Summary
- Mass Effect 4 could improve gameplay and immersion by using face buttons for gadgets, like Spider-Man 2.
- Removing the weapon wheel in Mass Effect 4 could enhance realism and create more fluid combat interactions.
- Mass Effect 4 could benefit from learning from Spider-Man 2 in another way, that being a focus on fewer but more impactful gadgets and weapons.
BioWare’s Mass Effect and Insomniac’s Marvel's Spider-Man are two incredibly influential series in the gaming landscape. Both have a lot to offer, ranging from incredible exploration to combat that gets more and more refined with each sequel. However, the recent Marvel's Spider-Man 2 introduced some changes that many other franchises can learn from to improve immersion and create potentially better gameplay.
Spider-Man 2’s use of gadgets and web shooters goes a long way in making it feel all the more immersive. Instead of a traditional weapon wheel, Spider-Man 2 players have gadgets and abilities mapped to the face buttons of their controller. Mass Effect 4 could use such ideas too, perhaps to even better effect, and bring the series to the modern day to ultimately create a more advanced navigation and combat system.
In a Perfect World, Mass Effect 4's Gameplay Should Look a Lot Like Star Wars Outlaws
Mass Effect 4 can revolutionize its RPG combat and movement mechanics if it decides to pull inspiration from modern games like Star Wars Outlaws.
How Using Face Buttons Could Improve Mass Effect 4
Mass Effect 4, as the first installment in the series since 2021’s Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, and the first new game since 2017's Mass Effect: Andromeda, has a lot to live up to. Removing the weapon wheel, or integrating it organically with a system similar to Spider-Man 2’s, could freshen up both gameplay and immersion.
Having weapons or gadgets accessible on the face buttons of a controller, or on dedicated keyboard shortcuts, allows players to switch between weapons easily and grants more fluid interactions with enemies and even the ability to combo two weapons together, opening up many more possibilities to the player.
How Removing The Weapon Wheel Could Improve Immersion
In an action-RPG like Mass Effect, immersive gameplay is everything. The protagonists that the series has seen so far have all been ultra-powerful, highly skilled elite soldiers and commanders of their crew, and the gameplay should reflect this power and expertise. The lack of a weapon wheel could allow players to stay in the moment during combat without providing a reprieve and may feel more realistic as a result.
Secondly, if the protagonist(s) of Mass Effect 4 end up being anything like their predecessors, they should be able to switch between weapons and abilities like it’s second nature. By decluttering the HUD, exploration would feel more natural and realistic, too. By extension, there will be fewer distractions, and the beautiful and varied landscapes in the game will not only be fully enjoyable, but will also help create a more immersive game, so long as BioWare's UI integration isn't outlandish.
How Spider-Man 2 Learned From Its Superhero Predecessors
Superhero games have to be as immersive and empowering as possible if they want to connect with fans, and Spider-Man 2 had an excellent example to follow in that regard: the Batman: Arkham series created by Rocksteady. This version of Batman was ultra-powerful, and, crucially, could use all the gadgets in his arsenal at any time using the Quickfire Gadgets system.
Spider-Man 2 refined this system further by reducing the number of gadgets in the game over Marvel’s Spider-Man. Having fewer gadgets means each one gets more attention, and from the gameplay’s perspective each ends up feeling more at home in combat encounters. Mass Effect 4 could follow in its footsteps here as well, developing ability combinations that are meant to complement each other. Narrowing down the number of weapons in the game to instead focus on improving their mechanics, such as making a better M-8 Avenger or more fluid M-77 Paladin, would make them all the more fun to use during combat encounters.
Mass Effect Trilogy
- Released
- November 6, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced. Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition. Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs – remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD.
RELIVE THE CINEMATIC SAGA: Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds.
EXPERIENCE THE LEGEND OF SHEPARD: Create and customize your own character, from appearance and skills to a personalized arsenal then lead your elite recon squad across a galaxy in turmoil.
REFLECT ON YOUR CHOICES: Your choices seamlessly travel from one game to the next. Each decision you make will control the outcome of every mission, every relationship, every battle – and even the fate of the galaxy itself.
