So, you’re diving into the Mass Effect Legendary Edition? Smart move. You’re about to embark on a ride through space with tough choices, tough enemies, and complicated romances. Specifically, you might be confused about Mass Effect 2 and 3, pivotal chapters where stakes go galactic. Don’t worry. We’re here to dissect big head-scratchers into strategic victories.
Collector Base Conundrum: To Save or Destroy? That Is the Question.
Mass Effect 2 presents a curveball at the end: the Collector Base. Do you save this creepy-crawly tech hub or blow it up? It’s a decision that weighs heavy on even the toughest space dogs.
The Dilemma: Save or destroy the Collector Base?
Let’s break it down. Saving means Cerberus gets advanced tech. Think about that for a second. Cerberus is about as trustworthy as a Krogan in a china shop. Destroying it? That could be a big middle finger to the Illusive Man and wipes out valuable intel.
Consequences? Oh, there are consequences.
The immediate impact in Mass Effect 2 is minimal. You get a pat on the back (or a glare) from the Illusive Man based on your choice. The real effect is felt in Mass Effect 3, but even then, it’s not galaxy-altering. It’s more of a moral flex than a strategic move.
Paragon Shepard’s Predicament: Do the Right Thing, Even if it’s Messy.
Here’s the truth: if you are playing as Paragon Shepard, the answer is clear. Destroy that base. Why? Because Paragon Shepard is all about the greater good, and giving advanced Reaper-derived tech to Cerberus is a recipe for interstellar disaster. By this choice, Mass Effect 2 is wrapping up. The heavy lifting is done. So, destroying the base is about moral high ground. It’s a mic drop for Paragon playthroughs.
Navigating the Point of No Return and Other Gameplay Gotchas in Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 is a masterclass in tension. Building your team and getting them loyal for a suicide mission is key. But some moments matter, or you face unpleasant outcomes.
Omega 4 Relay: Your One-Way Ticket to Crazy Town.
Think of the Omega 4 Relay as your “point of no return.” Once you jump through, you’re locked into the endgame. When does the point hit? It ties to the Reaper IFF mission. Finish that mission, and you’re on the clock. The abduction of your crew is imminent. So, do everything else before tackling the Reaper IFF. Loyalty missions, side quests, Normandy upgrades – everything. Get it done beforehand, or risk leaving squadmates hanging.
Shepard’s Demise? Game Over, Man. Game Over!
Let’s be blunt: if Shepard dies at the end of Mass Effect 2, there’s no importing that save into Mass Effect 3. Shepard is the story. No Shepard means no Mass Effect 3 continuation. You have to start fresh in the trilogy’s finale if you mess things up. Keep Shepard breathing. It’s kind of important.
Saving Kelly Chambers: Speed is Your Friend (and Hers).
Poor Kelly just wants to feed your fish and gets abducted. Want to save her? Immediate action is key. When the Normandy gets raided and your crew gets snatched, head straight for the Omega 4 Relay. Every mission you do afterward puts Kelly and the crew closer to becoming Collector goo. No detours. No side quests. Omega 4 Express only.
Once you rescue Kelly and the crew, assign an escort back to Normandy. Anyone loyal will do. Mordin is a popular choice because his survival odds aren’t great (sorry, Mordin!). If everyone’s loyal, pick whoever you fancy. Just make sure someone escorts them. Otherwise? Dust in the wind.
Kelly’s Encore in Mass Effect 3? Identity Crisis (Hers, Not Yours).
Believe it or not, Kelly can pop up again in Mass Effect 3. Want her to survive Cerberus’s antics? During your first chat with her after she joins the crew, tell her to change her identity. A new name keeps her off Cerberus’ radar. You’re welcome, Kelly.
Tali’Zorah Vas Normandy: Recruit or Regret.
