MASS EFFECT GAME SERIES (CONSOLE AND COMPUTER ROLE-PLAYING GAME)

What Is an RPG Game?

RPG is an abbreviation of the English words Role Playing Game, translated into Turkish as Rol Yapma Oyunu. In this type of game, players control a fictional character or characters who undertake a mission within a fictional world. The course of the game and the outcome of the story are determined by the decisions made by the players. This allows RPG games to offer an interactive storytelling experience.

Key features of RPG games include:

Character Creation: Players typically create their own characters at the start of the game. These characters can be assigned names, gender, appearance, skills, and abilities such as various attributes.

Story and Quests:

RPG games feature a narrative that guides the players and includes quests that must be completed. The story may be linear or branching and can change based on the players’ choices.

War System: In many RPG games, characters engage in combat with enemies. The combat system varies by genre but is generally row based or true timed.

RPG Character Development:

As players progress through the game, they develop their characters. This development can take various forms such as learning new skills, improving existing abilities to develop or acquiring stronger equipment.

Choices and Consequences:

One of the most important features of RPG games is that the players’ choices affect the course of the game. This allows players to create their own unique stories.

Mass Effect

Mass Effect is a science fiction role-playing action game developed by BioWare for the Xbox 360 and later ported to PC and PlayStation 3. It is the first installment of the Mass Effect trilogy.

Mass Effect was released in North America on 20 November 2007, on Australia and New Zealand on November 22, 2007, and on Europe on November 23, 2007.

In 2021, a comprehensive remaster of all three original Mass Effect games was released under the title

Mass Effect Legendary Edition. This edition included major revisions to graphics and gameplay across Mass Effect and its sequels Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. The Legendary Edition not only combined the three main games but also consolidated nearly all original downloadable and additional content, with few exceptions.

Mass Effect Universe

Set in the year 2183 AD, 35 years after humans discovered the remnants of an ancient alien race known as the Protheans on Mars, the game’s story unfolds. Technology derived from these relics allowed humanity to unlock faster-than-light travel by mastering the secrets of mass effect physics and zero-point energy. Humans also discovered the Mass Relay network, a system of devices spanning the galaxy that enables instantaneous travel across thousands of light-years. Humanity began interstellar exploration, encountered various alien species, and established itself on the galactic stage.

The player assumes the role of Shepard (Main character) aboard the SSV Normandy, one of the most advanced starships in the galaxy. A routine mission to recover a Prothean beacon on Eden Prime goes awry when the site is attacked by geth forces led by Saren Arterius, a turian Spectre outlaw. When the beacon is activated, it triggers strange visions in Shepard’s mind of synthetic beings slaughtering organics, before becoming inert. It is revealed that Saren is seeking the Conduit, a mysterious device believed to be linked to the Reapers, an ancient machine race thought responsible for the Protheans’ extinction. Shepard becomes the first human Spectre and is given command of the Normandy with orders to hunt down Saren. The mission is no longer about bringing a criminal to justice but about saving the galaxy from annihilation.

Characters

To stop Saren, Shepard is joined by six companions or squad members who assist in the mission.

Kaidan Alenko:

Kaidan Alenko is a human Sentinel and a Systems Alliance Marine. While serving aboard the SSV Normandy, he is a junior officer and the head of the ship’s Marine detachment. He is also one of the first members of Commander Shepard’s crew. Kaidan is a biotic equipped with controversial L2 implants known to cause severe neurological damage. However, he suffers from occasional intense migraines.

Tali'Zorah nar Rayya:

Tali'Zorah pomegranate Rayya is a quarian and a member of Commander Shepard’s crew. She is the daughter of Councilor Rael'Zorah. Despite her youth, Tali is a mechanical prodigy.

In 2183, she is on the <Hajj Pilgrimage>, a rite of passage to prove her worth and return to her people in the Migrant Fleet with a valuable thing. In 2185, after completing the Pilgrimage, Tali is assigned to lead a critical research for the Admiralty Board.

