Before Mass Effect I've never been for a game so speechless

I play now for a long time video games and have as experienced in the time some remarkable games, which represented either through gameplay, spectacular graphics, an exciting story, an incomparable feeling or a breathtaking atmosphere a special experience. Rarely has there been doing a combination of all these elements. But what happened to me here is just amazing. How could go unnoticed by me, these games just for years. I do not know where to start and how I can describe these impressions in a rudimentary worthy criticism

The Beginning
Anyway, I get 3 time not too long ago Mass Effect more or less by accident. Somewhere the praise must come from somewhere, I thought to myself and started playing the prelude mission. This actually presented only the tutorial shows, but I was immediately overwhelmed and thought to myself, hey you want to know how it could come to this quasi hopeless situation. So I bought 1 and 2 for a total of 11 part as download versions in order to start the whole Mass Effect story at the beginning of may. What happened in the following 140 hours, defies description. Admittedly, the first third of the first part is (apart from the first hour hakben) playfully bit lengthy and the technology and the production is only starting part 2 really outstanding. But one has managed the first 3-4 hours of Maas Effect and get access to the story, then a fireworks display which you will never forget and which definitely is among the best, what ever the Sci-Fi genre (movie or game) can be heard. Part 2 and 3 then begin each with an intro that would go through in other blockbuster games and movies easy as final. Especially in the last series part one dive, as the game progresses from one to the next highlight. It is not stingy with spectacular and varied scenes, so you almost get the feeling that the developers conjure downright wasteful many grandiose moments on the screen.

The Story
The absolutely unique in this trilogy is simply the epic story with many twists and spectacular staging, which will always be part of a stunning part. Absolutely unique are also the development of the individual characters and the dialogues in the form of great cutscenes, which can be influenced strongly by selecting different possible answers. So you often have to make moral decisions, which have an impact in an unprecedented form for me on the story progress. Still, one may his character from Part 1 in Part 2 and then further import in part 3 and thus has a completely individual and coherent experience, given the effects of various decisions taken over the entire trilogy. Class !!! In addition, reference is also made to past events and decisions from time to time. It may for example happen that you rescues a crew member because of their own decision in the course of the first part or even lose. Accordingly, he or she does not appear in the course of the following parts or flat. Overall, I've never seen such a detailed elaborate game world and am impressed by the atmosphere just so amazing. The game plays just such a highly captivate and create this before the eyes of the player a huge credible universe that spreads over tens of solar systems beyond. Here change is very important in shaping the planet and territories. Of course, the solar system must not be missing here, where you visited the earth, the moon and Mars in history. Much more fascinating, however, is what there is beyond, and how humanity has managed more than to travel only to the moon and eventually to set up colonies in other areas of the universe. What may well happen at the first contact with an alien people? All this is to start the game already past that one quasi undergoes addition to the actual action in passing. Those who are interested but can here in various dialogues or Codex entries to learn more. There's even a highly recommended (at least Band 1 to 3) novel series consisting of 4 volumes, which tells, among other things, the history and parallel events. I can wholeheartedly recommend these novels every sci-fi enthusiasts and all the disenchanted these games something. All this is just so incredibly impressive that I could go on writing for hours. I envy those who do not know the story and will this change in the future

The technique
The graph in part is of course a bit dated, but that's a total fine. In Part 2 and especially 3 but this looks much better and offers great characters and animations, effects and fantastic locations with partly awe-inspiring views. German and English language edition is on an absolute reference level respectively. The sound effects are also class and act at any time credible. Absolutely amazing is the music. This is just epic and fits by its dynamic application perfectly to the different scenes. Overall, the technology supports the creation of this universe credible in every aspect.

The DLCs
Because the versions of the trilogy box are identical to the individual retail versions, only a few DLCs are included in this package. Of DLCs in general and of First-Day-DLCs in particular can grow what you want. In principle, I think it's good that Bioware extends the Games after the release with further additional material. That these extensions then cost money is obvious and for me perfectly fine, especially since no one is forced to buy these additional content. For the Trilogy box Bioware should however prefer to wait until the last DLC appeared and without exception each extension to pack into the box. Then that matter, for a higher purchase price. After all, who missed playing without some DLCs and sometimes even pretty important story details. And since then plugged the rub: There are several DLCs, which are so important in my view that this definitely should not be treated as optional content. I was certainly glad that during my first playthrough of the trilogy all DLC have appeared already and I therefore could directly experience the whole story in the correct order. So I am following procedure is an overview of all DLCs, including price and in my opinion:

Mass Effect 1
Collision Course (Free): A new race will be introduced, some of an asteroid want to pounce on a human colony. The mission to stop this asteroid is well implemented and relatively varied. The DLC provides a total of exciting side missions from Mass Effect 1 is. Moreover, he is free and therefore definitely recommended (90 min).

