Is It Worth Playing the Mass Effect Trilogy in 2026?

In recent years, BioWare has often disappointed its fans. Dragon Age: The Veilguard was in development for many years and failed to meet EA's expectations, and before that came the controversial Anthem and Mass Effect: Andromeda. Only the remaster of Commander Shepard's adventures turned out to be decent. The studio's golden era came in the 2000s and early 2010s when it released hit after hit. That was when the original Mass Effect trilogy came out. But is it still relevant in 2026? This article is dedicated to answering that question.

If you want, you can find fault with every single component of the series and find another game that did it better. However, the main value of Mass Effect lies in the combination of individual elements that complement each other perfectly. For example, Shepard doesn't just conduct an abstract investigation out of context but seeks evidence of another race's representative's guilt so the Council can take steps to protect civilization in the Galaxy. At the same time, we're involved in firefights, talking to characters, and immersing ourselves in the atmosphere. In this regard, Mass Effect still has no equal — at least among space-themed games.

If you decide to get acquainted with the Mass Effect series today, you should buy the remaster, subtitled Legendary Edition. It includes three games about Commander Shepard and over 40 DLC add-ons for them. Only the DLC called Pinnacle Station didn't make it into the collection. Unfortunately, the multiplayer of Mass Effect 3 doesn't work there. But otherwise, it's an excellent re-release with 4K resolution support and an improved combat system for the original game. A full playthrough will take just over a hundred hours.

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition was released on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, and is available via backward compatibility on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. It will take up 120 GB on your computer's hard drive.

The beauty of the Mass Effect trilogy's story lies in the small, memorable stories. For example, in companion quests, where their backstory and motivation are revealed, they come across as real, living heroes with their own fears and hopes. I should note that your choices do affect future events. Let me give some specific examples.

It's also worth noting that some choices made in the first part affect the events of Mass Effect 2, which in turn are reflected in the third game.

Many space operas, like Star Wars, have a spirit of true adventure. The Mass Effect trilogy is no exception. However, besides that, it features simple detective investigations, horror elements on abandoned stations or lifeless spaceships, visits to noisy nightclubs with exotic dancers, and much more. Depending on the location, the atmosphere can change dramatically. As a result, the playthrough is varied. This sets the series apart even from other space games.

In 2007, when the first adventure of Commander Shepard came out, the combination of shooter and RPG elements seemed unusual. Today, this approach is completely standard. For example, leveling up and third-person shooting was seen in The Division. But Mass Effect's gameplay is still engaging.

If you want, the second and third parts can be perceived as a full-fledged third-person shooter that falls just short of Gears of War. But there's an important nuance here — Shepard's abilities directly depend on the character's class and upgraded skills. For example, besides firearms, there are biotic abilities, a kind of analogue of magic in a sci-fi setting. With them, you can lift enemies into the air, create protective barriers, and much more. Some of Shepard's allies also have these abilities. During deployment, the captain usually takes two squadmates along.

The main story told in the Mass Effect trilogy is unlikely to surprise you. At first, the threat to all life seems imaginary. Shepard will have to convince skeptics and assemble a team, and then try to stop the destruction of civilization. The ending of the third part is controversial; it resembles bold arthouse cinema more than a modern blockbuster. At the time, the finale disappointed many fans, so the developers released an extended version of the ending in the free Extended Cut DLC. It has more details, and many points were explained. However, the essence remained the same.

The first part has a number of questionable decisions that are still annoying. For example, there are no bullets; instead, weapons overheat, and you have to wait for them to cool down. At first, this seems like an interesting twist, but over time it just gets tiresome. Overall, the combat mechanics in the original Mass Effect feel a bit dated, especially compared to the sequel. The situation with the combat was partially improved by the 2021 remaster. But even in it, you can feel that the first Mass Effect is a game of its time. And it's not just about animations and dialogue staging. It's a bit drawn out and not as dynamic as the sequel and the third game; plus, it has inventory management, which might put off those who decided to play it as a shooter. No one is stopping you from learning the summary of the plot and starting with the second part. But if you perceive Mass Effect primarily as an RPG, you'll likely get a lot of enjoyment.

In the second part, a resource-gathering system via planet scanning appeared. Some players found this mechanic boring. You'll have to pay attention to searching for materials, as they are needed to upgrade your starship.

The combat system in the first Mass Effect isn't as refined as in the sequel, but it does feature inventory management and detailed leveling. In the second and third parts, it's significantly simplified. For example, you won't level up intimidation or persuasion parameters — instead, you need to perform heroic or villainous acts. Also, the 2007 original game featured episodes with rides in the Mako rover with a mounted machine gun, which were absent in subsequent games in the series.

In Mass Effect 2, the role of side quests increased — some of them will directly affect the ending, which will become the foundation for the third part.

Finally, despite the signs of impending catastrophe, the atmosphere in the first Mass Effect was upbeat, almost hopeful. In the sequel and the third game, things became much darker.

If you love games about aliens and space, as well as RPGs where decisions have serious consequences, then Mass Effect will likely appeal to you. Fans of third-person shooters should stick to the second and third parts. But if you're interested in a large seamless open world, complex character leveling, and the ability to complete the same levels in completely different ways, then the games about Commander Shepard probably won't impress you. Those indifferent to action games and RPGs can safely pass by.

In 2016, the fourth part of the Mass Effect series was released. It no longer featured Commander Shepard, and its action unfolded in another galaxy. The concept involved a spirit of exploration and unexpected encounters with unknown civilizations. But in reality, players were met with a boring story, drawn-out gameplay requiring constant scanning of the environment, and poor facial animations. The pluses include, perhaps, a brisk combat system. If you play Mass Effect solely for the firefights, you can check out Andromeda as well. It's better for everyone else to stick with Shepard's original story.

In 2026, the Mass Effect trilogy remains one of the brightest and most significant series in the sci-fi RPG genre. Despite its age, thanks to the Legendary Edition remaster, the games look fresh, and the story, character development, and freedom of choice still impress. If you appreciate deep stories, a space atmosphere, and grand adventures, then the Mass Effect trilogy is definitely worth your attention even years after its release.