Mass Effect™ 3 N7 Digital Deluxe Edition (2012)

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"Mass Effect 3 N7 Digital Deluxe Edition" is an action RPG where players assume the role of Commander Shepard in a fight to save the galaxy from an alien invasion. This edition includes a variety of bonus digital content such as weapons, armor, and an N7 hoodie for use in multiplayer. The game features a branching storyline with decisions that impact the outcome of the game.

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Mass Effect™ 3 N7 Digital Deluxe Edition (2012) screenshot

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,352 reviews

story296 positive mentions

optimization22 negative mentions

The game features an engaging story with emotional moments and character development that resonates with players.
Combat mechanics are improved, offering a more fluid and enjoyable gameplay experience compared to previous entries.
The multiplayer mode is still active and provides a fun cooperative experience, adding longevity to the game.

The game requires the Origin launcher, which causes significant performance issues and can make the game unplayable for many users.
The ending has been widely criticized for being unsatisfactory and not living up to the expectations set by the previous games.
There are numerous bugs and technical issues that can disrupt gameplay, including crashes and problems with save files.

story
820 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
60%
4%
The story of Mass Effect 3 is a culmination of the trilogy, praised for its emotional depth and character development, but criticized for its rushed and unsatisfying ending that undermines player choices. While the narrative features engaging moments and significant plot resolutions, many players feel it lacks the complexity and creativity of its predecessors, leading to a mixed reception overall. The inclusion of DLCs, particularly the Citadel, is noted as enhancing the experience, but the game is still seen as a step down in storytelling compared to the earlier installments.
- “The story is captivating and the action is engaging!”
- “The scenarios and character/story arcs that develop throughout this game in particular are some of the most thrilling and well written pieces of media let alone video games that I've ever had the privilege to experience.”
- “The story is an emotional rollercoaster and does a great job at giving some closure to the storylines of many beloved characters of the series.”
- “A lot of the plot also ignores decisions made in the previous game and largely throws the concept of the series ever being an RPG out the window.”
- “The plot of this game is so badly written and full of plot holes that it makes the game look like a parody of Mass Effect.”
- “They wanted to end this series so much that they try so hard to desperately wrap up all the plot threads and it really shows with the crappy endings.”
gameplay
222 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
5%
The gameplay in Mass Effect 3 is often described as the most polished and engaging in the trilogy, featuring smooth mechanics, tactical squad-based combat, and a blend of action shooter elements with RPG features. However, many players note that it becomes repetitive, with a lack of depth in RPG mechanics and some frustrating control choices. While the combat is generally well-received, the overall experience is marred by a weak story and an unsatisfying ending, leading to mixed feelings about the game's design and execution.
- “In my opinion, the first few hours feature some of the best Mass Effect gameplay sequences in the entire series.”
- “The gameplay is a combination of action shooter, blended with classic RPG elements to make a wonderful blend of depth without complicating things.”
- “The gameplay is easily the best in the series, and with the right builds for squadmates like Garrus, you can make every fight a joke, even on insanity.”
- “The gameplay got quite repetitive near the end of the game.”
- “However, it is extremely repetitive (run to cover, shoot, move on is all you'll get) and the controls are sometimes badly thought out: I hope whatever marketing executive came up with 'let's use only one button to run, take cover, jump over the cover, and activate objects' was shot during playtest, because this is hands down the most annoying game mechanic I've ever encountered.”
- “The vast bulk of the game is a rushed mess of dumbed down mechanics, bad writing and forced combat sections occasionally sprinkled with story and character bits that feel somewhat like the old games and all adds up to deliver us a game that's almost a textbook example of missed potential and studio meddling.”
optimization
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
74%
18%
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, particularly related to the mandatory use of the Origin launcher and its overlay, which causes significant frame rate drops and stuttering. While some users have found workarounds to improve performance, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from poor optimization, making it difficult to enjoy even for long-time fans of the franchise. Many recommend avoiding the Steam version until these issues are addressed.
- “Everything feels really optimized in this game :)”
- “Optimization and launcher issues aside, this game is still part of the amazing Mass Effect trilogy.”
- “I've been lucky enough to not have any performance issues, not saying they won't happen for you though.”
- “Horrible optimization and even worse runs with EA app!”
- “This game's performance is severely lacking and needs to be fixed stat.”
