4. Mass Effect Trilogy (Bioware)
One part hard sci-fi, one part fantasy epic, the
Mass Effect Trilogy is bursting with artistic value that anyone can see, should they look hard enough. Part of the beauty of this series is that it is enjoyable on nearly all facets. Those looking for a thrilling science fiction epic will be right at home, while those who enjoy wrapping their heads around weighty topics such as free-will, artificial intelligence, and humanism will be thrown into a world that confronts these issues. However, what really makes the
Mass Effect Trilogy special is the central theme of unity; of championing diversity amidst adversity. You, as Commander Shepard, are the embodiment of humanitys strength, but early on you recognize that even the most determined and headstrong man can not succeed on his own. Throughout all three games, you befriend individuals of all races and backgrounds, forming powerful bonds with even the most outlandish of people. And as Shepard, it is up to you to rally the races of the galaxy together to save it from utter destruction. Only through working together is survival possible. It is a powerful theme, so much so that I believe it is a large part of what makes the series so well loved.
Mass Effect 2, the most popular entry of the series, focuses on this theme the most, showing how even the most impossible of odds can be met when diverse individuals come together. Rarely does anything have such a positive message at its core, which made the sudden backtracking of that message within the final 10 minutes of
Mass Effect 3 so devastating to so many players. What solidifies
Mass Effect as a piece of video game art is how, through character creation and interaction, the player is allowed to explore these themes themselves through the combination of player choice and relationship building. This is, of course, only possible through the medium of video games, and so demonstrates their power to explore important and potentially uncomfortable issues. At no point, however, do these issues take over the story. In fact, they emerge from the context of the story so seamlessly and naturally (save for the ending) that it enhances their power. Make no mistake, the
Mass Effect Trilogy prioritizes entertainment, as most video games do, but it never forgets to weave relevant themes within the entertainment so that once you are done playing, you can properly reflect on the choices youve made. This is the core appeal of the franchise, and is the true reason why so many people love it, beyond the great characters and setting of course. You may have noticed that I have yet to talk about the art direction and visuals, but that is only because they speak for themselves. Every alien design, every piece of tech, and every world is lavishly detailed and full realized. The galaxy of
Mass Effect is at once dangerous as it is attractive; a universe that you just want to fall into and live in. From the story to the writing, from the setting to the characters that inhabit it, the
Mass Effect Trilogy, despite many stumblings along the way, is nirvana when it comes to artistic merit, and hopefully a big step for the video game industry.