A 10/10 Masterpiece RPG Trilogy Is Completely Free On Xbox Game Pass

Published Aug 13, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT Ewan is Deputy Editor for ScreenRant's gaming section. He still quite hasn’t gotten out of his mid 00’s emo phase, and knows more about The Legend of Zelda and Doctor Who than is probably healthy. Ewan oversees the content operation of ScreenRant's gaming output, working with a talented team of writers and editors to cover everything from the latest GTA 6 news to the indie games you need on your radar. Former Editor of GAMINGbible, Ewan also has words at Kotaku, Den of Geek, NME, and UNILAD. He's appeared on various podcasts, including VGC's and BBC's Let's Talk About Tech. There are plenty of genuinely excellent video game trilogies. I'm partial to the Batman Arkham trilogy myself, and I also have a lot of time for the first three Halo games. Dark Souls is also a solid trifecta, regardless of what some people say about the middle chapter. Oh, and Assassin's Creed gave Ezio a perfect trilogy back in the day. However, when it comes to truly perfect video game trilogies, I'd argue one stands out above all the others. And it just so happens to be free via Xbox Game Pass. Back in 2007, the first in what would become a new trilogy emerged for Xbox 360. The journey finally concluded in 2012, because back then it was normal to get more than one game in a franchise per decade. It was a simpler time. Fast-forward to 2021, and the definitive way to experience this trilogy was released, and is now available at no extra cost with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Is This The Greatest Gaming Trilogy? I truly believe that Mass Effect is gaming's greatest trilogy. Sure, Mass Effect 3 kind of screws things up at the eleventh hour, but it's a minor dent in what is otherwise one of the most ambitious, epic RPG experiences in video game history. Over the course of three games, players can carry their very own Commander Shepard through an interstellar conflict, with their choices, romances, and allies carrying through the games. Friends live or die based on your decisions, and the fate of the galaxy is entirely in your hands. Alternatively, you could just spend all your time trying to hook up with the attractive blue alien. It's your call. Mass Effect Legendary Edition is undoubtedly the best way to play this trilogy in 2026. With improved graphics and refined gameplay, it streamlines the experience across all three games. It also contains all the original DLC, including Mass Effect 2's Lair of the Shadow Broker, which remains one of the greatest story expansions ever made. But what really sets Mass Effect apart from the competition is its world building and relationships. After all, what would be the point in us having a persistent character across all three games if the relationships were all utterly dull? Every single member of Shepard's crew across the saga is a fully fleshed-out character with their own goals, their own views on the unfolding conflicts, and their own issues to overcome. Working out who to ally yourself with and, sometimes, who to let die, makes for gut-wrenching storytelling. We know that Mass Effect 5 is coming at some point (although it might be a while), so if you've ever wondered what all the fuss is about, this is the perfect opportunity to dive in to one of the best RPG series ever made. Heck, if you start Mass Effect now, you'll definitely have rolled credits on Mass Effect 3 by the time GTA 6 comes out and devours everyone's spare time. You can then also see for yourself that the ending to Mass Effect 3 is nowhere near as bad as people made it out to be at the time. Systems Released May 14, 2021 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) BioWare Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Unreal Engine 4 Franchise Mass Effect