When it comes to exciting action-adventure RPGs, gamers often look forward to some type of a multiplayer mode. Whether it’s shooters like Last of Us Part 2 or historical sword-fights like Ghost of Tsushima, a co-op mode is a way to offer players more enticing combat while keeping them immersed in their atmospheric environments. But with the Mass Effect trilogy, the expectation is somewhat the opposite because of a major flaw with it the first time around.
Mass Effect 3‘s multiplayer mode alone wasn’t unsuccessful. The combat in the third installment had been refined, which could be in part due to the heavy focus and attention to the game’s co-op mode called “Galaxy at War.” This was praised by critics, noted for the improvements it made from past installments and for being well-developed and balanced, giving the game added replay value. These combat mechanics would be even further improved in Andromeda, which was highly regarded for its multiplayer function, even if the game overall turned out to be lackluster.
The problem with Mass Effect 3‘s multiplayer isn’t within itself, but rather, how it’s used in the overall game. The ending to the space opera trilogy is already heavily controversial, but obtaining what’s considered the “best” ending requires participation in the multiplayer mode.
Following up on the events of Mass Effect 2, ME3 is the climax of the series in which Shepard is preparing for war against the Reapers by recruiting the help of various species around the galaxy. Aptly named “Galaxy at War,” the multiplayer mode is meant to be weaved into the narrative itself, tasking the player with surviving waves of enemies and completing objectives. But rather than being a supporting element for the game’s plot, playing Galaxy at War became a requirement in order to get the best endings.
There are 9 different endings to Mass Effect 3 in total, but many of them are largely similar and vary only slightly, such as whether or not a seconds-long ambiguous cutscene of Shepard found in the rubble played or not. The endings were based on two criteria, both of which upset the dedicated Mass Effect fanbase. Firstly, the player would have to make a choice in the final stretch, but the Effective Military Strength rating also had a heavy influence on which ending was served.
The Effective Military Strength rating in Mass Effect 3 was calculated based on Total Military Strength, or preparation quests and tasks done in single-player, multiplied by Readiness Rating, or completion of tasks in Galaxy at War, meaning that multiplayer mode heavily influenced the ending, including whether or not Shepard’s teammates die. This meant that, in order to get the best ending, the player had to put down extra cash on any online fees to participate, not to mention that the community didn’t find being forcibly required to participate in multiplayer enjoyable.
Following the announcement of the upcoming trilogy remaster, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, there’s been no announcement or mention of a multiplayer mode being included in the game. Rather, the game is being marketed to include “all single-player content,” possibly implying the exclusion of Galaxy at War, but the developer has’t acknowledged or denied either possibility.
For those upset by the way the Mass Effect 3 ending was calculated, this news would be well-received. But in modern gaming, and back in 2012 when the game released, many gamers enjoy multiplayer modes in their RPGs. So while some players might be looking forward to a space-themed multiplayer, this ultimately means that they won’t need to pay for online subscriptions, either via PlayStation or Xbox, to finish the game at 100% completion and get the best ending. Ideally, to appease both sides of gamers, these two modes, single-player and multiplayer, could be included in the full package while not requiring participation in Galaxy at War.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is set to release in 2021 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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