| Normandy | |
|---|---|
| Mass Effect vehicles | |
 The SSVNormandy SR-1 as it appears inMass Effect | |
| First appearance | Mass Effect |
| Last appearance | Mass Effect 3: Citadel |
| Based on | Battle of Normandy |
| Information | |
| Affiliation | Systems Alliance Navy Cerberus (ME2) |
| Launched | 2185 |
| Captain | Captain Anderson (ME prologue) Commander Shepard |
| Combat vehicles | M35 Mako (ME) M-44 Hammerhead (ME2) UT-47 Kodiak (ME2 and ME3) |
| Auxiliary vehicles |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class | Normandy II-class Heavy Stealth Reconnaissance Frigate (ME2 and ME3) |
| Registry | SSV Normandy (ME andME3) CAW Normandy (ME2) |
| Armaments | 6Chimera-class mass accelerator autocannons (SR-1) 2 Mk. IVThanix-class cannons (SR-2) Both variants: 1 Mk. II Javelin Missile Battery; 40 Z-016Javelin-class disruptor torpedoes |
| Defenses | Enhanced Defense Intelligence (SR-2) Cyclonic/Multicore barrier technology (SR-2) Silaris-A Modular/Ablative Super Armor (SR-2) Both variants: Stealth Systems 6 GARDIAN point-defense laser Kinetic Barrier LIDAR/Radar/Spectroscope sensor systems |
| Maximum speed | 3.6 trillion mph |
| Propulsion | Four antiproton thrusters LOCKE Propulsion Units Heed Industries Helios Thruster Module (SR-2) |
| Power | Element Zero Mk. IITantalus FTL-Drive Core Secondary Fusion Plant Tertiary Extended Fuel Cells (SR-2) |
| Length | 170 metres (560 ft) (SR-1)[1] 216 metres (709 ft) (SR-2) |
| Width | 96 metres (315 ft) (SR-2) |
| Height | 24 metres (79 ft) (SR-2) |
| Population volume | 12 skeleton crew (SR-1) 48 crewmen "hotbunk"[a] (SR-2) |
TheNormandy-class SR[b] are two fictionalspacecraft in theMass Effect video game franchise. She first appears inMass Effect as theSSVNormandy SR-1, the product of a joint venture between the human Systems Alliance and the Turian Hierarchy, and described as the most advanced military stealth starship in the galaxy within the series. An improved version of the ship known as theNormandy SR-2, though no longera commissioned spaceship of the Alliance Navy, is later constructed by the paramilitary organizationCerberus and appears fromMass Effect 2 onwards. Both iterations ofNormandy haveJeff "Joker" Moreau (voiced bySeth Green) as thepilot in command, while the SR-2 is integrated with an artificial intelligence entity known asEDI (voiced byTricia Helfer). She functions as the primary means of transport, war room, and base of operations for the player, in the role of SpectreCommander Shepard, and their crew, as they travel throughout theMilky Way and fight hostilealiens such as theReapers.
TheNormandy has been praised by critics for its visual design, level design, and its appearance in the originalMass Effect trilogy, where it plays a pivotal role in the war against the Reapers and their servants.
InMass Effect 1, theNormandy derives her name from theNormandylandings ofWorld War II. The initialNormandy was created in 2183 as an advancedprototype "deep scout"stealthfrigate with help from theTurians, a race of aliens who were once hostile to humans. The Normandy SR-1 is divided into three main decks. The three decks are:Command Deck (Bridge, Main Airlock,CIC, briefing/communications room);Crew Deck (Crew's quarters, Medical bay, Captain's quarters and office);Engineering and Storage (Main engine, Mako bay, Armory)
Most of her revolutionary technology is incorporated into her source of propulsion, theTantalus drive core, which is also the source of her stealth capabilities. By temporarily "tucking in" and "storing" the heat energy produced within her hull to evade detection,Normandy can briefly travel swiftly undetected or drift passively for a lengthy time of observation, though this technique is not without danger. The stored heat must eventually be released, otherwise the ship risks cooking her own crew alive. To aid in the stealth, theTantalus drive allowsNormandy to move without the use of heat-emitting thrusters. TheNormandy is armed with GARDIAN (General ARea Defensive Integration Anti-spacecraft Network) point defense lasers, a spinal mass accelerator cannon, and advanced Javelin disruptor torpedoes, as well as kinetic barriers.