Liara T'Soni:

Dr. Liara T'Soni is a asari researcher who has spent the last fifty years studying Prothean technology and culture, specializing in the extinction of the Prothean race. Born on Thessia in 2077, she is only 106 years old — not even considered an adult by asari standards. She already possesses extensive insight into the Protheans and is a highly trained biotic user.

Garrus Vakarian:

Garrus Vakarian is a turian formerly part of C-Sec’s Investigations Division. Like most turians, he received military training at age fifteen but later followed his father’s path to become a C-Sec officer. After the Alliance claimed Saren was rogue, Garrus was assigned to investigate Saren Arterius, the Council’s highest-ranking Spectre. Although told the investigation was closed, Garrus defied his superior’s orders and pursued his own leads. Eventually, Garrus seeks to join Commander Shepard’s crew to defeat Saren and the geth.

Ashley Williams:

Ashley Madeline Williams is a human soldier serving as Chief Gunner for the 2nd Frontier Division on Eden Prime. After the geth attack on Eden Prime, she is assigned to Commander Shepard’s crew.

Urdnot Wrex:

Famous Urdnot Wrex is a krogan mercenary and bounty hunter, and one of the last surviving Krogan War Masters. He is a rare alien whose powerful biotic abilities are combined with devastating weapon firepower. Long and having survived many adventure, Wrex has heard of Commander Shepard during his travels and holds great respect for him as a warrior.

Although Wrex has chosen the path of violence and money through killing, he deeply worries about the fate of his people after the genophage and is among the few who seek to plan a new future for the krogan.

Other Characters

Shepard encounters many supporting characters who play important roles in the fight against the Reapers:

Engineer Adams

David Anderson

Administrator Anoleis

Saren Arterius

Balak

Lizbeth Baynham

Matriarch Benezia

Kate Bowman

Doctor Chakwas

Citadel Council

Fai Dan

Fist

Admiral Hackett

Harkin

Captain Kirrahe

Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani

Nihlus Kryik

Jeff "Joker" Moreau

Gianna Parasini

Navigator Pressly

Lorik Qui'in

The Rachni Queen

Dr. Saleon

Sha'ira

Shiala

The Thorian

 Donnel Udina

Conrad Verner

Barla Von

Emily Wong

Locations:

Locations visited by Commander Shepard and the crew during their missions in Mass Effect:

The Citadel

Eden Prime

Feros

Ilos

Luna

Noveria

Virmire

Therum

Asteroid X571

Pinnacle Station1

SSV Normandy SR-1 (Systems Alliance Space Vehicle Normandy Stealth Reconnaissance -1)

It was a Systems Alliance starship, the first prototype of the Normandy class, developed under the sponsorship of the Citadel Council by the Alliance and the Turian Hierarchy. It is a “deep reconnaissance” frigate equipped with experimental stealth technology and optimized for solo reconnaissance missions in unstable regions.

Launched in 2183, the Normandy was initially commanded by Alliance officer Elli Zander. After a disagreement with Turian engineer Octavio Tatum over the limits of the ship’s drive core, Zander was relieved of command and replaced by David Anderson. Short a duration later, when Shepard became the first human Spectre, the Normandy was transferred to Shepard’s command and served as his primary transport and operation base.

The Normandy is named after the 1944 Battle of Normandy, one of the pivotal moments of the Second World War.

SSV Normandy SR-1

Gameplay

Weapon and ability proficiency are determined by the player’s choice of one of six classes:

Soldier, Infiltrator, Vanguard, Sentinel, Engineer, and Adept

Some classes specialize in specific combat roles, while others possess a variety of abilities.

For example, Soldiers can become proficient in all four weapon types (Assault Rifles, Shotguns, Sniper Rifles, and Pistols) but lack biotic and tech abilities; conversely, the Adept class excels in biotic powers but can only effectively use Pistols. The class also affects which armor types the player can use.

Progression

As players advance, they earn experience points by defeating enemies and completing main and side quests. Once sufficient experience is accumulated, the player and all NPC (Non-Player Character) squad members level up and are rewarded with points to unlock and enhance abilities. The level cap is locked at 50 until the game is completed for the first time, after which it increases to 60. Reaching the level cap requires multiple playthroughs, but higher levels provide access to stronger weapons and armor as well as increased health.

