Mass Effect 4 is likely still quite far off, but it's nevertheless an exciting prospect to consider—though not for unambiguously positive reasons. In the wake of Dragon Age: The Veilguard's lukewarm critical reception and commercial performance, Mass Effect 4 has even more riding on it than it would have otherwise, with many viewing it as BioWare's last chance to recreate its glory days.
Whether this is accurate or not is hardly an objective matter, of course, but it's fair to say that Mass Effect 4 is a particularly important title, as it is bringing back a beloved and long-dormant franchise whose last outing was contentious. "Return to form" is no doubt a phrase that many are hoping to hear in relation to Mass Effect 4, whenever it does eventually release, as Andromeda was a major departure from previous entries' RPG mechanics, as well as their mature, nuanced, skillful writing. Indeed, while gameplay is an important factor for BioWare to consider with its next sci-fi opus, storytelling and character writing are even more weighty, having the potential to make or break the overall experience. Few gamers come to Mass Effect for gameplay over story, after all.
How Mass Effect 4 Can Benefit by Learning from an Unlikely Hideo Kojima Game
Though BioWare and Kojima Productions couldn't seem more different, Mass Effect 4 could learn some lessons from a recent Kojima-helmed title.
Why Mass Effect 4's Characters Will Be Instrumental
Squadmates Are Mass Effect's Bread and Butter
While companions and their associated mechanics are commonplace in RPGs, they are especially important in the Mass Effect franchise. Not only will these friendly faces play a crucial role in gameplay due to party composition, squad-control features, and specific rock-paper-scissors-style abilities, but they also form the brunt of the series' narrative content. Speaking to teammates between each mission, whether about trivial or life-and-death matters, is what lends Mass Effect its singular charm and sense of immersion: the Normandy would be nothing but a forgettable hunk of spacebound metal without the strong characterization of its crew.
Although audiences give Shepard's teammates in the field a lot of credit, Mass Effect's other ally NPC s, like Kelly Chambers, Dr. Chawkwas, and Joker, are often just as well-written and endearing.
This focus on the Team as a concept, and as a unit composed of richly detailed individuals, is typical of classic BioWare games.; many of the aforementioned arguments in favor of Mass Effect's approach to characterization can be made about Dragon Age and Knights of the Old Republic as well. But unfortunately, many would agree that this facet of BioWare's formula has been poorly maintained, with recent releases from the studio failing to offer the same unforgettable casts of their predecessors. This makes it even more imperative for Mass Effect 4 to get its friendly NPCs right.
BioWare Needs To Make Another Iconic Set of Mass Effect Characters
Although it's not entirely clear when Mass Effect 4 will take place, making the return of various characters uncertain, this is somewhat moot: it's more than likely that Mass Effect 4 will feature a mostly new cast of companions, introducing fresh faces to the franchise, regardless of setting. This is because, even if they are still alive by the time ME4 starts, legacy cast members have already completed their story arcs; there's no more room for them to develop, at least in any interesting way.
But even if there is potential for growth with older characters, Mass Effect 4 still ought to be more focused on new blood. The fact is, none of BioWare's newer characters have achieved the same level of appreciation or icon status as the likes of Mordin Solus or Garrus Vakarian: the casts of Mass Effect Andromeda and Dragon Age: The Veilguard are nowhere near as beloved as those of their predecessors. For Mass Effect, and BioWare by extension, to thrive moving forward, ME4 needs to stick the landing with this crucial element of the series' formula.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 72 /100 Critics Rec: 40%
- Released
- March 1, 2017
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Frostbite 3
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Mass Effect
WHERE TO PLAY
Mass Effect: Andromeda travels deep into the Andromeda Galaxy, far beyond the Milky Way. There, you will lead our fight for a new home in hostile territory where we are the aliens. Take command as the Pathfinder, a leader of a squad of military-trained explorers, with deep progression and customization systems. This is the story of humanity’s next chapter, and your choices throughout the game will ultimately determine our survival in the Andromeda Galaxy. As you unfold the mysteries of the Andromeda Galaxy and the hope for humanity lies on your shoulders, you must ask yourself – how far will you go?
