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Mass Effect 3 Alliance Armor 3,5/5 2552 reviews
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Create a sphere of dark energy that traps and dangles enemies caught in its field. Recharge Speed: 2.67s. ALLIANCE ARMOR DLC - Updated v2.0 - A personal DLC now released on nexus by popular request and thanks to the texture creators: Ottemis and Tarkov33/Chashan DLC Cerberus armors renamed and retextured in high-res into their Alliance counterparts. All packaged into a single easy to use DLC (no texmodding required).

Mass Effect 3
Developers
MultiplayerPsyonix[1]
Publishers
Engines
Release dates
WindowsMarch 6, 2012
Mass Effect
Mass Effect2008
Mass Effect 22010
Mass Effect 32012
Mass Effect: Andromeda2017

Key points

Mass Effect 3 can optionally import save games from Mass Effect 2, which in turn can import save games from Mass Effect.

General information

Official game site
Mass Effect Wiki
  • 1Availability
  • 2Essential improvements
  • 3Game data
  • 4Video settings
  • 5Input settings
  • 6Audio settings
  • 7Network
  • 9Issues fixed
    • 9.4Not starting
    • 9.11Importing
  • 10Other information

Availability[edit]

SourceDRMNotesKeysOS
Retail
Gamesplanet Mass Effect Trilogy. Includes Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2.
Origin Included with Origin Access Basic. Digital Deluxe also available.
All versions require OriginDRM.

Downloadable content (DLC) and expansions

This game has in-game micro-transactions (not listed below).
DLC can be bought through Origin by right clicking Mass Effect 3 and View Game Details
All of the DLC is now available in a bundle on Origin.
NameNotes
Alternate Appearance Pack 1 160 BW Points
Citadel 1200 BW Points
Earth Multiplayer Expansion Free.
Extended Cut Free.
The Final Hours Of Mass Effect™ 3
Firefight Pack 160 BW Points
From Ashes Included in Digital Deluxe or 800 BW Points
Genesis 2 320 BW Points
Groundside Resistance Pack 160 BW Points
Leviathan 800 BW Points
M90 Indra Sniper Rifle Redeemable through Alienware Promo or Included with Firefight Pack
Mass Effect™ Trilogy Art Included in Mass Effect Trilogy bundle
Mass Effect 3 Digital Art Books Included in Digital Deluxe
Mass Effect 3 Soundtrack Included in Digital Deluxe
N7 Collector's Edition materials Included in Digital Deluxe
Omega 1200 BW Points
Reckoner Knight Armor Obtained by logging in to account in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo[2] (The demo is available on Steam)
Reckoning Multiplayer Expansion Free.
Rebellion Multiplayer Expansion Free.
Resurgence Multiplayer Expansion Free.
Retaliation Multiplayer Expansion Free.

Essential improvements[edit]

Skip intro videos[edit]

Use the -nostartupmoviescommand line argument[3]
Modify ME3_sig_logo in bioengine.ini[4]
  1. Download and run ME3 Coalesced Utility.
  2. In the utility open Coalesced.bin from <path-to-game>BIOGameCookedPCConsole
  3. Go to the bioengine.ini > fullscreenmovie > startupmovies section.
  4. Add a semicolon in front of the ME3_sig_logo line like so: ;ME3_sig_logo
  5. Save the file and exit the utility.

HD Texture Pack[edit]

A Lot of Textures(ALOT) is a re-texture project aiming to bring Mass Effect 3's textures to today's standards, replacing around 2200 textures with high-resolution variants.

Game data[edit]

In-game general settings.
In-game narrative settings.

Configuration file(s) location[edit]

SystemLocation
Windows %USERPROFILE%DocumentsBioWareMass Effect 3BIOGameConfig

Save game data location[edit]

SystemLocation
Windows %USERPROFILE%DocumentsBioWareMass Effect 3Save

Save game cloud syncing[edit]

Video settings[edit]

In-game video settings.
Graphics featureStateWSGFNotes
Widescreen resolutionVert-, use Flawless Widescreen or Widescreen Fixer.
Multi-monitor Use Flawless Widescreen or Widescreen Fixer.
Ultra-widescreen Use Flawless Widescreen[5] or Widescreen Fixer.
4K Ultra HDVert-, use Flawless Widescreen or Widescreen Fixer. and Interface Scaling Mod
Field of view (FOV)Use Flawless Widescreen or Widescreen Fixer or Mass Effect 3 FoV Mod.
Flawless Widescreen maintains correct FOV during cutscenes.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)The level of filtering can be adjusted in MassEffect3Config.exe.
Anti-aliasing (AA)FXAA only. For other options see Anti-aliasing (AA).
Vertical sync (Vsync)Forced on by default. To disable see Vertical sync (Vsync).
60 FPS
120+ FPSSee High frame rate.
Several graphic settings cannot be changed in game.

