Would'a been a 5 if they re-released Multiplayer for ME3, and they know it. They just didn't want to put in the effort for it

or, they wanted to avoid lootbox backlash.

Regardless, the best way to experience the Mass Effect trilogy. Wonder where Andromeda is hmm...

ME3 was my least favourite of the trilogy, that's changing after playing the legendary edition with all the DLCs, it's probably my favourite now (beating ME1) it's a shame that the game feels so empty without the DLCs though, the basegame by itself lacks closure on many aspects and the relationships between the crew feel rather lifeless, which doesn't help the before mentioned closure. The Citadel DLC brings me nothing but joy, such a breath of fresh air amidst the chaos and stress. As much as I love the OGs and their aesthetic this is one of few well-made remasters, where the game keeps its original charm and aesthetic while making it more "pleasant to the eyes."

These are still some of my favorite games of all time, and this is the best way to play them right now. It’s not much more than a new coat of paint, they are pretty much the same games underneath, but they look nicer and feel more cohesive as a trilogy.

There’s the jankiness that comes with age, the rather dated design elements and the combat never was much more than serviceable. The characters, writing and worldbuilding are where this series’ strength lie. We do not often get original epic space operas that are as detailed, fascinating and actually great as this one. It’s a true pleasure to come back to this universe every now and then.

It took me three games and hundreds of hours to finally tap into the magic of Mass Effect, and I'm so happy that I'm finally here.

The third installment stands as a triumph in the trilogy, merging the best elements of its predecessors while surpassing the second game in many areas. It boasts better gunplay, more mature writing, featuring characters who interact with each other in meaningful ways, all presented in a prettier package. I love the funny but sometimes creepy quips from crewmates, and most welcomingly, homosexuality is finally legal in the Citadel. The base game is action-packed and had me hooked from the start, while the DLCs expanded on various gameplay styles and added so much breadth to the galactic lore.

The game is a masterclass of character building, I found myself growing to love every crew member, even those I previously hadn't cared for. The offshore activities provided some of the most memorable moments throughout the trilogy. Massive kudos to all the voice actors for delivering stellar performances and bringing these characters to life (with the exception of male Shepard, although his portrayal remains inoffensive).

However, my critique lies in the narrative direction and thematic coherence. It feels as though the game imposes a different meaning onto the story, failing to recognize the thematic groundwork laid out in the previous two games. The resolution of the storyline, centered around the incompatibility of organics and synthetics, feels disconnected from the established themes and was massively anticlimactic.

This is coming from someone who thought that The Last of Us 2 had a perfect story and never liked a happy ending in media because it discounts the emotional labor imposed onto the audience. This departure from established narrative threads creates a sense of dissonance and detracts from the impact the previous games had.

The potential of AI as a classic sci-fi trope within an RPG format is immense; it's a question that has been thoroughly explored by the previous two games. However, Mass Effect 3's ending dismissed this well-established narrative foundation, negating the possibility that creators and their creations could coexist under a mural agreement. In doing so, it undermined the significance of EDI’s character arc and the sacrifices made by beloved crew members in the Geth and Quarians plotline. Consequently, it falls short on a rhetorical level and fails to provide a logical resolution to Mass Effect's established central conflict.

The resolution also feels disappointingly cheap; it’s completely disconnected from the personal choices you have made throughout the trilogy and the collective efforts of the squad. Despite the multitude of choices presented across the trilogy, the conclusion narrows down to three essentially identical endings, trivializing the significance of the hundreds of carefully considered decisions into an unnecessarily lengthy epilogue followed by "Pick a color." It lacks the depth to provoke thought or evoke emotional catharsis; instead, I found myself dumbfounded by the absence of any meaningful attempt to elevate the message at the end.

At the risk of being yelled at by half of the community here, I think Starfield achieved a more satisfying conclusion and served some higher meaning with its ending. Surprisingly, both games share similar story arcs, featuring the introduction of the Starchild and Starborn characters tasked with safeguarding galactic evolution. Themes of the pursuit of truth and power, symbolized by artifacts and the Catalyst, echo the story of Icarus, presenting protagonists with moral dilemmas and the ultimate choice of their fate.

The contrast lies in the distinct themes and the emotional resonance they evoke. Starfield delves into the story of humanity, emphasizing the fundamental need for purpose in our existence. On the other hand, Mass Effect tackles the existential peril posed by the creation of artificial life forms. However, its conclusion feels flawed, lacking substance beyond the rushed decisions made in the final hours of gameplay. This isn't a direct comparison between the two games, as both excel in exploring the breadth and depth of their universes. But I can't help but hope that BioWare dedicated more time to crafting an ending that acknowledges alternative solutions to the narrative conundrum already established within the series.

Nevertheless, I love the trilogy to pieces, and I can’t believe it took me so long to finally get into it. Playing all three games back to back immediately after Starfield only made me realize how ambitious this franchise was set out to be. The depth of the world-building, the intricacies of the characters, the diverse colonies portrayed, and the romantic interest (singular as I had my eyes on Kaidan from ME1) my Shepard had along the way all contributed to an unforgettable journey.

(this review was originally written for ME3)

Say what you will, I loved it.

No ME game has all three, though: good gameplay, good plot, good characterization. ME3 lacks the first, ME2 lacks the second, and ME1 lacks the third.

As for the oh-so-controversial ending, it was great in my opinion. But hey, I'm so late to the party, I can't tell if the criticism was legit or if it came from men.

Uma das melhores histórias que eu já vivi. Empolgante, emocional, cheios de momentos memoráveis e alguns dos melhores personagens que eu já conheci. Altamente recomendado.

Eu diria também que a soma do que os 3 jogos fazem é maior do que eles individualmente. Apesar da diferença de jogabilidade, a experiência contínua funciona extremamente bem e eu sai com a sensação de viver uma história do começo ao fim, onde tudo foi resolvido. Algo que eu acho bem único nessa indústria.

Escrevi minhas opiniões sobre cada jogo:
ME1: https://backloggd.com/u/cloudycloud/review/1333582/
ME2: https://backloggd.com/u/cloudycloud/review/1335445/
ME3: https://backloggd.com/u/cloudycloud/review/1391449/