Dragon Age 4, Mass Effect 5, and the Anthem overhaul are what’s known to be on its slate, and if BioWare can seal the deal, perhaps the sins of Mass Effect Andromeda and Anthem’s release can be forgotten. While there’s a ton of avenues for each franchise/game to go, Mass Effect 5 would be lead forward by looking back.
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Mass Effect 2’s Reception
In truth, one reason Mass Effect Andromeda dropped the ball is the high expectations placed on it. While Mass Effect 3 did have the ending controversy, which at the time seemed big, Mass Effect 2 was 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 5 should not accept less of itself.
If Mass Effect 5 can capture this lightning in a bottle again, many will likely forgive and forget Mass 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 with Mass Effect 2. It’s hard, no doubt, to repeat that success, but with this goal in mind, it gives ME5 direction.
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 more Mass Effect 2 vibe to the next game.
Mass Effect 2’s Suicide Mission
Finally, perhaps the most iconic moment of the franchise is Mass 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.
If Mass Effect 5 recreated 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 5 should replicate from ME2, it’s definitely this.
Mass Effect 5 is reportedly in development.
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