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Mass Effect

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This article is about the video game series. For the first video game, see Mass Effect (video game). For the medical term, see Mass effect (medicine). For other uses, see Mass effect (disambiguation).
Mass Effect
File:Masseffectlogo.png
Mass Effect logo
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Developer(s)BioWare
Publisher(s)Microsoft Game Studios (2007)
Electronic Arts (2009-present)
Platform(s)Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3
First releaseMass Effect
November 20, 2007
Latest releaseMass Effect 3
March 6, 2012

Mass Effect is a series of sci-fi action role-playing video games developed by the Canadian company BioWare and released for the Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows and, from the second installment on, also for the PlayStation 3. The first game in the trilogy centers around a player-created character named Commander Shepard and his/her mission to save the galaxy from a race of mechanical beings known as the Reapers, and its followers, including Saren Arterius. The first game sees Shepard facing Sovereign, a Reaper left as a vanguard, who plans to allow the Reaper fleet currently hibernating in extra-galactic dark space to invade the Milky Way and destroy all sapient organic life, continuing a mysterious cycle of destruction. The second game takes place two years later, and sees Shepard battling the Collectors, an alien race abducting entire human colonies in a plan to help the Reapers return to the Milky Way. The third and final game centers on the final battle against the Reapers.

Since the beginning, the series has been a major critical success. All three games have received critical acclaim for their storyline, characters, romances, voice acting, choices, tolerance of diversity, and the depth of the galaxy.[1][2][3] Video game website GamesRadar called Mass Effect the best new franchise of the generation, saying that the galaxy was so well-constructed that it felt like a decades-old franchise and that it represented "a high-water mark for video games as a story-telling medium."[4]

Games

Template:Mass Effect chronology A trilogy of games has been released, each continuing the game's story in chronological order. The Mass Effect series combines action role-playing game elements, with the main series games being in third-person perspective. The protagonist can use two AI-controlled squad members in battle; which usually consists of members he or she has recruited, from various places and for various reasons, and taken onto the Normandy, Shepard's starship. The player could make perspective decisions depending upon the situation. At these times, the player has multiple sets of dialogue choices with which to respond to NPCs, separated by tone. Starting from Mass Effect 2 , the player can interrupt cut-scenes calmly or aggressively. The games often have various mini-games in them as well, such as drinking and dancing.

Main trilogy

  • 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 Demiurge Studios. The game focuses on the protagonist, Commander Shepard, and his/her quest to stop the rogue 'Spectre' Saren Arterius from leading an army of Geth to conquer the galaxy. During pursuit of Saren, Shepard learns of a far greater threat in the form of the Reapers. Saren has been mentally enslaved by the Reaper 'Sovereign', a vanguard sent into Citadel Space to initiate the purge of all advanced sentient life in the galaxy, a cycle repeated by the Reapers every 50,000 years. Mass Effect was received with critical acclaim by many industry reviewers, and has garnered a large fan-following.
  • Mass Effect 2 (2010): The second main game in the series was released on January 26, 2010 in North America and January 29 in Europe.[5] A great deal of secrecy surrounded the game prior to launch, with few details emerging other than Casey Hudson, 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."[6][7] 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 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 Game of the Year contender despite its January release.[2] At Gamescom 2010, it was announced that a PlayStation 3 version would be available in January 2011. Although PlayStation 3 owners will be able to play the second installment, Microsoft still has publishing rights to the first.
  • Mass Effect 3 (2012): The third and final installment in the Mass Effect trilogy, the game was released on March 6, 2012.[8] 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."[9] However, decisions will still be imported from the two previous titles to Mass Effect 3, as to keep continuity within the series.[10] In the final chapter of the trilogy, the Reapers have returned in force, and have begun their purge of the galaxy, attacking the human homeworld of Earth. During this attack Commander Shepard is on Earth and forced to flee.[11] After fleeing Earth Commander Shepard must race against time to 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. Casey Hudson stated in an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show that Mass Effect 3 will complete the story arc of Commander Shepard, and will pull in over 1,000 variables from Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 to shape how players experience the final chapter. The first official trailer was unveiled on December 11, 2010 during the Spike TV Video Game Awards show.[12]

Spin-off

  • Mass Effect Galaxy (2009): This is backstory set between the events of Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2 and exclusively on the iOS platform. The story is focused around two characters who appear as squad members in Mass Effect 2: Jacob Taylor and Miranda Lawson. 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 that will be released on the iOS platform. The story for Infiltrator involves helping free prisoners from a hostile Cerberus base, and that 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 3."[13]
  • Mass Effect: Datapad (2012): A free app for iOS devices. Datapad will allow players to check the status of the galaxy map in Mass Effect 3 and receive messages from characters.[14] Datapad will also contain 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.