- “It's one of the best games ever on any platform but the performance is absolute garbage.”
graphics
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
The graphics in the Mass Effect franchise are generally praised for their impressive visuals and artistic design, with many players noting that they hold up well despite showing some age. However, there are mixed opinions regarding the consistency of the graphics, with some describing them as breathtaking while others point out pixelation and a dated appearance. Players often recommend using mods to enhance the graphics further, especially for the older titles, to improve the overall visual experience.
- “The visuals are a feast for the eyes.”
- “The story, the controls, the visuals; they were all fantastic!”
- “The graphics and the environments have improved too.”
- “The gritty lived-in style of ME2 and the Syd Mead inspired aesthetics of ME1 are all thrown in the bin and replaced with a generic shiny sci-fi look with an ugly plastic sheen on everything.”
- “The game is from 2012, and unless you really would like to relive that time in terms of graphics and videos, I would strongly recommend using at least a few mods to make the game feel and play a lot better.”
- “The game hardly supports graphic settings (I have to mod my game to allow a higher FOV), it's misleading that the MP DLC is tied into the DE edition and I had to launch Origin separately to even install the DLC.”
emotional
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Mass Effect 3 is widely praised for its emotional depth, delivering a powerful conclusion to the trilogy that resonates with players on multiple levels. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, from joy to sadness, particularly through its complex characters and impactful storytelling. Despite some criticism regarding the ending, the emotional investment fostered by the narrative and character arcs leaves a lasting impression, often resulting in tears and a profound sense of closure.
- “Mass Effect 3 stands as Bioware's final masterpiece, delivering an epic and emotional conclusion to the trilogy.”
- “One of the highest praises I can give for any game is 'you will cry.' This game makes you so emotionally invested in all the supporting characters, which gives you an incredible amount of immersion.”
- “The story is an emotional rollercoaster and does a great job at giving some closure to the storylines of many beloved characters of the series.”
music
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
31%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players highlighting the emotional impact of the soundtrack, particularly in Mass Effect 3, which is considered the strongest in the trilogy. The quality of the audio mixing and the diverse musical compositions contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, although some users noted that music levels can be set too low by default. Overall, the soundtrack is praised as a key element that enhances the gaming experience, making it memorable and immersive.
- “As I have said in many of my reviews, the soundtrack is a large part of what makes a video game for me, whether it is immersing me in the moment or just a bop to listen to, and Mass Effect 3's soundtrack out of all the games in the trilogy hit me the hardest and actually made me emotional at the end of the journey.”
- “Best sci-fi universe in my opinion - amazing music, wonderful atmospheres and diversity throughout the entire game!”
- “The soundtrack—although done by Clint Mansell this time around instead of the typical Jack Wall effort—is phenomenal and does a lot to help shape the atmosphere.”
- “Music levels by default are set too low, but you risk it occasionally overtaking dialogue if you play with SFX/dialogue/music levels.”
- “I'm not sure why the vibes felt better in ME2; maybe it's the music, but this game is alright.”
- “And then there is the soundtrack.”
stability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and issues launching, particularly on the EA app and Steam. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable once they manage to troubleshoot the problems, many express frustration over the persistent bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game appears to require significant effort to run smoothly, leading to a negative perception of its stability.
- “Game immediately freezes when I try to load the multiplayer, which is the only reason I bought this.”
- “Fails to launch; not worth the troubleshooting. EA/Origin have no solution.”
- “I have spent 8 hours troubleshooting, reinstalling, and used two separate systems. I cannot get the game to boot properly at all, and just want my money back. Folks, save your money and your sanity as this just isn't the Mass Effect 3 experience we deserve.”
grinding
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game, noting that while some aspects, like resource mining, have been streamlined, others, such as RNG boxes requiring currency for items, can lead to tedious grinding. The multiplayer experience remains engaging, and the use of mods can alleviate some of the grind, but many still find certain tasks, like collecting war assets and completing sidequests, to be repetitive and time-consuming. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable gameplay and a compelling story, the grind can detract from the experience for some players.
- “RNG boxes that require grinding currency for items.”
- “The boxes are randomized, so it may take a lot of grinding before you are able to get your favorite weapon or mod.”
