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For a first playthrough, play Mass Effect (2007), then Mass Effect 2 (2010), then Mass Effect 3 (2012). That sequence is both the release order and the intended narrative path for Commander Shepard. After the trilogy, play Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017) only if you want a separate campaign with a new protagonist in another galaxy. The simplest modern way to begin is Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which bundles all three Shepard games and more than 40 pieces of trilogy DLC for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass Effect | Starting Shepard’s story | 2007 original; first chapter of the trilogy | Included in Legendary Edition on PS4, Xbox One and PC | Oct 2026 |
| Mass Effect 2 | Continuing the same Shepard and imported decisions | 2010 sequel; imports a prior save | Included in Legendary Edition on PS4, Xbox One and PC | Oct 2026 |
| Mass Effect 3 | Finishing the Reaper-war arc | 2012 finale of the original trilogy | Included in Legendary Edition on PS4, Xbox One and PC | Oct 2026 |
| Mass Effect: Andromeda | A separate Ryder/Pathfinder adventure | 2017 campaign set in the Andromeda galaxy | Separate title; platform availability depends on the edition and storefront | Oct 2026 |
| Mass Effect Legendary Edition | The least complicated first purchase | Three Shepard games, 40-plus DLC packs and over 100 hours advertised by Electronic Arts | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, EA app and Steam on PC | Oct 2026 |
The table separates the story order from the practical buying choice: Legendary Edition is a collection, not a fourth game.
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What order should I play the Mass Effect games in?
The correct first-playthrough order is:
- Mass Effect (2007) — create Commander Shepard and learn the setting, factions and central threat.
- Mass Effect 2 (2010) — continue with the same Shepard and import the previous game’s save when prompted.
- Mass Effect 3 (2012) — resolve Shepard’s original trilogy and the main Reaper-war story.
- Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017) — optional, with a different hero, the Ryder family, and a campaign in the Andromeda galaxy.
The first three games form one continuous arc. Their release years—2007, 2010 and 2012—also match the practical story order. Andromeda is best treated as a later branch of the universe rather than the next chapter of Shepard’s playable story.
1. Start with Mass Effect
The first game establishes Shepard’s identity, the political structure of the galaxy and the conflict that drives the trilogy. Its decisions provide context for later characters and missions, so skipping it on a first run means encountering consequences without seeing their origins. You can choose a different class, background and moral approach on later playthroughs, but the game itself should be your starting point if you want the complete arc.
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2. Continue with Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2 follows the same Shepard campaign. When the game offers to import a save, select the completed Mass Effect file you want to carry forward. The trilogy is designed for decisions to travel between games, while each title still keeps its own save files and profiles.
3. Finish with Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3 is the conclusion of the original Shepard trilogy and the central Reaper-war narrative. Import your Mass Effect 2 save when starting the campaign so the game can use the outcomes of the earlier titles.
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Andromeda follows a Pathfinder/Ryder campaign in another galaxy. It does not continue Shepard as the playable protagonist. Playing it after the trilogy preserves the main series’ escalation and lets you approach Andromeda as an optional new adventure instead of expecting a direct sequel.
Why is release order also the story order?
Unlike series with prequels or spin-offs released out of sequence, the original Mass Effect trilogy was built as a sequential Shepard narrative. The 2007, 2010 and 2012 releases introduce, expand and conclude that story in order. There is no advantage for a first-time player in rearranging those three games.
Starting with a later title can also make returning characters, political decisions and references feel disconnected. The first game’s world-building may be slower than the later entries, but it supplies the context that makes imported choices meaningful. If the opening hours feel dated, use Legendary Edition’s modernized package rather than jumping directly to the second game.
Should I start with Mass Effect Legendary Edition?
For most new players, yes. Legendary Edition contains remastered versions of Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 in one collection, with more than 40 trilogy DLC packs covering story content, weapons, armor and other additions. Electronic Arts has described the package as offering over 100 hours of gameplay; that is a scale estimate from the publisher, not a guaranteed completion time.
