#5. MASS EFFECT
The pitch for Mass Effect went something like this- Star Wars, but BioWare’s very own Star Wars. Their own sci-fi space opera universe, which they would create, own, and develop, to tell an epic saga that they could have full control of, and use to flex all their creative muscles. Casey Hudson’s ambitious vision for BioWare’s new IP turned out to be a stellar one, and culminated in one of the very best games the studio has ever made.
Mass Effect was a game that was emblematic of everything that BioWare was good at. Though the RPG mechanics didn’t go as deep as they did in something like Baldur’s Gate, they were layered and engaging. The narrative was a thoroughly arresting one, aided by excellent writing, memorable characters, choice and consequence mechanics that were implemented very well, and rich lore and world building.
Some things, like the frustrating Mako sections, held the experience back somewhat, but by and large, Mass Effect was the beginning of something excellent for BioWare.
