Best Mass Effect level design

Before we get going, I'm going to add the disclaimer that I am a ME2 and ME3MP player, 1 and 3's SP holds almost no interest for me.

Sorry, I have to disagree. I found the level design of the maps on Illium to be quite uninspired. Linear affairs of Room-Hallway-Room-Hallway, sure the cover was USEFUL (and somewhat meaningful, being under construction and all), however any school kid could have designed the general layout like that, since it's exactly what the ME2 Combat System is based on (Enter a room, take cover, pick off horde of enemies). Pretty much every piece of cover gives you an almost perfect view of the entire battlefield, and the limitations of the enemy AI become very apparent (Or do they just have a dumbed down setting for these?).

I do have to agree with Haestrom though, as much as I disliked the solar hazard, and the enemy spawns, the physical layout (and multiple options) is just awesome. Some clear thought went into the map.

Korlus disguises its linearity quite well, and I'm fine with that. I don't expect every map to be a masterpiece of design layout, I just don't want to feel like I am stuck in a corridor, and Korlus does that. With the many twists and turns, and how one small adjustment in which cover you use can drastically change your LOS on the battlefield. If anything, Korlus feels a little restrictive, in that some enemies just can't be reached from certain places, but that's not a bad thing, "There is no combat without movement", changing position (or cover) is a part of the game.

Jack's Recruitment mission bears mentioning, despite being a very obvious corridor. The cover design is actually really good (though sometimes clunky like with those diagonal pieces), again, taking cover in a different spot (or approaching each room differently) will make a noticable change in the way the room plays out. And those Shotgun Turians who can easily flank you if you don't keep an eye out really drive this fact home whilst you're focused on the Mech in your face, and then die to the Turian behind you.

The Collector missions is really where ME2 shines though. It's very clear they were designed with that specific enemy in mind, and the enemy works well with each other and the environment. My only complaint is Harbinger's coverbusting stunlock combo that destroys you on Insanity (But that is not a level design problem). There are multiple ways to approach pretty much every Collector battlefield, and the graphical designs are quite a sight. They provide exactly the feel they're meant to. I approach every Collector mission with both excited anticipation and dread.

If I had to pick a specific Collector Mission as better than the other (Collector Missions), it would probably be the Collector Ship (Where you get the Advanced Weapons Training). The atmosphere, progression, and battlefield layout are all great, and work together nicely.


Whilst I have played little of ME3, I will give an honourable mention to Javik's recruitment, the map was pretty good, with battlefield options, and you could approach each spawn in several different ways, depending on preference and playstyle.

And the winner is: Garrus' Recruitment mission: House-based Arena is OK, and I struggle with the Basement (The one with the Varren, and depending on class, the Pyro), mostly because I don't play CQC in ME2. However, I wont claim that the level design is really that good, there is only one reason this mission wins, and that is because I get my bestest bro, Garrus at the end of it.

Yes, there is no clear winner for me based on the physicalities of the levels, so I took the easy (lame?) route and picked one that is fun to play, and provides me with a valued companion. There is no objective reason (Beyond Garrus) for me to choose that level, it is purely my subjective opinion on the value of Garrus as an ME2 Squadmate that made the decision for me. Hope my wall of text wasn't too boring for you.

EDIT: If wanted (Probably not, I have unpopular opinions on most things ME3MP related) I could give my opinion of ME3MP level designs.

For the record: since ME2 (and to a large extent, ME3) uses a lot of cover-based shooter mechanics, linear level design is expected. Games that use cover-based shooting mechanics require a lot of linear level design. The point is to get from point A to point B with a lot of enemies in your path, while going from cover-to-cover. Larger, more open areas are obviously going to be a lot more interesting than narrow halls. The problem is in trying to design larger areas for cover-based shooting mechanics that feature a lot of waist-high cover that does not feel out of place. This is why narrow corridors and halls in buildings get used a lot.

With that out of the way, I'm going to use Eden Prime in Mass Effect 1 as a good example of level design. The first half (pre-tram) features small enemy encounters between long dialogue bits. Since this is the first mission in the game, your powers have long cooldowns, mostly 60 seconds. These small encounters are stretched between conversation so your powers have a chance to cool down between the encounters. This allows you to start each new encounter with your powers available. These encounters also give you a chance to get familiar with the game mechanics such as taking cover, crouching to immprove aiming, and your shield mechanics.

Eden Prime gets a little tougher towards the end with an extended enemy encounter forcing you to deal with enemies while your powers recharge.

The level is not especially difficult, but it sets the tone for the rest of the game while giving you room to deal with the mechanics of the game. It does not overtly hold your hand like some other tutorial missions (for better or worse depending on your view or past experience) but i think the level design does a great job of introducing you to Mass Effect and its game mechanics.

Haestrom.

Hands down.

ME1 Noveria not terrible.