The Most Exciting Moments in the Mass Effect Trilogy

As one of the most iconic game series, Mass Effect is certainly in the hearts of many players who remember with special fondness one, or several, moments they spent alongside Shepard and the crew of the Normandy. Be it moments of despair when facing an enemy, a funny moment (like Grunt falling and going through the window) or a simple conversation with one of your best friends on the ship.

For those who want to play or who played and want to remember these exciting and memorable moments, we're going to make a list of the coolest, most emotional and scariest moments in the game and, if you have anything to add, just leave it in the comments.

First Encounter with Sovereign: Throughout Mass Effect, Saren is the main driving villain, using a Reaper ship to advance his goals. It’s only when Shepard arrives on Virmire and interacts with his ship that the truth is revealed. Sovereign speaks, proclaiming that in the face of the Reapers (who we had no idea what they were), “you are nothing”, and that they’re the pinnacle of everything. Unknown to us players at the time, this first encounter and the information about the Reapers' return would be a harbinger of events to come.

The Choice on Virmire: For those who played Mass Effect back in the day and didn't know what to expect, the consequences of certain actions only became clear on Virmire. During the mission to destroy Saren's base, Shepard must choose between Kaidan or Ashley, his two Normandy companions and (possibly) love interest. While one will be rescued, the other remains to detonate the bomb. Regardless of the choice, the fact that someone could die and there was nothing that could be done to save them finally became real. Suffice it to say, this would give even more weight to the suicide mission in Mass Effect 2.

Attacking the press: When you arrive at the citadel and start spreading the word that an ancient race of aliens is working with the greatest and most decorated soldier among the galactic elite force to destroy all civilizations in the universe after a failed mission in which thousands of colonists died on one planet, it's normal that they don't believe much of what you say. And the press needs to cover the truth, right? Well, that's not exactly what reporter Khalisah al-Jilani is interested in, and with that, she gets what she deserves:

Sovereign and the Geth Attack on the Citadel: As ironic as it was to see Sovereign and the Geth attack the Citadel after the Council had been so adamant that the Reapers didn't exist, it was still pretty shocking. This is the center of all major galactic powers, including the Turians, Asari, and Humans. Witnessing the destruction wrought by Sovereign and the Geth was quite a spectacle. Of course, it set the stage for the catharsis of Shepard and her allies arriving to save the day, which was also great.

Saren's Death: On Virmire, when fighting Saren, the player can try to persuade him about the mind control he's undergoing, and if successful, Saren will remember this on the Citadel. Shepard can then try to convince him to resist Sovereign's influence, which leads to the villain eventually taking his own life. While this doesn't completely redeem his actions throughout the game, it was hard not to feel some degree of sympathy for how the Reapers affected him. That is, until he resurfaced as a lightning-fast zombie version and had to be defeated again.

Shepard's Death and Resurrection: While BioWare kind of spoiled the surprise in the trailers, Shepard's death in Mass Effect 2 was still a pivotal moment. In a single sequence, it showcased his selflessness in helping Joker, our wisecracking, glass-boned pilot, survive, combined with the helplessness of suffocating in space. When Shepard was rebuilt by Cerberus and tasked with eliminating the Collectors, it became clear that this journey would be more than just a mission of revenge.

First Encounter with The Illusive Man: The list of major characters in the Mass Effect trilogy is long. From the crew of the Normandy to individuals scattered throughout the Milky Way, there is no shortage of interesting beings for players to encounter. However, no one in Mass Effect is more enigmatic than the mysterious The Illusive Man, and players are introduced to him in an extremely captivating cutscene.

The Illusive Man is responsible for bringing Shepard back to life after the destruction of the Normandy. He provides Shepard with a ship, a crew, and the resources needed to stop the Collectors. With a fantastic voice performance from Martin Sheen, The Illusive Man is easily one of the most unique characters in Mass Effect.

Liara's Gift: While the debate over which companion makes the best romance for Shepard has been going on for over a decade, many people love Liara. It's not hard to see why, and some of the moments she shares with Shepard are among the most tender in the series. One particular moment is when she offers Shepard a final gift. Whether as a romance or as friends, it's another one of those moments that breaks and melts hearts. The two stand in space and share one last moment together in an infinitely beautiful expanse, before facing the Reapers for the last time.

(author's personal note: to me, she reveals that she got pregnant with Shepard's child at this point)

Confrontation with the Shadow Broker: The Shadow Broker is an omnipresent figure throughout the franchise and has been involved in various cruel acts, from killing Thane's wife to negotiating with the Collectors to recover Shepard's body in an act of redemption. So when Shepard and Liara have the opportunity to confront him, his revelation as a Yogg, a large, fat alien with many eyes, is surprising. After the intense battle, Liara assumes the identity of the Shadow Broker and helps in the war against the Reapers.

The Suicide Mission: Throughout Mass Effect 2, the Suicide Mission was treated as a grandiose affair. A final destination where there was no guarantee that everyone would make it back alive. And not only did it live up to that expectation, offering multiple sections to choose the right crew member for each task (if not: funeral), but it also felt like a full-fledged assault on the Collectors' headquarters. From destroying their main weapon to navigating Seeker Swarms and eventually facing off against the human Reaper, this remains one of the best-designed and executed missions in gaming history.

Reaper Fleet on the Move: Regardless of your success or failure in the Suicide Mission, the ending of Mass Effect 2 is a gut punch. If you manage to make it through without casualties, you’ll be greeted by the reveal of the entire Reaper fleet on its way to Earth. If you lose them all, Joker will be left alone to bury the crew as the Reaper threat looms. In either case, there’s a sense of apprehension, despair, and fear of what the future may hold.

