The Mass Effect Trilogy has included DLC since its first game. Most of Mass Effect's DLC adds complexity to its world and characters, and gives players the chance to explore a niche part of the galaxy in greater depth. DLC that add companions to their respective games, such as Kasumi, Zaeed, and Javik, are more controversial because of the nature of paying for a companion, and most paid companions would eventually become free.
This tier list is ranked based on the DLCs' impact on the Mass Effect Trilogy's story and lore, as well as their gameplay and overall impact on the Mass Effect Trilogy in general. Some have a major impact on Mass Effect's lore, but have inconsistent writing and gameplay compared to other DLCs, while others should arguably have been a part of the base game rather than DLC. This list also doesn't include the Genesis comics.
Mass Effect 4 Should Take One Lesson From Mass Effect: Andromeda, Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Despite their controversial receptions, Mass Effect Andromeda and DA: The Veilguard have at least one mechanical choice that could benefit ME4.
S-Tier: Mass Effect DLCs That Uplift the Series
- Mass Effect 3: Citadel
- Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker
- Mass Effect 3: From Ashes
Mass Effect 3: Citadel is a fond farewell to characters and a setting that players have spent dozens of hours getting to know. The team of the Normandy is front and center, with the entirety of the story taking place on the titular Citadel. Beyond the main storyline, Citadel comes with an arena that brings back old squad members, some new gear, humorous and touching moments with beloved companions, and shows how much the developer knows its players.
Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow Broker gives Liara some much-needed character development, and a lot of valuable insight into one of the most enigmatic characters in Mass Effect. With some fun new enemies and a great boss fight, Lair of the Shadow Broker is a must for Mass Effect fans.
Mass Effect 3: From Ashes is a day one companion DLC that was controversial as many players argued it should have been a part of the base game instead of a DLC. It included the Prothean, Javik, as a companion, reawakened from stasis after 50,000 years. Javik provides valuable insight into the Prothean war with the Reapers, and is essential for any Mass Effect 3 playthrough.
A-Tier: Essential DLCs For All Players
- Mass Effect 3: Leviathan
- Mass Effect 2: Arrival
Mass Effect 3: Leviathan provides essential lore on the origin of the Reapers, but the quality of its writing and the explanation of the origin of the Reapers became controversial among players, putting it in A rather than S-Tier. While the reasons behind the existence of the Reapers were welcomed by some, others were unhappy not only with the reason, but that there was a reason given at all, arguing that it ruined the mythology and mystery of the Reapers. Leviathan was eventually loosely tied into the Mass Effect 3 DLC ending, where it was given a brief mention by the Catalyst.
Mass Effect 2: Arrival has similar problems, where it's essential when bridging the gap between Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, but its writing suffers for a multitude of reasons, not all of which can be explained by the madness caused by Reaper indoctrination. Characters behave in illogical ways so that the plot can happen in a certain way, while the Normandy appears to teleport to Shepard's side conveniently, a problem which would also appear in Mass Effect 3's original ending. However, Arrival is in A-Tier because of its importance to the story, despite its writing missteps.
Mass Effect 4 Should Look To the Original For One Feature
Little is known about Mass Effect 4's RPG mechanics, but it ought to bring back a long-forgotten feature from the first game in the series.
B-Tier: Worthwhile Side Missions
- Mass Effect 3: Omega
- Mass Effect 2: Kasumi - Stolen Memory
- Mass Effect 2: Overlord
Mass Effect 3: Omega is a side-mission that is largely unnecessary but a good venture for fans. It takes Shepard back to Omega from Mass Effect 2, and introduces the first female turian of the series, Nyreen, and brings back Aria T'Loak as a companion. Fans of Aria will get the most out of this DLC.
Kasumi - Stolen Memory adds Kasumi to the Mass Effect 2 squad. Her special assignment is arguably the better of the two between hers and Zaeed's, and features a fun infiltration mission at a party. Kasumi's skillset is different enough to differentiate her from the other companions, and she's great to have on the team.
Mass Effect 2: Overlord shows one of the darker sides of Cerberus in a game that goes a long way to make them look like a benign organization. While it doesn't have the impact of Lair of the Shadow Broker or Arrival, it's a fun side quest, though it hasn't aged well in certain ways.
C-Tier: Overshadowed But Worth Playing
- Mass Effect 2: Zaeed - The Price of Revenge
- Mass Effect: Bring Down the Sky
- Mass Effect 2: Normandy Crash Site
Zaeed is the final DLC character in Mass Effect 2. While he's an entertaining character, he's quickly replaced with a Grunt who has a similar function but better skillset, and so Zaeed often gets benched until the Suicide Mission.
Mass Effect: Bring Down the Sky featured the first appearance of the batarians, and was a largely out-of-place story that didn't have much context within the broader narrative. Normandy Crash Site was a short visit to the first Normandy, and doesn't have much impact on the characters, story, or mechanics of the game.
WHERE TO PLAY
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