The Suicide Mission is the final level in the 2010 video game Mass Effect 2 , part of the Mass Effect franchise developed by BioWare. It involves the efforts of Commander Shepard and their crew to enter the Omega-4 Relay and infiltrate the Collector Base, a space station operated by hostile aliens under the command of Harbinger, a member of a fleet of sentient starships known as the Reapers, who has brainwashed their leader, the Collector General. The attack is considered a suicide mission due to the danger posed by the Omega-4 Relay, hence the name. Once inside the base, crew members must be assigned to certain tasks depending on their strengths in order to allow the crew to fight through overwhelming odds, rescue kidnapped humans, and ultimately destroy a "Human Reaper", a tremendous android under construction in the core of the base.
The level received significant critical attention for its high stakes, in which any number of characters, including Shepard themselves, can die due to a lack of preparation or incorrect choices on the part of the player, which are then carried over into the sequel, Mass Effect 3 . Due to its branching paths, plot significance and level design, it is considered one of the best video game levels by critics.
The entirety of Mass Effect 2 functions as preparation for the Suicide Mission to stop the Collectors; Shepard is tasked by the Cerberus organization with recruiting a skilled crew of experts in various disciplines, and mining raw materials to upgrade the Normandy SR-2's systems. "Loyalty missions" improve a squad member's chances of survival during the Suicide Mission by causing them to gain Shepard's trust.
The lead-up to the Suicide Mission starts before crossing the Omega-4 relay, when Shepard recovers a Reaper IFF code while rescuing the character Legion. After the subsequent mission, the Normandy is attacked by the Collectors on account of installing the code into the ship's systems, and they kidnap multiple crewmembers. This begins a timer in which they will gradually die if Shepard does not attack the Collector Base before performing missions; saving all crew only allows enough time for Legion's loyalty mission.
After Shepard enters the Omega-4 Relay, the Normandy is ambushed by Collector ships and drones. Failure to upgrade the Normandy can cause crew members to be killed by damage to the ship. The Normandy proceeds to land on the Collector Base, a space station orbiting a black hole. From there, Shepard's main squad infiltrates the base, potentially being able to rescue members of the crew. Situations emerge where a single squad member must split up to assist Shepard's progress or hold off the Collectors; their loyalty and suitability for the task determines whether they live or perish. When they reach the core, they discover a Human Reaper, and are forced to destroy it. They escape the base, though, if fewer than 2 squadmates remain, Shepard will also perish. [1] Assuming they escape alive, the player can choose whether to obliterate it, or hand it over to the Illusive Man for further study.
The Collector Base in which the Suicide Mission took place was initially planned as being full of lush greenery, and similar in appearance to Ōsanbashi Pier, which inspired art director Derek Watts with its mixture of building and nature. While its structure was made out of sloping, brushed metal, the developers realized the structure would work poorly as cover, and made the level more brutal and stark. While attempting to avoid the cliché of aliens resembling the structures they reside in, they ultimately decided to make the base look more organic to match the Collectors, believing it would be more visually interesting. The developers nevertheless added metal to the floor of the Collector Base in order to integrate mechanical elements into the level design. [2]
Developers stated that, while developing the concept for the Suicide Mission, they knew it was a risk to allow most squadmates besides Shepard to potentially die. It had been their intent to return to characters from Mass Effect 1 in Mass Effect 3 in order to prevent any potential deaths in the Suicide Mission from having undue impact on the story. [3]
Leana Hafer of PC Gamer characterized the Suicide Mission as one of the great moments in PC gaming, saying that most games did not harness the non-linear storytelling potential of the medium in the same way. Calling the mission "intense" because "anyone can die", she described the level as "brutal", but at the same time indicative of how most games "spoil us with happy endings". She cited the death of Mordin during her own playthrough, made more impactful by having to confront her failure afterwards, and remarking that survival in more games should be based on "meticulous and extraordinary effort". She also mentioned having to know your squad mates to succeed, and the level's "epic music", cinematography, and the "macabre" discovery of the Human Reaper. [4]
In a decade-later retrospective, Tom Philips of Eurogamer called the Suicide Mission "BioWare at the top of its game", citing the debris orbiting the black hole as part of the game's "beautifully-designed final moments". Describing the level as "unparalleled in terms of its labyrinthine choice complexity", he said that the best thing about it was that even if the player prepared for the mission, they would have a "gnawing doubt" that not everyone would make it out alive, and called it "a thrill to see this family you have spent dozens of hours with come together as the Normandy is plunged into danger". He called the lead-up to the Collector Base a "brutal introduction" if the player was underprepared, describing the potential consequences of the mission as "utterly audacious" and "like BioWare making its own version of Empire Strikes Back which kills off Han, Leia and Chewie and still leads into Return of the Jedi ". [1]