- “Those war assets and collecting them are so tedious, terrible, and in the end, I had to scramble for a mod online because I saw I was somehow 300 short despite having followed an entire guide to get everything throughout the whole game.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive sci-fi universe, enhanced by a phenomenal soundtrack and diverse environments. Reviewers highlight the refined presentation and impactful audio, particularly during wartime scenarios, which collectively create a compelling and engaging experience that surpasses its predecessors. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, contributing significantly to its storytelling and emotional impact.
- “The best sci-fi universe in my opinion - amazing music, wonderful atmospheres and diversity throughout the entire game!”
- “Not to mention the storyline and atmosphere of the games themselves just really struck me hard.”
- “If you compare this game to its predecessors, this game's atmosphere and world takes the cake.”
- “The soundtrack—although done by Clint Mansell this time around instead of the typical Jack Wall effort—is phenomenal and does a lot to help shape the atmosphere.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The reviews highlight that "Mass Effect 3" offers significant replayability, primarily due to its engaging DLCs, multiplayer mode, and the impact of player choices on character setups. Players appreciate the variety of interactions and combat options available, which contribute to a lasting and enjoyable experience. Overall, the game is seen as a worthy conclusion to the trilogy, providing enough content to justify its replay value.
- “That DLC is Citadel, and it has everything that a final game in a trilogy like this should have: a lighthearted story focused on comedy to give us some change, an amazing party with all alive crew members that you prepare and throw, with plenty of interactions (the best part) and even an arena for more replayability with end game combat, if that’s your thing, with more squad mates joining you for those battles.”
- “Mass Effect 3 is the last game in one of the best trilogies I have ever played. I'm very glad to finally see this on Steam. The best part about Mass Effect 3 is the replayability; this game has so many amazing DLCs that don't cease to entertain me, not to mention the multiplayer which I love to grind on.”
- “A remarkably mediocre ending, yet satisfying enough to justify closing out a series, and replayable enough to hold its price point.”
- “Replayability is high in this series because of character setup and choices during the game.”
- “Pirated version is more playable than whatever this is.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a unique blend of dry wit and emotional moments, particularly highlighted in the Citadel DLC, which is praised for its cheesy and corny fan service that lightens the darker themes of the main story. Players enjoy the humorous interactions and conversations among crew members, making the experience both amusing and engaging. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with serious undertones, contributing to its appeal.
- “It's a unique combination of dry humor and death; there's lots of it, especially if you played the entire trilogy on renegade like I did.”
- “Citadel DLC is the epitome of fan service; it's cheesy and corny in all the right ways. It adds a little humor to ME3's rather dark tone and is the main reason why buying the DLC pack is so worth it.”
- “Also, the Citadel DLC is probably the most fun I have had in the entirety of the Mass Effect franchise—so good, amusing, and outright funny.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
50%
33%
The monetization aspect of the game is heavily criticized for its reliance on microtransactions, which many players view as a cash grab. While some users find that earning in-game credits is relatively easy, the random nature of unlocks can be frustrating, and the overall implementation has raised concerns about performance issues and the game's long-standing history with monetization practices.
- “There are microtransactions, but credits are fairly easy to earn each match, making unlocks fairly easy to obtain. Be aware that unlocks are based on random chances.”
- “Still, it’s a nice addition, although it already included microtransactions, even back in 2012.”
- “It's ridden with microtransactions, though, so there's that.”
- “This is a lame cash grab.”
- “That shouldn't be a surprise, though -- witness the years-long debacle regarding 'bioware points', the system that originally pushed EA off Steam in the first place, precisely because they couldn't control an internal economy within their flagship titles years before in-app purchases became a thing.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
13%
13%
Character development in the game is praised for its strong storytelling and world-building, although some reviewers note it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor. While the character arcs are generally well-crafted and contribute to a rich narrative, the impact of multiplayer choices on character outcomes has received mixed feedback. Overall, the game is recognized for its ambitious and complex character development within a compelling sci-fi universe.
- “They build you up with great storytelling, great character development, world-building, and action and beyond.”
- “Mass Effect is an incredible achievement of story and character development and probably the most complex and well-realized sci-fi universe out there.”
- “The character development of this game is not as good as 2's but still great.”
- “Years of plot and character development get boiled down to different explosion colors depending on how much you played the multiplayer.”