15 Things We Wish to See in Mass Effect 5

As someone who has been a die-hard Mass Effect fan since the original trilogy, I can’t help but feel both excited and apprehensive about the upcoming Mass Effect 5. Having spent countless hours exploring the vastness of the galaxy, making decisions that shaped the fate of entire civilizations, and customizing my characters to perfection, I have high expectations for this new installment.

With Dragon Age: Veilguard now behind them, BioWare is now devoting their entire attention to the upcoming mainline installment of Mass Effect. The studio disclosed back in 2020 that they had begun working on the return of the sci-fi RPG series, and following the release of Veilguard, it has become their primary project, given that there are no Dragon Age DLCs currently in development. The title of Mass Effect 5 (or whatever it eventually gets named) remains a mystery at this point, as very little information about the game has been released. However, as fans of the series, we have numerous hopes and expectations for what the game will deliver. In this article, we’ll be discussing just that.

FLESHED OUT CHOICE AND CONSEQUENCE MECHANICS

In their past works, BioWare has been renowned for incorporating player choices and complex plotlines. However, it seems that some fans feel these elements were not as prominent in the game “Veilguard”. Compared to other BioWare games, this title didn’t emphasize choice-based mechanics as much. Nevertheless, we are optimistic that BioWare will return to their roots with “Mass Effect 5”, given the remarkable choice and consequence sequences featured in the original “Mass Effect” trilogy. Fingers crossed that the upcoming game maintains this tradition of engaging, thought-provoking player choices!

BETTER DIALOG CHOICES

In addition to other points of contention, Veilguard has drawn flak from numerous critics for its dialogue options, primarily because these options frequently give the appearance of choice but actually lead to the same outcome. Additionally, the tone in the game is such that it’s hard for characters to express anything beyond mild irritation. The Mass Effect series was renowned for its well-crafted dialogue choices, and it would be a pity if its upcoming sequel suffered from the same issues as Dragon Age’s recent release. However, in order to avoid these pitfalls, superior and impactful dialogue choices are essential.

THE RETURN OF PARAGON AND RENEGADE

Many fans have expressed a strong desire for the return of the Paragon and Renegade system in the upcoming Mass Effect game, as this mechanic allowed players to shape Shepard’s personality through good and evil actions, creating an immersive and engaging experience. The series’ use of Paragon and Renegade prompts in Mass Effect 2 and 3 resulted in some of the franchise’s most memorable moments to date. Therefore, we eagerly await Mass Effect 5 to follow suit and offer this beloved gameplay mechanic once more.

BETTER WRITING

For a while now, BioWare has been struggling with their writing. The reception for games like Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem were less than favorable, and even Dragon Age: The Veilguard wasn’t immune to criticism in this area. While it’s not fair to say that BioWare was once synonymous with excellent writing, we used to expect better from their games. It wouldn’t be shocking if Mass Effect 5 continued some of the cheesy elements that have always been associated with BioWare and its games, but it definitely needs to improve and deliver more polished, engaging dialogue than what we’ve seen in their recent releases.

PLAYING AS ALIENS

This is something that fans have been hoping to see forever, but BioWare has yet to acquiesce. Shepard and Ryder were both human protagonists, but our hope is that Mass Effect 5 will finally let us decide which race we want to play as. Being able to play as, say, a krogan, turian, asari, or quarian, and having the story and everything in it react according to which of them you’re playing as is a dream that Mass Effect fans have had forever. Here’s hoping the next game turns it into a reality.

MEMORABLE COMPANIONS

We take this for granted with Mass Effect games, and really, with BioWare games in general, but we do, of course, have to mention this in a Mass Effect 5 wishlist. Credit where credit is due- this is one department where BioWare impresses even when it’s not at its best. Veilguard has an excellent cast of characters, while even Andromeda has its high points, even if it doesn’t really hold a candle to the original Mass Effect trilogy’s cast. Will Mass Effect 5 buck that trend? It’s fair to say that’s unlikely (or so we hope, at least).