The collection is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC through the EA app or Steam. It removes the need to assemble three separate Shepard releases and gives the trilogy a common installation and progression path. It does not include Mass Effect: Andromeda, which remains a separate game.
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What Legendary Edition includes
- All three Shepard games: Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3.
- More than 40 DLC packs from the trilogy, including story expansions, weapons and armor.
- The ability to carry player choices from one game to the next through the trilogy’s save-import system.
- Optional Mass Effect: Genesis interactive comics before Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 for establishing earlier decisions when no prior save is available.
Genesis is a fallback, not a replacement for playing the first game on a first run. It is useful if you begin a later title independently or need to recreate decisions after losing a save.
Legendary Edition versus buying the games separately
The key practical difference is completeness and setup: Legendary Edition puts the three Shepard campaigns and their included trilogy DLC in one collection. Buying individual titles can make sense if you already own part of the trilogy or have a particular reason to choose separate releases, but it does not change the recommended story order. No price is fixed in this guide; compare the current listing, edition and storefront before you buy. The confirmed platform options for Legendary Edition are PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC through the EA app or Steam.
Think of the package as a convenient way to access the trilogy, not as a bundle of every Mass Effect game. If your goal is Shepard’s complete story, you have what you need in the collection. If you also want Ryder’s separate campaign, you will need to consider Andromeda separately. The two choices answer different questions: Legendary Edition is the trilogy route; Andromeda is an optional additional campaign.
Electronic Arts’ 2021 announcement described the collection as including over 40 DLC packs and cited more than 100 hours of gameplay. Those numbers communicate scope rather than a required checklist or a personal time estimate. Players who focus on the main story may take a different amount of time from players who explore optional content, replay missions or complete the expansions.
How do choices and saves carry from one game to the next?
Choices carry across the trilogy when you import the appropriate completed save. The games do not share one universal save directory: each title manages its own files, so importing is an intentional step at the beginning of the next campaign.
- Finish the current game. Keep the final save or another completed-campaign save associated with the Shepard you want to continue.
- Install or open the next game. Start a new campaign rather than assuming an old file will load automatically.
- Choose the import option. When Mass Effect 2 or Mass Effect 3 asks for a previous-game save, select the matching Shepard file.
- Verify the summary. Review the displayed character and decision information before confirming. If it is the wrong Shepard or an earlier checkpoint, cancel and select the correct file.
- Keep backups. Preserve completed saves separately if you plan to replay missions, try another ending or begin a second Shepard.
If no compatible save is present, Genesis can establish major prior decisions before Mass Effect 2 or Mass Effect 3. That convenience gives you a way forward, but it cannot reproduce every personal choice from a full playthrough.
What if I do not have a previous save?
You can still start a later entry. Legendary Edition’s optional Genesis comics let you establish major earlier decisions before Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 when there is no prior save to import. This is especially useful if you are joining the series partway through, or if a save is unavailable. It is not the same as importing your own Shepard: it offers a way to set key decisions, while a complete playthrough supplies the individual history and context behind them.
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For the most continuous experience, start a Shepard in the first game, retain the completed save, and select that save at the next game’s import prompt. Repeat the process from Mass Effect 2 to Mass Effect 3. Because each game manages saves separately, do not assume that installing the next title or using the same account will automatically select the campaign you intend. If you have multiple Shepards, take a moment to identify the correct one before confirming.
Do I play Andromeda before or after Mass Effect 3?
Play Andromeda after Mass Effect 3 if this is your first journey through the franchise. It uses a new protagonist and a different galaxy, so it is not a required fourth chapter in Shepard’s story.
A player interested only in Andromeda’s setting or combat can start there without completing the trilogy, but that is a different goal from following the main narrative path. Calling it a direct sequel to Mass Effect 3 would be misleading: it is a separate Pathfinder/Ryder campaign set later in the series’ timeline.