Adaptations

Novels

  • Mass Effect: Revelation (2007): The first novel based on Mass Effect, the plot is centered around then-Lieutenant David Anderson and tells the story of how he came to know Saren. 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): The second novel based on Mass Effect, the plot centers around protagonist Paul Grayson, a member of Cerberus, who is in charge of raising a biotic girl named Gillian. It is set approximately two months after the ending events of the first game.[15]
  • Mass Effect: Retribution (2010): On July 27, 2010, Bioware released the third Mass Effect novel by Drew Karpyshyn, a sequel to Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect: Ascension.[16][17]
  • Mass Effect: Deception (2012): The fourth Mass Effect novel, it centers on Gillian Grayson. The first book in the series to be written by William C. Dietz. The novel's story is: Gillian was once the subject of horrifying scientific experiments, but now, after her rescue, she is beginning to master her amazing powers. When she falls under the sway of a radical group who believe their powers make them superior to ordinary humans, she finds herself faced with a choice between her destiny and her humanity. Response to the novel has been almost universally negative due to a large number of inconsistencies with lore and characterization, prompting many fans to petition Bioware to disregard the novel as canon.[18][19][20] In response to these widespread complaints, Bioware and Del Rey have announced that a number of changes are being made for future editions of the novel.[21]

Comics

Writer Mac Walters in front of a Mass Effect poster at the Dark Horse Comics booth at the 2011 New York Comic Con.
  • Mass Effect: Redemption is a four-part comic book 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 downloadable content Lair of the Shadow Broker that was released for the game.[22]
  • Mass Effect: Incursion is an eight-page mini-comic 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 mini-series Mass Effect: Redemption. It was made available on June 21, 2010 through IGN.[23]
  • Mass Effect: Inquisition is a short 8 page comic released on October 25, 2010, through USA Today.[24] Taking place after Mass Effect 2, the plot revolves around Captain Armando Bailey and his investigation of Executor Pallin and allegations of corruption within C-Sec.
  • Mass Effect: Conviction is a short 8 page mini-comic available through digital distribution exclusively via participating retailers. Released in September, 2011, it introduces the character James Vega prior to events of Mass Effect 3.
  • Mass Effect: Evolution is a four-part comic book mini-series. The first issue was released in January 2011. The story focuses on the origin of the Illusive Man, and is set during the First Contact War, shortly after the discovery of the Mass Relays.[25]
  • Mass Effect: Invasion is a four part comic book mini series that was 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 the human-survivalist organization Cerberus.
  • Mass Effect: Homeworlds is an upcoming comic book series written by Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 lead writer Mac Walters. It is due to be released in April 2012. Each installment will focus on a main character from Mass Effect 3.

Film

On May 24, 2010, EA announced that Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. 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. Legendary plans to produce the film with Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, and Avi Arad, with a screenplay by Mark Protosevich.[26] Protosevich and the producers have stated that the film will follow the plot of the original game.[27]

Anime

  • Mass Effect: Paragon Lost: On April 7, 2011, EA announced that anime distributor Funimation Entertainment and Japanese studio T.O Entertainment will produce an anime film adaptation based on the series. The film will be released in the summer of 2012.[28] It serves as the prequel to Mass Effect 3 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 determined to capture the population for unknown purposes.

Fan Film

  • 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 Mark Meer, voice of the male version of Commander Shepard in the games, as Colonel Jon Grissom. It was produced by the students and faculty of the Digital Video Program at the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona.[29]

Characters

Main game series characters

Main article: Characters of the Mass Effect universe

Note: Some characters may or may not appear in Mass Effect 3, depending on their fate in the previous games. Some of the characters in Mass Effect 2 only appear if the player has installed the relevant DLC.

