Fans of sci-fi games have lots to choose from these days, but two particular sci-fi games that tend to stand out are Mass Effect and Halo. Some fans might like both games. Others might think one is better than the other. After all, the Halo titles are almost purely FPS games (with some notable exceptions) while Mass Effect is plainly geared towards RPG fans. Ultimately, it's a matter of preference, but can a case be made for which is the better game?
In this list, we will do just that, but no sides will be taken here. A case will be made for each game, but it's ultimately up to players on which game they would like better. Let's see which game might come out on top as we present five distinct points each game has over the other.
10 Mass Effect: Better Companions
The Mass Effect series is known for its companions, each with their own unique abilities, personalities, and backstories. Not only are they fun to talk to on the Normandy ship, but they each have their own style and purpose in battle, which players can direct as they see fit.
Not only that, but some characters in Mass Effect are romanceable, which lets players see unique cutscenes with those characters and develop a real understanding of what makes them tick. In Halo, Master Chief and other protagonists may get a squad to work with on certain levels, but the only chances that players get to talk to their teammates are generally relegated to cutscenes in which they have no dialogue options or input.
9 Halo: The Story Is More Clear-Cut
In Halo games, there isn't any choice for players on what Master Chief or other protagonists do. It's a much more linear story, but that can make Master Chief a more concrete and defined character.
In Mass Effect, choices are nice for players who like RPG elements, but they can greatly affect the sequence of events in each game. While each has its merits, players who really want to be told a story and take it all in during a single playthrough are much better off opting for Halo.
8 Mass Effect: More Missions To Do
With Halo games having linear stories, there isn't anything extra to do besides gathering collectibles like skulls or grinding away in its famed multiplayer components. In Mass Effect, there are numerous other fun side missions to do, and whether or not players complete those missions can better or worsen the outcome of their games.
For instance, if players do all the Loyalty missions for their companions in Mass Effect 2, they have a better chance of having everyone live in the final mission. Even for side missions that may not affect the game's story, they are still great opportunities to extend playtime and take in some additional story elements.
7 Halo: Better Graphics and Environment
Of course, some of the older Halo titles might be a bit rough on the eyes since the earlier games came out long before Mass Effect even released its first game, having been designed for the technology of their respective times. However, from remasters to newer additions to the series, Halo has continued to blow fans away with its expansive environments that look gorgeous on screen.
A lot of Mass Effect missions tend to take place in relatively restrictive play areas where there isn't much to see. It seems like this tried to change a bit with Mass Effect Andromeda, but the graphics still don't tend to rival Halo's consistently boundary-pushing graphical fidelity. Halo tends to give players more breathtaking vistas and setpieces, in a nutshell.
6 Mass Effect: Players Get Meaningful Choices
Beyond the examples already given, Mass Effect games offer choices ranging from simple dialogue options to the fate of the universe at the end of Mass Effect 3, providing players with a more immersive story experience than Halo. Furthermore, on a more meta level, players also get to decide how much time they want to dedicate to getting to know their teammates, helping people around the galaxy, or even leveling themselves up and getting upgrades.
In Halo, the immersive feeling doesn't always come through since the story will play out the same way no matter what the player does. Every mission generally boils down to two outcomes: the Chief dies or fails in some other way, or the Chief wins. And only one of these options keeps the plot moving, obviously.
5 Halo: More Weapon Options
Yes, there are different weapon options for both Halo and Mass Effect. However, in Mass Effect, weapons don't have much variety. They all stick to the same few weapon classes and things like upgrades only change the existing attributes that they have.
In Halo games, many different guns that players can pick up have unique appearances and mechanics, giving the player more tactical options and cool ways to take out their enemies. An assault rifle in these games is pretty straightforward, but what about a Needler that can slightly track enemies before sticking to them and exploding? Or the Gravity Hammer that can send enemies flying through the air? Those are just much cooler, for lack of better terminology.
4 Mass Effect: More Consoles Can Play
Right now, Halo games are only available on Xbox and PC, making their audience a bit more limited than Mass Effect. For fans of Mass Effect, the games can be played on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles. They even made Mass Effect 3 available on the Wii U at one point.
While some players might have multiple different consoles in their home to play console-exclusive games, other players might only have one console that they stick with. If that console isn't an Xbox, or if a player doesn't have a PC that could run it, then Halo won't be reachable for those players, but Mass Effect will still be available.
3 Halo: Better Soundtrack
The Halo theme song has got to be one of the most recognizable theme songs in gaming history. It's very memorable, and it's great at hyping up players in the heat of battle. The first time that the Halo theme is heard during different entries in the series is always a moment that can send chills of excitement down a player's spine.
Plus, who can forget amazing music tied to memorable moments, like the song "One Final Effort" playing during Halo 3's "Warthog Run," while everything is exploding around players as they drive full-throttle to reach safety? Mass Effect doesn't have as memorable of a soundtrack, so Halo takes the win here.
2 Mass Effect: More Customization
Master Chief has a very iconic look that makes him an easy character for most fans to recognize. However, part of this is probably because he hardly changes his appearance. On the other hand, Commander Shepard is a memorable character as well, even if people only know them from the cover art for Mass Effect games.
In Shepard's case, players do have a bit more freedom to customize their Shepard to look however they want. Mass Effect is an RPG, so it makes sense that players would be able to change their appearance to fit their preference. Besides that, players also have a bit more freedom to customize Shepard's backstory and powers, like whether they choose to have things like Biotics or not.
1 Halo: More Games To Enjoy
The main trilogy of Mass Effect is over, Shepard died to save the galaxy, and Mass Effect Andromeda had some issues, to say the least of it. Halo, on the other hand, is about to release its sixth game, Halo Infinite, in the Master Chief storyline, with several other games that don't have Master Chief as a main protagonist, like Halo: Reach or the Halo Wars games.
Halo still allows players to go on new adventures more often while also getting to see new gameplay, meet new characters, and travel to new worlds in a storyline that all still feels like it fits together in continuity.