TheMass Effecttrilogy is widely regarded as not just one of the best trilogies in the RPG or Sci-Fi genre, but one of the best gaming trilogies in general, and for good reason. Over the course of three captivating entries, BioWare was able to tell an enthrallingSci-Fi storycontaining both world-ending and deeply personal stakes, along with delivering an incredibly memorable cast of lovable companions.
But theMass Effectfranchise doesn’t consist of just three games. The black sheep of the franchise, 2017’sMass Effect: Andromeda, takes place betweenME2and3, and though its disappointing reputation precedes it, there’s some fun to be had with its more action-focused gameplay. But evenME: Andromedais just scratching the surface of what’s hiding inMass Effect’s past. Some spinoffs go much further back.
Every Mass Effect Mobile Game Explained
Mass Effect Galaxy
Released in June 2009,Mass Effect Galaxywas an iOS game that acted as a sort of prequel to the then-upcomingMass Effect 2, which launched 7 months later. InMass Effect Galaxy, players take control ofMass Effect 2companion Jacob Taylor, whose vacation is interrupted by a gang of Batarian pirates. Alongside fellowME2companion Miranda Lawson, Taylor works to save the Citadel Council from a sinister Batarian plot.
Gameplay-wise,Mass Effect Galaxywas a top-down shooter that saw players tilting their device from side to side to make Jacob move through a series of maze-like hallways. Enemies would be automatically fired upon once in Jacob’s line-of-sight. Between combat encounters, mostly static conversation screens would pop up, occasionally allowing the player to make dialogue choices.
Mass Effect Galaxywas met with 5s across the board, with critics condemning the game’s tilt controls, dull combat, and lackluster presentation. The game was delisted in 2012, and it’s been unavailable (in any official capacity) ever since.
Mass Effect Infiltrator
Developed by the same studio that producedDead Space: Sabotage,The Sims FreePlay, and a wealth ofNeed for Speedmobile ports,Mass Effect Infiltratorwas a bit closer to what fans would want from aMass Effectmobile game. Released in 2012,Mass Effect Infiltratorwas a 3D third-person shooter that attempted to streamline the mainline series' combat and apply touch controls to actions like shooting, switching weapons, and using Biotic abilities.
Mass Effect Infiltrator’s storyfollows Cerberus agent Randall Ezno, who finds himself in the midst of a mass prisoner breakout at a Cerberus base. In a neat touch, those who completedMass Effect Infiltratorwould be awarded bonus Galactic Readiness inMass Effect 3. Reviews forMass Effect Infiltratorweren’t much better thanGalaxy’s, however, with some outlets criticizing the game’s repetitive environments and combat.
Mass Effect 3: Datapad
Released alongsideMass Effect 3in March 2012,Mass Effect 3: Datapadwas a companion app for mobile devicesthat allowed players to access the in-game galaxy map linked to their account, view messages sent by their companions, and access the game’s Codex. The main draw ofMass Effect 3: Datapadwas its ‘Galaxy at War’ minigame, which saw players assigning ships to different sectors to fend off the ongoing Reaper invasion. Participating in this minigame would increase the player’s Galactic Readiness score inMass Effect 3.
Mass Effect: Andromeda Apex HQ
Released alongsideMass Effect: Andromeda, theApex HQapp allowed players to access their multiplayer stats, upgrade their characters, customize and equip new loadouts, and manage their Strike Teams.