Character Game
Mass Effect Mass Effect 2 Mass Effect 3
Commander Shepard Mark Meer (Male)
Jennifer Hale (Female)
The Illusive Man   Martin Sheen
Jeff "Joker" Moreau Seth Green
David Anderson Keith David
Liara T'Soni Ali Hillis
Ashley Williams Kimberly Brooks
Kaidan Alenko Raphael Sbarge
Garrus Vakarian / Archangel Brandon Keener
Tali'Zorah vas Normandy/nar Rayya Liz Sroka
Urdnot Wrex Steve Barr
Miranda Lawson   Yvonne Strahovski
Jacob Taylor   Adam Lazarre-White
Mordin Solus   Michael Beattie William Salyers
Jack / Subject Zero   Courtenay Taylor
Grunt   Steven Blum
Thane Krios   Keythe Farley
Legion   D.C. Douglas
Samara   Maggie Baird
Morinth   Natalia Cigliuti
Zaeed Massani   Robin Sachs
Kasumi Goto   Kym Lane
EDI   Tricia Helfer
James Vega   Freddie Prinze, Jr.
Javik / The Prothean   TBA
Ambassador Donnel Udina Bill Ratner
Doctor Karin Chakwas Carolyn Seymour
Admiral Steven Hackett Lance Henriksen
Councilor Tevos Jan Alexandra Smith
Salarian Councilor Armin Shimerman
Turian Councilor Alastair Duncan
Conrad Verner Jeff Page
Captain Kirrahe George Szilagyi   George Szilagyi
Saren Arterius Fred Tatasciore  
Matriarch Benezia Marina Sirtis  
Sovereign Peter Jessop  
Navigator Charles Pressly Dwight Schultz  
Yeoman Kelly Chambers   Cara Pifko
Aria T'Loak   Carrie-Anne Moss
Captain Armando Bailey   Michael Hogan
Gatatog Uvenk   Michael Dorn
Kal'Reegar   Adam Baldwin
Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay   Shoreh Aghdashloo
Harbinger   Keith Szarabajka
The Shadow Broker   Steven Blum  
Steve Cortez   Matthew Del Negro
Samantha Traynor   Alix Wilton Regan
Diana Allers   Jessica Chobot
Kai Leng   Troy Baker
Kahlee Sanders   Grey DeLisle

Spin-off game series characters

Character Game
Mass Effect Galaxy Mass Effect: Infiltrator
Jacob Taylor Appeared  
Miranda Lawson Appeared  
Jath'Amon Appeared  
Derek Izunami Appeared  
Nax Appeared  
Batha Appeared  
Clint "Black Eye" Darragh Appeared  
Illo Nazario Appeared  
Randall Ezno   Appeared

Novel/comic series characters

Character Novel
Mass Effect: Revelation Mass Effect: Ascension Mass Effect: Retribution Mass Effect: Deception
Kahlee Sanders Appeared
David Anderson Appeared Mentioned Appeared
Illusive Man   Appeared
Paul Grayson   Appeared Mentioned
Gillian Grayson   Appeared Mentioned Appeared
Hendel Mitra   Appeared Mentioned Appeared
Saren Arterius Appeared Mentioned
Jon Grissom Appeared Mentioned  
Kai Leng Appeared
Aria T'Loak Appeared
Nick Donahue   Appeared
Commander Shepard   Mentioned
Character Comic Mini-comic
Mass Effect: Redemption Mass Effect: Evolution Mass Effect: Invasion Mass Effect: Homeworlds Mass Effect: Incursion Mass Effect: Inquistion Mass Effect: Conviction
Illusive Man / Jack Harper Appeared  
Aria T'Loak Appeared   Appeared   Appeared  
Liara T'Soni Appeared  
Feron Appeared  
Shadow Broker Appeared  
Miranda Lawson Appeared  
Tazzik Appeared  
Harbinger Appeared  
Saren Arterius   Appeared
Eva Coré   Appeared  
General Williams   Appeared  
Desolas Arterius   Appeared  
Ben Hislop   Appeared  
Anto Korragan   Appeared  
Oleg Petrovsky   Appeared  
Raymond Ashe   Appeared  
James Vega   Appeared   Appeared
Tali'Zorah   Appeared  
Armando Bailey   Appeared  
Executor Pallin   Appeared  
Donnel Udina Appeared  
David Anderson   Appeared
Commander Shepard Mentioned Appeared

