TheMass Effectseries is considered to be one of the greatest sci-fi franchises in the history of gaming, with the doomed release ofAndromedanot taking away from a trilogy that is considered by most fans to be nothing short of an absolute masterpiece. The journey of Commander Shepard as he strives to save the universe time and time again is easily one of the most memorable sagas ever featured in a video game.
Related:Action RPGs To Play If You Like The Mass Effect Series
Now, with the release ofMass Effect: Legendary Edition, fans can finally witness theMass Effectfranchise at its very peak, with a whole host of upgrades and advancements across the entire experience — especially the first game — that will prove to be quite a joy to experience indeed.
Updated on July 07, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Mass Effect is one of the most popular sci-fi role-playing franchises of all time, and the Legendary Edition serves as a great way to experience the original trilogy for both old and new fans. With this game being part of PS Plus in December, there’s no better time to check out this masterpiece.
Players who want to make the most of their playthrough through this series should implement the following tips so that they don’t end up missing out and regretting on the most optimal way to play this game.
20Save Before The Mission On Virmire
The firstMass Effecttitle has been given a massive gameplay overhaul that most fans appreciate quite a bit. Of course, it also features a pivotal mission that most people should be wary of before jumping into the fray.
The mission on Virmire will force players intochoosing between the fates of two companions, and this decision is permanent for the entire series. Players should save beforehand on the off chance that they regret the decision they make or just end up accidentally sacrificing the character they like more.
19Use Varying Ammo Types Mindfully
Ammo types inMass Effectbecome critical to optimizing combat performance. From incendiary rounds to armor-piercing bullets — there are many options that players can opt for in combat.
Depending on how players approach combat, they should definitely mix and match their ammo types to take out enemies efficiently. Failing to do so will just lead to players mindlessly wasting their bullets for no rhyme or reason.
18Select Your Weapon Loadout Wisely
Speaking of bullets, the kind of weapons that players use also play a huge role in combat. Players who use biotic powers frequently should maintain a lighter loadout to increase the speed of their power regeneration.
Meanwhile, players who love having a loaded arsenal should pack as much firepower as possible. There’s no correct way to play the game, and going all-guns-blazing is a perfectly viable strategy as well!
17Purchase All The Ship Upgrades
Mass Effect 2features a bunch of ship upgrades that players can get by investing their valuable resources. These seem fairly superficial at first glance but actually play a huge role in the context of the story.
Related:Obscure Science Fiction References in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
So, it’s important to get all these ship upgrades before embarking on the final mission. Going through the Omega 4 Relay is going to be quite taxing for the Normandy SR-2, and failing to have these upgrades will lead toguaranteed casualties before the Suicide Mission even starts!
16Keep Multiple Saves Just In Case
This is a tip that doesn’t just apply toMass Effect, but any decision-heavy RPG in general. There’s no telling when a playthrough might be impacted by some tough decisions, and having backups is a great way to avoid any needless mistakes.
Multiple saves will ensure that players don’t end up getting the short end of the stick during a particular playthrough. While playing through some tough choices is a viable way to move through the game, players who don’t want a single unnecessary death or any other unfavorable outcome will be well-serviced by multiple saves that they can go back to in such an event.
15Mix Up Combat Strategy For Optimal Results
The combat ofMass Effectmight show its age, but it’s still a blast to play through with the right setup. Whether playersgo close-range with a Vanguard buildor just blast enemies with a huge array of weapons, they’ll definitely have fun with the combat system.
It’s important to make the most of Shepard’s class and switch up combat styles if the encounters start getting tiresome or tough. More often than not, all three games make it a point to let the player deal with enemies as they see fit.
14Be Wary While Selecting An Ending
Mass Effect 3has been lambasted for its ending, although its negative impact has been lessened extensively with the advent of the DLCs. However, these endings can still take a player off-guard when nearing the end of the game.
Players simply need to walk over to a particular path and select it through a unique action. Sometimes, these endings can feel rather random, so pay close attention to what the Catalyst says so that you don’t end up selecting the wrong action.
13Always Stay In Touch With Members Of The Crew
A big part of what makesMass Effectso memorable is its wide cast of amazing characters, especially in the main squad. Not interacting with these crewmates after major story events will actively take away a lot from what makes these games memorable.
Related:Mass Effect 2: Complete Guide To Scanning Planets
Players can selectone favorite crew member if need be, but ignoring all of their unique interactions is not recommended in the slightest. The personal stories of these characters are quite engaging in their own right and make for a great time indeed.
12Don’t Forget About Squadmate Skills
Speaking of squadmates, players should try and make the most of their abilities in combat. More often than not, players will forget that their squadmates also have great skills that can be used too.
Commander Shepard might be a powerhouse, but his squadmates aren’t just sitting on their laurels. Their abilities can be invaluable in a tight spot and ensure that players can deal with major threats without too many issues.
11Roleplay The Character You Want Without Seeking Out A Perfect Playthrough
Perhaps the most important thing that players should keep in mind aboutMass Effectis to stop seeking out a perfect playthrough every single time. The manner in which the trilogy deals with the player’s mistakes is also pretty entertaining.
So, it’s important for players to just play the game at their own pace and make the choices they want, instead of picking the most perfect option. Molding Commander Shepard in the player’s image is a big part of what makesMass Effectspecial, after all.
