List of Mass Effect media explained

Mass Effect is a science fiction media franchise set in an alternate universe in the 3rd millennium developed by the Canadian video game company BioWare. Composed of multi-platform video games and associated media, the core of the franchise is an eponymous trilogy of action role-playing third-person shooter video games, released between 2007 and 2012, which follow Commander Shepard's mission to save the galaxy from a race of mechanical beings known as the Reapers. A fourth main series game, , was released in 2017. The Mass Effect franchise also includes three mobile games, each with a different gameplay style; seven novels, some written by BioWare writers and some by science fiction authors; four art books; ten comic book series or mini-comics and their anthologies; a coloring book; an animated film; a 3D theme park ride; and eleven soundtrack albums or singles.

The video games have had high sales, with the last major game of the original trilogy, Mass Effect 3, shipping over 3.5 million copies in its first week of release. Reception of other media in the franchise has been mixed: the comics, such as , have been praised for their writing, and novels such as have been recommended to fans of the games; but was derided as inconsistent with the main trilogy. The first part of the franchise—the first game—was published in 2007, while the latest game was published in 2017 and the latest piece of media in 2018.

Video games

Other games

Printed media

Books

TitleRelease dateISBNMedia typeRef.
May 1, 2007Novelization
The Art of Mass EffectNovember 20, 2007Concept art
  • Edited by Fernando Bueno
  • Published by Prima Games
  • Concept art and BioWare commentary on Mass Effect
July 29, 2008Novelization
  • Written by Drew Karpyshyn
  • Published by Del Rey Books
  • A sequel story to Mass Effect
July 27, 2010Novelization
  • Written by Drew Karpyshyn
  • Published by Del Rey Books
  • A sequel story to Mass Effect 2
January 31, 2012Novelization
  • Written by William C. Dietz
  • Published by Del Rey Books
  • A sequel story to Mass Effect: Retribution
The Art of the Mass Effect UniverseFebruary 8, 2012Concept art
  • Written by Casey Hudson and Derek Watts
  • Artwork by BioWare
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Concept art and BioWare commentary on the Mass Effect game trilogy
Mass Effect: The Poster CollectionAugust 12, 2015Concept art
Mass Effect - Andromeda: Nexus UprisingMarch 21, 2017Tie-in book to
  • Written by Jason M. Hough and K. C. Alexander
  • Published by Titan Books
  • A prequel story to Mass Effect: Andromeda
Mass Effect Adult Coloring BookMarch 1, 2017 Coloring book
  • Artwork by Juann Cabal, Ron Chan, Gabriel Guzman, Andres Ponce, and Martin Tunica
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Adult coloring book, including images from the original trilogy and Mass Effect: Andromeda
The Art of Mass Effect: AndromedaMarch 21, 2017 Concept art
  • Artwork by Bioware
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Concept art from Mass Effect: Andromeda
Mass Effect - Andromeda: AnnihilationNovember 6, 2017Tie-in book to Mass Effect: Andromeda
Mass Effect - Andromeda: InitiationNovember 28, 2017Tie-in book to Mass Effect: Andromeda
  • Written by N. K. Jemisin and Mac Walters
  • Published by Titan Books
  • A prequel story to Mass Effect: Andromeda
The Art of the Mass Effect Trilogy: Expanded EditionFebruary 23, 2021Concept art
  • Artwork by BioWare
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Concept art and commentary on the original trilogy and its DLC

