Hi everyone,

This is just a quick post because it’s N7 Day, when we celebrate all things Mass Effect.

It goes without saying that Mass Effect is not just one of my favourite game franchises, but probably one of my favourite Science Fiction franchises of all time. The attention to detail and the depth of the Universe that has been created is immense, with so much thought put into the details. You can see how I rank it amongst other sci-fi universes here but I thought I would do something to mark the day. So, here are some of my random Top 3s from the series and first: my Top 10 Missions (because I couldn’t just do 3, could I?)

Top 10 Missions

10. Find Liara T’Soni

This was the first main mission that I completed on my first playthrough so it’ll always have a special place. I loved the rescue element of it and I remember struggling with that Krogan dude at the end on my first go through.

9.Virmire

Great mission with some big decisions (Ashley/Kaiden and the whole Wrex argument) and a sense of the epic, especially that first conversation with Sovereign.

8 Priority: Rannoch

The stakes are raised even higher in this mission, making that choice between Geth and Quarians and fighting the Reaper at the end.

7. Priority: Earth

Whatever you think of the ending, the lead up to it is something truly special, all played out among the ruins of Earth. There are Banshees aplenty as you fight your way through the Reaper hordes, finding time to say some last goodbyes to all the squadmates you’ve known along the journey.

6. Eden Prime: Prologue

This is a great introduction to the franchise as you are thrown in at the deep end with Geth crawling all over the place. I remember finding this quite difficult the first time through. I had no idea whether I was going to like the game or not as I hadn’t heard much about it, but this was the perfect introduction.

5. Priority: Tuchanka

Fantastic mission with lots of well drawn locations and so much political intrigue, all building to the tragic death of Mordin Solus.

4. Collector Ship

A creepy location and a great big battle to contend with make this one of my all time favourites.

3. Ilos

Getting close to the end of the first game, this is where you really learn what has been going on. There’s so much to learn from the Prothean VI and the setting is wonderfully done. You really get a sense, in that old, forgotten place of how quiet it is. Truly eerie.

2. Noveria

The research centre high up in the mountains, the experiments, the secrecy, the corrupt officials. The Rachni queen and the Matriarch. There is so much to this mission. I just love the setting and everything that goes on here.

1. Collector Base: Suicide Mission

No brainer for number 1. This is where all your decision-making and all your preparation pays off (or not). Watch your friends get liquefied, burned, carried off by bugs and all other kinds of horrible fates unless you’ve done your homework. This is a brilliant experience, with a  brilliant soundtrack and real consequences. It’s epic on a cinematic scale. Fantastic

Here are some other Top 3s off the top of my head…

Top 3 Planets

1. Ilos – a real sense of a lost civilisation
2. Noveria
3. Havarl

Top 3 Squadmates

1. Garrus – space bro
2. Tali
3. Wrex

Top 3 Weapons

1. Reegar Carbine – get up close and zap ’em
2. Black Widow
3. Scorpion

Top 3 Romance Options

1. Liara – very well-conceived character with great story arc
2. Miranda
3. Peebee

Top 3 Classes

1. Infiltrator – love me some sniper rifle action
2. Engineer
3. Vanguard

Top 3 Biotic Powers

1. Annihilation – like BO, just being close can kill
2. Throw
3. Warp

Top 3 Multiplayer Maps

1. Reactor – dark and dingy with nasties around every corner
2. Derelict
3. Sandstorm

Top 3 Tech Powers

1. Electric Slash – noisy, bright and effective
2. Assault Turret
3. Remnant VI

Top 3 Multiplayer Characters

1. N7 Shadow – like the Space version of Kill Bill
2. Geth Juggernaut
3. Human Engineer

Top 3 fights

1. Banshee – run away, run away
2. Thresher Maw
3. Praetorian

Top 3 DLCs

1. Lair of the Shadow Broker – great world-building, fills in loads of blanks
2. Overlord
3. Citadel

That’s about all that sprang to mind. If you have any ideas of your own, please let me know in the comments. Feel free to disagree. I realise there’s not much in here about Andromeda. I’m about two-thirds of the way through it at the minute. Honestly, I’m really enjoying it but there’s not much there, certainly in terms of missions, that have made it close to any of these lists. The Remnant Vaults and Havarl are gorgeous, however, as are the graphics when you first arrive on Voeld.

All the best,

Richard