Info about Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition:

Official game description:
One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced. Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition. Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors and packs — remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD.  
Experience an amazingly rich and detailed universe where your decisions have profound consequences on the action and the outcome.
**Relive the Cinematic Saga**
-----------------------------
**Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling, where you decide how your unique story unfolds.**  
*   Three Games, One Launcher: Play through the single-player base content and over 40 DLC from all three games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs.  
*   Remastered for a New Generation: Experience the trilogy in 4K Ultra HD with enhanced performance, visuals, and graphics, all available in HDR.  
*   Visual Improvements on All 3 Games: Updates include enhanced models, shaders, FX, lighting and depth of field, plus full-resolution audio.
**Experience the Legend of Shepard**
------------------------------------
**Create and customize your own character — from appearance and skills to a personalized arsenal — then lead your elite recon squad across a galaxy in turmoil.**  
*   New Shepard Customizations: With improved hair, makeup, eye color and skin tones you can create your Shepard in a unified character creator with all options available across the full trilogy, or choose to play as the iconic Femshep from Mass Effect 3 now available in all titles.  
*   Gameplay Enhancements for the First Mass Effect Game: Enjoy improved aiming and weapons balance, SFX, better Mako controls, input/controls, squad behavior, cover behavior and gameplay cameras.
**Reflect on Your Choices**
---------------------------
**Your choices seamlessly travel from one game to the next. Each decision you make will control the outcome of every mission, every relationship, every battle — and even the fate of the galaxy itself.**  
*   Visual Enhancements for the First Mass Effect Game: The game's been given a full world-building pass including environmental art, VFX and level relighting.  
*   PC Updates: Enjoy a modernized PC experience across all three games with native controller and 21:9 widescreen support, user interface navigation improvements, and DirectX 11 compatibility.
**Included Content**
--------------------
**Mass Effect Legendary Edition includes single-player base content for all 3 titles (Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3), your favorite single-player story DLC, promo weapons, armors and packs:**  
*   DLC: Bring Down the Sky, Genesis, Zaeed — The Price of Revenge, Kasumi — Stolen Memory, Lair of the Shadow Broker, Firewalker Pack, Overlord, Normandy Crash Site, Arrival, Genesis 2, From Ashes, Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut, Leviathan, Omega and Citadel.  
*   Weapons and Armor: Cerberus Weapons and Armor, Arc Projector, Collector's Weapon and Armor, Terminus Weapon and Armor, M-21 Incisor, Blood Dragon Armor, Inferno Armor, Recon Hood, Sentry Interface, Umbra Visor, N7 Warfare Gear, AT-12 Raider, Chakram Launcher, M-55 Argus, M-90 Indra and Reckoner Knight Armor.  
*   Packs: Equalizer Pack, Aegis Pack, Firepower Pack, Groundside Resistance Pack, Recon Operations Pack, Firefight Pack, ME2 Alternate Appearance Pack 1, ME2 Alternate Appearance Pack 2, ME3 Alternate Appearance Pack 1, and N7 Collector's Edition Pack.

Release date: 14 May, 2021

Categories: RPG, Single-player Story, Choice-based Narrative, Third-Person Shooter, Real-time Combat, Character Customization, Squad Management, NPC Relationships & Romance


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Gameplay evolves and refines (weight 0.98): While Mass Effect 1's original combat was often criticized, the Legendary Edition and subsequent games significantly improve gunplay, movement, and RPG mechanics. Mass Effect 2 is noted for its action-focused refinement and Mass Effect 3 for its fluid, dynamic combat and balanced progression.
- Trilogy praised as a masterpiece (weight 0.96): Many players laud the Mass Effect trilogy as one of the greatest game series, a masterpiece in storytelling and character development, and a benchmark for sci-fi RPGs. Its enduring quality is frequently highlighted, with some considering it the best gaming experience ever.
- Legendary Edition improves experience (weight 0.92): The Legendary Edition is widely acclaimed as the definitive way to play the trilogy, offering significant graphical overhauls (especially for Mass Effect 1), quality-of-life improvements, and the inclusion of almost all single-player DLCs. This consolidation provides a seamless and enhanced experience for both veterans and newcomers.
- Memorable and well-developed characters (weight 0.88): The characters are consistently cited as a major highlight, with players forming deep emotional bonds. Companions are described as charismatic, relatable, and well-written, with distinct personalities and compelling individual stories, making their interactions and fates impactful.
- Choices profoundly impact narrative (weight 0.87): A core strength of the trilogy is the significance of player choices, with decisions in one game having far-reaching consequences in subsequent installments. This robust system influences character fates, major plot points, and the overall galactic conflict, enhancing replayability and emotional investment.
