Mass Effect 3 Collector's Edition

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There are plenty of reviews on the actual game which is absolutely amazing. My review is about what you get in the collector's edition specifically and what you're getting for the extra $20. The collector's edition is really just the regular game in a nicer looking metal case, DLC content, and some physical extras thrown in. I'll go through the physical extras first. The exclusive "lithograph" of the Normandy is pretty small (4 by 6 inches) and of pretty poor quality in my opinion. I honestly think you could probably get a high resolution image of the Normandy online, download it onto a flash drive, take it in for photo development, and get something nicer. The stock of the paper used is notable poor and pretty pathetic for something that claims to be a lithograph. The exclusive "N7" patch you get isn't like normal patches that you have to sew on. It pretty much looks and feels like a velcro patch that you can slap on to something velcro would stick to. The quality and finish of the artwork on the patch is pretty solid though. The tin that you get the game in is nice looking and is fairly detailed in the prints of both male Shepard and female Shepard on either side of the case (male on the front, female on the back). Though I imagine for most people they won't be looking at it anytime soon since the mass effect 3 disc will be inside their xbox/ps3/pc for a while. The exclusive hardcover art book is pretty nice as well, though really it's just a miniature version of the larger "Art of the Mass Effect Universe" book that you can get from bookstores or Amazon today. Still it's a nice edition that adds a little extra if you like looking through concept art behind the Mass Effect universe. It doesn't really have anything more or less than what you've seen from other game art books. The comic book is also kind of a nice throw in, and is listed as "limited edition," though I have a feeling that the "limited" part comes in because it's got unique cover art work and not because the comic itself is limited. Also of note the physical disc you get also has "Collector's Edition" text stamped on it, to make you feel extra special. That about wraps up what you get in terms of physical goodies.

Now what you're really buying with the collector's edition is extra DLC content. The Xbox version gets a Normandy Xbox Live prop that you can put along with your avatar. All versions get the N7 Arsenal Pack, which gets you 4 unique weapons, alternate costumes for squad-members Liara, Ashley, Kaidan, and James, an extra casual outfit hoodie for Shepard to wear on the ship, and a robotic dog. The weapons I have mixed opinions on because they are heavier than other default guns you can get, and in Mass Effect 3 carrying heavier guns means your powers recharge slower. They're decently powerful, and the N7 Eagle pistol in particular is pretty cool because it's actually a full-auto pistol unlike all the other pistols, but they are far from being the best in their class IMO. Unlike in Mass Effect 2 however the alternate costumes for your squad-mates are actually useful because they give them different bonuses. For example one costume might give a 25% faster recharge time, and another one a 25% weapons damage boost, etc. The hoodie is pretty much just a N7 hoodie that Shepard gets to wear while walking around casually, not much else I can say about it. The robotic dog I thought would be more interactive but he pretty much just wanders around in the lowest level of the ship not doing much. Maybe I haven't really played around to see what else he can do yet, but so far he's just been doing his own thing. The other big thing you get is the first Mass Effect 3 DLC "From Ashes," which includes extra missions, a new gun, and a extra squad-mate. I haven't really done this mission and found this extra squad-mate yet to give details, but considering Mass Effect 3 already has a smaller roster of squad-mates available I'd say it's a pretty solid extra to get with your Collector's edition. You also get a Mass Effect soundtrack, but it's given via a reedemable code that you have to use on the main bioware website and not on a physical disc. The quality of the tracks sounds pretty good from my laptop speakers, though I haven't been able to check the bitrate etc. on them or listen to them over my good earphones yet. The final thing you get are some additional forum badges, avatars, etc. for use on the official bioware Mass Effect website forums to let everyone know you're rocking the collector's edition. I don't really care too much about it, but it's a nice way to help make you feel like you got something for your money.

