The Mass Effect Trilogy is one of the most popular RPG game series' of all time, and is remembered today by many as BioWare's peak. It was a deviation from the studio's other games, which were all set in fantasy worlds or based on other IPs such as Star Wars and Baldur's Gate. Mass Effect was BioWare's original IP, and it was closer to pure science fiction than Star Wars' space fantasy.
Part of Mass Effect's success can be attributed to its charismatic protagonist, Commander Shepard. Even years later, Shepard continues to be an iconic character and the face of Mass Effect. If Shepard is the protagonist of Mass Effect 4, the question of the morality system will come into play. The binary system of Paragon/Renegade is a massive feature of Mass Effect, and represents Shepard in particular; their symbols are an icon of the franchise. However, this system is viewed by some as limiting, and could arguably be expanded upon for more nuanced roleplaying and story development.
Mass Effect 4 Should and Will Live or Die by Its Companions
Whatever Mass Effect 4 looks like, it will be paramount for it to stick the landing with its companions, as they are crucial to the series' identity.
The Mass Effect Trilogy's Morality System
While none of the endings in the Mass Effect Trilogy were very happy, with all but one of them resulting in Shepard's death, it's still possible for Shepard to have survived into Mass Effect 4, even if it's set hundreds of years later. Thanks to Mass Effect: Andromeda, it's explicitly clear that cryofreezing people to keep them alive indefinitely is possible. Additionally, the Lazarus Project brought Shepard back to life once before, and repeating the achievement is likely not to be unbelievable. The ending option that BioWare has appeared to make canon for Mass Effect 4 is the Destroy ending, which is the only ending that leaves Shepard alive at the end of Mass Effect 3.
Mass Effect's morality system is split between Paragon and Renegade. Players had to choose one or the other, as most of the best outcomes in Mass Effect, both story and character-related, would hinge on accumulating enough Paragon and Renegade points. This system built on each game in the trilogy, with points carrying over from game to game, allowing players to make Shepard feel more consistent.
Making Mass Effect's Morality System More Complex
While the Paragon/Renegade system in Mass Effect was effective in empowering players to give Shepard a decisive personality and reward them with special outcomes for doing so, having it as a binary still has its drawbacks. Sometimes the Paragon or Renegade dialogue options aren't the best option, and a third option is needed.
A more complex system could be difficult to implement, especially if major story and character decisions are linked to Shepard's morality. One possible way is to split Mass Effect 4's morality system into two major paths, with splits between each path, such as pacifist versus diplomatic for Paragon, and ruthless versus calculated for Renegade. Major story points could take Paragon versus Renegade into account, while character and roleplaying could use the subcategories.
Setting Mass Effect 4 Up For Replayability
Another important element to consider is that a more complex morality system will make the story more unpredictable, and open the door for multiple playthroughs. The morality system in the Mass Effect Trilogy makes it too easy for players to metagame. Often getting the best outcome Mass Effect's story involves simply picking the top right or bottom right option in all conversations, and then going for the blue or red option during major choices. A morality system that offers more choices and nuance leading to those choices would make for a more interesting roleplaying experience, especially if it's tied to Shepard's growth in a post-Reaper world.
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