Reception

Aggregate review scores
As of November 10, 2011.
Game GameRankings Metacritic
Mass Effect (X360) 91.15%[30]
(PC) 89.43%[31] 		(X360) 91[32]
(PC) 89[33]
Mass Effect 2 (X360) 95.66%[34]
(PC) 94.48%[35]
(PS3) 93.17%[36] 		(X360) 96[37]
(PC) 94[38]
(PS3) 94[39]
Mass Effect 3 (PC) 94.33%[40]
(X360) 93.50%[41]
(PS3) 92.00%[42] 		(X360) 95[43]
(PC) 92[44]
(PS3) 92[45]

The Mass Effect series generally received critical as well as commercial acclaim. Its story, cast of characters, and RPG elements have been praised and the in depth storyline held in high regard. The series has been very much appreciated by fans worldwide, receiving many awards and nominations.

References

  1. ^ MetaCritic.com - Mass Effect
  2. ^ a b MetaCritic.com - Mass Effect 2
  3. ^ The Border House Podcast Episode 1 Transcript
  4. ^ GamesRadar - Top 7 Best New Franchises of this Generation
  5. ^ Jim Reilly. "Mass Effect 2 Release Date Announced".
  6. ^ GI Staff (March 2008). "Afterwards: Mass Effect". Game Informer. No. 179. p. 24.
  7. ^ Brudvig, Erik (2009-02-23). "BioWare Suggests Hanging on to Mass Effect Saves". IGN. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  8. ^ Mike Fahey (4 March 2011). "Mass Effect 3 Thrusts Its Way into Early 2012". Kotaku. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  9. ^ "BioWare Already Looking Forward to Mass Effect 3".
  10. ^ Choose Language | BioWare Social Network
  11. ^ "A Mass Effect 3 Gameplay Preview".
  12. ^ "Interview: BioWare's Casey Hudson on the making of Mass Effect 2".
  13. ^ Hamilton, Kirk (2012-02-07). "BioWare's Mass Effect iOS Game is the Third-Person Shooter Mass Effect: Infiltrator". Kotaku. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  14. ^ http://kotaku.com/5883150/receive-texts-from-mass-effect-characters-with-the-mass-effect-datapad-app
  15. ^ Drew Karpyshyn Creative Works
  16. ^ "Mass Effect: Retribution Announced".
  17. ^ Drew Karpyshyn Creative Works
  18. ^ Mass Effect: Deception critique on official Bioware forums
  19. ^ Google document listing canon errors in Mass Effect: Deception
  20. ^ IGN: Mass Effect Tie-in Novel Filled with Errors
  21. ^ Mass Effect 3 Official Forum - Del Rey and Bioware comment on Mass Effect: Deception
  22. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2009-07-21). "Mass Effect Comes to Comics". IGN. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
  23. ^ George, Richard (2010-06-21). "Exclusive Mass Effect Short Story". IGN. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  24. ^ Geddes, John (2010-10-26). "'Mass Effect: Inquisition' is ready to blast off". USA Today.
  25. ^ George, Richard (2010-07-15). "SDCC 10: Mass Effect: The Origin of the Illusive Man". IGN. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  26. ^ "'Mass Effect' video game on way to movie screen".
  27. ^ Legendary Pictures. "Comic Con Q&A Mass Effect". Legendary Pictures.
  28. ^ "Funimation. T.O to Make Anime Movie of Mass Effect Games". Anime News Network. 2011-04-07.
  29. ^ "This Mass Effect Movie Actually Stars the Real Commander Shepard". Kotaku. 2012-02-16.
  30. ^ "Mass Effect Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ "Mass Effect Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  32. ^ "Mass Effect Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  33. ^ "Mass Effect Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  34. ^ "Mass Effect 2 Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ "Mass Effect 2 Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  36. ^ "Mass Effect 2 Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  37. ^ "Mass Effect 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  38. ^ "Mass Effect 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  39. ^ "Mass Effect 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  40. ^ "Mass Effect 3 Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  41. ^ "Mass Effect 3 Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  42. ^ "Mass Effect 3 Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  43. ^ "Mass Effect 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  44. ^ "Mass Effect 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  45. ^ "Mass Effect 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
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