Pinacle Station (4.99): A series of combat simulations, which neither the story deepens, yet playful and full-bodied with 4.99 is definitely too expensive. Therefore, this extension gets me no recommendation (about 180 min).

Mass Effect 2
Crash site of Normandy (free with purchase of new ME2): For players of the first part, it offers a nostalgic feeling when you searched the wreckage of his old space ship at the crash site after remnants. But very briefly and without tension, as no new dialogues or fight scenes are included. Here you could have a lot more to make of it (about 20 minutes).

Fire Walker-Pack (free for buying new ME2): Five short missions with a vehicle (similar to Mako from Part 1). Here you are looking at different planet for clues for an artifact of a bygone civilization. Nothing exceptional, but worthwhile since it is free anyway (about 60 minutes).

Zaeed: The Price of Vengeance (free with purchase of new ME2): A new crewmember for the entire game and various dialogues and a short but action-packed mission on a new planet (about 45 minutes).

Kasumi: Stolen Memory (5.80): Also a new crewmember for the entire game, as well as various dialogues and quite varied (including breaking into a vault during a party) and exciting mission. However, only low added value for the actual main action and on top of that very short. Therefore, not mandatory. I enjoyed it despite the short season yet fallen (90 min).

Overlord (5.80): A multi-stage mission, which is very varied (eg destroying a radar dish, vehicle segments, and several exciting battles at different locations) and a nice subplot in beautiful surroundings told. Here one can still not expect too much (about 150 min).

Hiding the Shadow Broker (8): This is by far the best DLC for ME2 and nobody should miss. The story of the Shadow Broker is strongly linked to the main story, is real anyway into the main game. Sell ​​this section as DLC is perhaps one of the few criticisms of ME2. Highlight is the variety and two particularly successful sections (A taxi ride similar to the 5th element and a battle on the outer shell of a spaceship). Must buy! (150 min). Tip: play this DLC only after the final of the 2nd part. One can then still not completed sidequests play missions and then it fits better in the temporal overall context.

The Arrival (5.80): This DLC fills the gap for the transition from ME2 to ME3 and to the inexpensive. Playful this DLC does not contain any specifics, but the two new environments are very well done and the story has some nice moments as well as background information. As a fan for me, therefore, essential, but not a must for all (about 90 minutes). Tip: The arrival is the final act of ME2 and should be played after the final and also to hide the Shadow Broker.

Mass Effect 3
Out of the ashes (8):
This DLC deliver considerable added value for the story, and in my opinion would have to be included in the main game. I will also not reveal too much. It goes to the place where in Mass Effect 1 all began Playful must not expect too much, because the scope is with a running time of just over an hour short. But one learns in the course of the main game constantly new information about Protheans, Reaper and the past of the individual civilizations. Therefore, you should definitely not miss this DLC, thereby often take the new character in the missions of the main game or the other DLCs. Nevertheless, the policy of Bioware to delete this part of the main game and to market it to release of ME3 as day one DLC, by no means commendable (about 60 minutes).

Leviathan (8):
My absolute favorite among all DLCs this trilogy. Here is not only a thrilling story, which is closely related to the main story about the Reaper and their fight, told with great dialogues and cutscenes, but introduced three new and varied planets and a new area in the Citadel. This laboratory is visited before each mission and studied there as a detective for clues to unlock the next location on the galaxy map. The fights are partially reflected demanding while offering some variety, such as protecting a drone for repair work, a great via script bombastic battle staged on an excavation site in the cliffs and a very atmospheric trip underwater. Above all, the end is an indispensable spine-tingling experience, which reveals many background information on the Reapers and their origin. Overall, this is one of the best and most varied sections of the entire Mass Effect trilogy (about 180 min).

Omega (12):
In this DLC is about recapturing the space station Omega, which you already had to attend in part 2. The environments are therefore unfortunately known and not very varied, but still offer some nice places and some stunning views. Playful an usual good mix of conversations, cutscenes and exciting fights will be offered. Some new enemies and scripts loosen the action on something. In addition, at this time there are two new characters as companions available. At the end of the story for the main battle against the Reapers is probably not of great importance, offers four hours but just more of Mass Effect, making each fan recommended (about 240 min).