NEW ALIEN RACES

Discovering unknown alien species and delving into their histories and cultures is consistently thrilling when playing Mass Effect games. Unfortunately, Andromeda, despite being set in a different galaxy, fell short by not introducing many new races. It’s anticipated that Mass Effect 5 will return to the Milky Way, but we’re eager for more alien species nonetheless. With so much of our universe yet to be discovered or mapped within the Mass Effect universe, it’s possible that undiscovered alien races may emerge as influential figures in interstellar politics.

FOCUS ON LESSER-KNOWN OLDER RACES

Absolutely, it’s likely that several old and well-known alien species from the “Mass Effect” series will make a comeback. While we anticipate key roles for familiar faces such as turians, krogans, asari, and others, we also hope to see less prominent races like the drell, colus, hanar, batarians, and more taking on more significant roles. The “Mass Effect” universe is rich with alien species we know a lot about but still have much to discover, and we’re excited to explore their histories in greater depth.

COOL NEW PLANETS

With any luck, you can count on it – provided everything goes smoothly! The thrill of discovering new galaxies has always been a key feature in the Mass Effect series, and we’re eager for that element to shine in the upcoming installment. Exotic worlds, breathtaking vistas, and unique traversal methods among different planets – we’d be overjoyed if at least some of these elements make an appearance, if not all!

NOT OPEN WORLD

Absolutely, we’re excited about Mass Effect 5, anticipating its exploration of exotic alien worlds. However, contrary to popular belief, we don’t long for an open-world structure in the game. That was one of Andromeda’s pitfalls, and it’s one of the smart decisions made by The Veilguard, despite its flaws. For the next Mass Effect, we’d appreciate a similar structure, although we do hope for significantly improved and less repetitive linear mission design compared to that seen in The Veilguard.

PAST CHOICES CARRY OVER

In the past, the Mass Effect series was known for carrying over significant, game-altering decisions from one title to the next. Leaving out this feature in Mass Effect 5 would be a significant oversight, as far as we’re concerned. To create an optimal experience, players should have the option to revisit key decisions made in previous games at the start of a new save file. This could potentially necessitate BioWare choosing a canonical ending for Mass Effect 3, but if Mass Effect 5 is indeed set within the Milky Way, they might need to do so regardless.

ANDROMEDA PLOTLINES RESOLVED

The fact that BioWare and EA opted out of producing an Andromeda sequel left many plot points unfinished, yet fortunately, project director Michael Gamble hints at Mass Effect 5 (ME5) resolving those dangling storylines. However, the specifics of how it will unfold and whether we might witness a convergence between the Andromeda and Milky Way narratives is yet to be determined. Regardless, it appears that wrapping up all past plot threads seems almost inevitable.

ANDROMEDA-STYLE COMBAT

In several crucial aspects, Mass Effect: Andromeda fell short, but it truly excelled in others, and one such area was combat. While Mass Effect 2 and 3 were competent with their cover-based third-person shooting, the enhanced mobility and adaptability that Andromeda offered elevated the gameplay experience to a new height. Here’s hoping the next installment continues this trend.

EXTENSIVE PROGRESSION AND CUSTOMIZATION

In most instances, the progression and customization mechanics in the Mass Effect series have not been universally adored. For example, Mass Effect 2‘s mechanics were overly streamlined, while those in Andromeda were scattered and lacked cohesion. To enhance player experience, Mass Effect 5 should strive for a more balanced approach – offering players the ability to customize their characters with genuine flexibility, enabling control over weapons, equipment, abilities, and so forth, while also ensuring that it doesn’t become cumbersome or bloated like many RPGs of this kind often do.

ANOTHER EXCELLENT HUB

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but marvel at the exceptional hub locations crafted by BioWare. From the Normandy in the Mass Effect trilogy to Skyhold in Dragon Age: Inquisition and the Lighthouse in Veilguard, their creations have left an indelible mark on my gaming experiences. I’ve got high hopes that Mass Effect 5 will continue this tradition of immersive, well-designed hubs – fingers crossed!

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2024-12-25 21:11