Borderless fullscreen windowed[edit]

If the taskbar appears on top, set the game to Fullscreen and then back to Window (No Border) to eliminate it.[6]

Anti-aliasing (AA)[edit]

By default the game only has FXAA for anti-aliasing. But is possible to force other anti-aliasing types.
Use Nvidia Inspector (Nvidia only)[citation needed]
  1. Download and launch Nvidia Profile Inspector.
  2. Choose Mass Effect 3 from the profile list
MSAA
  • Change Antialiasing - Mode to Override any application setting
  • Change Antialiasing - Setting to 4x [4x Multisampling] or 8xQ [8x Multisampling] or 16xQ [16x CSAA (8 color + 8 cv samples)]
  • (Optional) Change Antialiasing - Transparency Multisampling to Enabled to enable transparency multisampling. Or you can change Antialiasing - Transparency Supersampling to one of the supersampling options to enable transparency supersampling.
SGSSAA
  • Change Antialiasing compatibility to 0x080000C1[7][8][9]
  • Change Antialiasing - Mode to Override any application setting
  • Change Antialiasing - Setting to 4x [4x Multisampling] or 8xQ [8x Multisampling]
  • Change Antialiasing - Transparency Supersampling to 4x Sparse Grid Supersampling or 8x Sparse Grid Supersampling
  1. Apply changes.

Notes

Default compatibility bits for anti-aliasing (0x080100C5) should be enough for MSAA. Therefore there is no need to change them when using MSAA.
If you are a SLI user and using SGSSAA you might want to change SLI compatibility bits to 0x42502005 for improved performance.[9]
If forcing AA causes video stutter, activating MSI Afterburner's OSD can fix it.

Vertical sync (Vsync)[edit]

Disable VSync[10]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open GamerSettings.ini.
  3. Add the line UseVSync=False under the [SystemSettings] section.
  4. Save the changes.

High frame rate[edit]

Disable 62 FPS cap[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open GamerSettings.ini.
  3. Locate the section [SystemSettings]
  4. Add the following values to end of the section (where XX is the FPS threshold):

Notes

Causes issues in the game. Enemies will be more accurate and your shields will recharge slower. Prevents usage of powers from cover unless you first lean out manually.[citation needed]

Input settings[edit]

In-game general control settings.
In-game key map settings.
Keyboard and mouseStateNotes
Remapping
Mouse accelerationNegative acceleration when 'Mouse Dampening' is enabled in options. Can also be tweaked through Coalesced.bin.[citation needed]
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller supportSee Controller support.
Full controller support
Controller remappingSee the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Additional information
Button promptsSee Controller support.
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedbackSee Controller support.
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Controller support[edit]

Native Xbox 360 UI Controller Support mods:

  • Singleplayer: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffect3/mods/407
  • Multiplayer: https://www.nexusmods.com/masseffect3/mods/374
There's also a separate mod installed via Coalesced.bin.
Barebones controller support[11]
  1. Download the replacement Coalesced.bin.
  2. Move it to <path-to-game>BIOGameCookedPCConsole, replacing the existing file.
  3. Connect your controller and launch Mass Effect 3. The controller should now work.

Notes

The mouse is still required in menus and conversations.
If you have made other changes to Coalesced.bin you will need to redo them.
This method should not be mixed with the native controller mods, it will break them.

Audio settings[edit]

In-game audio settings.
Audio featureStateNotes
Separate volume controls
Surround soundUp to 5.0
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost

Localizations

LanguageUIAudioSubNotes
English
French
German
HungarianFan translation.
Italian
Polish
Russian
Spanish

Network[edit]

In-game online settings.

Multiplayer types

TypeNativePlayersNotes
LAN play4 Co-op
Use ME3 Private Server Emulator/LAN.
Online play4 Co-op
Multiplayer activity and progress affects the singleplayer storyline. Note that the Extended Cut DLC modifies the game such that playing the multiplayer is not required for the 'best' singleplayer story ending.

Connection types

TypeNativeNotes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

ProtocolPort(s) and/or port range(s)
UDP5659, 6000
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

VR support[edit]

3D modesNative Notes
Nvidia 3D VisionSee Helix Mod: Mass Effect 3.
TriDef 3D

Issues fixed[edit]

GeForce.com has created a comprehensive guide for fixing issues in this game.