What changes when you start with Andromeda?
- You begin with Ryder rather than Commander Shepard.
- The campaign’s location and immediate objectives are different from the Milky Way-focused trilogy.
- You will not have a Shepard save to import into Andromeda.
- References to the wider universe may land differently if you have not played the original trilogy.
For those reasons, finish the three Shepard games first, then use Andromeda as an optional follow-up when you want a fresh cast and setting.
There is no need to play Andromeda to understand the conclusion of Shepard’s arc, and it should not be slotted between Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. The central distinction is protagonist and narrative continuity: the first three titles follow Shepard, while Andromeda introduces the Pathfinder/Ryder campaign in another galaxy. If you are deciding what to play next, first ask whether you want to continue Shepard’s story or begin a separate adventure. The former means moving directly from Mass Effect 2 to Mass Effect 3; the latter can wait until afterward.
How should I handle the trilogy’s DLC?
Use the DLC included with each game as you progress through that game, but do not treat a fan-made mission schedule as official canon. Electronic Arts confirms that Legendary Edition includes more than 40 DLC packs; the official material does not publish one definitive chronological order for every DLC mission.
A simple first-playthrough approach
- Play Mass Effect, using its available add-on content when it becomes accessible.
- Import your completed save into Mass Effect 2, then play its DLC during that campaign.
- Import the Mass Effect 2 save into Mass Effect 3, and use that game’s included content during the finale.
- Leave Andromeda for after the trilogy if you want to follow the main arc first.
Some story expansions are more satisfying late in their respective game because they assume you know the cast or are approaching a major turning point. Treat that timing as practical guidance, not as a claim that one universal micro-order is officially required. A completionist guide can help with optional missions, but no guide is necessary to understand the trilogy.
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The DLC count also does not mean that you must complete every add-on before advancing. Legendary Edition’s collection spans different kinds of content—story expansions as well as weapons, armor and other additions—so a single number does not represent 40 required story chapters. The straightforward first-run method is to play each game in its normal sequence and use the content available within that title. If you want to optimize the timing of every optional mission, a game-specific walkthrough can be a reference, but regard its sequencing as an editorial recommendation unless an official source says otherwise.
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Which route fits the kind of player I am?
| Your priority | Recommended route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Experience Shepard’s complete narrative | Legendary Edition: Mass Effect → Mass Effect 2 → Mass Effect 3 | One purchase supplies the three core games and their trilogy DLC. |
| Play on modern console or PC with minimal setup | Legendary Edition on PS4, Xbox One, EA app or Steam | The collection avoids assembling separate releases. |
| Try a different protagonist and galaxy | Play Andromeda after the trilogy | It is an independent Ryder/Pathfinder campaign. |
| Start a later game without an earlier save | Use the optional Genesis comic before Mass Effect 2 or Mass Effect 3 | It lets you establish major decisions without pretending to recreate a full playthrough. |
| See every optional mission | Follow a reputable game-specific walkthrough in addition to the normal order | The official material does not define one complete DLC micro-order. |
How to choose between the trilogy and Andromeda
Use narrative continuity as the first comparison. The trilogy is the route for a single continuing Shepard story, with decisions designed to travel from one game to the next. Andromeda is not the next installment of that playable arc; it is a separate Ryder/Pathfinder campaign in another galaxy. Use completeness as the second comparison: Legendary Edition includes all three Shepard games and more than 40 DLC packs, whereas Andromeda is a separate title.
Platform and commitment are also practical filters. Legendary Edition is listed for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, plus PC through the EA app or Steam. The trilogy is the required path only if your goal is Shepard’s story; Andromeda is optional. If you are unsure whether you want another full campaign, finish the trilogy first and decide afterward. There is no need to purchase a guide to follow the correct order. Completionists may prefer an official manual or walkthrough reference, but ordinary play does not require one.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What common mistakes should I avoid?
