Xbox Game Pass: 10 Essential 360 & Xbox Games You Must Play
3. Mass Effect 2
Arguably the best of the trilogy, it is tempting even to recommend playing Mass Effect 2 in isolation from the others if you are new to the series, though doubtless some will consider that to be tantamount to sacrilege.
Following on directly from the end of Mass Effect 1, the game open with the SSV Normandy being assaulted by an unknown force and Commander Shepard floating, lifeless, in space.
This serves as a sort of soft restart, letting Mass Effect 1 Shepards be imported into this sequel if you have a save, or creating a new Shepard from scratch. Thereafter, you are tasked with rounding up a crew for a suicide mission to save the galaxy. It is an excellent set up and one of gaming's best openings.
Mass Effect 2 is probably the most critically applauded game on this list. It must be said that nothing about the game has aged or diminished in the interim; the game they lauded back then is just as good today. And you can re-experience the adventures of Commander Shepard on Games Pass.