'Origin (EA) is no longer running. Mass Effect 3 will now close'[edit]

Reinstall Origin into default folder[12]

Make sure Origin is installed in the default folder (C:Program Files (x86)Origin), not on another drive.

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64bit Version Error Message[edit]

64bit Version Error Message[citation needed]

The following error message may appear:

The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need a x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher.
  • Selecting Mass Effect 3 in Origin and clicking 'repair install' and 'check for update' may fix this issue.

Mouse Causing Stuttering[edit]

Mouse movement may cause slowdowns. This can be fixed by disabling Origin overlay within the game.

Mouse Causing Stuttering[citation needed]
  1. Click on the gear in the top right.
  2. Click 'Settings'.
  3. Click the 'In Game' tab.
  4. Make sure 'Enable Origin In Game' is disabled

Not starting[edit]

The game is not starting. See multiple solutions below. Make a backup first before you delete anything, so you can restore your installation to its original state when trying another fix.

Generic startup crash[edit]

The issues is one of the following:

  • Crashed immediately
  • A black screen for a few seconds, then crash
  • Only the intro plays

Try the fix MSVCR90.dll error fix below.

Startup MSVCR90.dll error[edit]

The game crashes with an error about MSVCR90.dll. Although this indicates a problem with VC++ the cause can also be corrput saves/settings.

Check for corrupt saves/settings[13]
  1. Go to %USERPROFILE%DocumentsBioware
  2. Rename the Mass Effect 3 folder to Mass Effect 3 backup
  3. Try starting the game again
  4. If it does work you can try to restore your old saves:
    1. Delete the Saves
    2. Copy the Saves from your backup
  5. If this fails then your saves are corrupt. You can try restoring the last save from Origin:
    1. Open Origin > Game Properties > Cloud Saves
    2. Click Restore Saves

Startup BEX/APPCRASH error[edit]

A error message about BEX or APPCRASH when trying to start the game.

Rename atiags.dll[14]
  1. Open the Win32 Binaries folder in your Mass Effect 3 installation (default: C:Program Files (x86)BiowareMass Effect 3BinariesWin32)
  2. Rename the file atiags.dll to atiagsBACKUP.dll

Modded game not starting[edit]

The game does not start when one or more mods (e.g. Controller Support) have been installed via the third-party mod manager.

Start Mass Effect 3 from Mod Manager
  1. Open the Mass Effect 3 Mod Manager
  2. Click the Start Game button in the bottom right corner

Crash on From Ashes DLC[edit]

Crash on From Ashes DLC[citation needed]

At Eden Prime, shortly after watching the cutscene for the first pod, the player crashes.

  • To fix this, access the second pod first, and then the first pod.
  • There is a second way to fix this so you can watch the videos in order: Right after the first video is done playing, press your escape button a few times.

Retail DVD Install Issue[edit]

Some users experience issues installing Mass Effect 3 from a retail disc. After starting the install process and entering the product key, an error message claiming it is not a valid Mass Effect 3 serial number appears. Despite this, Mass Effect 3 will now be activated in your Origin library. Further attempts to run the installation process will still prompt for a product key, and upon entering it will result in an error message stating the key has already been used. It is impossible to continue the install process from this point.

There are two possible solutions to this issue. The first and easiest option is to simply download Mass Effect 3 via Origin. However, for those on slower or bandwidth limited internet connections, this may not be a viable option. It is still possible to install from the DVDs using the following workaround:

Mass Effect 3 Alliance Marine Armor Mod

Retail DVD Install Issue[citation needed]
  1. Start downloading Mass Effect 3 via Origin, pause the download and exit Origin.
  2. Delete all files in the Mass Effect 3 subfolder of Origin's game install folder. By Default this is C:Program FilesOrigin GamesMass Effect 3 Also, delete all files in Origin's download cache %PROGRAMDATA%OriginDownloadCache
  3. Copy the file Mass Effect 3.z01 from disc 1 and Mass Effect 3.zip from disc 2 to a temporary location on your hard drive.
  4. Extract these files to the Mass Effect 3 folder in Origin's game install folder. Default C:Program FilesOrigin GamesMass Effect 3 (NOTE: Traditional unzipping software such as WinRAR or 7-zip may experience critical errors extracting these files. If this occurs, you can use a program called Total Commander to extract them. In Total Commander some error messages will appear, but these can be ignored)
  5. Remove the read-only attribute to these files and folders (Right Click on the folder in Windows, select properties and uncheck the 'Read-only' box).
  6. Launch Origin and resume the download. A small download of approximately 60 MB should start to fix missing or broken files. After this, Mass Effect 3 should be fully installed and working.

