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A successful combat system depends on a clear and compelling relationship between the tools the player is given and interesting opportunities to use—and master—those tools. With all the enhancements to Mass Effect 3’s combat experience—through stronger level design, greater breadth in the weapon modification systems, improved weapon feedback, and so on—the biggest change came in the form of the enemies themselves.

As with other areas of the game, what players experience in Mass Effect 3 is the result of an evolution through the previous two games and accompanying downloadable content (DLC). With Mass Effect 1, players were fighting what essentially amounted to sci-fi skins on common Dungeons & Dragons–type enemies...