Dialogue

Dialogues in Mass Effect differ from those in BioWare’s previous games. Instead of traditional dialogue options that display each word verbatim, dialogue choices are presented as paraphrases on a “chat wheel.” For example, a choice labeled “Examine me” might correspond to the actual line, “I am not a work you can take to your laboratory, doctor.” Dialogue options influence how others respond to Shepard, rewards for completing missions or assignments, discounts from merchants, romantic pathways, and most importantly, Shepard’s morality. It is also possible to defuse tense situations without resorting to violence or even provoke them intentionally.

Character Behavior Choices:

In Mass Effect games, morality is measured by “Paragon” and “Renegade” points. Unlike many contemporary RPGs that portray morality as a single sliding scale between good and evil, Mass Effect tracks Paragon and Renegade points on separate scales. A good action does not replace a bad action; thus, occasional kindness does not prevent people from fearing a villain or erase the reputation of a cruel man, but frequent savage actions will not significantly damage the reputation of an otherwise honorable soldier. This also means there is no game-driven motivation to avoid a specific type of action. The player’s behavioral tendencies can affect the availability of certain dialogue and mission choices.

Travel and Exploration

Players navigate between mission and assignment locations using the Galaxy Map aboard the SSV Normandy. The map has four layers: a galactic view showing a model of the entire galaxy with various star clusters; a cluster view displaying current star systems within a selected cluster; a system view showing planets, moons, other astronomical objects, starships, and space stations; and a local view providing detailed information about the selected object and offering landing or boarding options if available. Exploration can yield new missions, assignments, equipment, collectibles, and resources.

On some worlds, the SSV Normandy can land near a major settlement, allowing the player to explore the area on foot. However, most worlds are either close colonized or unexplored, and the player is deployed to these locations via the M35 Mako, a vehicle used for exploration missions. The Mako is not only a suitable vehicle for traversing vast open areas but also a combat vehicle equipped with shields and firepower to subdue enemies.

Game Music

The Mass Effect Original Soundtrack was released on November 20, 2007. Composed by Jack Wall and Sam Hulick, with additional music by Richard Jacques and David Kates. The music blends 80s electronic music with orchestral elements, drawing inspiration from films such as Blade Runner and Dune.

Interesting Background Facts About the Game:

• The opening text of the game is a reference to the opening text of the film Top Gun.
• According to The Final Hours of Mass Effect 3, the original game was initially developed under the working title SFX. About a year and a half after the first IP presentation on September 15, 2003, the team debated various names including Space Age, Element Zero, Threshold, Epsilon Effect, Star Citadel, Fractured Helix, and Oculon, but could not agree on any.
• Project lead Casey Hudson revealed that the name “Mass Effect” was originally suggested by BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk before the series’ title was finalized. The name stemmed from the concept of mass relays as time-travel devices and the possibility of an individual altering the course of history.
• BioWare produced six additional cover designs for Mass Effect that were ultimately not used for various reasons.
• Mark Meer, the voice of male Shepard, was responsible for developing vocal characteristics of various alien species during the conceptual phase: for example, the rapid tempo of salarians, the raspy tones of volus, and the deep, guttural voices of krogan. He attempted to give turians a clicking sound due to their mouth structure, but abandoned the idea once Garrus was confirmed as a main character.
• When conceptualizing the game and its trilogy, it was intended to be inherently cinematic. Presenting Shepard as a uniform character was a byproduct of this goal.
• A multiplayer mode was planned for the game but was later canceled.
• Running on the Citadel and other non-combat locations is an illusion. According to cinematic designer John Ebenger, the movement speed does not actually change from walking to running; instead, the camera’s field of view (FOV) is adjusted to give players the impression of faster movement.
• BioWare’s “Inventory Full” note in Dragon Age: Origins contains an easter egg reference to Mass Effect.
• Jokes have been made that the entire Mass Effect setting was shaped by one of BioWare’s Anthem storm systems.
• As of July 27, 2021, according to Mass Effect Legendary Edition gameplay statistics, companion popularity ranked from most to least popular is: Garrus, Tali, Liara, Wrex, Ashley, Kaidan.

