Modders port Mass Effect 3's multiplayer to the Legendary Edition
The multiplayer mode from 2012's Mass Effect 3, famously missing from the 2021 Mass Effect Legendary Edition, is now playable in the remaster thanks to a dedicated modding team. Per IGN and Kotaku, the ME3Tweaks group has released a free mod that fully ports the cooperative multiplayer experience.
The mod launched on November 7, known as N7 Day in the Mass Effect community. It requires ownership of the Mass Effect Legendary Edition on PC. The project, internally dubbed 'Project Milan,' took the team approximately three years to complete.
Lead modder Mgamerz told Kotaku the idea formed after wrapping up another mod. He reportedly told his team they should attempt a 'crazy' project by bringing the multiplayer over. Development faced setbacks, including a period where Mgamerz broke his arm, but a functional prototype was ready by December 2023.
The mod isn't a simple copy-paste job. The team had to rebuild audio systems, upgrade shaders, and re-bake lighting using Unreal Engine 4's improved solver to make the old maps look better. They also added new gameplay modes, including 'Coalition' and 'Unified,' which mix enemy factions. The original progression and loot box system remains, but players can choose how much content to unlock from the start.
