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 June 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—FAQ-only, not extra Release rows.

  • 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—FAQ only 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 row 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

    Commander Shepard vs Saren and the Reaper threat—2183.

    Overview
    BioWare's sci-fi RPG—cover-based combat, squad loyalty, and the Citadel council choice that echoes through the trilogy.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2183: first Spectre mission on the Normandy SR-1.
    Should you play it?
    Required trilogy start—Legendary Edition is the modern buy.
    Release date
    US Xbox 360 launch November 20, 2007. PC May 28, 2008. Remastered in Legendary Edition (2021).
  2. Mass Effect 2

    Mass Effect 2

    Xbox 360PCPS3RPGMainline

    Shepard rebuilds the team—Collectors and the Suicide Mission.

    Overview
    Tighter shooter combat, loyalty missions, and a finale where every squad pick matters.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2185—two years after ME1; Normandy SR-2 and Cerberus.
    Should you play it?
    Import ME1 save strongly recommended—ME3 assumes ME2 outcomes.
    Release date
    US launch January 26, 2010. PS3 port January 2011. Legendary Edition (2021).
  3. Mass Effect 3

    Mass Effect 3

    Xbox 360PCPS3Wii URPGMainline

    Reaper invasion of Earth—war across the galaxy.

    Overview
    Galaxy-wide war table, improved multiplayer, and trilogy-ending choices (Extended Cut update later).
    In-game setting
    Story year 2186—Shepard unites species against the Reapers.
    Should you play it?
    Trilogy finale—play after ME1 and ME2 with saves when possible.
    Release date
    US launch March 6, 2012. Wii U port November 2012. Legendary Edition (2021).
  4. Mass Effect: Andromeda

    Mass Effect: Andromeda

    PCPS4Xbox OneRPGSpin-off

    Pathfinder Ryder in the Andromeda galaxy—600 years from the Milky Way.

    Overview
    Open-zone exploration, jetpack combat, and a new cast—Andromeda Initiative colonists.
    In-game setting
    Arks launch during ME2-era 2185 fiction; Ryder wakes in 2819 Andromeda—separate from Shepard's Reaper war.
    Should you play it?
    Optional after trilogy—different protagonist, tone, and ending scope.
    Release date
    US launch March 21, 2017. No Legendary-style remaster as of June 2026.

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 row only—Ryder's story in Andromeda does not continue Shepard's ending and is not on Story rows.

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—FAQ only.

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 rows.

Legendary & DLC

Legendary Edition (May 14, 2021) remasters all three Shepard games with unified visuals, gameplay tweaks (especially ME1 combat), and bundled DLC—FAQ-only, not a new Release row. 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 rows.

Optional & upcoming

More timelines

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