- Starting with Andromeda because it is newer. Newer release date does not make it the next Shepard chapter; it has a different protagonist and galaxy.
- Skipping the first game on a first run. You can use Genesis to set decisions in a later title, but the comic is intended as a convenience feature.
- Assuming saves merge automatically. Keep each game’s files and use the explicit import prompt.
- Expecting every DLC mission to have one official chronological slot. The collection’s broad DLC inclusion is confirmed, while a definitive mission-by-mission order is not.
- Counting Legendary Edition as a new sequel. It is a remastered collection of the original trilogy, not a new story chapter.
- Deleting earlier saves after importing. Separate backups let you revisit decisions or start another Shepard without losing the campaign you carried forward.
How we picked this order
The sequence follows the trilogy’s release and narrative continuity, keeps Shepard’s decisions moving forward through the official save-import system, distinguishes the complete trilogy collection from the separate Andromeda campaign, and uses platform information published for Legendary Edition. It does not rank games by personal review scores or claim hands-on performance results. GameTimeline.org lists the main release years as 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2017; Electronic Arts’ 2021 Legendary Edition materials describe the collection, DLC and choice transfer.
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Choose Mass Effect Legendary Edition if you want the simplest first purchase. Play its three games in order, import each completed Shepard save into the next title, and regard Andromeda as an optional separate adventure afterward. That route preserves the trilogy’s intended escalation while leaving room to explore another corner of the universe when you are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Mass Effect 2 without playing the first game?
Yes. The Genesis interactive comic can establish major earlier decisions before Mass Effect 2, so a missing save does not block you. You will still miss the first game’s exploration, character introductions and the personal context behind those decisions.
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Does Mass Effect Legendary Edition include Andromeda?
No. Legendary Edition contains Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, along with more than 40 DLC packs from those games. Mass Effect: Andromeda is a separate purchase and campaign.
Will my choices transfer if I switch from console to PC?
The trilogy’s continuity depends on importing a compatible save file into the next game. A platform change can require a different save-management solution, so confirm that your chosen edition recognizes the file before deleting the original copy.
How long does the Mass Effect trilogy take to finish?
Electronic Arts’ 2021 launch announcement described Legendary Edition as offering over 100 hours of gameplay. Your actual time depends on difficulty, exploration, optional missions, DLC and whether you replay conversations or make alternate decisions.
Is a walkthrough required to get the best ending?
No walkthrough is required to understand or complete the trilogy. A guide is useful only if you want to track optional missions, preserve particular outcomes or see content you might otherwise overlook.
What order should I play the Mass Effect games in?
For a first playthrough, play Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 in that order. They form Shepard’s continuous trilogy. Play Mass Effect: Andromeda afterward if you want its separate Pathfinder/Ryder campaign.
Should I start with Mass Effect Legendary Edition?
For most new players, yes. Electronic Arts describes it as a collection of all three Shepard games, with over 40 trilogy DLC packs. It is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC through the EA app or Steam. It does not include Andromeda.
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Do choices carry over from Mass Effect 1 to Mass Effect 2?
They are designed to carry forward when you import the appropriate completed Mass Effect save into Mass Effect 2. Each title manages its own saves, so select the import option when prompted rather than expecting the transfer to happen automatically.
Do I have to play every DLC mission in a particular order?
No definitive official mission-by-mission DLC order is established here. Play the games in trilogy order and use each title’s available content as you go. A walkthrough can offer optional timing advice for completionists.
Is Mass Effect: Andromeda a direct sequel to Mass Effect 3?
No. Andromeda is a separate campaign with a different protagonist in the Andromeda galaxy, not the next playable chapter of Shepard’s story.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Play Mass Effect → Mass Effect 2 → Mass Effect 3 for Shepard’s complete story, importing each save as you go. Start with Mass Effect Legendary Edition for the simplest entry point; add Andromeda afterward only if you want a separate campaign.
Quick Recap
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