2010 – Mass Effect 2

After a three-year hiatus, BioWare returned with the second game in the series, delivering what many consider the best action-integrated entry in the franchise by refining and expanding upon its previous successes.

The game is set in the 22nd century in the Milky Way Galaxy, where humanity faces extinction at the hands of the Collectors, a hybrid insectoid race. You play as Commander Shepard, in third-person perspective, and can immediately customize your character’s traits, skills, and abilities. As a direct sequel to the first game, you can import your saved character from Mass Effect and carry their story into Mass Effect 2.

The second installment is directly connected to the original game, with events occurring only a few week after the first. Your character is forced to abandon the Normandy and, after failing to escape the ship, is flung into space and seemingly tragic.

The body is recovered by a research station that succeeds in resurrecting the deceased Shepard. Two years later, the confused and disoriented Shepard awakens to the sound of alarm bells. Complete time, Shepard regains control of their character and works with a new crew together to escape. After escaping, Shepard learns that human colonies have vanished across the galaxy.

Now supported in some way by their new crew, Shepard is sent to investigate a recent attack and uncovers evidence linking the Collectors to the Reapers. Shepard’s new mission is to eliminate the Collectors, who are now under Reaper control, as they were in the first Mass Effect. Shepard embarks on a galactic journey with a loyal crew to defeat the enemy.

2012 – Mass Effect 3

As the trilogy reaches its conclusion, the plot becomes increasingly complex, culminating in an event unprecedented in gaming history: fans dissatisfied with the original ending of the game launched a wave of criticism against developer BioWare. In response, BioWare released a new ending for Mass Effect 3, completing the trilogy set in the Milky Way Galaxy.

The story continues from Mass Effect 2, beginning six moon after the events of the previous game on Earth. The terrifying return of the Reapers is imminent, and soon Earth loses contact with the rest of the galaxy as its defenses are overwhelmed by Reaper attacks.

You once again play as Commander Shepard, battling through a brutal narrative against a merciless enemy.

Your primary objective is to defeat the Reapers, but you also fight against Cerberus, the organization that resurrected you and enemy you.

When rumors emerge of a plan to develop a superweapon to defeat the Reapers, you are sent to a research laboratory on Mars.

Mass Effect 3 is the final game in the trilogy, and its outcomes are influenced by your actions and decisions in both Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2. The overall conclusion of the series will vary depending on your playstyle, creating a uniquely personal gaming experience.

In the final chapter, you will encounter numerous races and planets to unite and ultimately defeat the Reapers.

2017 – Mass Effect Andromeda

With new technologies acquired through Mars-based research, space crews seeking to colonize other planets reach the Andromeda Galaxy after a 600-year sleep. Naturally, things do not go as planned, and the crews find themselves at the heart of disaster. Mass Effect Andromeda, criticized at launch for its facial and character movement animation, received an average review score barely exceeding 70 out of 100, making it the weakest entry in the series.

Mass Effect: Andromeda begins around 2185, as the Andromeda Initiative launches massive arks to settle in the Andromeda Galaxy. A coalition of Milky Way species — humans, asari, turians, salarians, and krogan — participate in this 600-year journey, placed in cryostasis to avoid aging during transit. Before departure, the Initiative identified “golden worlds” in the Heleus Cluster of Andromeda as suitable for colonization. Each ark is led by a Pathfinder, a team tasked with exploring these worlds and confirming their habitability before settlement begins.

Depending on the initial choice, the game follows either Scott or Sara Ryder, twin siblings who assist their father, Alec Ryder, the human Pathfinder, in the Initiative’s efforts. Alec and his children travel aboard the Hyperion, a ship primarily carrying human passengers. Unlike Commander Shepard, the Ryder siblings do not begin with a prestigious status; instead, the hero’s character and reputation grow throughout the narrative.