Overall I'd say the collector's edition is a definite buy over the standard edition, if you can find it (Amazon so far is the only place I see it in stock). The DLC content alone is worth the extra $20 looking at just the digital content alone. The N7 Arsenal Pack would cost at least $10 and last I checked "The Arrival" DLC is also $10 on PSN and Xbox Live today. That's assuming the N7 arsenal pack is ever officially released for purchase since it's right now being touted as a Collector's edition exclusive. Combined with the other physical extras and digital perks thrown in like the digital soundtrack etc., I'd say you're more than getting your extra $20's worth. If you're a longtime Mass Effect fan like I am I'd say go for the Collector's edition definitely. If you're someone new to the franchise and are just checking things out, I think you could get by with just going for the standard edition if money is a issue, since you're just paying for extra DLC content and physical goodies catered more to fans of the series. But if you were even thinking about picking up DLC content for Mass Effect 3 at some point, you're getting a better value by buying the Collector's edition now and paying the $20 upfront. Feel free to ask me any questions you might have. Hope the review helps in making a decision.

Also as a side note, if you're new to the franchise I strongly suggest you buy Mass Effect 2 and import you character after beating it. You'll get a much more immersive experience. Also the PS3 verison of Mass Effect 2 comes with a good chunk of the DLC and a interactive comic that goes through the major decisions from Mass Effect 1, whereas the Xbox version does not. I'd recommend the PS3 version over the Xbox one for that reason alone (not to mention you don't need to swap discs with the PS3 version). But definitely buy the collector's edition of Mass Effect 3 now if you're interested, since I doubt it'll remain in stock much longer.

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After a disasterous mission, Shepard is confined to Earth, his warning are ignored and before the galaxy realizes the Reapers are not myths, they hit Earth first and they hit it hard. The game introduces us back to Commander Shepard on Earth (play the Arrival expanison from Mass Effect 2) the Reapers attack and all hell breaks loose. Admiral Anderson guides through the first mission and you are sent offworld to recruit help, after picking up an old friend at Mars, Shepard is tasked with building an alliance to fight the Reapers once and for all.

Mass Effect 3 is faster paced and more action oriented than part 2, you will have a smaller team but you will get to know them better and build relationships, if you played part 2, you will familiar faces here and there, depending on who you recruited and who survived. You can continue or rekindle a romance, you can finally make a truce between the Geth and Quarians, cure the Genophage and save the galaxy and also take on Cerberus.

I found the conclusion very satisfying but I did pick this up after EA released the new extended ending, if you can muster your forces above 4000, you will be treated to an awesome cut scene regarding the final assault on Earth, there is some recruiting, exploration, no more minigames like picking locked doors or mining for minerals, like I said, it is faster paced.

The collector's edition comes with in-game content, a small booklet, a N7 patch and a cool case, regardless if you choose this or the standard edition, the game is able to blend in an amazing RPG experience with an action packed shooter, the online component is fun and I had a great time trying out new classes and species ( you can play as an Asari, Quarian, Krogan and more) and it is fun watching your galactic readiness build up.

I highly recommend this game, join the fight and save the galaxy.

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I'm more of a casual gamer but with Mass Effect I truly enjoy playing from start to finish. Mass Effect 3 is simply amazing, usually the trailers for the game seem to show the best parts of it, and even with such awesome trailers, the experience of playing this game is simply incredible and every mission and cutscene are fantastic, way better than what I was expecting.

The collector's edition was cool to get particularly for the tin case, bc the artbook that comes with it is lacking compared with the awesome Art of the Mass Effect Universe and the DLC was a nice bouns but nothing vital to the game I think. What it's all about is the game, and what a great final chapter for this trilogy did Bioware deliver!

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I have enjoyed the mass effect series over the years. I always played them on the pc. but this time ,due to EA greed and the creation of origin, I purchased on the ps3. I really enjoyed the game experience, the story, and the graphics. sure the ps3 has a frame rate issue every so often and I miss playing on my pc. I also wish I could import my pc games. I know Sony is willing to do this because portal 2 could share saves with the pc. but EA...oh well. I cannot knock the game it was great! play it

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Totally worth buying the game again just for the exclusive DLC. I'm glad this version of the game is still out there cause I can't find it anywhere else.