, the Reapers have returned in force, and have begun their purge of the galaxy, attacking. During this attack Commander Shepard is on Earth and forced to flee. After fleeing Earth, Commander Shepard must hurry and rally the advanced races of the galaxy to make one final stand, not only to save Earth, but also to break a cycle that has continued for millions of years (hence providing the answer to ). The first official trailer was unveiled on December 11, 2010, during the Video Game Awards.
Mass Effect: Andromeda. Main article:Mass Effect: Andromeda, the first game in a new series, and the fourth major installment overall in the franchise, was revealed at.
It was released on March 21, 2017. The title utilizes 's engine and was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Andromeda is the first game in the series to feature an open world environment and began during the time in which Mass Effect 2 takes place, then jumps 634 years into the future.
The player's character is either Sara or Scott Ryder, designated as a Pathfinder – an operative tasked with discovering new planets in the.Spin-offs Mass Effect Galaxy (2009): This is a backstory set between the events of Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 and exclusively on the platform. The story is focused around two characters who appear as squad members in Mass Effect 2:. When the passenger liner Arcturian Jade is attacked by Batarian raiders with Jacob on it, he takes on the task of defending the ship. After safely arriving at their destination on the Citadel, Jacob's former CO contacts him about an undercover Alliance operation in the Nemean Abyss to investigate the Batarians' increasingly aggressive activities.Mass Effect Infiltrator (2012): A third-person shooter released on the, iOS and platforms.
The story for Infiltrator involves Randall Ezno, a Cerberus agent, who discovers Cerberus's cruelty and goes rogue, killing Cerberus troopers and freeing prisoners from a hostile base. Players will 'receive rewards' for collecting evidence of Cerberus' crimes. According to EA, 'Every completed rescue and intelligence discovery in Infiltrator will increase a player's Galactic Readiness rating directly through the 'Galaxy at War' system in.' Mass Effect: Datapad Mass Effect: Datapad (2012): A free app for iOS devices. Datapad allows players to check the status of the galaxy map in and receive messages from characters.
Datapad contains information about the characters, races, vehicles, weapons, and storyline of the Mass Effect universe, as well as mini-games that interact with the Mass Effect 3 'Galaxy at War' system. It has since been removed from the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store.Mass Effect: Andromeda APEX HQ APEX HQ is the official companion app for the Mass Effect: Andromeda multiplayer. Supported by iOS and Android devices, APEX HQ was released on March 15 in, and, and worldwide on March 20, 2017. Through APEX HQ, players can view their progress in multiplayer, equip characters, assign skill points, manage Strike Teams, and access their friend list. The app cannot be used while signed into the game.Other media. Further information: Rides.
(2016): A 4D holographic experience introduced at amusement park in 2016.Novels. (2007), by: The first novel based on Mass Effect, the plot is centred around then-Lieutenant and tells the story of how he came to know Saren as well as the beginning of his relationship with Kahlee Sanders. It expands on the history of the Mass Effect universe and reveals in detail how Anderson failed to become the first human Spectre.
Mass Effect: Ascension (2008), by Drew Karpyshyn: The second novel based on Mass Effect, the plot centres around protagonist Paul Grayson, a member of Cerberus, who is in charge of raising a biotic girl named Gillian. It is set some two months after the ending events of the first game. Mass Effect: Retribution (2010), by Drew Karpyshyn: On July 27, 2010, BioWare released the third Mass Effect novel, a sequel to Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect: Ascension. Mass Effect: Deception (2012), by: The fourth Mass Effect novel, it centres on Gillian Grayson. Response to the novel has been largely negative due to inconsistencies with lore and characterization, prompting fans to petition BioWare to disregard the novel as canon. In response, BioWare and Del Rey announced that a number of changes would be made in future editions. Mass Effect: Nexus Uprising (2017), by Jason M.
Alexander: The novel is the first of three intended to weave directly into Mass Effect: Andromeda, taking place 'concurrently with the adventure of the game itself'. The novel was published by.