InMass Effect 2, with great labor and elaborate secrecy,Normandy SR-2 was built by Cerberus to be a larger, more powerful vessel upon the original's destruction, with the intent to serve as a successor and a base of operations forProject Lazarus' newly resurrected Commander Shepard. Envisioned with a more hospitable interior design based on the layout of the original (with five decks compared to SR-1's three), more crew-oriented comforts and civilian accommodations (like leather seats, a small kitchen area, and two observation decks, one of which contains abar andpoker table) are available. She features greater space in living quarters, research laboratory, and cargo bay. She now possesses shuttles that can be used for more precise landings the spacecraft cannot attempt. The list of upgrades is numerous, which the player has the option of researching and applying in the second and third games. Combined with her speed and maneuverability,Normandy is now capable of significant offensive feats, equipped with Javelin disruptor torpedoes, point-defense lasers, and the Thanix cannon, a Reaper-based weapon. She's even defensively great, thanks to the addition of kinetic barriers,deflective armor, and stronger shielding. Finally,Normandy is also given an onboardAI in the form of the "Enhanced Defense Intelligence", colloquially referred to as "EDI", who later becomes a squad member inMass Effect 3.[2][3] EDI coordinates many of the ship's combat functions, assisting, and evensupplanting human piloting if needed.
Cerberus's many alterations produced a craft nearly double the original's size and mass, now armed and armored with even more sophisticated tech. All this required an even largerTantalus drive core to compensate. This new core is housed within a sphere which holdselement zero and is technologically different from the originalTantalus core; the manner in which it generates an immense output of power for the ship is meant to evoke asuper-collider.[4] The ship still retains the SR-1's stealth characteristics, but is now more sustainable. However, unlike the SR-1, the SR-2 can no longer land on every planet due to her increased mass, requiring shore parties to use a shuttle to get to a planet's surface.
TheNormandy SR-2 first enters service in 2185, two years after the end ofMass Effect. The Illusive Man had Cerberus build the SR-2 as the headquarters of theLazarus Cell—the newly revived Commander Shepard and his/her team—to aid them in their mission to stop theCollectors' galaxy-wide campaign of human abductions. The ship's communicator was modified to provide instantaneous contact with the Illusive Man. As part of the final mission ofMass Effect 2, the severity of the damageNormandy receives while fighting the Collectors is heavily dependent on how many upgrades the player managed to research and purchase for the ship.
InMass Effect 3, theNormandy SR-2 Command Deck's the briefing/communications room were relocated, and the Tech Lab and Armory were gutted and removed; replaced by awar room staffed by dozens of military analysts, strategists and communication aides who would help the Commander Shephard throughout the Reaper Invasion. The Armory makes its return on the Main Hanger Deck. Aside from not receiving any major modifications,Normandy SR-2 undergoes a furtherretrofit in 2186; although the retrofits are not completed in time before the Reaper invasion, she is repainted in the Alliance Navy colors of blue and white after reentering the hands of the Systems Alliance on Earth following the events ofMass Effect 2: Arrival, becoming more like a military vessel once again.[3] In spite of her relatively small size compared to other starships in the series, theNormandy is the Alliance's "tip of the spear" that punches well above her class, and continues to be touted as the fastest, the stealthiest, most advanced, and most iconic vessel of the Alliance fleet. She is theflagship that led the charge of united Citadel alien races in the Battle for Earth at the game's finale.
InMass Effect, the SR-1 carries theM35Mako, a six-wheeledinfantry fighting vehicle equipped with thrusters, a 155mmmass accelerator cannon, and acoaxial machine gun. TheMako is designed to fit in the small cargo bays of Alliance scouting frigates such asNormandy. Its small size and low weight allow it to be easily deployed to virtually any world. InMass Effect 2, theMako can be found at the crash site of the destroyed SSVNormandy on Alchera, partially encased in ice and rock but otherwise almost completely intact.
InMass Effect 2, the SR-2 carries the M-44Hammerhead, a hovering infantry fighting vehicle that functions as a replacement to theMako. It is only usable in theDLC missionsFirewalker andOverlord, and does not play a main story role, nor does it return inMass Effect 3.
