The problem with placing the final game of a trilogy — such as Mass Effect 3 — on a new console is that a large part of the platform’s audience may not have played the previous games in the series, making it difficult to follow the story. To combat this, however, the Wii U version of Mass Effect 3 will feature:

…a Dark horse interactive comic that allows players to play through the first two games through comic screens, just like if you were reading a comic book.

Or, in a practical sense:

You play through the story and it will bring up conversation options that allow you to choose where you want to direct the story.

And while that might not replace the experience of playing the first two Mass Effect titles, it’s a decent substitute that allows you to experience the story and jump into Mass Effect 3 as quickly as possible.

(via theverge.com)