
Mass Effect
by BioWare · published by Microsoft Game Studios
Released November 20, 2007 on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

About Mass Effect
Mass Effect is an action role-playing game set in the year 2183. The player takes the role of Commander Shepard, a customizable character who serves as Executive Officer aboard the SSV Normandy. After a routine mission goes wrong, Shepard assembles a squad and pursues a threat that escalates into a galaxy-wide conflict. The game features real-time squad-based combat where players choose companions and tactics suited to different enemy types, from biotic-wielding opponents to heavily armored machines. The game spans a large science fiction universe, with explorable locations ranging from the Citadel space station to alien homeworlds and remote outposts. Player decisions affect mission outcomes, crew relationships, and the overarching narrative across the trilogy.
In the year 2183, Commander Shepard is sent to the human colony of Eden Prime to recover a Prothean beacon. The mission is disrupted by an attack from the synthetic Geth, led by Saren Arterius, a rogue Spectre agent. After making contact with the beacon and receiving a cryptic vision of destruction, Shepard is appointed the first human Spectre and tasked with hunting Saren across the galaxy. The investigation leads Shepard and a growing crew aboard the SSV Normandy through multiple worlds, uncovering a conspiracy tied to the Reapers, a highly advanced machine race believed to eradicate all organic civilizations on a 50,000-year cycle. Shepard must stop Saren before he can trigger their return.
Release dates by platform
Reviews & players
PC system requirements
Official specs from Steam
Minimum
| Supported OS | Microsoft Windows® XP with SP2 or Windows Vista* |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel P4 2.4 Ghz or faster / AMD 2.0 Ghz |
| Memory | 1.0 GB RAM or more (2.0 GB for Vista) |
| Graphics | DirectX 9.0c compatible, ATI X1300 XT or greater (ATI X1300, X1300 Pro, X1600 Pro, Radeon 2600 HD, and HD 2400 are below minimum system requirements); NVidia GeForce 6800 or greater (7300, 7600 GS, 8500 are below minimum system requirements) |
| Hard Drive | 12.0 GB or more free hard drive space |
| DirectX® | 9.0c |
Mass Effect FAQ
When did Mass Effect come out?
Mass Effect was released on November 20, 2007 for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
Is Mass Effect on PlayStation 5?
No. Mass Effect has not been announced for PlayStation 5. It is available on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
Is Mass Effect on Xbox Series X|S?
No. Mass Effect has not been announced for Xbox Series X|S. It is available on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
Is Mass Effect on Nintendo Switch 2?
No. Mass Effect has not been announced for Nintendo Switch 2. It is available on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
Who is making Mass Effect?
Mass Effect is developed by BioWare and BioWare Edmonton and published by Microsoft Game Studios and Electronic Arts.
Is Mass Effect multiplayer?
No. Mass Effect is single player only.
How much does Mass Effect cost?
Mass Effect costs $29.99 on Steam. Prices checked October 9, 2026.
Is Mass Effect good?
Steam players rate it "Very Positive" — 94% of 16,578 reviews are positive. Critics average 89/100.
What are the minimum PC requirements for Mass Effect?
The minimum GPU is DirectX 9.0c compatible, ATI X1300 XT or greater (ATI X1300, X1300 Pro, X1600 Pro, Radeon 2600 HD, and HD 2400 are…. See the full minimum and recommended specs on our Mass Effect system requirements page.
Mass Effect series
14 games in release order



























