Spoiler-Free Mass Effect Legendary Edition Tips For Beginners

It’s finally here! The Mass Effect Legendary Edition is something I’ve looked forward to for months now. The Legendary Edition announcement last November immediately piqued my interest. I almost replayed the series in anticipation for the Legendary Edition, but I held off. If you’re not someone who played these games the first time around, then you’re in luck. This is one of the most iconic game series of all time. When diving in for the first time, it’s really tough not to run into spoilers about the game online. The fan community is passionate but not so great with keeping secrets. Have no fear! Explore our spoiler-free Mass Effect Legendary Edition tips for beginners if you want to make the most of your experience without knowing what to expect plot-wise.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition Tips for Beginners – Three Things to Get You Started

Image Credit: BioWare/EA

Firstly, let’s talk about the plot and spoilers. There are countless guides available online. I’d highly recommend playing your first run-through without knowing plot points. If you need to look something up in a guide, then I’d stick with one of the big dogs like IGN. Fansites feature tons of guides that purposely help players guide their journey towards a certain outcome. This, of course, includes spoilers for the plot of the game. If this is your first time playing the Mass Effect trilogy, then it’s best to experience it naturally as you play.

Secondly, take some time to build out your Commander Sheppard. The default character models are iconic, but it’s fun to put your own twist on the character. If you bought the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, then it goes without saying you probably plan to play all three games. Taking time to build a character you like helps build a connection between you and the world you’re about to enter.

Lastly and on the topic of character creation, keep in mind that the sex of your character does impact the game. For starters, you will find that romance options in the game vary depending on your character’s sex. Additionally, some NPCs will talk to you differently depending on your sex. There’s a scene early on in the first game where a female Sheppard will get hit on by an NPC. A male Sheppard doesn’t get this treatment. If you usually play the default build for an RPG like this, then that’s a great option too. The models for both default Sheppards are wonderful and iconic. Once you’re all set with your character, we can get into a few other tips.

Getting the Most Out of the Mass Effect Trilogy on Your First Playthrough

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If it’s your first time playing the Mass Effect trilogy, then you’re in for a real treat. When you enter your first-ever run, I’d highly recommend just soaking it in and taking your time. If you rush through the games, then you’re able to get through the linear story fairly easily. That said, it’s worth making the most of your experience. That includes a few key considerations.

Firstly, the story in Mass Effect is one of the finest in all of gaming. That means the dialogue, terminals, and random conversations, and radio broadcasts are worth exploring to get the full story. I’d highly recommend diving into the depths of the series on your first playthrough. That means not just running from checkpoint to checkpoint. Give yourself time to hack terminals and learn more about the planets you explore. Don’t skip elevator rides either; load times are improved in the Legendary Edition, but the radio casts offer unique insights into the world. You get more out of the game if you give more of your time and attention to the finer details.

I’d also recommend getting to know your squad. In between missions, you can talk to many members of your crew. Because the story carries over across games, you can really build a great report with your peers if you learn more about them. You’ll quickly find favorites among the Normandy, and to be honest, even the “weaker” characters are still interesting.

It’s also worth mentioning that your weapons and upgrades can greatly impact your combat experience. Toy with the upgrades you find in weapons lockers and other places to pick up new boosts. The same goes for your abilities and their experience trees. Use everything, see what you like, and go from there. There’s no wrong way to play an RPG.

Tips for Beginners to Enjoy a Smooth Mass Effect Legendary Edition Experience

Image Credit: BioWare/EA

A few of the kinks of the original games are included in the Legendary Edition. That means you’ll want to take a few steps to avoid unwanted deaths and mission failures. A few examples I want to overview can help save you some headaches.

For starters, the game does still have its occasional bugs and hiccups. I’ve had my Sheppard get stuck on random objects, forcing me to load up my last save. I also had the game crash once on me a good while after my last autosave. Whoops. Moral of the story: save often. It goes without saying in an RPG that saving often will help you out, but it’s true here. If you’re on a lower difficulty, it might feel like you don’t have to worry too much about dying. As the games pick up speed, however, you’ll find yourself bested if you’re not cautious.

Another little abnormality that carried through to the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, especially in Mass Effect 1, is the odd choices your squad members make from time to time. Despite telling them where to go or how to approach a combat situation, they’ll sometimes just do something odd. The AIs’ weird choices can make them vulnerable to a quick death. If you’re in a particularly tough boss battle or overwhelming area, then losing a squad member can make the fight all the harder. That’s why I’d highly recommend putting skill points into your Unity power from the get go. This power allows you to bring downed teammates back mid-fight. That power, especially when leveled up to its last few points, can help combat odd AI decisions.

Our Mass Effect Legendary Edition review is still in progress. For now, hop into the game and let us know how you’re liking it in the comments! Mass Effect Legendary Edition is available now for PC, PS4|PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Featured Image Credit: BioWare/EA

Taylor is the Gaming Editor of Comic Years and a lifelong fan of video games. He holds two degrees in Political Communication and wrote a Master's Thesis on resistance movements, race, and the exploitation of college athletes. His wife and two Toy Australian Sheppards keep him sane.