Mass Effect Legendary Edition is the answer to the prayer of many gamers across the world. But why is it worth your hard-earned money? Let us explain…
It’s serious bang for your buck
Honestly, this one is a no brainer, but the Mass Effect trilogy is one of the most beloved of its kind. All three games are epics that, combined, will give you upwards of 65 hours of playtime. That’s around $1.20 per hour, which is some maths we can get behind.
All three games are a visual delight
You’d really bloody hope this re-release improves the series’ overall visual fidelity, and although it’s hardly putting the PS5 and Series X through their paces, Legendary Edition’s 4K update does help modernise the trilogy, as do some updated UI elements. Just be prepared for some of the human characters to look a little janky as well. Can’t win em’ all.
You’ll nab all previously released DLC
Not only does Legendary Edition include all three Mass Effect games, it also jams in all previously released DLC, which is pretty bonkers considering there’s over 40 pieces of extra content. We especially recommend Lair of the Shadow Broker, which has become a real fan-favourite over the years.
The Mako isn’t shit anymore!
One of the big complaints of the original Mass Effect was the Mako – a space-based vehicle that was an absolute shit fight to control. Good news here is that it is much better this time around. The vehicle still lacks power steering, but the ride is less erratic and you won’t die as often because of it. Thank Christ. That said, driving sections still aren’t all that great.
Love Gaming?
Get the latest Gaming news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
And you won’t be stuck in elevators for as long
If you’re expecting Mass Effect’s infamous minute-long lift rides to be pulled out altogether, well you’re probably going to be a little disappointed. Still, the time you’ll spend mindlessly twiddling your thumbs has been significantly cut down to about 14 seconds. That’s just enough time to work out who you want your Commander Shepard to sweep off their feet. It’s one of the game’s most difficult decisions.
Also Out…
Miitopia (Switch)
Let’s be honest: Miitopia was a bloody weird game when it was first released in 2016. Not much has changed with this Switch re-release, but there is still a surprising amount of charm at play here. The hook: you can use either your own Mii characters, or an assortment of pre-made options to fill out the cast of this quirky RPG. The rest of the package might be a little simplistic for some, with basic combat and slightly repetitive gameplay, but if you’re looking for something light-hearted or an entryway into RPGs sans the major time sink, Miitopia could be the answer.
Biomutant (PS4, XBO, PC)
There was a lot of hype for Biomutant. An open-world, post-apocalyptic RPG starring animals that know martial arts. What’s not to love in that pitch? The slightly disappointing reality is while certainly an admirable effort, Biomutant doesn’t quite achieve all of its lofty goals.
It almost feels as though the game’s developers are trying to be a jack of all trades but unfortunately have mastered none. As a result, combat can feel a bit glitchy and the game’s narrator can grate. That said, this is still an incredibly admirable first attempt that is likely to appeal to RPG lovers looking for a fresh and unique world. We just hope that with a bit more polish and focus, Biomutant can get a second chance to hone things in for a sequel.
Subnautica: Below Zero (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, XBO, Switch, PC)
The original Subnautica (which was recently free for PlayStation gamers) became something of an unexpected hit – tasking players to explore the wonders and survive the dangers of the open ocean. This follow-up hits many of the same notes as its predecessor and arguably improves upon them for the better.
There’s a greater focus on story this time around, and the new biomes allow for more creativity, but the whole experience is a shorter and leaner affair. That fact might irk some fans, but ultimately the core loop of taking dives and trying to survive for as long as possible remains equally engaging and tense.
What we’re trying to get at is that Subnautica: Below Zero is well worth checking out, especially considering it’s pretty much on every major system. You have no excuse.
Hands on with the SteelSeries Rival 5 gaming mouse
Although it won’t actually hit stores until mid-June, we’ve had our mugs on SteelSeries’ upcoming Rival 5 gaming mouse for a while now and we can confidently claim this little unit is incredible value for money and perfect for those wanting to dip their toes into the world of gaming mice.
According to SteelSeries, the Rival 5’s design was inspired by the chameleon’s adaptability and flexibility. That is largely present in two ways. The first is that you can easily make use of an astounding 16.8 million colours for the unit’s RGB lighting. Said lighting is present under the scroll wheel and around the base of the mouse. You can even sync it up with other SteelSeries products or react to some in-game cues, however if you’re paying that close attention to your mouse mid-game, you’re probably destined to face a game-over screen.
Functionality-wise, there are nine programmable buttons to wrap your head around and tinker with to your heart’s content. Unlike some chunkier competitors, all nine of the buttons are within easy reach and don’t muck around with the ergonomic feel the whole design is shooting for. So if you’ve been hoping to move all your major COD or Fortnite functions off the keyboard, the Rival 5 is a worthy solution.
Same goes for speed – the Rival 5 follows the gaming mouse word’s fascination with replicating the weight of a feather and nails it. Coming in at only 85 grams, this thing effortlessly glides along without sacrificing any finer control, with SteelSeries claiming to be 30% lighter than competitors.
At the end of the day, while there are always flashier gaming mice out there, the SteelSeries Rival 5 knows what it wants to achieve and does so admirably. For an RRP of $119 there is plenty to love and that makes it a perfect purchase for casual and more hardcore gamers alike.