Andy Kelly of GamesRadar+ stated that "the cruel genius is that BioWare knows full well that you’ve fallen in love with these characters, and then proceeds to shamelessly exploit your emotions", citing the permanent deaths of characters "you know better than your actual friends", [5] while Ali Jones of the same publication called it "one of the best individual missions of the last decade", saying he "wasn't prepared for the dread" of "knowing a single misstep [...] could cost me a companion". Saying he only lost a single supporting cast member, it still came as a "gut punch". [6] Pascal Tekaia of RPGamer described the Suicide Mission as "a memorable event" in "a genre dominated by Revival Tonics and Phoenix Downs", saying that one of his most memorable RPG moments was getting everyone through unscathed on his first attempt without outside assistance. [7]
The release of statistics from the trilogy's Legendary Edition by Electronic Arts showed that players were mostly successful in rescuing all squad members, with Garrus having the highest survival rate (98 percent) and Mordin having the lowest (90 percent). However, Kotaku raised the possibility that players resorted to save scumming when a character died, or followed an online flowchart guide to ensure their survival. [8]
Mass Effect is an action role-playing game game developed by BioWare and published by Microsoft Game Studios, originally released for the Xbox 360 in November 2007. It is the first game in the Mass Effect series, and takes place within the Milky Way galaxy in the year 2183, where civilization is threatened by a highly advanced machine race known as the Reapers. The player assumes the role of Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier who must stop a rogue agent from carrying out the Reapers' galactic invasion. The game involves completing multiple quests that generally involve space exploration, squad and vehicular combat, and interaction with non-player characters.
Commander Shepard is the player character in the Mass Effect video game series by BioWare.
The Reapers are a fictional fleet of sentient starships that serve as the main antagonists of the Mass Effect trilogy. The design of the Reapers was inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos deities. Within the series, the Reapers cause galactic-level mass extinctions every fifty-thousand years. The Reapers and their technology are capable of brainwashing organic life through a mind control process called indoctrination. The Reapers employ servants who are often altered into synthetic-organic life forms.
Mass Effect 2 is an action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Microsoft Game Studios and Electronic Arts for Windows and Xbox 360 in 2010 and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 3 in 2011. It is the second installment in the Mass Effect series and a sequel to the original Mass Effect. The game takes place within the Milky Way galaxy during the 22nd century, where humanity is threatened by an insectoid alien race known as the Collectors. The player assumes the role of Commander Shepard, an elite human soldier who must assemble and gain the loyalty of a diverse team to stop the Collectors in a suicide mission. Using a completed saved game of its predecessor, the player can impact the game's story in numerous ways.
Mass Effect 3 is a 2012 action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. The third major entry in the Mass Effect series and the final installment of the original trilogy, it was released in March 2012 for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. A Wii U version of the game, entitled Mass Effect 3: Special Edition, was later released in November 2012. The game is set within the Milky Way galaxy in 2186, where galactic civilization is invaded by a highly advanced machine race of synthetic-organic starships known as Reapers.
Miranda Lawson is a fictional character in the role-playing video game series Mass Effect by BioWare. In it, Miranda is an officer of the pro-human group Cerberus, first appearing in the 2009 iOS game Mass Effect Galaxy, and then serving as a squad mate in Mass Effect 2. In addition to these, the character also makes an appearance in the Mass Effect: Redemption comic series, in Mass Effect 3 if she survived the events of the suicide mission in Mass Effect 2, and in issues 5, 6, 8 and 9 of the Mass Effect: Foundation comic series. She is revealed to have been genetically designed by her father, Henry Lawson, to be perfect, and ran away from home to join Cerberus.
The Illusive Man is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect video game franchise. He is the leader of the pro-human group Cerberus. The Illusive Man wears an open suit that connotes both futuristic style and the "casual swagger of a charming billionaire". His eye implants make him appear slightly inhuman. He is normally seen in an empty office with no indication of his living arrangements. He is voiced by Martin Sheen.
Kaidan Alenko is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who acts as a party member in the first and third games in the series. The character is initially introduced in the original Mass Effect as a human Systems Alliance Officer and primary squad member in Commander Shepard's team. Kaidan's fate on the planet Virmire is part of a pivotal decision which the player has to make in order to advance the narrative.
Garrus Vakarian is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who acts as a party member in each of the three games in the original trilogy. Garrus is a turian, one of the various alien species in Mass Effect, and is voiced by Brandon Keener.
Urdnot Wrex is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who serves as a party member in the first game of the Mass Effect trilogy. He is a krogan, an alien race near-sterilised by other galactic races for their violence and high population growth. Introduced as an experienced krogan mercenary, his role changes in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 where he becomes leader of an expanding krogan clan and eventual head of state for the krogan as a whole. After over 1000 years of aimless apathy, Wrex seeks to bring back hope to his people and reverse their fate by undoing the genophage. He is voiced by Steven Barr.