- Deep, impactful story and lore (weight 0.81): The narrative is consistently praised as captivating, emotionally engaging, and rich with political intrigue and moral dilemmas. Players appreciate the extensive world-building, detailed lore, and cohesive universe that make the setting feel alive and allow for deep immersion.
- Mass Effect 2's standout elements (weight 0.77): Mass Effect 2 is frequently highlighted as the trilogy's peak, celebrated for its character-driven loyalty missions, diverse cast of companions, engaging main story (particularly the 'Suicide Mission'), and significant gameplay improvements over its predecessor.
- Exceptional soundtrack and atmosphere (weight 0.75): The trilogy's soundtrack is consistently praised as legendary, epic, and highly atmospheric, perfectly complementing the story's emotional beats and intense battles. Sound design and voice acting also contribute to an immersive and cinematic experience.
- Mass Effect 3's climactic conclusion and DLCs (weight 0.73): Mass Effect 3 is lauded for its epic conclusion to the saga, bringing together decisions from previous games and delivering high emotional stakes. The Citadel, Leviathan, and Omega DLCs are particularly praised for enhancing the story, character interactions, and providing fan-favorite moments.
- High replayability and value (weight 0.47): Players consistently highlight the trilogy's immense replayability, driven by impactful choices, diverse character paths, and engaging gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs. The Legendary Edition, especially during sales, is considered an unbeatable value for the vast amount of high-quality content it offers.

Common complaints:
- Mass Effect 3's Controversial Ending (weight 0.6): The ending of Mass Effect 3 remains a major point of contention, with many players finding it unsatisfying, illogical, and inconsistent with choices made throughout the trilogy. It is widely considered a weak conclusion that detracts from the overall series.
- ME2/ME3 RPG & Story Changes (weight 0.54): Mass Effect 2 and 3 are frequently criticized for reducing RPG elements, streamlining inventory/skill systems, and shifting towards a more action-shooter focus. The story in ME2 is often seen as a 'filler' side quest, and ME3's narrative and character interactions are perceived as less developed and impactful.
- Persistent Bugs & Technical Flaws (weight 0.45): Despite being a remaster, the Legendary Edition still contains numerous bugs and glitches carried over from the original games, and some new ones. These technical issues, ranging from visual anomalies to game-breaking problems, detract from the overall experience across all three titles.
- Dated Gameplay & Exploration (ME1) (weight 0.44): Mass Effect 1's gameplay, combat, and Mako vehicle exploration are widely criticized for being clunky, repetitive, and monotonous. Players found side quests generic and planet traversal tedious due to empty, recycled environments and poor controls. Many feel it has aged poorly, even with remaster improvements.
- Remaster Limitations (weight 0.36): Many players expressed disappointment that the Legendary Edition is primarily a graphical update and not a full remake. They desired more substantial changes, such as reworked quests, improved mechanics, or alternative endings, feeling the remaster was a missed opportunity and somewhat superficial.
- Tedious Planet Scanning & Resource Grind (ME2/ME3) (weight 0.35): The planet scanning and resource gathering mini-games introduced in Mass Effect 2 and continued in Mass Effect 3 are consistently described as tedious, boring, and a chore. This mechanic replaced the Mako exploration, but failed to provide an engaging alternative.
- EA Launcher Problems (weight 0.07): The mandatory EA launcher is a significant source of frustration, causing numerous technical issues such as game crashes, login problems, inability to play offline, and general inconvenience. This external DRM frequently prevents players from even starting the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Story Structure and Core Missions (weight 0.23): Each game in the trilogy has a distinct story arc. Mass Effect 1 focuses on uncovering the Reaper threat and assembling an initial team. Mass Effect 2 centers on Commander Shepard's revival and building a loyal squad for a perilous 'suicide mission'. Mass Effect 3 culminates in an all-out galactic war against the Reapers, requiring Shepard to unite diverse races, leading to a controversial but impactful ending.
- Evolving Gameplay and RPG Mechanics (weight 0.21): The Mass Effect trilogy features a significant evolution in gameplay across its three titles. Mass Effect 1 emphasizes traditional RPG elements with slower-paced combat and extensive inventory management, while Mass Effect 2 shifts towards a more action-oriented cover-shooter style with simplified RPG mechanics and a new ammunition system. Mass Effect 3 refines the combat and reintroduces some deeper RPG elements, creating a dynamic progression throughout the series.
