16 Best Missions From Mass Effect Trilogy

By Laurence Gardner / December 20, 2012

The Mass Effect trilogy is the single greatest achievement within the genre of sci-fi gaming, having created a universe which is strong enough to stand on its own merits across a variety of different media. If you€™ve touched a computer in the last few months, you€™re probably aware that the ending to the epic has been less than popular with the fan-base. This is the last time that this article is going to mention it. Instead, we€™re going to take a nostalgic look at the sixteen best missions throughout the trilogy. Some of them included an intriguing moral conundrum; others created a memorable atmosphere. All are exceptional in one way or another.

16. Eden Prime: Prologue (ME1)

The first item on the list, and the first mission that the player undertakes in the trilogy. Eden Prime had a difficult task in front of it: how to introduce the players to the Mass Effect universe, the villain and the lore, all the while providing a gameplay experience strong enough that they€™d want to keep playing. Does it succeed?

More or less. While the mission€™s gameplay is fairly linear, it goes by at a brisk pace and Saren€™s explosive introduction, as well as the first hints of the mystery of the Reapers and the Protheans, are enough to pique the player€™s interest. There€™s also tension, horror, a homage to Leeroy Jenkins and the introduction of a certain Lieutenant Ashley Williams. All in all, a worthy opener for the list.

15. Take Back Omega (ME3)

I know, I know. Hear me out. Fan Reaction to the most recent DLC offering Take Back Omega has been almost as negative as it was to the ending; but this is unfair. Most of the criticism is the result of unrealistically high fan expectations, a couple of graphical glitches, overpricing and a more action-orientated experience than the core game. While the DLC certainly is overpriced, it€™s also deserving of inclusion in this list. Why? It€™s probably the best action-based mission you€™ll play during the trilogy. If you€™re not an action game enthusiast, that€™s fine, and you shouldn€™t download the DLC. But plenty of Mass Effect fans are, and for them Take Back Omega offers an excellent chance to gun down a variety of enemies (including the spooky new Adjutants), and play through a combat experience that easily outshines the other missions in the game in terms of quality. And there€™s a nice horror section that offers a good change of pace, too. Not for everybody, but superb for some.

14. The Ardat-Yakshi (ME2)

At the other end of the gameplay spectrum we have Samara€™s loyalty mission, in which there is absolutely no gun-play at all. Which is precisely why it makes the list; it offers a different type of experience to the rest of Mass Effect, but one which is nonetheless equally enjoyable. An emotionally charged plot sees Shepard investigating the death of a young woman enamoured with Samara€™s murderous daughter Morinth, tracking her down to a night club, letting herself be seduced and taken back to the killer€™s apartment, and then finally making the choice as to whether or not Morinth lives or dies. A powerful storyline, gameplay that€™s extremely different to the majority of the trilogy, and a powerful choice to make all ensure that this mission is especially memorable.