November 7 or "N7 Day" is an annual "worldwide celebration" of the Mass Effect franchise.
The Mass Effect games have gone to great lengths to design fictional worlds and races that are plausible:
Alien blood colors: The red, yellow, blue, green, and purple alien blood seen in-game exists in-real life:
- Red - Most vertebrates. The color is due to the presence of iron.
- Yellow - Beetles, sea squirts and cucumbers. Their blood contains high concentrations of vanabin, which contain vanadium that gives the blood its color. Vanabin does not transport oxygen and its purpose is still a mystery.
- Green - Most annelids (worms/leeches) and select lizard species. The color is due to the presence of a chemical called chlorocruorin. For certain lizards the color is due to high concentrations of bile that would be lethal in most other lifeforms.
- Blue - Crustaceans, octopus/squid, and mollusk. The color is due to the presence of copper.
- Purple - Brachiopods and select marine worms. The color is caused by the protein hemerythrin used to transport oxygen.
Asari Reproduction:
Asari reproduce is similar to Bdelloidea, a class of female only rotifers found in freshwater habitats all over the world. They are often referred to as "ancient asexuals" because they rely exclusively on parthenogenetic reproduction - development of an embryo from an unfertilized egg cell.
Extra Krogan organs:
Many animals have "extra" organs, like squid's three hearts or the three jaws and 32 brains (physiologically; not anatomically) of a leech.
Levo vs Dextro:
Molecules based on carbon atoms can have up to four atoms attached to a central carbon. If you imagine this as a tetrahedron (d4, if you're a tabletop gamer) then you'll notice that you can actually arrange those four atoms in two different ways that cannot be reconciled by rotating the molecule. If they're arranged one way, it's (arbitrarily) named a levo- or left-handed molecule. If it's arranged the other way, it's a dextro- (right handed) molecule. Enzymes are built to attach to specific molecular geometries, and if they don't match the molecule, they don't work. So imagine if you will an enzyme that is designed to break a protein down into its constituent amino acids, so they can be re-used to build bodily proteins. This protease is shaped to grab onto L-amino acids and ignore everything else. When confronted by a D-amino acid, it quite simply won't grab on, which means the protein doesn't get digested, and is quite useless to the organism.
Out of the major food molecules, protein and carbohydrates exhibit chirality, fats do in triglyceride (but not free fatty acid) form. Minor food molecules such as volatile flavor compounds and vitamins vary based on the particular molecules. Interestingly, ethanol is non-chiral, so Tali's need for Turian brandy is a curious case, and is either a case of the writers not being biochemists, or the possibility that Quarians and Turians do not have ethanol dehydrogenase, an enzyme to break down ethanol, and instead rely on some other form of alcohol for intoxication.
Games
Media
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Film |
Publisher |
Description
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Mass Effect: Paragon Lost (2012) |
Funimation Entertainment / T.O Entertainment |
An anime film adaptation based on the series. It serves as the prequel to Mass Effect 3 and follows the early career of Alliance Marine James Vega as he leads an elite Special Forces squad into battle against The Collectors during the events of Mass Effect 2. Stationed at a colony in a remote star system, Vega and his soldiers must protect the civilians from a ruthless invasion by the Collectors, determined to capture the population for unknown purposes.
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Mass Effect (TBA) |
Legendary Pictures / Warner Bros. |
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Novel |
Author |
Description
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Mass Effect: Revelation (2007) |
Drew Karpyshyn |
The first novel based on Mass Effect, the plot is centred around then-Lieutenant David Anderson and tells the story of how he came to know Saren as well as the beginning of his relationship with Kahlee Sanders. It expands on the history of the Mass Effect universe and reveals in detail how Anderson failed to become the first human Spectre.
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Mass Effect: Ascension (2008) |
Drew Karpyshyn |
The second novel based on Mass Effect, the plot centres around protagonist Paul Grayson, a member of Cerberus, who is in charge of raising a biotic girl named Gillian. It is set some two months after the ending events of the first game.
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Mass Effect: Retribution (2010) |
Drew Karpyshyn |
A sequel to Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect: Ascension.
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Mass Effect: Deception (2012) |
William C. Dietz |
It centers on Gillian Grayson. Response to the novel had been largely negative due to inconsistencies with lore and characterization, prompting fans to petition BioWare to disregard the novel as canon. In response, BioWare and Del Rey announced that a number of changes would be made in future editions.
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Mass Effect: Nexus Uprising (2017) |
Jason M. Hough and K. C. Alexander |
The novel is the first of three intended to weave directly into Mass Effect: Andromeda, taking place "concurrently with the adventure of the game itself".
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Mass Effect: Initiation (2017) |
N.K. Jemisin and Mac Walters |
The second novel in the Mass Effect: Andromeda book trilogy.
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Mass Effect: Annihilation (2018) |
Catherynne M. Valente |
The third and final novel in the Mass Effect: Andromeda book trilogy.
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Comic |
Author |
Description
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Mass Effect: Redemption (2010) |
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A four-part comic book mini-series. The story, which revolves around Liara T'Soni, is set in the interim period between the prologue and main storyline of Mass Effect 2, and is related to the downloadable content "Lair of the Shadow Broker".
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Mass Effect: Incursion (2010) |
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An on-line comic (8 pages) that follows Aria T'Loak's encounter with the Collectors one week prior to the opening events of Mass Effect 2. The events of Incursion link into the events of the comic miniseries Mass Effect: Redemption.