- Exploration and Resource Gathering Changes (weight 0.2): Exploration mechanics vary significantly between games. Mass Effect 1 features open-world planetary exploration using the Mako vehicle for resource gathering and mission discovery. Mass Effect 2 replaces this with a planet-scanning mini-game for resources, while focusing more on character-driven missions. Mass Effect 3 streamlines resource gathering to support the 'war assets' system, with less emphasis on direct planetary exploration.
- Commander Shepard as Protagonist (weight 0.19): Players embody Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier tasked with saving the galaxy from the Reaper threat. Shepard's appearance, class, and moral alignment are customizable, and their relationships with crew members evolve throughout the series. The narrative heavily revolves around Shepard's journey and choices, which shape their character and the fate of the universe.
- Companion System Evolution (weight 0.18): Companions are integral to the Mass Effect experience, offering unique abilities, backstories, and loyalty missions. Mass Effect 1 allows for automatic companion actions, while Mass Effect 2 greatly expands the squad size and emphasizes building loyalty through dedicated missions, with the potential for permanent consequences. Companion interactions are key to unlocking dialogue and side quests.
- Remastering and Legacy (weight 0.16): The Legendary Edition significantly improves the graphical fidelity and gameplay of Mass Effect 1, addressing some of its original clunkiness, especially Mako driving and combat. While Mass Effect 2 and 3 received fewer noticeable changes in their remasters, the collection provides a cohesive, refreshed experience of an iconic trilogy that marked an era for RPGs.

Performance notes:
- Improved Visuals & Performance (weight 0.04): The Legendary Edition significantly upgrades graphics for Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3, featuring 4K visuals, higher resolution textures, and unlocked frame rates. Players report smooth performance on modern PCs, including the Steam Deck, with drastically reduced loading times.
- Occasional Graphical & Performance Issues (weight 0.03): Despite overall improvements, some players still encounter graphical glitches, blurriness, occasional lag, freezes, and crashes. Specific issues include disappearing textures, sound drops, and FPS drops in certain areas, particularly in Mass Effect 1.
- Variable PC System Requirements (weight 0.01): While Mass Effect 1 is considered to have very low 'potato-level' PC requirements, the overall trilogy's requirements are described as decent to average, with inconsistent performance on less powerful systems.
- EA App Integration Issues (weight 0.01): The game's reliance on the EA App for launching, even via Steam, is a significant point of frustration for players. Issues with the EA App itself, or conflicts with its overlay, can prevent the game from launching or cause crashes.
- Large Installation Size (weight 0.01): The combined size of all three games and their content in the Legendary Edition is substantial, consuming a considerable amount of hard drive space (around 10% of a 1TB drive).
- ME3 Specifics (weight 0.01): Mass Effect 3's combat is noted as more dynamic, but the remaster does not include multiplayer. One reviewer also noted that ME3 graphics were blurry due to console limitations originally.
- Pirated Version Save Issue (weight 0): Based on limited, low-quality feedback, a pirated version of the game initially had issues with saving progress, which is not applicable to legitimate copies.

Recommendations:
- Highly Recommended Trilogy (weight 0.32): The Mass Effect Legendary Edition is overwhelmingly recommended as a must-play experience for both newcomers and veterans. Players laud its engaging story, memorable characters, and the overall epic space adventure it offers, often calling it one of the best game trilogies ever.
- Ideal for Sci-Fi & RPG Fans (weight 0.28): The game is particularly recommended for those who enjoy science fiction, RPGs, story-driven games, and titles with impactful choices. It's often compared favorably to franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek, appealing to players seeking deep narratives and immersive worlds.
- Purchase During Sales (weight 0.23): Many reviewers emphasize that the Legendary Edition offers exceptional value, especially when purchased at a discounted price. It's frequently cited as a 'no-brainer' buy when on sale, offering hundreds of hours of content for a low cost.
- Modding Enhances Experience (weight 0.13): For subsequent playthroughs or veterans, many players recommend dabbling with mods, particularly those that address visual improvements, community patches, or specific game aspects. Some even suggest modding for a first playthrough to smooth out imperfections.
- Mass Effect 1's Role (weight 0.11): Player opinions on Mass Effect 1 are divided; some strongly recommend playing it for world-building and story continuity, while others suggest it can be skipped due to perceived dullness or dated mechanics. Many advise patience for those new to the game.
- Mass Effect 3 Mixed Reception (weight 0.1): Mass Effect 3 receives mixed recommendations; some view it as a powerful and emotional finale, while others advise against playing it or only for specific DLC, citing disappointment with the overall experience. Reviewers often have strong opinions on its value within the trilogy.
