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89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

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6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7185 Ratings

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  • Summary: BioWare completes the Mass Effect Trilogy with Mass Effect 3. Earth is burning. Striking from beyond known space, a race of terrifying machines have begun their destruction of the human race. As Commander Shepard, an Alliance Marine, the only hope for saving mankind is to rally theBioWare completes the Mass Effect Trilogy with Mass Effect 3. Earth is burning. Striking from beyond known space, a race of terrifying machines have begun their destruction of the human race. As Commander Shepard, an Alliance Marine, the only hope for saving mankind is to rally the civilizations of the galaxy and launch one final mission to take back the Earth. Expand
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. CD-Action
    Mar 13, 2012
    100
    Mass Effect 3 will force you to make tough decisions on a galactic scale. You have to think them through and you feel bad about yourself afterwards. It really kicked me in the emotional equivalent of testicles. What a spectacular finale to the trilogy! [April 2012, p.44]
  2. Mar 19, 2012
    99
    Anyone who has invested any amount of time in the previous games will enjoy watching the final chapter of Shepard's tale unfold, and among the feelings of excitement and joy as they meet and fight alongside old friends for the fate of the galaxy, they will also feel just a tinge of disappointment and heartbreak as they bid farewell to the colorful universe and memorable characters BioWare has created.
  3. Mar 12, 2012
    95
    Mass Effect 3 surprised me in a very positive way. BioWare has delivered an excellent product that won't allow us to forget about Normandy's crew for years to come. The trilogy's conclusion should satisfy everyone and the grand finale itself is simply perfect - you will all be awestruck.
  4. Mar 6, 2012
    90
    Whether you possess a storied history with the series or come with a clean slate, Mass Effect 3 expertly entangles you in its universe and inspires you to care about its future.
  5. PC Master (Greece)
    Mar 12, 2012
    90
    The efforts to approach a broader target group by ripping to shreds "complex" RPG mechanics, by cutting back on dialogue options and by emphasizing the action element, are painfully obvious. But the epic scale, the magnificent direction, the different story paths influenced by options that skyrocket the game's replayability and, in general, the whole "blockbuster" grandeur feeling outshine the various drawbacks. [April 2012]
  6. Mar 7, 2012
    90
    A great finale to a remarkable series. While Mass Effect 3 may not be perfect, the stirring story, smart writing and fast combat still make for an exceptional experience.
  7. 75
    So that's the story of Mass Effect 3, turned from potential masterpiece into a game sabotaged by greed and the „it's good enough" approach. It's unbelievable how easy BioWare passed over the opportunity for greatness and, despite the sales, I have a feeling that their reputation as great RPG makers is going downhill fast. Especially after this "back to back" performance with the fiasco called Dragon Age II.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Mar 12, 2012
    10
    Mass effect 3 is a fitting conclusion to the mass effect saga. It boasts significantly improved gameplay fluidity and mechanics, as well as aMass effect 3 is a fitting conclusion to the mass effect saga. It boasts significantly improved gameplay fluidity and mechanics, as well as a more varied campaign. The story is emotional, hard hitting, and diverse. The games visuals have been improved a lot, and the pc version looks quite spectacular despite and aging core engine, and runs smoother than the previous games to boot. In terms of streamlining - which I hate - the game is in between mass effect 1 and 2, the major disappointment in the game is the planet exploring, which has been stripped down. Imported save games determine a lot, from entire characters no longer existing in the story to conflicts that play out entirely different.Multiplayer is fun, and is not required to get the best ending in the game. In the end, mass effect 3 is special. As good as mass effect 2 in storytelling, and almost as good as mass effect 1 in rpg-like skill/item medications and exp distribution. My favorite in an acclaimed series. Expand
  2. Mar 20, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 8 years after ME3 release, this game is still grossly UNDERRATED. the entire essence of the ME trilogy is its story and characters. guess what: the game delivers fully satisfactory conclusions for all main plot-threads for the ME universe: krogan genophage; geth/quarian war;reapers war; cerberus war; + having all characters fully developed from the previous games doing their thing (especially ME1 characters) and not making them a shell/caricature of their former selves. and did i mention that literally DOZENS of TINY MINOR CHOICES you did in ME1 and ME2 have ACTUAL EFFECT and echo in ME3. SO MANY, when I replayed the trilogy in 2020 i was awestruck with the complexity for some of these plot-threads to make sense and be acknowledged in ME3: conrad verner, khalisah al-jilani, shiala and zhu's hope, kelly chambers, rachni, balak the batarian, maelon and his data, dr michel, literally anything to do with ME2 companions, FREAKING ASARI WRITINGS COLLECTIBLES IN ME1, i could go on baby.

