Mass Effect: Beginner's Guide & Tips Mass Effect Guide
Last update: 22 May 2021
On this page of Mass Effect game guide you will find a set of beginner's tips. These are various hints and tricks, thanks to which you won't make too many mistakes. Also, you will be able to successfully carry out conversations and win all battles.
- Build a versatile team
- Save the game as often as possible
- Carefully explore all areas
- Travel around the Galaxy
- Talk with companions after every return to Normandy
- Focus on the path of Paragon or Renegade
- Give commands to your companions during battles
- Don't overfill your inventory
Build a versatile team
Your team members should complement each other during battles. In addition to having a classic soldier on your team, it is also worth having heroes with technical skills and high-level biotics. You don't have to develop Shepard according to a specific playing style, because you can always choose team members who have the "missing" skills or abilities.
By having a versatile team of skilled characters you will perform well in all battles that you encounter, especially those in which you may come across enemies that are immune to a specific type of attacks.
Save the game as often as possible
Mass Effect has auto-save feature, but it's definitely worth to rely on manual saves, which you can make on ten different slots.
Relying on manual saves can primarily protect you from making a bad decision, which in extreme situations can even lead to the death of a character. You can also protect yourself from choosing dialogue options that are not related to the Paragon/Renegade path or from engaging in fights that are too difficult.
Carefully explore all areas
While playing Mass Effect you can find many interactive devices and objects that are marked in blue color (after you get close enough to them), so you don't have to search a needle in a haystack.
It's worth exploring all interactive items. There are opportunities, among other things, to pick up an item, use a device, or simply add a new entry to the Codex. You do not have to be afraid that the object marked by the game might be a trap, or that you will be punished in any way for interacting with.
Travel around the Galaxy
In addition to dealing with quests in the game's main locations, it's also worthwhile to spend some time on free roam exploration of the Galaxy. There are several clusters in the game world and each of them contains one to a few dozens of planetary systems.
By exploring the planets you can primarily find collectibles / treasures, which may be very valuable. Also, you can land on some planets and start exploring them by using the Mako rover. This can lead to further discoveries and the possibility of obtaining side quests.
Talk with companions after every return to Normandy
The Normandy spaceship is used not only to travel around the game world, but also acts as main base of Shepard and his companions. Some crew members are aboard the Normandy from the very beginning of the game, while others will only appear after you have sufficiently advanced in the game and invited them to travel with you.
It's a good idea to make a habit of walking through all decks of Normandy after each major mission you complete. This should unlock new cutscenes, conversations and dialogue options. You can strengthen your relationships with your crew and friends by doing so and in a few cases you can even start a romance.
Focus on the path of Paragon or Renegade
As you make progress in the game, you can choose dialogue options associated with Paragon's path (blue color) or Renegade's path (red color). It's a good idea to decide which path you prefer before you even start the game and stick with it until the very end of the adventure.
Expanding one chosen path may allow you to unlock additional scenes. Some side quests also have a Morality requirement, that is, you need to have your Paragon or Renegade bar filled at a proper amount. It is a good idea to play through the game twice in order to select a different path each time.
Give commands to your companions during battles
During the battles in Mass Effect you will be playing as Shepard all the time, but you can give simple commands to your team members and it is definitely worth using this option. You can protect them or use their support to deal with various problems more effectively.
Available commands include telling team members where to go, summoning them to Shepard, telling them to hide behind a cover, and attacking a specific target. It's worth practicing these actions on initial and weak opponents to find out how to use them in more difficult battles.
Don't overfill your inventory
The inventory limit in Mass Effect is not associated with the weight of the items you carry, but is being determined by the quantity - you can have a maximum of 150 items in your inventory. It is definitely worth taking action if your inventory is almost completely full, as this will prevent you from collecting newly found items.
The best way to get rid of unnecessary items is to sell them to merchants. However, you can also convert them to omni-gel. Be careful not to convert a more valuable item by a mistake.