- EA App/Launcher Issues (weight 0.04): A significant point of contention is the mandatory EA App/Launcher, with many players expressing frustration and recommending workarounds or even avoiding the game on PC due to these issues. Despite this, some feel the game's quality outweighs the inconvenience.

Other player notes:
- Desire for a full remake (weight 0.13): Despite the Legendary Edition being a remaster, some players express a desire for a full remake that would unify the trilogy into a single, cohesive game with a consistent, more RPG-focused gameplay style.
- Anticipation for future Mass Effect games (weight 0.09): Players are eagerly awaiting future Mass Effect installments, hoping they live up to the legacy of the original trilogy. There's a strong desire for a direct sequel to the original story, despite caution after Andromeda.
- Tali and Garrus are fan-favorite companions (weight 0.09): Tali and Garrus are consistently highlighted as beloved characters, with players often romancing Tali and frequently selecting both as squadmates.
- Andromeda had mixed reception but new players found it passable (weight 0.08): Mass Effect Andromeda is acknowledged as a stumble for BioWare, with many understanding the negative reception. However, some players who started with Andromeda found it enjoyable enough to explore the original trilogy.
- Initial hesitation with sci-fi setting (weight 0.07): Some players, initially unfamiliar or uninterested in the sci-fi genre, found themselves captivated by Mass Effect's story and world, despite their initial reservations about space, lasers, and aliens.
- Concerns about BioWare and EA (weight 0.02): Many players express disappointment with the current state of BioWare, wishing for a return to their past strengths. There's also significant frustration with EA's software (like the EA App) and its impact on the gaming experience.
- Need for Chinese localization (weight 0.01): There is a notable demand for official Chinese localization, with players resorting to third-party patches and cautioning against using Chinese characters in save files due to potential issues.
- Citadel DLC party is a highlight (weight 0.01): The Citadel DLC's party sequence is widely loved for its humor, wholesome moments, and the emotional farewell it provides to the characters, despite its lack of direct story significance.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.28): Players found satisfaction in the Mass Effect Legendary Edition primarily due to its engaging story, well-developed characters, and impactful player choices across the entire trilogy. The remaster's technical improvements, inclusion of all DLCs, and overall comprehensive package also contributed significantly to a fulfilling and immersive experience, often enhancing replayability and delivering perceived value for money. Many found the game's core quality enduring despite minor flaws or its age, cementing its status as a beloved classic. Based on numerous mentions, this is a very important point.
- Excitement (weight 0.1): Excitement stemmed from the Mass Effect trilogy's epic scope, captivating story, and deeply written characters, often enhanced by the Legendary Edition's updated visuals and refined gameplay. Players expressed enthusiasm for replaying the series, exploring its rich universe, and anticipating future installments, with many highlighting the emotional impact of decisions and the thrilling narrative experience. The opportunity to experience the saga on PC with mods further fueled this excitement. This is a very important point.
- Frustration (weight 0.1): Frustration arose from several issues, including game-breaking bugs, clunky or outdated gameplay mechanics (especially in Mass Effect 1's combat and Mako controls), and repetitive tasks like planet scanning. A major source of annoyance was the mandatory EA App, which frequently caused technical problems, launch failures, and offline play restrictions. Players also expressed disappointment with Mass Effect 3's original ending and perceived narrative shortcomings in later installments. This is a very important point.
- Admiration (weight 0.08): Admiration was strongly directed at the Mass Effect trilogy's masterful storytelling, deep world-building, and unforgettable characters, which collectively formed a profound and transformative RPG experience. Players often lauded BioWare's achievement in creating a cohesive, impactful narrative where player choices genuinely mattered across all three games, solidifying the series' status as a benchmark for sci-fi RPGs and a timeless masterpiece. This is a very important point.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Disappointment stemmed from Mass Effect 1's dated gameplay and inventory, Mass Effect 2's perceived degradation in RPG elements, and widespread criticism of Mass Effect 3's original ending for its lack of closure and narrative inconsistencies. Technical issues, such as persistent bugs and the mandatory, often problematic EA App, also contributed to a feeling of unfulfilled expectations and regret, particularly when the remaster failed to address these core issues. This is a very important point.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.04): Nostalgia was a strong emotion, driven by players revisiting a beloved game series from their past, often from childhood or earlier gaming experiences. The Legendary Edition allowed them to relive fond memories with updated graphics and quality-of-life improvements, evoking appreciation for BioWare's past storytelling quality and lamenting the perceived decline in modern game development. This deep emotional connection to the series fueled repeated playthroughs and a desire to experience it anew. This is a very important point.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy was frequently expressed through the sheer enjoyment of the game's engaging story, memorable characters, and the emotional connections formed with them. Players found delight in replaying the series, exploring its rich universe, and achieving desired romantic interactions or game endings, often describing the experience as a personal favorite or a masterpiece that provided hours of fun. This is a very important point.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation focused on BioWare's extensive effort in crafting a consistent, deep sci-fi universe with memorable characters and an evolving narrative across three games. Players valued the game's strong emphasis on player agency, the comprehensive content of the Legendary Edition, and the overall quality-of-life improvements, recognizing the series as a pioneering and influential story-driven RPG. This is a very important point.
