Mass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of Time

Mass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of Time

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve witnessed the evolution of BioWare’s epic sagas – Mass Effect and Dragon Age. The intricate tapestry woven by these games, where choices matter and decisions echo across games, has been a source of joy and anticipation for me.

BioWare’s two main franchises, Mass Effect and Dragon Age, consist of connected games rather than standalone titles. For instance, Dragon Age introduces a new protagonist for each installment, but the choices players make in one game impact the next, leading many to expect follow-ups that will resolve those decisions.

As new games in a series are released, deciding what constitutes the ‘canon’ becomes increasingly challenging due to the growing number of decisions that influence the game’s world state. This complexity is particularly evident with Mass Effect 4, as the galaxy undergoes multiple, significant resets at the end of Mass Effect 3. The varied player responses to the import options for Dragon Age: The Veilguard‘s world state demonstrate why it’s crucial for the developers of Mass Effect 4 to clearly communicate the bounds of player influence on the story, world state, and characters in future games.

The Importance of Choice in Mass Effect

Mass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of TimeMass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of TimeMass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of TimeMass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of TimeMass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of Time

For many Dragon Age fans, the release of “Dragon Age: Veilguard” has cast doubt on the idea that subsequent games will honor choices made in earlier games, since it seems to carry over only a few out of numerous decisions from previous titles. At this time, there’s no clear indication about whether a fifth Dragon Age game is in development, or if any decisions made in “Dragon Age: Veilguard” will impact the series going forward. It’s also been confirmed that the team and studio are now working on the next Mass Effect game instead.

In the realm of video games, the Mass Effect series has consistently featured outcomes and rewards stemming from past decisions – a characteristic that sets it apart. This aspect was more effectively incorporated with depth in Mass Effect compared to Dragon Age, due to its singular protagonist and recurring character lineup. A sneak peek at Mass Effect 4 indicates the devastation of Reapers across the galaxy, a damaged mass relay, and Liara recovering what appears to be fragments of Shepard’s N7 armor. This preview suggests that BioWare may have chosen the Destroy ending from Mass Effect 3 as canonical, marking a first for the studio, but potentially paving the way for future games in their lineup.

Mass Effect and BioWare’s Future

Mass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of TimeMass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of TimeMass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of TimeMass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of TimeMass Effect 4 Should Make One Massive Story Implication Clear Ahead of Time

So far, there isn’t much revealed about Mass Effect 4, but what BioWare might want to disclose early on is the effect of player choices made across the entire Mass Effect series, including both the original trilogy and Mass Effect: Andromeda. Fans were frustrated when BioWare withheld details about the lack of importable world state choices for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which they only revealed late in the marketing process.

BioWare should make it explicit where Mass Effect 4 fits into the timeline, whether any decisions from past games will be carried over, and if the choices made in Mass Effect 4 will impact future Mass Effect games. This will help manage fan expectations realistically, preventing misunderstandings arising from comparing the new game to those released as early as 2009. It’s essential to take into account BioWare’s current capabilities and the demands of modern gaming, particularly when considering potential delays between game releases that could span a decade or more.

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2024-12-11 00:46