Skipping Tali in Mass Effect 2? Bold move. Let’s see if it pays off. It mostly makes things harder. Not recruiting Tali means you’re down one squadmate, which isn’t ideal for a suicide mission. Plus, you miss out on the Tali/Legion loyalty squabble. That confrontation is key to securing their loyalties. Without Tali, you make Legion’s loyalty mission easier, but that might weaken squad strength overall.
Loyalty Missions: Your Suicide Mission Survival Kit.
Loyalty in Mass Effect 2 isn’t just a warm feeling; it’s your ticket to keeping your squad safe. Seriously, these missions are crucial. Before you even think about the Reaper IFF, recruit everyone except Legion. Then, finish their loyalty missions. Once you grab Legion during the IFF mission, do his loyalty mission immediately. Boom. Loyal crew ready for the suicide mission (hopefully with minimal casualties).
Kasumi’s Graybox: Moral Choice, No Gameplay Whammy.
Kasumi’s loyalty mission presents the Graybox dilemma: keep it or destroy it? Gameplay-wise? It doesn’t matter. Zero gameplay consequences either way. The ramifications are purely narrative, flavoring Kasumi’s story arc in Mass Effect 3. So, pick what feels right for your Shepard. Want to be virtuous? Destroy it. Feeling renegade? Keep it. Roleplaying points here.
Normandy Upgrades: Shield Yourself from Sorrow.
Those Normandy upgrades? Not for show. They directly impact squadmate survival during the suicide mission, specifically, the Normandy’s shields. If you upgrade them? Smooth sailing. Everyone survives the Collector attack. Skip the shields? Someone’s gonna bite the dust.
- Kasumi
- Legion
- Tali
- Thane
- Garrus
- Zaeed
- Grunt
Don’t let Kasumi be the Normandy’s crash test dummy. Upgrade those shields.
Suicide Mission: Live or Let Die (Hopefully the Former).
The Suicide Mission may give you chills. All your choices in Mass Effect 2 culminate here. Want to save everyone? It’s possible, but play smart.
Saving Everyone: Loyalty, Leadership, and a Little Luck.
The recipe for a perfect suicide mission includes loyalty, Normandy upgrades, and making the right calls during the mission. Loyal squadmates bring more “survival points” than disloyal ones. Some squadmates are tougher than others too. Garrus, Grunt, and Zaeed contribute strong survival points. If everyone is loyal and one tanky trio member stays behind at key moments, Shepard and squad may get out alive.
Crew Survival: Don’t Leave Them Hanging (Literally).
Make wise choices when escorting the abducted crew back to safety. Pick the “I’ll have someone escort you” option. Crucially, don’t skip the escort. Skipping it leads to death for your crew. Mordin is a safe bet for escorting but if everyone is loyal, puedes choose anyone without risking them. Just pick someone.
Squadmate Deaths: The Grim Reaper’s Hit List.
Even with upgrades and loyalty, mistakes can happen. Squadmates might die in the Suicide Mission, here’s the death order depending on scenarios:
Shields Down, Someone’s Going Down (Initial Attack):
- Kasumi
- Legion
- Tali
- Thane
- Garrus
- Zaeed
- Grunt
Choosing the Wrong Leader for a Task (Second Squad Death Scenario):
- Thane
- Jack
- Garrus
- Legion
- Grunt
- Samara
- Jacob
- Mordin
- Tali
- Kasumi
- Zaeed
- Morinth
In fire teams, leaders are crucial. Pick loyal characters like Jack, Samara, or Morinth. Choose disloyal squadmates, and someone may die. The list above shows who is safe and who isn’t.
Mass Effect 3 Endings: Choosing Your Fate.
Mass Effect 3 has various endings. It’s a complex topic. Some hate them. Others love them. Let’s break it down.
What’s the “Best” Ending?
There isn’t one “best” ending in Mass Effect 3. It’s like asking for the best ice cream flavor. Everyone has opinions. The “Destroy” ending often tops the list. With enough War Assets, it aligns perfectly with the trilogy’s themes. Shepard defeats the Reapers, ending their cycle and possibly surviving. This ending offers hope and heroism.
