Yebba Shepard - Reporting In!
Well! It has finally happened - I am playing the Mass Effect franchise.
I know, I know - even with an Xbox growing up, I never ventured into those types of games. They always appeared intimidating, like the Witcher or Dragon Age series - too many ramifications for my decisions, lack of confidence in my decisions, and frankly a lot more shooting than I wanted to play after surviving years of Counter-Strike. Self-inflicted, I know. But I still haven’t even touched an MMO after years of World of Warcraft.
Yet, I couldn’t help becoming curious as I witnessed the nostalgia, meme-lording, fanart, and reverence for the series every N7 Day. With the release of the Legendary Edition in 2021 - it was time to finally take a dive into the franchise and get out of my comfort zone. And to make an EVEN more potential block to commitment - I started uploading exclusive content to YouTube and this felt like a perfect series to include as a playthrough for everyone to see. A new genre of game, new platform, content shifting in progress across my brand - WHAT could potentially go wrong?? (Everything.)
As I write this, the Part 1 video is up to 400 views in just under 2 weeks. FOUR HUNDRED. I have only ever had a few shorts reach those numbers. I’m still floored at the resonance this has - especially for first-time players. Each session I record has left me giddy thinking “Oh man, I wonder what folks are going to think about that decision!” - which is so cool!!! To say I am having a ball is an understatement, I look forward to each session knowing I’ll get sidetracked from the story for the best reasons every time.
Here’s the whole playlist if you want to delve into the series.
These are just a few highlights and impressions from my playthrough.
The LORE is incredible - I know the side quests are not the game's focus. However, the story and character building in each of them has been an absolute treasure. The alien races, the council drama, the politics, the ESPIONAGE - ugh, all of it has been such an amazing adventure to explore and be served up every step in my quest progression.
The characters are an absolute trip - Wrex is by far my favorite (something-something, Yebba loves characters that can murder you), Tali is a queen, Liara is so delightfully awkward, and I can see how Garrus is a fan favorite. I will say, once you have the aliens - Ashley and Kaiden quickly fell to the wayside. They aren’t bad characters at all - but why would I play with humans when I can play with badass aliens??
Knowing that there are two more games after this (and Andromeda, but I’m not sure if I’m playing that yet) and I have already experienced THIS much - I am excited as all heck to see how this universe grows, expands, explodes, and is saved. By me, of course.
I had NO idea romance was even a thing possible in a game like this. After I got over my own awkward inability to flirt as I am 10 years out of the game, it certainly added an element to the experience that was refreshing and exciting. I still have no idea who I’m picking - but I think Liara?
The commentary from folks as I make decisions or share their knowledge of the deeper lore or game mechanics has been stupendously entertaining - and I am continually grateful for this community is so accepting and non-gatekeeping about this. It makes the rest of my gaming plans feel all that more exciting.
Then after a Tweet, this wonderful community again showed me how much fun and welcoming they could be to a newbie like me after so many years.
As a quick aside, thank you for helping me feel comfortable trying something new! It is always scary to branch out - and in my case, having to find a new avenue to make content as live streams have become more challenging to schedule and expand days. This has been inspiring - and a community is the best motivation to keep going!
So, my question is - what game should I play after we’re done here?
Yebba Shepard, out.
