ME:A is free now.

But EA access isn't free. They add new games six months after release.
Access is good thing, for 20 euros per year you can play over 50 games, DLCs not included.
That is how it works on PC.

So it's basically a glorified rental? O.o

Anyway, apart from Origin Access, a new copy of the game still sells for EUR 39.95 (Deluxe Ed. +EUR 10) in Europe...

www.masseffect.com/buy

Well - whaddayaknow - TF, that keyword points straight to the Quarian DLC:

www.masseffect.com/burn

But it's already a tire fire of a game.  Adding more fire will only make it worse.

This thread is confusing. Right now:
Amazon has ME:A for sale for $19.95

EA is adding ME:A to the EA Access program, which costs $19.95 per year to play all the games in the stable. Anyone already in the EA Access program will now be able to play ME:A, which will presumably add many (?) more players. IF I wanted to buy ME:A right now, I would not pay $19.95 for an annual subscription unless there are some other EA games I feel like playing. Right now, I can't think of any...

TL;DR ME:A is not free yet

I already know that MEAMP could never have provided me with the level of entertainment that the single player forums have. I never dreamed I could have so much fun not playing a game.

EA Access is a subscription service (on PC) offered through Origin.  For US$19.95 per year you can play any of the games listed in the Access vault.  All of the vaulted games are past their prime.   By putting ME:A on the Access service, EA makes the game playable for all the current subscription holders (who have been waiting for ME:A, or maybe not).   It also allows a new buyer to get ME:A, as well as other games in the vault, for an annual fee, which is really an ME:A price reduction if you think about it.  (ME:A currently sells on Amazon for US$19.95.)

If the Anthem introduction is anything like ME:A, they will not be competitive with Warframe (free 2 play), Destiny 2, or any of the current crop of open world MMOs.  If they want to compete in that arena, they will have to be free, and free of bugs.  They really don't understand that they are really not competitive at all in this area.  Let's see how Battlefront2 does when they drop that little bomb (coming soon)....