Origin Install Issue[edit]

In some cases where Mass Effect 3 has been downloaded through Origin, upon installation users are met with this error message:

Error: The VC++ runtime redistributable package was not installed successfully. Setup cannot continue.

In order to solve the issue:

Origin Install Issue[citation needed]
  1. Exit Origin.
  2. Go to the Control Panel and uninstall any 'Microsoft Visual C++ 20XX' packages you may have.
  3. Download both the 2010 x64 and 2010 x86 redistributable files from the Microsoft website.
  4. Once both files have downloaded successfully, navigate to Mass Effect 3's installation folder, default is
  5. Inside that folder, either delete or rename both the vcredist_x64.exe and vcredist_x86.exe and replace them with your newly downloaded versions.
  6. Open Origin and install the game.

Language Fix[edit]

If you buy the game on Origin and discover the in-game menu and subtitles are a different language than English, there is a way to correct it;

Language Fix[citation needed]

After you have downloaded and installed the game:

  1. Download the language pack: From MediaFire
  2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREWow6432NodeBioWareMass Effect 3
  • Now change the Locale data to: en_US and change the final part of GDFBinary path to GDFBinary_en_US.dll by right clicking the relevant row and pressing 'edit value'.
  1. After changing these values go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREWow6432NodeOrigin Games71402
  • Now change the Locale value to en_US by right clicking the relevant row and pressing 'edit value'.

Now replace the CookedPCConsole folder found in Mass Effect 3BIOGame with the one found in the language pack, and accept all the changes and overwrites.

Finally, delete the BIOGame_RUS.tlk in your Mass Effect 3BIOGameCookedPCConsole folder and rename the BIOGame_INT.tlk language file, that you will find in the CookedPCConsole folder after you have replaced it with the one found in the language pack, to BIOGame_RUS.tlk.

Mass effect 3 is now fully in English.

DLC Error[edit]

DLC Error[citation needed]

Sometimes the game will have problems loading DLC (both free and paid DLC) and will present an error message stating 'Unable to authorize the listed DLC. Please log in to the Alliance Network with the account used to purchase the DLC'. This is usually caused by an error during the download.

  1. To solve the error, open Origin and bring up Mass Effect 3's information by clicking the 'i' icon below it.
  2. Right click on the DLC causing the error and select 'Check for update'.
  3. A download should begin to download any missing or broken files.
  4. The DLC should work the next time you launch the game.

Unable to save any more games[edit]

Increase 50 save limit[15][citation needed]
  1. Download ME3 Explorer
  2. Run ME3Explorer and select PCC Editor 2.0 (under Developer Tools)
  3. Provide game executable situated in <path-to-game>BinariesMassEffect3.exe
  4. Go to File > Load and open <path-to-game>BIOGameCookedPCConsoleSFXGame.pcc
  5. Choose Exports tab and scroll down to the 45241 line
  6. Select it and set MaxSaves IntProperty to a big number like 999
  7. Go to File > Save

Importing[edit]

Import Save Game[edit]

Import Save Game[citation needed]
For general troubleshooting with importing, please refer to EA's save game import FAQ and this detailed post about modding and save game imports from LiveJournal user bluefall.

Import From Mass Effect 2 Folder[edit]

Import From Mass Effect 2 Folder[citation needed]
Mass Effect 3 does not use an import save game data in the same way that one could import save game data from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2. Instead, it detects an existing Mass Effect 2 save games folder (as if Mass Effect 2 was installed and completed). Therefore there should be no issue as long as the same computer used to complete Mass Effect 2 is used to start a new game in Mass Effect 3.

Import Without Reinstalling[edit]

Import Without Reinstalling[16]

To import a Mass Effect 2 save file from an old computer to the one in which Mass Effect 3 is currently installed, copy your old career folders to: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsBiowareMass Effect 2Save

Lost Old Save Game[edit]

Lost Old Save Game[citation needed]
One can replace an old save game by going to Mass Effect 2 Saves, which is a repository of Mass Effect 2 save games with various playthroughs which can be imported into Mass Effect 3.

Save Game Not Detected[edit]

If a Mass Effect 2 save game is not detected, there are currently some methods to fix this.

Rename Save Game Folder[citation needed]
A save editor may have changed the folder structure. Change this back to allow Mass Effect 3 to autodetect correctly.
  1. Go to %USERPROFILE%DocumentsBiowareMass Effect 2Save
  2. Change the folder name to Name_12_Class_012610
Edit GamerSettings.ini[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open GamerSettings.ini.
  3. Add your Mass Effect 2 saves folder location next to Location=
Example:
Make sure that the above location is the correct location of your save games.

