Mass Effect Challenge Tier List

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that the Mass Effect franchise has left an indelible mark on the RPG genre. Despite the rocky launch of Andromeda, the original trilogy stands tall as a testament to storytelling and gameplay excellence. However, even the most dedicated Mass Effect fans might find themselves yearning for something fresh after numerous playthroughs.

The Mass Effect series stands tall among the greatest role-playing games ever created, holding its ground even after a decade without new releases and surviving the rocky debut of Mass Effect: Andromeda. This enduring popularity is due in large part to the fact that the original Mass Effect trilogy offers an exceptional replay value, built on strong foundations and a rich, interwoven web of player decisions that can result in vastly different gameplay experiences from one playthrough to another.

After numerous plays, even die-hard fans of Mass Effect might find the trilogy feeling repetitive. However, the versatile gameplay and narrative structure of Mass Effect provide opportunities for distinct challenges, enabling players to devise their own restrictions for a revitalized adventure through the trilogy. Just as with any endeavor, some custom challenges prove more effective than others.

This tier list only includes challenges that can be played using the standard edition of ‘Mass Effect’, meaning no modifications or additional tools are needed to complete them.

S-Tier Mass Effect Challenge Runs

Simple Yet Effective Ways to Modify Mass Effect

Vanilla Insanity Run
No-Gun Run

The two most obvious Mass Effect challenge runs are also the best options for players looking to tweak their repeated playthroughs. A basic run on Mass Effect‘s Insanity difficulty is the first type of challenge that veteran players need to get out of the way, as it dramatically changes how they interface with combat. While it’s typically optional to do things like directing squadmates and manually activating their abilities on lower difficulties, it’s virtually required on Insanity. Indeed, the strategic depth of Mass Effect‘s combat shines through on its highest difficulty, making for a tough playthrough that’s arguably the best way to enjoy the game.

The level of insanity could be employed as a modifier for various types of challenging gameplay modes, thereby increasing their complexity and overall difficulty.

For gamers seeking to advance beyond a basic Insanity playthrough, a captivating option is the gun-free gameplay experience, often referred to as the no-guns challenge. The Adept class is particularly suitable due to their aptitude with biotic powers, but any class can be used effectively. This alternative way of playing significantly alters the overall feel of the game in almost every instance. The variation that arises based on the chosen class adds an intriguing level of self-contained diversity to the gameplay experience. Abandoning guns in favor of abilities will undoubtedly provide Mass Effect players with a challenging and engaging experience for quite some duration.

A-Tier Mass Effect Challenge Runs

Making Mass Effect a Bit Stranger

No-Death Insanity Run
Coward Shepard Run
Boring Shepard Run

A No-Death Insanity Run is self-explanatory, and one of the most brutally difficult ways to engage with Mass Effect. Getting through the entirety of the original trilogy on Insanity without dying a single time is certainly a satisfying achievement, but it will be a borderline impossible task for anyone who isn’t already intimately familiar with the franchise. Starting a playthrough over after a single death, especially if someone wants to fully commit and treat the whole trilogy as one playthrough, means that this challenge run has the potential to be particularly frustrating.

In this difficulty level, the other two playthroughs are noticeably simpler and potentially more entertaining too. For those who dare, the Coward Shepard Run demands that players strategically employ Mass Effect‘s team abilities and command systems, without ever shooting or activating any of Shepard’s personal powers. Instead, this challenge calls for a tactical mindset, prioritizing evasion to ensure Shepard stays safe while the squad handles the combat.

In the Boring Shepard Run, the emphasis is shifted away from alterations in combat mechanics. Instead, this demanding playstyle demands that gamers abstain from employing Paragon/Charm or Renegade/Intimidate dialogue options. This decision prevents players from accessing specific advantages and thrusts them into confrontations that might have been averted through negotiation. By forgoing the usual commitment to Mass Effect‘s choice system, the game becomes more challenging and distinctively unique since most gamers tend to make some tough decisions during their regular playthroughs.

B-Tier Mass Effect Challenge Runs

Decent, Weird Takes on Mass Effect

Racist Shepard Run
Mass Death Run
Gun-Only Run

In the universe of Mass Effect, a rich tapestry of distinct alien species adds depth and intrigue. Yet, interspecies harmony isn’t always achievable, as certain characters within the franchise, like Ashley Williams from Mass Effect 1, display prejudice and xenophobia towards beings not of their own kind. The ‘Racist’ Shepard Run presents a challenge to players by asking them to embody this prejudiced character, refusing to take alien companions on missions, avoiding empathy or completing their loyalty missions, and always supporting anti-alien viewpoints. This makes the game more difficult, offering an engaging role-playing experience, but it also prevents players from accessing some of the finest gameplay and narrative aspects of the series.

Much like the Mass Death Run is colloquially known as the Filling Up the Memorial Run, this gameplay style involves players purposely causing or permitting the demise of Mass Effect NPCs, aiming to include as many names on the Normandy’s memorial as feasible. This objective necessitates obtaining the most dismal ending for Mass Effect 2, and playing Mass Effect 3 with a considerable number of crucial characters absent. Achieving all possible deaths can be surprisingly tricky, but it also creates a rather somber gaming experience, making it less appealing to those seeking a more cheerful adventure.

Lastly, there’s the Gun-Only Run, where I only use firearms and steer clear of biotics, grenades, or any special abilities. To make this even tougher, I could opt for an additional challenge by bringing Mass Effect‘s soldier companions on missions, thus excluding myself from using biotic and tech abilities. This playstyle is certainly distinctive, but it strips down Mass Effect to a more conventional cover shooter experience, so it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

2024-09-08 18:23