Mass Effect

Mass Effect is a science fiction role-playing game about Commander Shepard and a threat to the entire galaxy. On board the SSV Normandy, Shepard assembles a crew, hunts the rogue Spectre Saren and gradually learns more about the Reapers. The story combines exploration, combat and choices with consequences for other characters.

Instead of a fixed character, Mass Effect lets you customize Shepard's appearance, background and class. Conversations, loyalties and how you handle conflicts shape the course of the adventure.

Mass Effect was released on Xbox 360 on Nov 20, 2007 in North America and on Nov 23, 2007 in Europe. The PC version followed in 2008, on Steam with a release date of May 28. The PlayStation 3 version first came out as a standalone download in Dec 2012 and within the Mass Effect Trilogy.

The original Xbox 360 title was published by Microsoft Game Studios. Later versions were released through Electronic Arts.

The original Mass Effect was released natively for Xbox 360, Windows PC and PlayStation 3. The Xbox One listing at EA refers to the availability of the older console game, not a separate remake. The same applies to newer consoles that can play an older version via backward compatibility.

The Mass Effect Legendary Edition, released in 2021, is a separate collection of the remastered trilogy. Its PS4 and Xbox One versions are not the same as the original 2007 game.

Mass Effect combines over-the-shoulder shooting with RPG abilities and commands for two companions. Shepard's class determines which weapons, tech and biotic abilities are available in combat. Companions can use abilities on purpose or take up positions.

Battles run in real time but can be controlled tactically via the command menu. Experience points improve abilities and open up more options for your playstyle as the campaign progresses.

For the first Mass Effect, the add-ons Bring Down the Sky and Pinnacle Station were released. Bring Down the Sky adds a standalone mission with the Batarians. The PlayStation 3 version already included this content. On PC, both expansions were later offered for free.

This additional content belongs to the first game. New story chapters from Mass Effect 2 or 3 are separate from it.

For the original Windows version, Steam lists a processor of at least 2.4 GHz from Intel or 2.0 GHz from AMD, 1 GB RAM and 12 GB of free storage. The store lists a minimum graphics card of a GeForce 6800 or Radeon X1300 XT with DirectX 9.0c.

The listed operating systems Windows XP and Vista are historical requirements from the original release. The current Steam client has required at least Windows 10 since 2024.

In Mass Effect, answers in conversations affect relationships with companions and how missions unfold. You decide how Shepard deals with other characters using the dialogue wheel. Several conflicts can be ended in different ways. The choice between pragmatic and idealistic behavior shapes the protagonist's demeanor.

If you later play Mass Effect 2 and 3, you can carry certain consequences of your early choices into the sequels.

Aboard the Normandy, Shepard travels through various star systems and explores places beyond the main story. On some planets, exploring in the Mako vehicle across wide terrain leads to outposts, resources and side quests. The team explores other places on foot.

The Citadel serves as an important meeting point for diplomacy, crew conversations and missions. Many trips then lead to conflicts that cannot be solved with force alone.

The Normandy crew brings together humans and allies of other species. Characters such as Liara T'Soni, Garrus Vakarian and Tali'Zorah bring their own perspectives to the political conflicts of the galaxy. During missions Shepard fights with two companions. Conversations on board give them room outside of missions too.

The game lets you customize Shepard's gender and appearance. Decisions about the crew shape relationships into the later parts of the series.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is a remastered collection of the first three Mass Effect games from 2021. For the first game, graphics, lighting, user interface, combat controls and Mako handling were improved. The original 2007 version and its later ports should be kept separate from it.

The revamped PC and console collection is a separate release. It does not retroactively replace the original's platform release dates.

The original Mass Effect is a single-player RPG with German menus and text on PC. Steam also lists English, French, Spanish and Italian for the interface. A co-op online campaign is not part of the first Mass Effect.