InMass Effect 2 andMass Effect 3, interplanetary flight personnel carriers stored in the SR-2's cargo bay are two UT-47Kodiak that can be used to make landings the newNormandy could not attempt. The A-model shuttles are employed significantly more inMass Effect 3, where they (along with the ship) are retrofitted to Alliance specs, repainted in Alliance colors, and are now armed with mass accelerator cannons on both sides of each craft. TheKodiak is nicknamed "Combat Cockroach" by Alliance marines because of its durability and looks.
The idea of theNormandy as a mobile hub which transported the party from planet to planet was inspired by theEbon Hawk starship inStar Wars:Knights of the Old Republic, a previousBioWare game.[5] Early concepts of the ship explored the designs of a fighter jet, a cruiser, a smuggler's ship, and a stealth vessel, while a lot of drawing work was involved in visualizing the variety of machinery housed within the ship's interiors.[4]Normandy's final design referencesdelta-wing fighters and theConcorde for an aggressive, futuristic look.[4] The ship is depicted with sufficient cargo space to store theMako, and her sizable crew meant that the ship's interiors needed to be presented as a living space where crew members could live comfortably for months at a time.[4] When docking on space stations,Normandy is received by extendable arms which attach to the ship; the designers purposely never included visible landing gear on theNormandy as the ship is meant to hover.[4] Senior Art Director Derek Watts of BioWare stated in a mini-documentary that the "SSV" letters were originally written on the ship's hull, but the developers opted to remove them due to the fact that they would appear to say "ASS" if the ship ever flew upside down.[6]
The destruction of theNormandy SR-1 early inMass Effect 2 allowed the team freedom to review and amend her design.[4] Ease of navigation of the ship's interior as well as a sense of familiarity for returning players were prioritized as the SR-2 is supposed to feel like a more technologically advanced version of the SR-1, albeit with increased space and rooms for up to one dozen squad mates that Shepard could recruit inMass Effect 2.[4] A "muscle car" element to the ship's painted exterior was considered in order to giveNormandy a more aggressive feel than a typical spaceship or fighter craft.[4] Customization options forNormandy's exterior, which could have gone up to five levels, were ultimately cut as scenes in outer space would not benefit from graphical quality produced by pre-rendering. Other elements which have been adjusted include the tail fins, the placement of the engine core, and the size of the wings in proportion to the fuselage.[4] The final look for theNormandy SR-2 is a sleeker exterior, a larger interior with multiple floors, and her cockpit layout had been overhauled to improve recognition.[4] ForMass Effect 3, the design team wanted to convey the sense thatNormandy had been captured and studied by the Alliance; red and blue color changes were originally thrown into concept to show that the ship is always in high alert as it is operating during wartime.[4] A subplot involving an assassin or saboteur breaking into Shepard's quarters was considered during production, but was ultimately cut from the game's final release.[4]
Dark Horse created a 6 1/4" scale model of theNormandy SR-2 in 2011.[7]
Dark Horse Direct created a 14" replica of theMass Effect: Normandy SR-1and Mass Effect: CerberusNormandy SR-2[8]
TheNormandy was praised from a design standpoint, with Andy Kelly ofPC Gamer stating that her "hard 70's sci-fi edge" looks "cool", as well as "cold and functional". However, he also noted that her interior ambiance changed in subsequent games, becoming more warm and inviting after she was rebuilt by Cerberus, and again becoming colder and less comfortable in its final incarnation.[3]Edge magazine stated that bothNormandy vessels were "remarkable", and that the ship's main power lies in character interactions. The ability to optionally explore the ship and speak to crew members was a "crucial" point due to the game's emphasis on choice.[2] Alex Donaldson of RPG Site stated that he found few hub areas "as memorable and special" as theNormandy SR-1, calling it "integral to the player's view of theMass Effect universe".[9]
EDI has been discussed within the context of her role as the AI personification of theNormandy SR-2.PC Gamer lauded EDI's characterization as an AI character and discussed her gameplay utility of being an actual spaceship as part of her role as a squadmate.[10][11]
Kat Bailey ofUSgamer claimed theSanctuary 3 ship ofBorderlands 3to be inspired by theNormandy, although she also noted that comparing it to the "iconic"Normandy "feels a little sacrilegious".[12]
SSVNormandy SR-1, the first iteration of the ship, is featured as aneaster egg in the science fictionsurvival gameNo Man's Sky as part of acrossover event in May 2021.[13]
Footnotes
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