This guide aims to comprehensively cover every single aspect of the game, with emphasis on the game’s key features—most notably, its incredible combat, character-progression system, and wealth of optional missions.
The first chapter is an introduction to the Mass Effect universe. For returning players, it’s a refresher course on the lore, events, and origins of species from the original Mass Effect trilogy. For greener players, it serves as a solid foundation and understanding of the game’s setting.
Chapter 2: Basics and Game Mechanics can be viewed as a highly detailed instruction manual. It can be used as an encyclopedia for the game’s myriad components that make up the entire game. Note that there may be light spoilers in Game Mechanics Glossary and Combat Concepts Expanded.
The Priority Ops walkthrough is an outline of the main game, with key choices and results highlighted and marked for readers and players who want to see every outcome for the major choices in the game.
The meat of the guide is found in the Secondary Ops chapter, with every “side mission” thoroughly explained and major decisions and outcomes covered.
What is “Mass Effect”?
Using the mysterious substance element zero, “mass effect” technology manipulates the mass of objects, enabling everything from advanced weaponry to interstellar space travel. Humans first uncovered this technology on Mars, left behind by an ancient species called the Protheans, and its discovery changed the course of human history. The Prothean mass relays, capable of transporting starships hundreds of light years, eventually connected humanity to a galactic community of alien species, uncharted worlds, and challenging new frontiers.
What is Andromeda?
The Andromeda Galaxy, 2.5 million light years from the Milky Way, is the setting for Mass Effect: Andromeda. Those who joined the Andromeda Initiative’s expedition to settle in a new galaxy are largely unaware of the events surrounding Commander Shepard back in the Milky Way.