This article describes characters who appear in video games set in the Mass Effect universe, which includes a diverse cast of alien, human and synthetic characters. The spin-off games, Mass Effect Galaxy and Mass Effect Infiltrator, feature different protagonists. The fourth Mass Effect game is a standalone sequel to the original trilogy but set in a different galaxy, Andromeda, and focuses on the Andromeda Initiative and the Ryder family. The first three Mass Effect games takes place in the Milky Way Galaxy during the 22nd century and revolves around a space navy soldier named Commander Shepard. It is primarily based on a series of third-person role-playing shooter video games which currently consists of four mainline instalments and two spin-off mobile games. The Mass Effect series, a military science fiction media franchise developed by Canadian video game developer BioWare and owned by American publisher Electronic Arts, features an extensive cast of characters. Middle row: Suvi, Drack, Ryder (default male appearance), Lexi, Liam. Back row, from left to right: Vetra, Gil, Jaal. The crew of The Tempest led by Pathfinder Ryder in Mass Effect: Andromeda.
