The Mass Effect: Legendary Edition bundles the first three games in the franchise in one solid package allowing both veteran and new players to experience these classic BioWare games with improved graphics and gameplay. Given that players will get all three games in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, it's understandable that some are wondering how much time they need to invest in getting through all three games.
With Mass Effect 1 taking 18-30 hours to beat on average, how does its successor, Mass Effect 2, compare? Of course, the time that players will beat Mass Effect 2 differs from player to player. Those who only focus on completing the main story could easily beat Mass Effect 2 faster than players who like to spend more time completing side quests and soaking everything the game has to offer.
On average, Mass Effect 2 runs significantly longer than its predecessor, and players can take anywhere from 25 to 50 hours to complete it. The overall time it will take players to beat the game will ultimately depend on their efficiency to tackle combat and whether they are invested in completing quests not required to complete the game. For completionists, Mass Effect 2 could run 50 hours or more, and that is on top of the other two games included in the Legendary Edition.
Apart from the main campaign, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition includes all released DLCs for all three games, and veteran players would know that out of the entire trilogy, Mass Effect 2 had the most content expansions. DLCs for Mass Effect 2 include Lair of the Shadow Broker and Arrival, which are essential in the continuation of the series' plot. Players can also embark on other story-based expansions such as Zaeed - The Prince of Revenge, Kasumi - Stolen Memory, Normandy Crash Site, and Overlord, which added five missions to the game.
Additionally, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition also features smaller content expansions that added outfits, weapons, and armor to Mass Effect 2. During its original release, most DLCs were free, while others required a separate purchase. Luckily for players, everything is included for free in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition. Considering all the story expansions, players should expect to pour in several more hours on top of the average time it takes to complete the main story.
All in all, while not considered an open-world game, Mass Effect 2 allows players the freedom to play the game at their own pace, which would ultimately dictate how long players can beat it. Expect to spend countless hours soaking in everything the game has to offer, and after beating Mass Effect 2, players still have two other games to complete, which is a good thing, especially in preparation for Mass Effect 4.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.