- Love (weight 0.03): Players expressed deep love for the entire Mass Effect series, highlighting its captivating story, well-developed characters, and the profound emotional impact of player choices and interactions. This affection extended to the immersive universe and the memorable journey with Commander Shepard and the crew, often leading to the game being considered a personal favorite or one of the greatest game series of all time. This is a very important point.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.02): Enjoyment was driven by the captivating storyline, engaging characters, and fun combat mechanics across the Mass Effect trilogy. Players found satisfaction in the game's overall experience, including its dialogue and choice mechanics, and often highlighted specific improvements in gameplay in later installments. The game's ability to maintain engagement and provide a positive experience, even for those not typically fond of shooters, was a key factor. This is a very important point.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Engagement stemmed from the Mass Effect trilogy's captivating story, well-written characters, and the impactful nature of player choices that shaped the narrative and emotional investment. Players felt deeply drawn into the immersive world, fostering strong camaraderie with squadmates and developing emotional bonds, often leading to extensive playtime and a desire for repeated playthroughs. This is a very important point.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness was primarily caused by the emotional impact of completing the Mass Effect trilogy, leading to a feeling of loss and emptiness upon parting with beloved characters and the realization that the adventure was over. The tragic outcomes of certain choices, character deaths, and particularly the emotional weight of Mass Effect 3's ending, also evoked strong feelings of melancholy and grief. This is a very important point.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm was characterized by strong recommendations to play the Mass Effect trilogy, often emphasizing its quality, value, and unforgettable journey. Players expressed eagerness for new players to experience the saga and for future installments, driven by the positive impact of graphical and gameplay updates, as well as the comprehensive content of the Legendary Edition. This is a very important point.
- Awe (weight 0.01): Awe was inspired by the profound thematic depth, philosophical implications, and the sheer vastness and intricate detail of the Mass Effect universe. Players were deeply moved by the exceptional quality of the story, world-building, and characters, leading to a sense of a 'masterpiece' that left a lasting, life-changing impact. The incredible soundtrack and grand scale of the galactic adventure also contributed to this feeling. This is a very important point.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players expressed surprise at the unexpected depth and quality of the Mass Effect trilogy, especially when approaching it with initial skepticism due to its age or genre. Many were pleasantly surprised by how well Mass Effect 1's story held up, the smooth performance despite being an EA title, and finding deep enjoyment despite not typically preferring sci-fi RPGs. This often led to an appreciation for the game's enduring appeal. This is a very important point.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger was primarily directed at the mandatory EA App, which frequently caused technical issues, preventing game access and ruining the experience. Players also expressed anger at specific design choices, such as Mass Effect 3's original ending and perceived downgrades in gameplay and RPG elements in later installments, feeling betrayed by the developers or considering ideas ruined by incompetence. This is a very important point.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion was deeply rooted in the Mass Effect series' powerful ability to draw players into its rich world and narrative, making them feel like the protagonist, Commander Shepard. The captivating story, engaging characters, impactful choices, and detailed universe fostered a strong sense of presence, allowing players to genuinely connect with the reality of the game and its emotional stakes. This is a very important point.
- Attachment (weight 0.01): Attachment developed from the strong bonds players formed with Commander Shepard and the crew members throughout the Mass Effect trilogy. The compelling and well-written characters, coupled with engaging interactions and the game's overarching narrative, created deep emotional connections, often leading to players considering the Normandy crew as family and feeling strong emotions during character farewells. This is a very important point.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Anticipation was primarily driven by the desire to continue playing through the Mass Effect trilogy, eager to see what happens next in the story and with the characters. Players also expressed excitement for future installments in the franchise and planned future playthroughs with different choices and mods, underscoring a strong desire for more of the compelling narrative. This is a very important point.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stemmed mainly from the mandatory EA launcher, which frequently caused technical issues, login requirements, and prevented offline play. Other causes included minor gameplay and UI elements, tedious exploration mechanics, and the large disk space required by the game, all of which detracted from an otherwise positive experience. This is a very important point.}