《質量效應3》（Mass Effect 3）是BioWare開發、EA發行的科幻角色扮演遊戲，於2012年推出，出現的平台有PS3、Xbox360、Wii U、Windows。作為《質量效應》三部曲的完結篇，為整個系列的史詩故事劃下句點。相比前作，在劇情、操作、關卡設計和多樣性上都進行升級，但其結局引發的爭議也成為業界熱議的話題。

故事延續2代結尾的事件，上次事件結束後的六個月，在2186年收割者（Reapers），這些遠古且毀滅性的機械生命體，最終全面入侵銀河系。主角仍是薛帕德（Shepard）指揮官，這次目標是團結銀河中的所有種族，尋找擊敗收割者的最後方法，並在銀河系的最終戰役中奮力一搏。從地球遭到收割者入侵開始。薛帕德被召回地球，但隨即目睹地球陷入火海。由於目前的軍事力量不足以抵擋收割者，受命重回銀河，尋找古老的計劃「擎天爐」（The Crucible）。這是據說能夠摧毀收割者的超級武器，但需要銀河各種族共同合作才能建造完成。

劇情充滿史詩感和緊張感，展示銀河系種族之間的衝突與和解，以及戰爭的殘酷和希望。需要努力調停種族之間的矛盾，例如克洛根（Krogan）與薩拉瑞（Salarian）之間的世仇，或是奎利安（Quarian）與蓋斯（Geth）之間的機械戰爭。這些抉擇將直接影響到最終戰役中，哪些種族會為你而戰，進而改變劇情的進展。最終，帶領聯軍進行史無前例的決戰，試圖在地球解放戰中摧毀收割者，為銀河爭取最後的希望。結局取決於在整個三部曲中的選擇，以及在本作中累積的「戰備資源」（War Assets）。

在遊玩方式上，對系列核心系統進行進一步優化，特別是在戰鬥、角色發展和探索方面。戰鬥系統是亮點之一，更加快速且緊張，加入改進的掩體系統和更靈活的移動選項，如翻滾和攀爬，在戰場上的操作更加流暢。武器的種類更為多樣，可以自訂武器配件，比如增加穩定性或提升傷害。此外，每個職業的技能樹進一步擴展，為技能選擇不同的進化路線，例如提升範圍效果或單體傷害，讓戰鬥策略更加多樣化。

對話系統延續前作的對話輪機制，但更加注重情感層次。玩家的選擇不僅影響劇情發展，也會影響薛帕德與隊友之間的關係。新加入的「戰備資源」系統要求在銀河中收集盟友和資源，這些努力將決定聯軍在最終戰役中的實力。

首次引入多人模式的「銀河戰爭」(Galaxy at War)，允許以合作方式完成特定任務。多人模式與單人遊戲緊密結合，成功完成多人任務可以提升單人模式中的戰備資源值，進而影響結局。關卡設計充滿史詩感與多樣性，既有小規模的戰術衝突，也有大規模的戰爭場景。從外星城市到收割者佔領的戰場，每個任務都充滿緊張感與深刻的情感衝擊。有六種職業可挑選，每種職業都有特殊技能。

其中，解決克羅根與薩拉瑞種族間矛盾的「傑諾法治療」（Genophage Cure）任務堪稱經典。要決定是否幫助克羅根治癒基因改造疾病，這選擇不僅影響兩個種族的命運，也會影響到特定角色的生死。此外，奎利安與蓋斯的種族衝突任務同樣令人印象深刻。選擇支持任何一方，甚至嘗試調停，讓兩個世仇種族達成和解。這些任務不僅在劇情上影響深遠，也帶來強烈的情感衝擊。最終戰役是整個三部曲的高潮。帶領銀河聯軍對抗收割者，地球上的戰場設計氣勢恢宏，給人一種參與銀河命運決戰的史詩感。

在發行後獲得普遍好評，尤其是對於其劇情張力、角色刻畫以及戰鬥系統的改進。然而，其結局設計卻引發極大的爭議，成為遊戲史上最具爭議的話題之一。許多玩家對結局的簡化和缺乏多樣性表示不滿，認為三部曲中的選擇和努力在結局中沒有得到充分體現，無法體現整個系列中的選擇和努力。為回應玩家的批評，BioWare隨後發布「擴展結局補丁」（Extended Cut DLC），增加更多的結局細節和收尾內容，以更好地解釋不同的選擇對銀河的影響。儘管如此，整體評價仍然非常高。媒體如IGN讚揚其「令人屏息的敘事和角色發展」，Game Informer則將其評為「系列的壯麗終章」。還贏得多個年度大獎，包括最佳角色扮演遊戲和最佳敘事獎。

《質量效應3》的發行標誌著三部曲的結束，但它對電子遊戲敘事、角色互動以及玩家選擇影響力的探索，仍然成為後續遊戲的標杆和靈感來源。儘管結局存在爭議，仍是史詩級的作品，將系列的科幻冒險推向巔峰，留下難以磨滅的回憶。

Mass Effect 3 is a science fiction role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by EA, released in 2012 for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and Windows. As the final installment of the Mass Effect trilogy, it concludes the epic story of the series. Compared to its predecessors, the game features upgrades in narrative, gameplay, level design, and diversity, though its controversial ending became a widely debated topic in the gaming industry.