Citadel (12):
This extension is a gift to all fans, which the characters of this trilogy are particularly dear to my heart. Citadel offers a variety of nostalgic moments and funny, very well-written dialogues. In addition, the gameplay is very varied, the new areas on the Citadel visually very different and the DLC contains because of its light-heartedness a lot funnier situations such as allusions to past experiences or Easter Eggs. Nevertheless, the rural feel somehow alien and do not really fit into the main plot. The whole galaxy is in the midst of war and the Commander is forced to a vacation in which he is attacked by an unknown group. Does my opinion attached to more. Not really bad, but it is unusual for Mass Effect. Overall still a worthwhile trip with lots of fun and sheer nostalgia, and a very cool last mission and party afterwards (about 300 min).

DLC Roundup
Collision Course is a free extension for ME 1 highly recommended, but Pinnacle Station DLC is definitely the worst of this series and can be omitted safely. The free DLC for ME2 and especially the also free Extended Cut for ME3 you should install anyway. Moreover, in my opinion, only Shadowbroker and Leviathan for any player who wants to experience this trilogy, absolute duty. Because only they offer the perfect combination of variety, reasonable time (at a reasonable price) and a good act which is also closely related to the main story. If you really want to experience the main story but completely and reduce the outstanding issues at the end to a minimum, then the arrival and From the ashes are also indispensable. Although they offer a short season, but without clarifying some important issues and no one missed elementary backgrounds. Citadel is especially for those, which the characters are the most important element of this trilogy. Here a kind of reunion is celebrated, in which each important character of all parts gets its appearance. While all other DLCs (Kasumi, Overlord, Omega) offer nice additions and partly interesting subplots, but are in no way mandatory but only nice additions.
Those like me who want to do without any content which is subject to:
ME2: 25 for all 4-story DLCs and total about 8 hours of additional play time
ME3: 40 for all 4-story DLCs and total about 13 hours of additional play time
A little tip: If you do not have to have are necessarily in the closet the trilogy box or disk, which includes the download versions of the main games can be set and can thus save between 30-50% and has thus automatically money to invest in some DLCs ,

Scope
All parts (without DLCs) are the same length and are each about to entertain play between 20-40 hours, the side missions are partly still quite monotonous in Part 1. The first part I finished in 30 hours, here are a few side missions were not yet done. But who wants to do every little thing and see everything that is again able draufpacken 5-10 hours. From Part 2 was the feel, the presentation and above all the side missions of a much better quality, so I have tried to fulfill every little mission and to explore every nook and cranny of each level in order also not to miss anything. That went so far that Mass Effect has me as the first game made to themselves to read extensive Code Entries to learn as much as possible of this universe. Part 2 (with all Story DLCs) I finished in 48 hours, part 3 (with all Story DLCs) in 50 hours. With or without DLCs: employment is one a very long time. In addition, the replay value is very high, as you can play his character very different (male / female; unique look; different classes and talents; good or bad decisions; character import from match to match, and therefore the history of decisive influence / change).

Conclusion
Overall, I can not understand some of which occurred excitement in relation to the end and the high action content. Clear these games also have their shortcomings somewhere, but ultimately it comes to a grand story in which the player takes on the starring role and can decisively influence the course. So I suppose the few weaknesses gladly accept or drop this whole little consequence, so they reduce the gameplay in any way. In my opinion, the 3rd part of the series includes more than worthy of starting (with director's cut). There are, depending on the disposition and success of the player several different endings with more or less positive effect on the entire universe. I think even that is the story much better could have concluded. Since I am a friend of shooters and elaborately staged battles, me does not bother the part-to-part progressively increasing action share. Especially since you're all set simply bombastic and with great attention to detail in the scene. One should in any case not expect a mature RPG ala Skyrim. The RPG elements are mainly confined to the diverse choices in the dialogues and the individual characters with few but useful talents and skills. I see Mass Effect but neither RPG nor as an action game, but as a unique epic that. The sophisticated and complex plot of a good novel, with the grandiose staging of a blockbuster movie and the interactive possibilities of a good computer game, an excellent combined That's Entertainment as one would experience very rarely. I can not say enough, but what Bioware has delivered here is a prime example of modern and trend-setting entertainment in the field of video games. Ultimately, I just can only express an unqualified recommendation to buy any gamer here!

To the developers
Bioware I thank you for this wonderful experience and hope you plugged in Mass Effect 4 shows the same passion. I can in any case wait further adventures in this wonderful universe to experience. Until then I'll probably start again with Commander Shepard a second attempt, this time in the original English and with a gloomy attitude