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Mass Effect: Inquisition (2010) |
Mac Walters |
An on-line comic (8 pages). Taking place after Mass Effect 2, the plot follows Captain Armando-Owen Bailey during his investigation of Executor Venari Pallin and corruption within C-Sec.
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Mass Effect: Evolution (2011) |
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A four-part comic book mini-series. The story focuses on the origin of the Illusive Man and is set during the First Contact War, shortly after the discovery of the Mass Relays.
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Mass Effect: Conviction (2011) |
Mac Walters |
A free short (10 page) single issue mini-comic. Taking place before Mass Effect 3, the plot follows Lieutenant James Vega during his stay on Omega before returning to Systems Alliance service.
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Mass Effect: Invasion (2011) |
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A 4 issue comic book series. It follows Aria T'Loak, the pirate queen of the space station Omega, as her station comes under attack from a new threat unleashed by Cerberus, the human survivalist organization.
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Mass Effect: Homeworlds (2012) |
Mac Walters |
A 4 issue comic book series. Each issue focuses on a main character from the Mass Effect series.
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Mass Effect: Blasto: Eternity Is Forever (2012) |
Mac Walters |
A 14-page single-issue. The main character is Blasto, the protagonist of several in-universe films, depicted as the galaxy's first Hanar Spectre.
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Mass Effect: He Who Laughs Best (2013) |
Mac Walters |
A short (10 page) single issue mini-comic. It explains how Jeff "Joker" Moreau became the SSV Normandy's pilot prior to the events of Mass Effect.
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Mass Effect: Foundation (2013) |
Mac Walters |
A 13-issue comic series. It features a story that runs parallel to the game trilogy and is designed to expand the universe as a whole.
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Mass Effect: Discovery (2017) |
Jeremy Barlow |
A 4 issue comic book series. Each issue focuses on the Andromeda Initiative from the Mass Effect series.
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Other |
Type |
Description
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Mass Effect: New Earth (2016) |
Ride |
A 4D holographic experience introduced at California's Great America amusement park.
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Class
Each class has distinct proficiencies in three main areas: general combat using firearms or melee strikes, tech attacks, and biotics. Classes can be further specialized to have even more intense focuses or proficiencies. Explorer is unique to Andromeda.
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Class |
Type |
Description |
Specializations
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Adept |
Biotic |
M1: The ultimate biotic, able to affect the physical world with the power of the mind. Gameplay focus is on disabling and debuffing enemies while dealing massive amounts of damage. M2 / M3: Adepts are biotic specialists, capable of disabling and killing enemies with raw biotic power. While they lack advanced combat training, they are the best at defeating enemies without firing a shot. |
Bastion
Nemesis
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Soldier |
Combat |
M1: A tough warrior, able to deal with a range of combat situations. The Soldier gets improved health, has the widest selection of weapons, and is eventually able to wear heavy armor. Gameplay focus is on getting into the thick of the fight, picking the right weapon for tactical situations, and outlasting opponents. M2 / M3: Soldiers are pure combat specialists. No one is tougher or more effective at taking down enemies with gunfire. Soldiers have the most thorough weapons training and can use all special ammo types. |
Commando
Shock Trooper
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Engineer |
Tech |
M1: A tech specialist, able to quickly and easily manipulate the environment with specific talents, and repair or modify technical equipment. Gameplay focus is on shaping the battlefield during combat, healing the party, and debuffing enemies. M2: Engineers are tech specialists, the only class able to employ combat drones on the battlefield. Engineers are the most effective class at blasting through enemy defenses and disabling opponents.
M3: Engineers are tech specialists, the most effective class at disabling the defense of the toughest enemies or incapacitating them to render them harmless. In combination with their weapons training, Engineers have the unique ability to spawn combat drones that can harass enemies or force them out of entrenched cover positions. |
Medic
Operative
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Vanguard |
Biotic / Combat |
M1: A powerful combatant, able to combine the offensive powers of the Adept and the Soldier. They have access to various weapons and armor, as well as biotics. Gameplay focus is on taking down enemies with quick and brutal force. M2 / M3: Feared for their high-risk high-reward combat style, closing quickly on enemies and destroying them at close range with weapons and biotic abilities. |
Nemesis
Shock Trooper
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Sentinel |
Tech / Biotic |
M1: Able to combine tech and biotics to manipulate the environment, disable and track enemies, or defend the party. Gameplay focus is on protecting the party using kinetic barriers and healing it with advanced medical training. M2: While they lack the focus of adepts and engineers, they are versatile and can handle any situation. Sentinels are equipped with the most advanced ablation armor system to keep themselves safe.
M3: In addition to complete weapons training, Sentinels are equipped with an advanced shield that makes taking cover much less necessary and rushing their enemies much more productive. |
Bastion
Medic
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Infiltrator |
Tech / Combat |
M1: A tech-savvy warrior, able to win battles by quickly disabling and killing enemies. These soldiers focus on unlocking alternate routes, gaining access to good equipment, and obtaining an advantageous position over enemies in combat. M2: Tech and combat specialists with the unique ability to cloak themselves from visual and technological detection. Deadly at any range, Infiltrators are equipped with a wide variety of weapons, equipment and powers that can take down any enemy.
M3: Tech and combat specialists with the unique ability to cloak themselves from visual and technological detection. Their inventory is stacked with a wide variety of weapons, equipment, and powers. Infiltrators are deadly at any range, but particularly so with a sniper rifle. |
Commando
Operative
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Explorer |
Tech / Combat / Biotic |
MA: A jack-of-all-trades, with abilities ranging from combat and tech to biotics. |
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