Shepard, Normandy, and the Quarian Fleet vs. the Reapers: The first Mass Effect already showed that a considerable force was needed to take down a Reaper. This was no less evident in Mass Effect 3, but the battle was even more epic. Fighting through the Geth to reach the Reaper Base platform, only to discover that it was a real Reaper, escaping and desperately firing at it as it prepares an orbital strike, and then going head-to-head with it to allow the Quarian fleet to destroy it. Everything about this sequence was simply phenomenal.

Kalros destroys the Reaper: When attempting to spread the cure for the genophage on Chunchankka, several Reapers stand in the way. Things get more serious when a real Reaper appears, and Shepard must avoid its lasers in one section while making sure not to get crushed in the next. Upon reaching the bell in the arena, it makes a noise and summons Kalros, the mother of all Thresher Maws, who emerges once more and drags the Reaper down into the depths. It's impossible to explain. Watch for yourself:

Very model of a scientist Salarian: Yes, there were some very specific choices you could make to ensure that Mordin survived, only being supposedly killed. But for many of us, in our first playthrough, we always saw Mordin as someone who thought logically. But when he finally expressed his desire to cure the genophage and atone for his sins because it was the right thing to do, we knew we were in for a real shock. Seeing him sing “I am the very model of a scientist Salarian” as he sacrificed himself is still one of the most moving moments in the series.

Killing Kai Leng in Mass Effect 3: Kai Leng is a cybernetic ninja who has been tormenting the masses. Unfortunately, he’s incredibly good at being hated, with killing Thane, stealing the Prothean In-Six on Thessia, and injuring Miranda being just a few of his crimes. Eventually, Shepard and their team take on Leng and the illusive man's office on Krono Station, defeating everything he can throw at them. After a sneak attack from Leng, Shepard kills him and finally gets revenge for the fallen.

Deciding the Fate of the Geth: One of the most important conflicts in the Mass Effect trilogy is between the alien race of Quarians and the Geth, intelligent robots used as a labor force. The Quarians were responsible for creating the Geth, but the Geth gained intelligence and expelled the Quarians from their homeworld for fear of being shut down and replaced. In Mass Effect 1, the Quarians are forced to live on starships due to their weakened immune systems, while the Geth ally with Saren.

In Mass Effect 3, the Quarians finally decide to reclaim their homeworld with the help of Legion, a Geth who has been tasked by their collective consciousness to help Shepard defeat the Reapers. After defeating the Reaper controlling the Geth, it’s up to Shepard to decide what happens next. Regardless of the choice Shepard makes, it’s certain to have an emotional impact.

Romance with Morinth: You know when your mother used to say “don’t touch it, or you’ll get hurt” and you insist and get hurt? It’s the same here! Morinth is an Ardat-Yakshi, a powerful being, and her psychic ability kills anyone who gets involved with her during sex. Romancing Morinth in Mass Effect 2 is a dangerous choice and leads directly to a game over. If Shepard chooses to stay with her, the character dies, resulting at the end of the story. This romance has no complex emotional consequences, only the certain death of Shepard, making this option a fatal choice.

Freeing Omega: While Arya T'Loke isn't the most selfless person on the show, she’s one of the nicest. So when you're tasked with helping or taking back Omega from Cerberus, well, how could you resist helping her? From breaking the blockade to working with Talon leader Nairin and ultimately inciting the station's citizens to rebel, Omega has provided countless incredible moments while also deepening Arya's character.

Everything in Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC: Nothing says blatant fan service quite like the Citadel DLC, and that's more than acceptable. Along with new areas to explore in the Citadel, including an arena and personal quarters, players got a chance to interact with all of their allies, past and present. Exploring the bonds that bind the crew together and ultimately having a final farewell made for some genuinely touching moments. Of course, the arena and the hilarious dialogue, not to mention seeing Shepard's terrible dancing skills, were also great.

Race to the Crucible: Ignore the ending for a second and remember the priority: Earth. Shepard and his team desperately fight off the Reaper forces, are greeted by Anderson and head towards the Crucible, and the Harbinger arrives and destroys everyone without mercy. It's breathtaking.

The extended version even shows some of Shepard's team members being killed and Shepard also gets hit, but continues to struggle, having to fight off more ground troops alone, while still being seriously injured. It's a final testament to his fight, and even if the ending wasn't what anyone expected, Shepard's legacy lives on.

“I’m proud of you”: Mordin’s death was one of the most emotional moments in the game, without a shadow of a doubt, but it doesn’t compare to our last conversation with Admiral Anderson. Since the first game, Anderson has been more than a commander, he’s almost like a father to us. He believes in us from the beginning, helps us, encourages us, breaks rules to ensure that we can save the universe and in the end, he dies by our side, finally sitting down and having a moment of peace to admire the beauty of seeing space through a window, telling us how proud he is of us, before we continue with our mission.

Mass Effect is an action role-playing game series developed by BioWare and published by EA Games. It follows the story of Commander Shepard, a soldier who fights to save the galaxy from various threats, including the feared Reapers. The series is marked by meaningful choices, where each decision can affect the course of the story and relationships with characters. The games blend tactical combat, planetary exploration, and a complex storyline with rich world-building and characters.

In Mass Effect, you create and develop Shepard, choosing their skills, morality, and key decisions throughout the trilogy. Throughout the journey, you interact with different alien races, form alliances, and, depending on your choices, can even establish romances. Each game has multiple endings, depending on the choices you make, and the characters have a large impact on the narrative.

With a mix of intense action and RPG elements, Mass Effect stands out for its depth of story and player customization, creating a unique and highly engaging experience with each playthrough. The series has been released for multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox and most recently, the remastered Mass Effect Legendary Edition, available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.