After years of waiting and speculation, the Mass Effect Legendary Edition was finally announced on N7 Day 2020, promising to remaster the entire original Mass Effect trilogy. While most fans know exactly what to expect from the story this time around, many have been eager to compare the new graphics in the upcoming remaster to those in the original.
Staying up to date with all the information released about the Mass Effect Legendary Edition so far is no easy task. Here's every official trailer released by BioWare so far, a breakdown of some of the Legendary Edition's biggest improvements over the original games, and some additional screenshots which have been released since the announcement of the remaster.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition Teaser
Fans had long hoped that a remaster of the original Mass Effect trilogy might be announced on N7 Day, and in 2020 their wishes were finally granted. This first teaser trailer confirmed the existence of the remaster and showed off just some of the graphical improvements coming to fan-favorite Mass Effect companions, albeit outside the context of the games themselves.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition Official Reveal Trailer
The Mass Effect Legendary Edition Official Reveal Trailer showed off the extent to which lighting, textures, and particles in particular appear to be undergoing a huge upgrade for the remaster. Fans were quick to compare the level of detail in areas like the Citadel to those in the original game, showing some significant texture improvements.
This trailer also revealed that BioWare will not just be upgrading the pre-existing graphics, but also adding some new art assets to flesh out old scenes. In the very short clip of Saren Arterius holding Shepard by the throat at 1:29, for example, there are buildings and trees in the background which are not present in the scene in Mass Effect 1. This suggests that the remaster won't just be upgrading the pre-existing art assets, but will be adding new ones in places where they can improve the visuals without being disruptive.
The Virmire Comparison Video
Virmire is the site of one of Mass Effect 1's most memorable missions. It is there that Shepard must choose between saving Kaiden Alenko or Ashley Williams, and can find themselves in a fight to the death with their Krogan squadmate Wrex if they make certain decisions.
The Virmire comparison video shows off some of the key ways in which environments will be upgraded for the remaster. The remastered version of Virmire has more color than the original, giving the jungle planet a more vibrant feel. The lens flare seen in the remaster when Shepard looks up at the sky also shows just how central improved lighting effects will be to the Legendary Edition. The visible beams of light shining down between the trees make Virmire feel more like the tropical climate BioWare originally aimed to create.
Commander Shepard
Commander Shepard's model is far more detailed in the Legendary Edition than it is in Mass Effect 1. Fem Shep in particular looks a lot better than the character's original incarnation, helping resolve a long-standing criticism of the difference between the character models.
The Illusive Man
This screenshot of the Illusive Man shows Martin Sheen's iconic character taking full advantage of the improved lighting in the Legendary Edition as well. Shepard's first meeting with the character after their revival at the start of Mass Effect 2 has the potential to be even more impactful, with the swirling star behind the Illusive Man brought to life in all its glory.
The Omni-Blade And Husks
If fans of Mass Effect thought the Husks were disturbing in the original trilogy, the Husks in the Legendary Edition are looking more terrifying than ever. As well as their technological implants, these Husks have a far greater level of detail on their skin and faces, looking more like decaying zombies than their original trilogy counterparts. Fortunately, Shepard has their omni-blade at hand, which is also able to take full advantage of the Legendary Edition's lighting improvements.
The Attack On The Citadel
The level of detail when viewing the Citadel from space is significantly improved in the Legendary Edition, making the sheer scale of the space station stand out in a way it never could in the original Mass Effect. The glare on the Reaper's beam helps create a true sense of heat that makes it all the more intimidating, and could make the first game's final battle particularly intense.
Thane Krios
Thane Krios' skin textures and the textures on his armor undergo big upgrades in the Legendary Edition, which is able to render every tiny scale in detail. The lens flare over Thane, however, does raise questions about just how frequently lens flares will be used in the Legendary Edition. They can look impressive in moderation, but if overused could feel like a cheap replacement for real visual upgrades.
Eden Prime
Eden Prime is the very first planet that players visit in Mass Effect 1. Before arriving on the planet players are told of its stunning natural beauty, but when they arrive find a landscape with dark red gloomy skies and a haunting atmosphere, hinting that far darker forces are at play. Eden Prime's rendition in the Legendary Edition is far more idyllic, suggesting yet again that BioWare may not only be making some graphical upgrades, but taking the design of certain locations in new directions.
Leaked Shepard Comparison
Two images showing some of the Legendary Edition upgrades leaked on the ResetEra forums earlier this week. The first showed another image of Eden Prime, though it didn't show anything that wasn't already seen in the higher quality image already released. The second image shows a comparison between another early moment in Mass Effect 1, and the same scene in the Legendary Edition, when players first meet Navigator Pressly aboard the Normandy.
There are two notable improvements in the Legendary Edition version. First, the lens focus on Commander Shepard is far more convincing, with the character in the background and the lighting coming from the Normandy's equipment blurring more realistically than in the original. Second, Shepard's model is vastly improved over the version in the first game.
This highlights one of the biggest improvements seen so far. In the original Mass Effect games, the male version of Commander Shepard had both a unique mesh based on Dutch model Mark Vanderloo, and a secondary more flexible model for the custom male Shepard. The female version of Commander Shepard, however, could only use a custom model which looked noticeably worse than the default male Shepard. Now, fans of Fem Shep have the chance to see her model vastly improved, which will have an impact throughout their playthrough of the remaster.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition releases on May 14, 2021, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Mass Effect 2's Cut Characters Show How Influential Stars Wars Is