A new video compares footage of the original May 2021 release date for the Legendary Edition.
The package will boast a whole host of visual improvements, from higher frame rates and 4K resolution to HDR and increased textures. Graphical changes are just the tip of the iceberg. BioWare tweaked combat across each remastered Mass Effect entry, for instance. The Mako apparently received some much-needed adjustments, as well. Plus, the character creation system has been overhauled and enhanced to ensure all three titles share consistent personalization options. Once the collection arrives, players should also notice a massive reduction in loading times, especially for the original installment's notoriously lengthy elevator rides. Unfortunately, there are no plans for native PS5 and Xbox Series versions, but what BioWare's shown on last-gen hardware is still rather impressive.
A comparison video from YouTuber Cyu1 highlights just how stunning the improvements between the originals and the remasters look in action. Naturally, the image quality appears much sharper in the Legendary Edition. In most cases, color has received a boost, too, with blues and reds particularly seeming far more clear and refined. Characters models have also benefited from the remaster treatment, presumably thanks to the enhancements mentioned above.
While better visuals, higher frame rates, and faster loading speeds are nothing short of exciting, fans won't truly get a sense of the enhancements until they're able to go experience the content itself. Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 aged fairly well, yet the same can't be said for the first title. As such, how it stacks up against modern gameplay after nearly 15 years should be interesting to see.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition will feature 40 pieces of DLC, though there are some notable omissions. The original game's Pinnacle Station content is unfortunately unable to make the jump, due to corrupted code. To revive that specific DLC, BioWare would have to remake it from the ground up, a herculean task the studio doesn't have time to pursue. Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode is also sitting out for this release, as it, too, would've demanded extra work and resources the team can't set aside.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition comes to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on May 14.
Source: Cyu1