Mass Effect: Initiation (2017) by and Mac Walters: This is the second novel in the Mass Effect: Andromeda book trilogy, and was published by Titan Books. Mass Effect: Annihilation (2018) by: This is the third and final novel in the Mass Effect: Andromeda book trilogy, and was published by Titan Books.Interactive Novels Mass Effect: Pick Your Path (2012) is an unofficial, popular interactive fiction novel written by Mike Kayatta that runs parallel to the events of Mass Effect 2. It follows the exploits of an unnamed Citadel merchant who chases Commander Shepard around the galaxy to gain an endorsement for his shop. Encouraged by The Illusive Man for unknown reasons, the merchant becomes haplessly entangled with the dangerous aftermath of Shepard's various adventures. The story, considered similar to the series of books, features the same choice-driven format of the games, allowing the reader to choose between 'paragon' or 'renegade' actions, drastically affect the ending, and even romance a selection of unique party members. The full story was published by in March 2012. Writer Mac Walters in front of a Mass Effect poster at the booth at the 2011.
is a four-part mini-series that was released between January and April 2010. The story, which revolves around Liara T'Soni, is set in the interim period between the prologue and main storyline of Mass Effect 2, and is related to the 'Lair of the Shadow Broker' that was released for the game. Mass Effect: Incursion is an on-line comic (8 pages) that follows Aria T'Loak's encounter with the Collectors one week prior to the opening events of Mass Effect 2. The events of Incursion link into the events of the comic miniseries Mass Effect: Redemption. It was released June 21, 2010 through.
Mass Effect: Inquisition is an on-line comic (8 pages) written by Mac Walters. Taking place after Mass Effect 2, the plot follows Captain Armando-Owen Bailey during his investigation of Executor Venari Pallin and corruption within C-Sec. It was released October 26, 2010 through. Mass Effect: Evolution is a four-part mini-series.
The first issue was released in January 2011. The story focuses on the origin of the and is set during the First Contact War, shortly after the discovery of the Mass Relays. Mass Effect: Conviction is a free short (10 page) single issue mini-comic written by Mac Walters. Taking place before Mass Effect 3, the plot follows Lieutenant James Vega during his stay on Omega before returning to Systems Alliance service. Released in September 2011 available through a digital distribution promotion exclusively at participating retailers. Mass Effect: Invasion is a comic book series (4 issues) released between October 2011 and January 2012.
It follows Aria T'Loak, the pirate queen of the space station Omega, as her station comes under attack from a new threat unleashed by Cerberus, the human survivalist organization. Mass Effect: Homeworlds is a comic book series (4 issues) written by game lead writer Mac Walters released April 25, 2012. Each issue focuses on a main character from the Mass Effect series. Mass Effect: Blasto: Eternity Is Forever is a 14-page single-issue written by Mac Walters released on November 7, 2012, through digital distribution. The main character is Blasto, the protagonist of several in-universe films, depicted as the galaxy's first Hanar Spectre.
Mass Effect: He Who Laughs Best is a short (10 page) single issue mini-comic written by Mac Walters released on May 4, 2013 for 2013. It explains how Jeff 'Joker' Moreau became the SSV Normandy's pilot prior to the events of Mass Effect.
Mass Effect: Foundation is a 13-issue comic series written by Mac Walters. The first issue was released on July 24, 2013.
It features a story that runs parallel to the game trilogy and is designed to expand the universe as a whole. Mass Effect: Discovery is a comic book series (4 issues) written by Jeremy Barlow released in 2017. Each issue focuses on Andromeda Initiative from Mass Effect series.Films. Mass Effect: On May 24, 2010, EA announced that and acquired the rights to a Mass Effect film, with the game's executive producer Casey Hudson, as well as Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuck from BioWare, serving as executive producers. Initially, Legendary planned to produce the film with, Jon Jashni, and, with a screenplay. Protosevich and the producers have stated that the film will follow the plot of the original game. On October 24, 2012, announced that Morgan Davis Foehl would be writing the screenplay.
(2012): On April 7, 2011, EA announced that anime distributor and Japanese studio will produce an film adaptation based on the series. The film was released on December 28, 2012. It serves as the prequel to and follows the early career of Alliance Marine James Vega as he leads an elite Special Forces squad into battle against The Collectors. Stationed at a colony in a remote star system, Vega and his soldiers must protect the civilians from a ruthless invasion by the Collectors, determined to capture the population for unknown purposes.Fan films Mass Effect: Assignment (2012) is a set in the same timeline as the Mass Effect game series, but following a group of original characters. The film follows the story of two N7 Soldiers, Meer and Hale, who are hunting down Defoe, a smuggler whose cargo is of great interest to a lot of parties. The film was produced by filmmaking duo Sneaky Zebra and marks the first fan film set in the Mass Effect universe.