    people forget the plot of this game, the whole premise... ME1 was about galaxy building/establishing/exploring. ME2 was all about the characters (with essentially a non-important main plot for the bigger picture btw, think about it). ME3 is about the freaking reaper war. no time to go around doing dozens of side-quests (ME1); no time exploring a dozen characters' unique pasts and backgrounds and become their buddies (ME2). in ME3 you are SUPPOSED TO KNOW the state of the galaxy; in ME3 you are SUPPOSED TO KNOW all the main and side characters. in ME3 its time for CLOSURE boys. its time for the epic missions where epic FINAL things are going to happen. Time to CLOSE all running plotlines of the trilogy. HOW can you not acknowledge Bioware GREATLY delivering in this respect. what more did you want from the KROGAN FINALE. what more did you want from the GETH/QUARIAN FINALE. what more did you want from the CERBERUS FINALE.

    What people remember, and destroys their perception of this game, is the stupidly rushed ending WHICH IS A HUGE BUMMER. bioware (or should I say EA) put themselves in a precarious position, wanting to release the game merely TWO YEARS after ME2. they JUMBLED UP the ending due to deadlines! they screwed themselves not having the extended ending (or similar) in the initial release. but THE THREE (+1) ENDINGS are SOOOOOOOO essentially different, it blows my mind how everyone just criticizes them as being just different colors. YES, THE CUTSCENE SURE IS THAT, because its the emotional CINEMATIC CLOSURE of the trilogy. but what about THE MEANING of the choices?? COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY DIFFERENT + with the extended (not of the base game I concede) you get epilogues for most of your choices in ME3 without a doubt.

    also, if you did not like any of the 3 endings. excuse me. what did you expect??? did you expect to just DEFEAT THE REAPERS and EVERYTHING BE OK??? that they just lived HAPPILY EVER AFTER??? that shepard was going to have BLUE BABIES and grow old at a vineyard??? are you 8 years old??? OF COURSE ALL ENDINGS were going to be GRIM AND MELANCHOLIC. did you play a different trilogy from me??? did you expect freaking zelda???? REAPERS HELLO????????? REMEMBER????

    BONUS: even if the "colors" are only different, your exploration/time-investment of the ENTIRE trilogy still mattered big time, as the galaxy can be utterly DESTROYED if you did not explore/invest time.

    Deus Ex - Human Revolution, released around the same time, had THE SAME STYLE OF ENDINGS, yet was praised for its story. but no one bats an eye there, whereas for ME3 everyone lost their minds.

    The game also had THE BEST (though not that special anyway) gameplay of the 3 games, with the best mix of 3rd-person action and RPG elements (ME1 lacked in action, ME2 lacked in RPG). it also had a fully immersive multiplayer mode NO ONE EXPECTED, EVERYONE LOVED, YET EVERYONE SEEMS TO FORGET WHEN CRITICIZING ME3 and also was absolutely NOT REQUIRED to achieve best single-player ending, that is BLATANTLY FALSE. and also (though it does not count for the base game) one of the best DLC of the time, and arguably the best bioware DLC ever: Citadel.

