BioWare is one of the most celebrated and critically-acclaimed video game studios in history, particularly when it comes to RPGs. The studio has released games that have been hailed as masterpieces, but some of its other titles have failed to impress fans and critics alike. Its latest game, the co-op shooter RPG Anthem, has been widely criticized since its February 22 launch, and stands as one of the worst-reviewed games BioWare has produced to date.
There have even been some claims that Anthem is the lowest-reviewed BioWare game in history, and while that is true for its PC and console releases, it's not accurate when examining the studio's full library of 19 released games. For that reason, we decided to take a look at all of BioWare's games, and rank them based on their review aggregate score.
To compile this list, we used the score for the platform that had the most reviews. So, for example, if the Xbox 360 version of Mass Effect 2 had more reviews than its PS3 counterpart, we went with the Xbox 360 score. Typically the difference in review score was just a few points, and so it didn't have any major impact on the ranking.
It's also important to note that reviews are still coming in for Anthem, and while we don't expect its score to shift much in either direction, its final score could still end up being different than what's listed here.
19 19. Mass Effect Galaxy (2009) - 45.00%
While there seems to be a lot hate directed at Anthem, it's not technically the worst-reviewed game in BioWare history. Back in 2009, BioWare released a top-down shooter for iOS devices called Mass Effect Galaxy, which abandons the studio's usually high production values for uninspired comic book cut-scenes that tell a story that didn't really need to be told. Presented as a sort of companion piece to Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect Galaxy does give a little more backstory to the popular character Miranda Lawson, but accomplishes little else beyond that. For these reasons and reportedly poor controls, Mass Effect Galaxy is the worst-reviewed game in BioWare's library.
18 18. Anthem (2019) - 58.00%
While Mass Effect Galaxy is technically the worst-reviewed BioWare game, it's understandable that some fans may disregard it because of its status as a cheap mobile spinoff. Anthem, on the other hand, is a triple-A game that has been hyped for years, and if review scores are any indication, it has seriously failed to live up to that hype. While the game has some dedicated followers, many have complained about its repetitive mission structure, excessive grind, and weak story. Coming off the disappointing Mass Effect: Andromeda, BioWare needed Anthem to be a win, but its failure to please critics and fans seems to have had a direct impact on sales, and may put its future as a live service game in jeopardy.
17 17. Dragon Age Legends (2011) - 60.00%
For a short time in the early 2010s, Facebook games were all the rage. In an attempt to capitalize on the success of browser-based games like Farmville, many triple-A game publishers created Facebook spinoffs of their most popular franchises, with EA and BioWare putting out a Dragon Age strategy game for the social media platform called Dragon Age Legends. Dragon Age Legends failed to generate much interest, and lasted only about a year before its servers were shut down due to lack of revenue. However, it's still possible to download a free, single-player version of the game through BioWare's website.
16 16. Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017) - 70.11%
The original Mass Effect trilogy stand as some of BioWare's most celebrated work to date, and so expectations were high for Mass Effect: Andromeda. Unfortunately, the game was burdened by a troubled development cycle, and was mocked upon release for its hilariously outdated facial animations. Until Anthem's launch, Andromeda was known as the worst-reviewed BioWare game on PC and consoles, but to its credit, BioWare did attempt to fix some of its issues with post-launch patches.
15 15. Shattered Steel (1996) - 72.67%
Long before BioWare was known as an RPG studio, the company released its very first game in the form of a mech simulation title called Shattered Steel. Reviewers of the time found the game's action quite fun, but felt that the overall experience lacked depth and innovation. For a first title, though, BioWare could've done much worse.
14 14. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (2008) - 74.12%
In one of the most bizarre collaborations in history, BioWare teamed with Sega to create a Sonic the Hedgehog RPG for the Nintendo DS called Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. Sonic Chronicles received mixed reviews upon release, with many critics praising its combat system and visuals, while expressing disappointment that its story didn't match up to BioWare's standards. Perhaps BioWare could've delivered a sequel that would've addressed those complaints, but plans for Sonic Chronicles 2 appear to have been scrapped after EA's acquisition of the studio.
13 13. Dragon Age 2 (2011) - 77.68%
After BioWare released the critically-acclaimed Dragon Age: Origins, it immediately set to work on a sequel. Given just over one year to complete the game, BioWare had to rush development on Dragon Age 2, resulting in a product that was greatly reduced in scope when compared to its predecessor. However, Dragon Age 2's story and gameplay were strong enough to keep it from being universally panned, and the game was also a decent sales success for BioWare.
12 12. Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011) - 83.87%
While some may have preferred to see BioWare produce a single-player sequel to Knights of the Old Republic, its Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO has still been quite the success. Earning strong reviews at release and even winning some Game of the Year awards, the MMO has only improved with age, with BioWare releasing new story expansions and free content updates to keep players engaged. Anyone interested in The Old Republic can try it for free, and see just how well BioWare did with its first attempt at an MMO.
11 11. MDK2 (2000) - 86.31%
MDK2 is an oddball in BioWare's library, as its a direct sequel to a game developed by a completely different studio, and it's a third-person shooter without the deep RPG elements that the company is known for. MDK2 sees players take on the role of Kurt Hectic, Max (a robotic dog that smokes cigars), and Dr. Hawkins in various levels that all feature different styles of gameplay. The game is notable for its sharp sense of humor, and while some took issue with its high difficulty level, it received generally positive reviews across the board.
10 10. Dragon Age: Origins (2009) - 86.98%
BioWare made a name for itself with its isometric action-RPGs like Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights. Dragon Age: Origins was meant to be a return to that kind of game, but with a more strategic, modern take on combat and an even deeper focus on narrative. Many would agree that BioWare largely met its goals with Dragon Age: Origins, which was successful enough to launch yet another major franchise for the studio.