The film features the unique element of being interactive much like the games series allowing the viewer to choose the path of the plot to four possible endings. Three character-based teaser trailers were released in December via Machinma with the full short being released in February 2012.Red Sand (2012) is a fan film that serves as a prequel to the Mass Effect series. It is set 35 years before the plot of the games and tells the story of the discovery of the ancient Prothean ruins of Mars. The film stars, voice of the male version of in the games, as Colonel Jon Grissom. It was produced by the students and faculty of the Digital Video Program at the in. Action figures Two series of action figures were released by and Big Fish Toys for. Series one included action figures of Commander Shepard, Grunt, Tali, and Thane.
Series two included Garrus, Legion, Miranda, and Mordin. Each figure features game-accurate accessories and can be found in game and hobby shops and various online retailers. The figures tied to Mass Effect 3 include bonus downloadable content, which is exclusive and different for each character.Board games : Mass Effect Galaxy at War Edition (2013) was announced by USAopoly and was released in Fall 2013. Art books Two Mass Effect art books have been released: 2007's Art of Mass Effect, published by and 2012's The Art of the Mass Effect Universe, published. The former book showcases the design sketches and concept art which was created for the original Mass Effect game, while the latter includes art, sketches and paintings for the entire trilogy, including several pieces originally published in the first book.Reception.
See also: and Aggregate review scoresAs of April 13, 2017. Game(X360) 91(PC) 89(PS3) 85(X360) 96(PC) 94(PS3) 94(X360) 93(PS3) 93(PC) 89(WIIU) 85(XONE) 76(PC) 72(PS4) 71The Mass Effect series, particularly the second game, has received universal acclaim. Stated that 'the Mass Effect series is one of the defining video game franchises of '. Called Mass Effect the best new franchise of the (then seventh) generation, saying 'The galaxy was so well-constructed that it felt like a decades-old franchise and represented a high-water mark for video games as a story-telling medium.' Rated the Mass Effect trilogy the best Xbox 360 game(s) out of a list of 25, despite being multiplatform.Mass Effect 2 is widely considered to be one of. It garnered numerous game of the year awards and is critically the most successful game in the series. It received over 70 perfect review scores.While Mass Effect 3 also garnered critical acclaim, controversy surrounded its release due to the public's reaction and refusal to accept the game's (and the trilogy's) ending.
This eventually led to BioWare releasing an 'extended cut' patch to the ending of Mass Effect 3 which would expand upon, but not replace it.The fourth installment, Mass Effect: Andromeda received mixed critical reception and was considered not up to par with the original trilogy. Sales Two weeks after the game was released, Mass Effect 2 shipped two million copies to retailers. The game sold over 500,000 copies in the month of release, despite being released at the end of the month. Before the release of the third game, the series sold a total of 7 million copies worldwide.Mass Effect 3 sold over 800,000 copies in its first 24 hours, and its opening month sales were twice that of its predecessor's, selling over 900,000 copies on the Xbox 360 version, outselling the PlayStation 3 version 4 to 1 and bringing in over $200 million in revenue. Mass Effect 3 was the most commercially successful game of the series, selling over twice as many copies as Mass Effect 2 in their respective launch months and generating lifetime sales of over six million copies.As of July 5, 2014, the Mass Effect series had sold a total of 14 million units. By the end of March 2018, at least 2.5 million retail copies of Andromeda had also been shipped for $110 million in revenue; additionally, more than 0.35 million copies of the game were purchased digitally in March, and $53 million in net sales from digital and special editions for Andromeda were generated in March but deferred to a later date, putting total lifetime sales for the franchise at over 17 million.See also.References.
Mass-effect-box.jpgRelease Date2007 November 20thPlatform(s)Xbox 360, PS3, PCDeveloperBiowarePublisherMicrosoftRatingMatureOfficial Site(s)Welcome to the Mass Effect wiki guide.If this is your first time playing Mass Effect you are in for a treat. This is the first installment of a monumental trilogy that has it all. One of the greatest games of the decade awaits you.Mass Effect is arguably the most anticipated RPG since Bioware's last foray into the genre. The first game of a massive three game trilogy slated to be released over the next few years, Mass Effect provides gamers with choices that have become Bioware's special touch on their titles.
Will you play as a good character - a Paragon - or a bad character, known as Renegades?Or better yet, will you play as a mixture of both? Will you be a Spacer, a Colonist, or an Earthborn? A Sole Survivor, a War Hero, or Ruthless? A Soldier, Engineer, Adept, Infiltrator, Sentinel, or Vanguard? You get the idea. And those are all choices you'll make in the first five minutes of the game! Just imagine the hundreds of thousands of choices you'll end up making when the chips are actually on the table.Mass Effect Wiki Guides.