GameTimeline

Release & story order

Mass Effect timeline

Mass Effect from the 2007 original through Mass Effect 3 (2012) and Andromeda (2017)—US release dates, Shepard's 2183–2186 saga, Legendary Edition bundles, essential DLC order, and FAQ for Ryder's separate Andromeda arc and the next Mass Effect.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When BioWare shipped each chapter—Mass Effect (2007), Mass Effect 2 (2010), Mass Effect 3 (2012), then Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017). Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021) remasters the trilogy—optional, not separate must-play titles.

  • Newcomers → Mass Effect Legendary Edition (trilogy + most DLC) on PC or consoles
  • Story-first → ME1 → ME2 → ME3—never skip 1 for a first run
  • Andromeda → after ME3 (or skip)—no Shepard save carry-over
  • ME3 multiplayer Galactic Readiness—optional for single-player purists
Story order tips

Commander Shepard's Reaper war: Mass Effect (2183) → Mass Effect 2 (2185) → Mass Effect 3 (2186). Andromeda follows Ryder in a different galaxy—release-order titles only; not on Story order with Shepard. Carry saves across the trilogy; choices matter through ME3.

  • Core canon: Mass Effect → Mass Effect 2 → Mass Effect 3
  • Import Shepard saves between games—decisions echo (especially ME1 → ME2 → ME3)
  • Essential DLC: Lair of the Shadow Broker, Arrival (ME2), From Ashes, Leviathan, Citadel (ME3)—FAQ order
  • On Story order, ME3 may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Mass Effect

    Mass Effect

    Xbox 360PCRPGMainline

    Mass Effect introduces Commander Shepard—Citadel politics, Spectre authority, and the first Reaper warnings.

    Overview
    Bioware’s cinematic RPG trilogy opener with vehicle Mako segments and parity-driven squad loyalty seeds. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2183. Save imports matter through ME2/ME3—use Legendary Edition.
    Should you play it?
    Trilogy start—prefer Legendary Edition for 2026. Andromeda is a soft reboot later. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US November 20, 2007 on Xbox 360; PC May 2008; PS3 later via collections.
  2. Mass Effect 2

    Mass Effect 2

    Xbox 360PCPS3RPGMainline

    Mass Effect 2 is the suicide-mission peak—Cerberus rebuilds Shepard to stop the Collectors.

    Overview
    Loyalty missions, interruption dialogue, and a finale that can kill half your squad based on prep. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2185. Import ME1 decisions for richer character returns. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Middle trilogy chapter. Legendary Edition is the clean way to carry saves. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US January 26, 2010 on Xbox 360/PC; PS3 later. Bundled in Legendary Edition (2021).
  3. Mass Effect 3

    Mass Effect 3

    Xbox 360PCPS3Wii URPGMainline

    Mass Effect 3 is the Reaper war finale—Earth burns while Shepard unites the galaxy’s fleets.

    Overview
    War asset meta-progression and multi-ending climax; Extended Cut refined the original ending suite. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2186. Requires ME1–ME2 context for full emotional payoff. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Trilogy capstone. Finish Citadel DLC for a farewell party after the main ending. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US March 6, 2012 on 360/PC/PS3; Wii U later. Legendary Edition includes Extended Cut.
  4. Mass Effect: Andromeda

    Mass Effect: Andromeda

    PCPS4Xbox OneRPGSpin-off

    Mass Effect: Andromeda jumps to the Andromeda Initiative—Pathfinder Ryder on a new galactic frontier.

    Overview
    Open-world jetpack combat and multiplayer remnants; soft reboot away from Shepard’s trilogy. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Separate cluster arc. Play after ME3 if you want every BioWare ME title; skip if trilogy-only. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional after the trilogy. Standalone story—no Shepard save import. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US March 21, 2017 on PC, PS4, Xbox One.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Legendary Edition, essential DLC, Andromeda placement, and what's next.

Release order

For the Shepard trilogy, release and story order match: Mass Effect (2007 / 2183) → Mass Effect 2 (2010 / 2185) → Mass Effect 3 (2012 / 2186). Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017) is a release-order title only—Ryder's story in Andromeda does not continue Shepard's ending and is not on story-order titles.

Buy Mass Effect Legendary Edition—includes remastered ME1–ME3 and most DLC. Play 1 → 2 → 3 with save imports. Add key DLC in order (see Essential DLC FAQ). Try Andromeda only after ME3 if you want more—lower priority. A new Mass Effect (ME4) is in development—optional.

Story & canon

Andromeda follows Pathfinder Ryder in the Andromeda galaxy. Arks left the Milky Way during ME2-era 2185, but Ryder's campaign is 600 years later in Andromeda—no Shepard, no Reaper war resolution. Play after ME3 (or skip). It does not import trilogy saves. Release order puts it last; Story order excludes it from Shepard entries.

Legendary & DLC

Legendary Edition (May 14, 2021) remasters all three Shepard games with unified visuals, gameplay tweaks (especially ME1 combat), and bundled DLC—optional, not a new release-order title. New players should buy LE instead of 2007–2012 originals. Andromeda is not included in Legendary Edition.

Within a Legendary playthrough: ME1 — Bring Down the Sky (optional). ME2 — play loyalty DLC as you recruit (Zaeed, Kasumi, etc.); Lair of the Shadow Broker and Arrival before ME3 (Arrival last—bridges to ME3). ME3 — From Ashes early; Leviathan mid-game; Omega optional; Citadel before the point of no return (fan-favorite sendoff). All FAQ timing— not separate release-order titles.

Optional & upcoming

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.