Mass Effect Beginner’s Guide: Reapers & Where to Start

If you’re new to Mass Effect, the short answer is: start with the first game, Mass Effect (2007), and play the trilogy in order, because the Reapers are the central threat across all three games, and your choices carry over. The Reapers are an ancient race of sentient starships that harvest advanced organic civilizations every 50,000 years, and the trilogy is about Commander Shepard’s fight to stop them.

What Are the Reapers?

The Reapers are the main antagonists of the original Mass Effect trilogy. They are machine lifeforms, each shaped like a colossal squid or cuttlefish, and they are virtually indestructible. Their origin is revealed in Mass Effect 3: they were created by an AI called the Catalyst to solve the problem of organic life inevitably creating synthetic life that destroys them. The Catalyst’s solution is to harvest advanced civilizations, preserving their genetic material in new Reaper forms, thereby “preserving” life in a static, machine state. This cycle has happened countless times, and the Reapers return to the galaxy via dark space (the vast void between galaxies) when the time is right.

The Trilogy’s Story Arc

The story unfolds over three games, and your decisions in each game affect the next. Here’s a brief overview:

• Mass Effect (2007): Commander Shepard is tasked with stopping Saren Arterius, a Spectre who has allied with the Reapers. Shepard discovers the Reapers’ plan and defeats Saren, but the Reapers are merely delayed, not destroyed.
• Mass Effect 2 (2010): Shepard is killed and resurrected by Cerberus, a human supremacist organization. The mission is to stop the Collectors, who are abducting human colonies. The Collectors are revealed to be Protheans (the previous cycle’s dominant race) who were transformed into Reaper slaves. Shepard destroys the Collector base, but the Reapers are now moving.
• Mass Effect 3 (2012): The Reapers invade the galaxy in full force. Shepard must unite the galactic races and build a weapon called the Crucible to defeat them. The game ends with a choice about how to use the Crucible, and the ending is determined by your “Effective Military Strength” (a combination of your choices and multiplayer participation).

Where to Start: The Legendary Edition

The best way to start is with Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021). This remastered collection includes all three games, along with nearly all single-player DLC, with updated graphics and gameplay improvements. It’s available on PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. If you’re on a last-gen console or PC, this is the definitive version. The original versions are still available on older platforms, but the Legendary Edition is the most accessible and polished.

How Character Choices Carry Over

One of the series’ defining features is that your choices matter across the trilogy. In the Legendary Edition, you can import your character from one game to the next (or use a default world state if you skip a game). Key decisions include:

• Who lives or dies in the suicide mission in Mass Effect 2 (every squadmate can die).
• Whether you save the Rachni queen, the Council, or the Geth/Quarian conflict.
• Your romance choices and loyalty missions.

These choices affect who appears, what dialogue is available, and even the ending of Mass Effect 3. To get the full experience, play all three games in order with the same character.

Gameplay Basics for Beginners

Mass Effect is a third-person shooter with RPG elements. You control Shepard and up to two squadmates, and you can pause the action to issue commands. Key mechanics:

• Paragon/Renegade system: Dialogue choices are often marked with Paragon (blue, heroic) or Renegade (red, ruthless) icons. These affect your reputation and some outcomes.
• Class system: Choose from six classes (Soldier, Engineer, Adept, Infiltrator, Sentinel, Vanguard) that determine your abilities. Soldiers are straightforward shooters, while Adepts use biotics (space magic).
• Weapon and armor mods: You can customize your gear with mods that add elemental damage, increased accuracy, etc.
• Exploration: In the first game, you can drive the Mako rover on uncharted planets. In the second and third games, exploration is more streamlined.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

New players often make these mistakes:

• Ignoring side quests: Side quests often provide important lore, resources, and even squadmate loyalty (which is crucial in Mass Effect 2).
• Not upgrading the Normandy: In Mass Effect 2, upgrading the ship’s armor, shields, and cannon is essential for the survival of your crew in the final mission.
• Thinking the ending of ME3 is a single choice: The ending is actually three different choices, and your Effective Military Strength determines which ones are available. You can improve it by doing side missions and playing multiplayer (in the original; the Legendary Edition rebalances it).
• Assuming the Reapers are just mindless killers: They have a twisted logic, and understanding it makes the story richer.

Comparing the Games

Each game has a different feel:

• Mass Effect 1 is more RPG-heavy, with clunkier combat but a deeper story and exploration.
• Mass Effect 2 streamlines combat and focuses on character loyalty and the suicide mission, which is widely considered one of the best finales in gaming.
• Mass Effect 3 has the best combat and most cinematic feel, but the ending was controversial at launch (though the Extended Cut DLC improved it).

If you only have time for one game, many fans say Mass Effect 2 is the best entry point, but you’ll miss out on the overarching story. The Legendary Edition makes it easy to play all three.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play the first game to understand the Reapers?

Yes, the first game introduces the Reapers and sets up the mystery. You could start with Mass Effect 2, but you’d miss key context about Saren, the Protheans, and why the Reapers are a threat.

Is the Legendary Edition worth it?

Yes, it includes all three games and most DLC, with improved graphics and better gameplay mechanics (especially in the first game). It’s the most cost-effective way to play the trilogy.

Can I skip side quests and still get a good ending?

You can finish the game with any ending, but to unlock the best endings (like the “Destroy” ending with Shepard surviving), you need a high Effective Military Strength, which requires doing side quests and making certain choices.

What is the best class for a beginner?

Soldier is the most straightforward, as it focuses on weapons and doesn’t require managing powers. Adept is fun but can be challenging because you rely on biotics that have cooldowns. Vanguard is a hybrid that’s powerful but requires aggressive play.

How long does it take to beat the trilogy?

Each game takes about 20-30 hours for the main story, and up to 50+ hours if you do all side content. So the full trilogy can take 60-100 hours.

Do my choices really matter?

Yes, more than most games. You’ll see characters from previous games return, and some may die or live based on your actions. The ending of Mass Effect 3 is heavily influenced by your choices throughout the series.

Related

• Recover Files or Windows from a Macrium Reflect 8 Image
• Outlook Show Two Time Zones: How to Set It Up
• Decentralized: What It Really Means