The beloved Mass Effect series is legendary for putting the player into the combat boots of Commander Shepard, a Systems Alliance Navy hero and the first-ever human Spectre. Shepard is embarking on a grand adventure, but even this hero must sometimes step into an elevator and wait patiently to arrive at the right floor. Very patiently.

The first game launched in 2007 on the Xbox 360, pushing that console's technical abilities to the limit. While Mass Effect was a gorgeous and ambitious space opera title, it strained the Xbox 360 a bit, from the infamous texture issues to some long wait times. BioWare chose to disguise those wait times using elevator rides aboard the Citadel space station and its wards.

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Riding The Citadel's Elevators: 2007 Edition

citadel ward mass effect

In the original game, Commander Shepard can visit the vast Citadel space station and wander around the Presidium (the elite section) and the five massive wards. But getting around takes some time. To travel between Ward locations, Shepard can take a flying taxi, and a simple loading screen will appear.

However when Shepard travels to or from the massive C-Sec HQ in the wards, or when traveling from C-Sec to the SSV Normandy's dock, it's time to ride an elevator -- and a lengthy one at that. This sequence replaces the loading screen, and the player can see Commander Shepard with two squadmates as the trio stands in that elevator, watching many floors pass by as the destination draws nearer.

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This is a rather idle time, so after a few seconds, one of Shepard's squadmates will pipe up and comment on the current mission, other squadmates or the world's lore in general. For example, Urdnot Wrex will imagine his squadmates in a fight and wonder who would win. Garrus Vakarian, meanwhile, expresses his hopes that Saren's villainy won't sour everyone's view on the Turians and that his race's good image will soon be restored. If Wrex hears that, he'll mock Garrus, pretending to be terribly concerned about whether the galaxy still loves the Turians or not.

Soundbites from galactic news will come up too, often reflecting the outcome of Shepard's most recent mission. Overall, this elevator concept is a fine way to make long loading screens feel more immersive, but in 2021, BioWare has stronger options.

Legendary Edition and Its Brisk Elevator Rides

shepard sad mass effect

The much-anticipated Mass Effect Legendary Edition is around the corner, and this remastered version of the trilogy (rather than a remake or reboot) will bring back nearly every feature from the original three games, albeit with updated visuals. Mass Effect's notorious elevator scenes will return as well, but this time, they'll be nice and brisk.

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Since modern consoles and PCs can process these games much faster than the hardware available in the late-2000s could, there's no need for a 14-second loading screen any longer. This also eliminates the need for filler conversations and news sound bites. However, players have come to adore (and expect) such filler dialogue, and the Citadel might feel a little lonely without them.

The solution would be to have the best of both worlds. The elevator loading time should definitely be shortened this time around, so the second Shepard and company step aboard, the squadmates may bring up their topics of choice and finish just in time for the elevator to arrive. In the past, there could be a few seconds of chilly silence before and after the conversations, but those quiet buffers will now be wonderfully absent.

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