The story picks up from the events of Mass Effect 2, six months after the conclusion of the previous game. In 2186, the Reapers—ancient and destructive synthetic lifeforms—launch a full-scale invasion of the galaxy. Commander Shepard once again takes center stage, tasked with uniting all the galaxy’s races to find a way to defeat the Reapers and lead the final battle for the galaxy’s survival.

The game begins with Earth under attack by the Reapers. Shepard is recalled to Earth but witnesses the planet being engulfed in flames. With current military forces unable to repel the Reapers, Shepard is assigned to travel across the galaxy in search of an ancient plan for a superweapon known as "The Crucible," rumored to be capable of destroying the Reapers. However, building the Crucible requires cooperation from all galactic races.

The narrative is grand and intense, portraying the conflicts, alliances, and reconciliations among galactic species, as well as the harsh realities and hopes of war. Shepard must mediate disputes between factions, such as the long-standing feud between the Krogan and the Salarians, or the war between the Quarians and the Geth. These decisions directly impact which races will stand by Shepard in the final battle, shaping the outcome of the story.

Ultimately, Shepard leads the allied forces in an unprecedented war, attempting to liberate Earth and destroy the Reapers, striving to secure the galaxy’s final hope. The ending is influenced by choices made throughout the trilogy and the accumulation of "War Assets" in this installment.

Gameplay enhances the core systems of the series, with significant improvements in combat, character development, and exploration. The combat system is a standout feature—faster and more intense, with an improved cover system and more flexible movement options, such as rolling and climbing, allowing for smoother battlefield navigation. A broader variety of weapons is available, with customization options for attachments that improve stability or increase damage. Each class's skill tree has been expanded, providing multiple upgrade paths for abilities, such as enhancing area-of-effect damage or focusing on single-target attacks, adding greater strategic depth to combat.

The dialogue system retains the series' signature conversation wheel but places a stronger emphasis on emotional depth. Player choices not only affect the plot but also influence Shepard’s relationships with squad members. The new "War Assets" system encourages players to gather allies and resources across the galaxy, determining the strength of the allied forces in the final battle.

For the first time in the series, multiplayer mode is introduced through "Galaxy at War," allowing cooperative play in specific missions. Multiplayer directly ties into the single-player campaign, with successful missions boosting War Asset values, impacting the single-player ending.

The level design is epic and diverse, featuring both small-scale tactical encounters and large-scale war scenarios. From alien cities to Reaper-occupied battlefields, each mission carries a sense of urgency and emotional weight. Players can choose from six classes, each with unique abilities.

One of the most iconic missions involves curing the Krogan Genophage, a genetic disease inflicted by the Salarians. The decision to assist in curing the Krogan affects the fate of both races and determines the survival of key characters.

The conflict between the Quarians and the Geth also leaves a lasting impression. Shepard can side with either faction or attempt to broker peace between the two, reconciling long-standing animosities. These missions resonate emotionally and profoundly affect the narrative.

The final battle serves as the trilogy’s climax, with Shepard leading the galactic forces against the Reapers. The large-scale warzones on Earth are designed to evoke the feeling of a galaxy-shaping confrontation.

Upon release, Mass Effect 3 received widespread acclaim, particularly for its narrative intensity, character development, and combat improvements. However, its ending sparked significant controversy, with many players expressing dissatisfaction over the perceived lack of variation and the feeling that their choices throughout the trilogy had minimal impact. Critics argued that the simplified ending did not adequately reflect the complexity of the decisions made across the series. In response, BioWare released the "Extended Cut DLC," adding more detail and expanding on how different choices affect the galaxy's fate.

Despite the controversy, the game received high praise overall. Media outlets like IGN lauded its "breathtaking narrative and character development," while Game Informer described it as a "magnificent conclusion to the series." Mass Effect 3 earned numerous awards, including Best RPG and Best Narrative.

The release of Mass Effect 3 marked the end of the trilogy, but its impact on video game storytelling, character interaction, and player-choice-driven narratives remains influential. Though divisive, it is regarded as an epic work that pushed the series’ sci-fi adventure to new heights, leaving lasting memories for fans.