The Mass Effect trilogy is widely regarded as not just one of the best trilogies in the RPG or Sci-Fi genre, but one of the best gaming trilogies in general, and for good reason. Over the course of three captivating entries, BioWare was able to tell an enthralling Sci-Fi story containing both world-ending and deeply personal stakes, along with delivering an incredibly memorable cast of lovable companions.
But the Mass Effect franchise doesn’t consist of just three games. The black sheep of the franchise, 2017’s Mass Effect: Andromeda, takes place between ME2 and 3, and though its disappointing reputation precedes it, there’s some fun to be had with its more action-focused gameplay. But even ME: Andromeda is just scratching the surface of what’s hiding in Mass Effect‘s past. Some spinoffs go much further back.
Related
Mass Effect 4 Still Has Time to Outdo Dragon Age: The Veilguard in One Area
After the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Mass Effect is presumably next, and it could still beat the former in one important way.
Every Mass Effect Mobile Game Explained
Mass Effect Galaxy
Released in June 2009, Mass Effect Galaxy was an iOS game that acted as a sort of prequel to the then-upcoming Mass Effect 2, which launched 7 months later. In Mass Effect Galaxy, players take control of Mass Effect 2 companion Jacob Taylor, whose vacation is interrupted by a gang of Batarian pirates. Alongside fellow ME2 companion Miranda Lawson, Taylor works to save the Citadel Council from a sinister Batarian plot.
Gameplay-wise, Mass Effect Galaxy was a top-down shooter that saw players tilting their device from side to side to make Jacob move through a series of maze-like hallways. Enemies would be automatically fired upon once in Jacob’s line-of-sight. Between combat encounters, mostly static conversation screens would pop up, occasionally allowing the player to make dialogue choices.
Mass Effect Galaxy was met with 5s across the board, with critics condemning the game’s tilt controls, dull combat, and lackluster presentation. The game was delisted in 2012, and it’s been unavailable (in any official capacity) ever since.
Mass Effect Infiltrator
Developed by the same studio that produced Dead Space: Sabotage, The Sims FreePlay, and a wealth of Need for Speed mobile ports, Mass Effect Infiltrator was a bit closer to what fans would want from a Mass Effect mobile game. Released in 2012, Mass Effect Infiltrator was a 3D third-person shooter that attempted to streamline the mainline series’ combat and apply touch controls to actions like shooting, switching weapons, and using Biotic abilities.
Mass Effect Infiltrator‘s story follows Cerberus agent Randall Ezno, who finds himself in the midst of a mass prisoner breakout at a Cerberus base. In a neat touch, those who completed Mass Effect Infiltrator would be awarded bonus Galactic Readiness in Mass Effect 3. Reviews for Mass Effect Infiltrator weren’t much better than Galaxy‘s, however, with some outlets criticizing the game’s repetitive environments and combat.
Mass Effect 3: Datapad
Released alongside Mass Effect 3 in March 2012, Mass Effect 3: Datapad was a companion app for mobile devices that allowed players to access the in-game galaxy map linked to their account, view messages sent by their companions, and access the game’s Codex. The main draw of Mass Effect 3: Datapad was its ‘Galaxy at War’ minigame, which saw players assigning ships to different sectors to fend off the ongoing Reaper invasion. Participating in this minigame would increase the player’s Galactic Readiness score in Mass Effect 3.
Mass Effect: Andromeda Apex HQ
Released alongside Mass Effect: Andromeda, the Apex HQ app allowed players to access their multiplayer stats, upgrade their characters, customize and equip new loadouts, and manage their Strike Teams.
Mass Effect
- Created by
-
Casey Hudson
- Creation Year
-
2007
- Developer(s)
-
BioWare, Edge of Reality, Demiurge Studios, Straight Right
Source link