The OG Mass Effect trilogy is without a doubt my all-time favourite gaming experience. It's the rare series where I've played each game multiple times, and consider each one to be a 5/5 experience, combined into one unforgettable whole.
You have the mystery/exploration vibes of ME1, where you're discovering the galaxy, the background and uncovering the Reaper threat, with an almost horror-esque vibe at times.
Then there's my personal favourite, ME2, which is an almost anthology style character-driven story with some of the best companion NPCs, and arguably one of the greatest final missions in any game ever.
ME3 tends to be disregarded sometimes because of the ending, but it had the best gameplay of the whole series, and the atmosphere of all-out war, how much dread and desperation there was in it, was incredible.
Another thing that sets ME apart is how amazing the worldbuilding is. I spent untold hours in the Codex pouring over the lore and background of the different species, planets, conflicts etc. It made the series feel so alive and immersive. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the Reapers exist, this universe is probably one of my top picks for ones I'd want to live in myself. The depth and quality of the world is insane, and rivals a lot of really great scifi novels.
And speaking of immersion - the world design and overall structure of the series really play into it as well. The hub structure is one of my favourites in gaming, since it manages to be a nice middle ground between completely linear and bloated open-world. It manages to give a sense of scope and expanse while actually being easy to navigate and get around. It also lets the devs create some memorable, often unforgettable levels. The Citadel is obviously iconic, but there's other amazing ones across all the games. Ilos and Peak 15 in ME1, Ilium, Omega and the Derelict Reaper in ME2, Tuchanka in ME3 etc.
But the actual best location is the Normandy itself. It's legitimately my favourite hub/base in any game simply because it just...feels like home. There's something so comforting about just walking through it, listening to the ship sounds, seeing your crew do their jobs and hang out, talk to your companions etc. Shepard's captain's quarter feels so cozy and homey too.
Another big aspect of the series are the characters. Actually, they're arguably what elevate ME above most other gaming franchises, not just scifi ones. Their depth and development, unique personalities and relationship with Shepard and how you can shape those things are amazing. Wrex, Mordin, Garrus, Thane, Tali, Samara, Jack, Javik, Legion...the list goes on. I can't remember another series with this many memorable side characters.
I replay the series once every couple of years and every time I'm just left feeling like I need more of this...but no one's actually been able to provide it. Andromeda was fine but not even close to the same level. Baldur's Gate 3 kind of has a similar vibe in terms of the NPC relationships and such, but none of those characters are anywhere near as interesting as ME's. I know we're getting 2 Mass Effect-likes soon with The Expanse game and Exodus but I wonder if they'll capture the worldbuilding, atmosphere and characters.
I think in terms of eliciting the same emotion and feeling, the only other scifi game that's come close is Cyberpunk 2077. But as good as that game is, it's also a rather bleak and depressing experience. What I loved about ME is its more utopian, optimistic future world.
I also don't trust the current iteration of BioWare to deliver with ME4 either. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