Ending Choices: Destroy, Control, Synthesis, Refuse.
Here are the ending options in Mass Effect 3:
- Destroy: Reapers are destroyed. The cycle ends. But, all synthetic life goes with them, including the Geth and EDI.
- Control: Shepard becomes the Reaper leader. Can Shepard handle this? The moral implications are concerning.
- Synthesis: Organics and synthetics merge. It sounds peaceful, but is it a loss of individuality?
- Refuse: Shepard rejects the Catalyst. The result? Reapers win and harvest the galaxy.
War Assets: Boost Your Ending.
Want a “good” Destroy ending? You need War Assets. Specifically, achieve a Total Military Strength score of 7,400 or more for the best outcome. Throughout the trilogy, make choices that enhance your War Assets. Save key characters. Complete missions. It benefits you in the end.
Why “Destroy” Resonates.
Why does “Destroy” often win fan favor? Several reasons:
- Narrative Fit: From the start, the aim has been to stop the Reapers. Destroy matches that goal perfectly.
- Ending the Cycle: This option ends the Reaper cycle. Organics can shape their future free from Reaper control.
- Fewer Risks: Control and Synthesis involve risks. Destroy is clearer—Reapers go away.
Can Shepard Survive? Maybe.
Shepard might survive the Destroy ending but not for sure. You’ve got to boost that Total Military Strength score. If you do it right, you might see Shepard take a breath. A lower score might mean a permanent sacrifice.
The Illusive Man: Shoot or Not?
The Illusive Man adds conflict. In Mass Effect 3, choose to shoot him or not. If you don’t shoot, he ends his life. It’s dramatic and adds depth. You get a poignant moment with Anderson, no matter your choice.
Characters and Relationships: Love in Space.
Mass Effect emphasizes characters as much as combat. Let’s look at key moments and romances.
Kasumi: Loyal, No Romance.
Kasumi impresses with her loyalty. She performs her loyalty mission well. She respects Shepard but doesn’t offer romance. You can enjoy her humor but don’t expect more.
Tali’Zorah: Romance and Risks.
Tali is a Quarian gem. She can be romanced but be careful. Her loyalty mission may lead to her exile if you fail. Even exiled, she can stay in your squad. To romance her, clear her name first. Court her carefully; patience is essential.
Tali’s Tragic Cliffhanger.
If you romance Tali but mismanage events, you could face heartbreak. In a grim scenario, she might remove her mask and jump off a cliff. A Paragon interrupt may save her, but success isn’t guaranteed.
Grunt: Tough Choices.
Grunt is a powerful Krogan. His loyalty mission from Mass Effect 2 is challenging. Keeping a non-loyal Grunt alive depends on minimizing risks. You may face hard choices—save him or the Rachni Queen based on prior decisions.
Miscellaneous Lore: Collectors, Rachni, and Reapers.
Here are more interesting Mass Effect lore snippets.
Collectors: Evil or Misunderstood?
Collectors serve the Reapers. They seem purely evil. But lore suggests they are indoctrinated children seeking connection. This adds tragic nuance to their existence.
Additionally, not all Collectors are loyal to the Reapers. The Leviathans can break Harbinger’s control over them. While many die in the process, some escape Reaper influence.
The Rachni War: Reaper Manipulations?
The Rachni War involved more than just organic races fighting. The Reapers were controlling Rachni to create chaos. They aimed to prevent others from uncovering their plans before the harvest began.
Tangled with Reapers? Bad News.
If captured by Reapers, expect grim outcomes. They seize ships and raid colonies for resources. Those caught face indoctrination and become raw materials for Reaper technology.
So there you have it, Commander. A quick overview of Mass Effect 2 and 3’s complex decisions. Make your choices wisely. Save the galaxy and your squadmates when you can. Just remember, in space, danger lurks everywhere…even from the Reapers.