Mordin Solus is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who serves as a party member in Mass Effect 2. A salarian physician and life scientist who was once a member of the salarian intelligence organization Special Tasks Group ("STG") earlier in his life, Mordin is depicted as a fast-talking and affable individual who is initially guided by scientific principles and logic, but later changes his mind and adopts strong moral standards as well as a respect for all forms of life.
Samara is a fictional character from BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who serves as a party member in Mass Effect 2. She is an asari, a feminine species in the Mass Effect universe who are naturally inclined towards biotics, the mental ability to manipulate dark energy and generate various psychokinetic effects. Samara is a member of a highly respected and feared ascetic order of mystic warriors known as the Justicars. Samara's features were based on model Rana McAnear, and she is voiced by American actress Maggie Baird.
Legion is a character in BioWare's Mass Effect franchise. The character first appears in Mass Effect 2 as a party member. After Mass Effect 2, Legion returns in Mass Effect 3 as a supporting non-player character. Legion is voiced by American actor D. C. Douglas.
James Vega is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect media franchise, who is a party member in the third game of the series. Within the series, he is a human Systems Alliance Marine holding the rank of lieutenant, and first appears in Mass Effect: Conviction where he is assigned by Systems Alliance Admiral David Anderson to escort series protagonist Commander Shepard, who is en route to an Alliance defense committee hearing in Vancouver. After the Reapers invasion of Earth commences, James joins Shepard and the crew of the Normandy as they depart Earth to rally support from humanity's allies. The character has also appeared in other media, including the first issue of the comic mini-series Mass Effect: Homeworlds, and anime film Mass Effect: Paragon Lost. James Vega is voiced by American actor Freddie Prinze, Jr.
Tali'Zorah, or Tali in short, is a character in BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who serves as a party member in all three games in the Mass Effect trilogy. She is of the quarian alien race. Within the series, she is a skilled technician and the daughter of Rael'Zorah, a member of the quarian judicial review Admiralty Board. Ash "Liz" Sroka voices Tali in each of her appearances. Outside of the trilogy, Tali appears in Mass Effect: Homeworlds, a comic series with individual issues on each of several Mass Effect 3 squadmates.
Dr. Liara T'Soni is a fictional character in BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who serves as a party member in the original Mass Effect trilogy. She is an asari, a female-appearing species from the planet Thessia who are naturally inclined towards biotics, the ability to "manipulate dark energy and create mass effect fields through the use of electrical impulses from the brain". Within the series, Liara is noted for being the galactic scientific community's foremost expert in the field of Prothean archaeology and technology, specifically evidence concerning the demise of the ancient Protheans, believed by the galactic community to be the pre-eminent civilization in the Milky Way galaxy until their sudden disappearance fifty thousands years before the events of the first Mass Effect.
Mass Effect 3: Omega is a major downloadable content (DLC) pack developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts for the 2012 action role-playing video game Mass Effect 3. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on November 27, 2012, with a delayed release in Europe on the PlayStation 3 platform set for November 28, 2012. The pack follows Commander Shepard and the asari pirate queen Aria T'Loak as they attempt to liberate the space station Omega from the anthropocentric terrorist group Cerberus. Omega expanded beyond the developers' original plan during its development cycle, both in response to a mandate of freedom by BioWare management and as a result of the development team's desire to develop the experience they wanted, and incorporates cut content from the main game.
The Normandy-class SR are two fictional spacecraft in the Mass Effect video game franchise. She first appears in Mass Effect as the SSV Normandy SR-1, the product of a joint venture between the human Systems Alliance and the Turian Hierarchy, and described as the most advanced military stealth starship in the galaxy within the series. An improved version of the ship known as the Normandy SR-2, though no longer a commissioned spaceship of the Alliance Navy, is later constructed by the anthropocentric paramilitary organization Cerberus and appears from Mass Effect 2 onwards. Both iterations of Normandy have Jeff "Joker" Moreau as the pilot in command, while the SR-2 is integrated with an artificial intelligence entity known as EDI. She functions as the primary means of transport and base of operations for the player, in the role of Spectre Commander Shepard, and their crew, as they travel throughout the Milky Way and fight hostile aliens such as the Reapers.
Jeff "Joker" Moreau is a character from BioWare's Mass Effect franchise. In the original Mass Effect video game trilogy, he is the pilot in command of the Normandy-class SR, a highly advanced series of spacecraft with stealth capabilities which serve as the base of operations for the player character, Commander Shepard. In Mass Effect 2, Joker briefly becomes a playable character when the Normandy is invaded and the majority of its crew captured by hostile forces. Outside of the video game series, Joker appears as the central character of the 2013 comic book, Mass Effect: He Who Laughs Best, which explores the backstory behind how he became the pilot of the Normandy. He is voiced by American actor Seth Green, who was given a level of creative freedom to improvise the character's dialogue during recording sessions.