Comics

TitleRelease date(s)Media typeRef.
January 6, 2010—April 7, 2010Comic book series
Mass Effect: IncursionJune 21, 2010Mini-comic
  • Written by Mac Walters, art by Eduardo Francisco
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics for free online
  • An eight-page mini-comic set shortly before Mass Effect 2 featuring Aria T'Loak
Mass Effect: InquisitionOctober 24, 2010Mini-comic
  • Written by Mac Walters, art by Jean Diaz
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics for free online
  • An eight-page mini-comic set shortly after Mass Effect 2 featuring Armando-Owen Bailey
Mass Effect: EvolutionJanuary 19, 2011—April 20, 2011Comic book series
  • Written by Mac Walters and John Jackson Miller, art by Omar Francia
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • A four-part mini-series prequel story to Mass Effect featuring Jack Harper (Illusive Man)
  • Released as a single book by Dark Horse Comics on September 21, 2011
Mass Effect: ConvictionSeptember 1, 2011Mini-comic
  • Written by Mac Walters, art by Eduardo Francisco
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics for free digitally through select retailers
  • A ten-page mini-comic set before Mass Effect 3 featuring James Vega
Mass Effect: InvasionOctober 19, 2011—January 18, 2012Comic book series
  • Written by Mac Walters and John Jackson Miller, art by Omar Francia
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • A four-part mini-series set after Mass Effect 2 featuring Aria T'Loak
  • Released as a single book by Dark Horse Comics on April 18, 2012
Mass Effect: HomeworldsApril 25, 2012—August 29, 2012Comic book series
  • Written by Mac Walters, art by Eduardo Francisco
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • A four-part mini-series with each issue featuring backstory for a different Mass Effect 3 character
  • Released as a single book by Dark Horse Comics on November 7, 2012
Mass Effect: Blasto - Eternity is ForeverNovember 7, 2012Mini-comic
  • Written by Mac Walters, art by Omar Francia
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • A fourteen-page mini-comic featuring Blasto, a fictional character featured in media inside the Mass Effect games
Mass Effect: He Who Laughs BestMay 4, 2013Mini-comic
  • Written by Mac Walters, art by Garry Brown
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics as one section of their 2013 Free Comic Book Day comic
  • A ten-page mini-comic set before Mass Effect featuring Jeff "Joker" Moreau
Mass Effect Library Edition Volume 1May 15, 2013Anthology
  • Written by Mac Walters, John Jackson Miller, Jeremy Barlow, Patrick Weekes, John Dombrow, and Sylvia Feketekuty
  • Art by Omar Francia, Eduardo Francisco, Chris Staggs, Garry Brown, and Jean Diaz
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • An anthology collection of almost all the comics to date, as well as several short stories
  • Includes Redemption, Incursion, Inquisition, Evolution, Conviction, Invasion, and Homeworlds
  • Republished as Mass Effect Omnibus Volume 1 on November 16, 2016
July 24, 2013—July 23, 2014Comic book series
  • Written by Mac Walters (1–13) and Jeremy Barlow (11–13), art by Omar Francia (1), Tony Parker (2–4, 8–13), Matthew Clark (5, 6), and Garry Brown (7)
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • A thirteen-part series with each issue featuring side events and perspectives to the main Mass Effect trilogy
  • Collected into three books by Dark Horse Comics, released on February 5, 2014, June 4, 2014, and November 5, 2014
Mass Effect Library Edition Volume 2May 6, 2015Anthology
  • Written by Mac Walters and Jeremy Barlow
  • Art by Omar Francia, Tony Parker, Garry Brown, and Benjamin Carre
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • An anthology collection of comics since the first Library Edition anthology, plus additional artwork
  • Includes Foundation, He Who Laughs Best, and Blasto - Eternity is Forever
  • Republished as Mass Effect Omnibus Volume 2 on February 8, 2017
Mass Effect: DiscoveryMay 24, 2017—October 25, 2017Comic book series
  • Written by Jeremy Barlow and John Dombrow, art by Gabriel Guzman
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • A four-part mini-series set around the events of Mass Effect: Andromeda
  • Released as a single book by Dark Horse Comics on January 17, 2018
Mass Effect: The Complete ComicsOctober 21, 2020Anthology
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Collects all Mass Effect comics released to date including Redemption, Evolution, Invasion, Homeworlds, Foundation, Discovery, Incursion, Inquisition, Conviction, He Who Laughs Best, and Blasto - Eternity is Forever

Film

TitleRelease dateMedia type
November 29, 2012Animation

Amusement park

TitleRelease dateMedia type
May 18, 2016Theatrical amusement park ride
  • Designed by 3D Live with help from Halon Entertainment, Cedar Fair, and Bioware
  • 4½-minute, 80-person ride at California's Great America amusement park
  • Features a 3D film along with motion seats and physical sensations

Soundtracks

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TitleRelease dateRelease typeRef.
Mass Effect: Original SoundtrackNovember 20, 2007Album
Mass Effect 2: Original Video Game ScoreJanuary 19, 2010Album
  • Composed by Jack Wall, Sam Hulick, David Kates, Jimmy Hinson, Brian DiDomenico
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • 27 tracks on two discs with a duration of 2:55:59
Mass Effect 2: AtmosphericSeptember 7, 2010Mini-album (digital only)
  • Composed by Jack Wall
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • 9 tracks on a single disc with a duration of 20:45
Mass Effect 2: CombatOctober 5, 2010Mini-album (digital only)
  • Composed by Jack Wall
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • 14 tracks on a single disc with a duration of 33:48
Mass Effect 2: Kasumi's Stolen MemoryNovember 30, 2010Mini-album (digital only)
  • Composed by Sacha Dikiciyan and Cris Velasco
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • 4 tracks on a single disc with a duration of 10:21
Mass Effect 2: Lair of the Shadow BrokerDecember 14, 2010Mini-album (digital only)
  • Composed by Chris Lennertz
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • 7 tracks on a single disc with a duration of 12:33
Mass Effect 2: OverlordDecember 14, 2010Mini-album (digital only)
  • Composed by Chris Lennertz
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • 4 tracks on a single disc with a duration of 6:30
Mass Effect 3: Original SoundtrackApril 24, 2012Album
  • Composed by Sam Hulick, Clint Mansell, Chris Lennertz, Cris Velasco, Sascha Dikiciyan, and Faunts
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • 23 tracks on a single disc with a duration of 1:03:24
Mass Effect 3: Extended CutAugust 12, 2012Mini-album (digital only)
  • Composed by Sam Hulick and Clint Mansell
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • 7 tracks on a single disc with a duration of 16:57
Mass Effect: Paragon Lost Original Motion Picture ScoreNovember 13, 2012Album
  • Composed by Joshua Mosley and David Kates
  • Published by Funimation
  • 27 tracks on a single disc with a duration of 1:09:28
Mass Effect 3: CitadelAugust 8, 2013Mini-album (digital only)
  • Composed by Sam Hulick, Cris Velasco, and Sascha Dikiciyan
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • 20 tracks on a single disc with a duration of 31:05
Mass Effect Trilogy Vinyl SoundtrackNovember 29, 2016Box set
  • Box set of selections from the Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3 soundtracks, as well as a bonus LP of songs
  • Published by Electronic Arts
  • Approximately 50 tracks on four vinyl records