Multiplayer game using 'Different Version'[edit]

When attempting to join a friend's game an error will display that you cannot join due to game versions being different
Downgrade Mass Effect 3
  1. Follow directions on this forum post.
This issue seems to only affect some users in the UK. This executable has not been seen outside of that region

Other information[edit]

Mass Effect 3 Alliance Armor

API[edit]

Technical specsSupportedNotes
Direct3D9
Shader Model support3

Middleware[edit]

MiddlewareNotes
PhysicsPhysX
AudioSpeex, Wwise
InterfaceScaleform
CutscenesBink Video

Ambient occlusion[edit]

Default Nvidia driver profile does not have compatibility bits to enable ambient occlusion for the game. But it can be enabled by tweaking the driver profile settings.
Use Nvidia Inspector (Nvidia only)[17]
  1. Download and launch Nvidia Profile Inspector
  2. Choose Mass Effect 3 from the profile list
  3. Change Ambient Occlusion compatibility to 0x00000020
  4. Change Ambient Occlusion usage to Enabled
  5. Change Ambient Occlusion setting to Performance, Quality or High quality
  6. Apply changes.

Modding[edit]

  • Mass Effect 3 Nexus - Has decent amount of mods for Mass Effect 3.
  • me3tweaks - Hosts mods for Mass Effect 3.
  • Mod Manager - A tool for handling installation and development of mods
  • ME3Explorer - A multi-tool software for modding Mass Effect 3. Also includes a Coalesced.bin editor for further tweaking.

Mods[edit]

  • Extended Final Anderson Conversation - Restores (mostly) the full final conversation with Anderson that was severely shortened in the released game.
  • Expanded Galaxy Mod - Adds a huge number of changes, both large and small, to improve the overall gameplay of the game, giving the user a more personalized experience.
  • Ark Mod - Additional Hazard maps and an entirely new N7 mission.
  • Individual Cooldowns Mod (ME1 Style) - Disables the global cooldown of powers, making them all have individual cooldowns just like ME1 (and the mod from ME2)

System requirements[edit]

Windows
MinimumRecommended
Operating system (OS)XPVista, 7
Processor (CPU)Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
System memory (RAM)1 GB (XP)
2 GB (Vista, 7)
2 GB (XP)
4 GB (Vista, 7)
Hard disk drive (HDD)15 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon X1800
Nvidia GeForce 7900
256 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0c compatible
Shader model 3 support
ATI Radeon HD 4850
Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT
Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti
512 MB of VRAM
AMD video cards below minimum system requirements: Radeon HD 3200, HD 3300, HD 4350
Nvidia video cards below minimum system requirements: GeForce 9300, 8500, 8400, and 8300
S3 video cards are not supported

References

  1. Psyonix on Twitter: '@Shinjiki81 Well, we helped contribute to the multiplayer for that one. The lovely folks at @bioware crafted the rad single-player game.' - last accessed on 2017-07-23
  2. Kingdoms of Amalur Crossover Content - Mass Effect 3 Wiki Guide - IGN - last accessed on 2016-8-30
  3. Verified by User:Blackbird on 2016-11-02
    Makes the game skip right to Press any key to continue
  4. PC Tweaks (Mass Effect 3) - Mass Effect Wiki
  5. How to fix games for 21:9 Ultrawide Gaming - Mass Effect 3, Ori and the Blind Forest, GoT, Fallout 4 - YouTube
  6. Tested by Andytizer
  7. 3DCenter Forum - View Single Post - Antialiasing - Kompatibilitätsbits - Sammelthread
  8. 3DCenter Forum - View Single Post - Antialiasing - Kompatibilitätsbits - Sammelthread
  9. 9.09.13DCenter Forum - View Single Post - SLI - Kompatibilitätsbits - Sammelthread
  10. Mass Effect 3 Tweak Guide - Configuration File - last accessed on 2017-08-26
  11. Hacking in gamepad support on PC - Coalesced.bin - The BioWare Forum - last accessed on 2016-8-17
  12. Tested by Andytizer.
  13. https://answers.ea.com/t5/Mass-Effect-3/Mass-Effect-3-crashes-on-start/m-p/5608426/highlight/true#M22589
  14. https://answers.ea.com/t5/Mass-Effect-3/Mass-Effect-3-will-not-launch/td-p/1108260
  15. Increasing ME3's 50-save Limit - SUCCESS! - The BioWare Forum - last accessed on 2016-8-17
  16. http://www.masseffect2saves.com/import.php
  17. HBAO+ Compatibility Flags Thread - guru3D Forums