Recent releases from BioWare haven’t, arguably, lived up to expectation. TheDragon Age, Mass Effect, Knights of the Old Republic(and more) developer has released some of the best RPGs out there, but it has also released quite a few contentious games as well. With reports thatMass Effect 5is in development, there’s a lot riding on thefuture of BioWare.
Dragon Age 4, Mass Effect 5, andtheAnthemoverhaulare what’s known to be on its slate, and if BioWare can seal the deal, perhaps the sins ofMass Effect AndromedaandAnthem’s release can be forgotten. While there’s a ton of avenues for each franchise/game to go,Mass Effect 5would be lead forward by looking back.
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Mass Effect 2’s Reception
In truth, one reasonMass Effect Andromedadropped the ballis the high expectations placed on it. WhileMass Effect 3did have the ending controversy, which at the time seemed big,Mass Effect 2was a near-perfect entry in the franchise. Its Xbox 360 versions hold a 96/100 on Metacritic, while the PS3 version sits at 94/100. This critical acclaim praises its interactive storytelling, characterization, and combat, and while that is a high bar to shoot for,Mass Effect 5should not accept less of itself.
IfMass Effect 5can capture this lightning in a bottle again, many will likely forgive and forgetMass Effect Andromeda. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but BioWare needs to take its time, use that time wisely, and repeat the process that came withMass Effect 2. It’s hard, no doubt, to repeat that success, but with this goal in mind, it givesME5direction.
Mass Effect 2’s Companions
As aforementioned, one of the praised aspects is the characterization and that stretched from the most minute NPCs to the most important, to Shepard themself, and to their companions. Fan-favorites like Garrus returned, new characters like Thane and Jack had powerful stories, and each character’s loyalty mission felt more than just something tacked on. Shepard even came into their own more, as players dealt with the mysterious Cerberus,the reaper threat, past friendships, and so much more. In short, it brought every character to life in the grand scheme of the story, as well as a personal level. Focusing on the companions, who are often hit and miss in BioWare games, will help deliver a moreMass Effect 2vibe to the next game.
Mass Effect 2’s Suicide Mission
Finally, perhaps the most iconic moment of the franchise isMass Effect 2’s final mission. There are so many layers to it, such as which companions Shepard is closest to, how players have prepared for it, and each decision made during the Suicide Mission. One of the most grievous insults to a companion-oriented game is when players end up tackling a huge moment solo, something so antithetical to the entire set-up that it undermines the companions in the long run, but the Suicide Mission is absolutely the opposite of that: the worse players dealt with their companions, the more punishing it was.
IfMass Effect 5recreated a moment like this, where its storytelling and companion-based composition came to the fore, it would be big. Not a whole lot of games successfully pull off a Suicide Mission like this, and if there is anything (if not everything)Mass Effect 5should replicate fromME2, it’s definitely this.