    YES, the final stages are NOTHING compared to the final stages of the other two games (Ilos/citadel for ME1, omega suicide mission for ME2) because it was rushed, THAT SUCKS. that has to put the game below 9/10 by itself. they should had developed London missions 5 times more, with specific parts relating to krogan, geth/quarian, and the amount of still loyal-surviving companions and some other side missions. they should have released the game at 2013 AT THE EARLIEST, and fully develop the final epic ending. but do NOT condemn the rest of the game please. its moronic.

    the game is 8-8.5/10 but i put 10/10 to counter the hundreds of moronic 0/10 ratings of immature imbeciles.
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  3. Feb 5, 2023
    9
    Это одна из первых игр моего детства. И, несмотря на возраст и недостатки, о которых я сейчас узнаю от других, она не кажется мне плохойЭто одна из первых игр моего детства. И, несмотря на возраст и недостатки, о которых я сейчас узнаю от других, она не кажется мне плохой
  4. Mar 11, 2012
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Its pretty bad when a series can destroy itself in the last 10 minutes of a trilogy, but ME managed it. I loved the game (even with the bad cover quirks and the occasional everyone breaks their neck staring off stage left while having a conversation), but the ending pretty well scorched it. The writers at Bio-Ware are still top notch, and it was fun seeing who did and didn't make it in from the previous games. The standing conversations with teammates felt more natural, and having the opportunity to advance your relationships was done well. And then the ending. Remember Fallout with that huge plot-hole about being with a guy immune to radiation and yet you can't send him into the radiated room to hit the button so you have to sacrifice yourself? Yeah its worse than that. Expand
  5. Sep 11, 2015
    3
    I really REALLY wanted to love this game, I've been a long time fan of the series.

    I will say this game expanded upon the high points of
    I really REALLY wanted to love this game, I've been a long time fan of the series.

    I will say this game expanded upon the high points of the series like combat, the great lore and story behind the universe.

    However after almost $200 dollars into the series and a number of playthroughs I find the 3rd installment to be a mockery of the actual idea behind the game itself. I also hate to rehash the same things everyone else says but the ending was terrible, I would've liked more after all the time invested in the story, my choices to mean more than a choice between three colors of fireworks.

    I would also point out before the first game came out a much more compelling story was planned but somehow leaked onto the internet and was exchanged for the story we have now.
    Expand
  6. Mar 20, 2012
    1
    I would like to start my review by asking you, as a review reader, what makes a story GOOD. Well first lets look at some "good"I would like to start my review by asking you, as a review reader, what makes a story GOOD. Well first lets look at some "good" stories......pick any 10, any 10 will do. Now look for a common theme, a common element that they all contain that plays an integral part in it's enjoyment and goodness. The ending. For a story to be good, the ending has to be good, and if you are wondering yes cliffhangers can and are good for the most part when necessary. Now with that in mind, let me just sum it up: Mass Effect 3 Does not have a good ending. Notice how i did not type ending as a plural because to be completely honest all the endings are the same. They truly are. Without going into much detail I recommend you keep this in mind because other than the ending this game is 9/10, or 10/10 on a good day no doubt. But the atrocity of the ending just overshadows and takes away the replay-ability of the game and as such I do feel a 1 is truly needed for this review to be effective. Expand
  7. ydi
    Jul 21, 2022
    0
    Mass Effect serisine 2022 yılında başlayan biri olarak ME1 eski olmasına rağmen hikayesiyle kurtardı. ME2'de eski gibiydi ama oynanışı,Mass Effect serisine 2022 yılında başlayan biri olarak ME1 eski olmasına rağmen hikayesiyle kurtardı. ME2'de eski gibiydi ama oynanışı, hikayesi, açık dünyası ve görevleri olarak üzerine o kadar şey koymuş ki. Ondan sonra büyük beklentiyle ME3'e geçtim ve dibe çakıldım. O kadar hayal kırıklığına uğradım ki oyuna devam bile etmeyeceğim. Bir öncekinin üzerine bir şey koymadıkları gibi güzel yanlarını da çıkarmışlar. Dialoglar berbat olmuş ve çok çizgisel giden bir oyuna dönmüş, üzüldüm. Expand

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