Summary
Mass Effect 4is on its way, and hopes are high that BioWare will once again be in top form, serving up an RPG with strong combat, thoughtful writing, and clever world-building. There’s a lot that the game is sure toborrow from previousMass Effectgames, like its general narrative structure, tone, and perhaps even gameplay pillars, but it will almost certainly change a bit of the original formula as well.
After all, it’s been well over a decade sinceMass Effect 3, and seven years sinceAndromedawhich, while not without some strengths, will probably not serve as the blueprint forMass Effect 4. Over the course of the last two console generations, gaming conventions and audience expectations have undergone some considerable changes, and the core design ofME4may reflect this. Better visuals, animation, and technical performance will (hopefully) be among the ways that BioWare modernizes theMass Effectformula, but the studio could also make more fundamental changes, altering features like party size by allowing players to bring more than two companions along on missions.
BioWare has not made any specific statements aboutMass Effect 4’s party-based gameplay. The following is pure speculation based on evolving gaming trends and BioWare’s own possible creative goals withME4.
The Benefits of Changing Party Size In Mass Effect 4
Companion relationships are at the heart ofMass Effect, and while the franchise has seen a few duds here and there, most characters have interesting personalities, goals, and backgrounds that facilitate intriguing and emotional storytelling. But it’s not just the big moments that make these characters so memorable. In the originalMass Effecttrilogy, especiallyME2andME3, characters that players bring with them on missions will chime in with specific, appropriate dialog that can add context, either about theMass Effectworld or the NPC themselves. Sometimes, the two companions Shepard brings along will even talk to each other, leading to a lot of unique dialog scenarios.
For instance,Jack and Miranda inME2dislike each other and will bicker and disagree if the player brings them both along for a mission. This is great attention to detail, butME4could kick it up a notch with an extended party size. Going off this example, maybe twoME4characters don’t get along, but a third companion plays the role of a peacekeeper, interjecting and trying to make the situation copacetic. This would open the door for further instances of micro character development, settingME4apart from its predecessors in a noticeable, meaningful, and exciting way.
Mass Effect 4’s Combat Could Be Enhanced by More Party Members
There’s every chance thatMass Effect 4will make dramatic changes to series' combat, as the cover-based shooting mechanics of the original trilogy, while still satisfying to this day, may feel dated to some players. Conversely, thoughAndromedaoffered far more fast-paced and aggressive combat options, its streamlined nature and de-emphasizing of tactics-based gameplay rubbed some fans the wrong way. Perhaps an increase in party size would be an avenue for innovation that pleases both demographics.
ME4could retainthe tactical combatthat defined the original trilogy, blending real-time shooting mechanics with strategic ability combinations and cover-based movement, but crank up the intensity and pace of fights by adding more party members. If party size were increased by even just one NPC, the overall flow of combat would change dramatically. This is because the player would have access to an entirely new set of NPC abilities to engage with, leading to more potential power combos and tactics. Couple this change with an increase in enemy volume and aggression, and combat could feel radically different while still being familiar.
Mass Effect’s combat systemallows players to command the position and target selection of their companions. Factoring in a third companion could enhance this feature, opening the door to more advanced teamwork maneuvers.
Potential Downsides of Bigger ME4 Parties
Mass Effect 4’s Party Size: More Companions, More Problems
While there are a number of benefits associated with an increase in party size, BioWare should be careful not to bite off more than it can chew.Mass Effect 4needs to be a good gamefirst and foremost, especially after the poor reception ofAndromeda, and implementing a change as ambitious as adding even one more person to the player’s party could lead to complications or, worse yet, undermine the strengths of the series' party-based gameplay and storytelling.
The example of Miranda and Jack’s bickering is a small detail that has a disproportionately beneficial impact on immersion and storytelling, and it’s admirable that the game’s developers paid such close attention to such inclusions, especially when many of them are virtually guaranteed to be missed by most players. Put plainly, this level of attention to detail is hard work and no doubt time-consuming, and such time and energy may be better spent on other aspects ofMass Effect 4’s choice-based structure, gameplay, and story; BioWare may have bigger fish to fry.
In terms of combat, the benefits of a larger party should be obvious, but it would require more development resources and has a bigger chance of going south. Combat would need to be meticulously balanced to ensure that players are never overpowered, and going far enough down that road could wind up being more trouble than it’s worth. It may be best to sharpen what already works aboutMass Effect’s combat system rather than reinvent the wheel.
Mass Effect 4needs to establish itselfas a significant evolution of the games that preceded it, lest it be doomed to live in their shadow. Making a major change, like party size, could service this end, but it’s not the most important part of the equation, and such a decision involves inherent risk.ME4ought to be ambitious, but not at the cost of spoiling what it already has:Mass Effect’s identity.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
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. Experience an amazingly rich and detailed universe where your decisions have profound consequences on the action and the outcome.
