Mass Effect 4 is a given. It’s coming! We’re hoping it will be sooner rather than later, but whenever it’s going to arrive, we’ll be glad to have it. Bioware will most likely shed a lot more light on what Mass Effect 4 is all about at this year’s E3. Until then, we’re being given small breadcrumbs here and there. But what do fans want from Mass Effect 4? So far, the trilogy had some great moments, but has also seen some drawbacks here and there. As such, fans most likely expect Mass Effect 4 to keep the good parts, improve upon them, and throw out the less desirable aspects. So here’s what we want to see in Mass Effect 4!
[promo title=”Exploration”][/promo]
I’ve always felt that the exploration side of the Mass Effect series was lacking in many regards. Hunting for resources in the first Mass Effect game was pretty much a dull chore, and there was no incentive in exploring the same-looking planets other than a desire to upgrade gear. The Mass Effect series has a great universe as a scene, so Bioware most certainly should make the best of it. It’s a vast universe to explore, and Mass Effect 4 should make the most of it, providing players with as many open-world areas as possible. Of course, an open-world take on the game would please many people, especially since the series was so far centered on a somewhat linear story and progression, and players were left with little choices about where to go. Sure, you were able to choose the order of your mission, pick up some side-quests or make certain choices, but overall, the liberty of movement wasn’t really there. This is certainly an aspect that Bioware would be wise to improve upon.
[promo title=”Story”][/promo]
A very strong and crucial element of Mass Effect games was the story. Mass Effect 2 was arguably the best in this regard. However, the original Mass Effect 3 ending felt rushed and broke immersion. Bioware later on patched the ending of Mass Effect 3 through some DLCs (a necessary move, based on the outrage of many fans). Still, freedom of choice was somehow absent in the last title, and the consequences of the player’s choices felt lacking most of the time. Mass Effect 4 needs to bring an original story (Shepard isn’t coming back, that’s confirmed) and do it right. The potential is there, the vast galaxy and the multitude of colorful characters from all races and corners of the universe provide a good enough setting. Bioware must make use of this to the maximum, providing players with an engaging, mature and complex story-line, where player choices actually matter and the consequences are dire.
[promo title=”Combat”][/promo]
If there’s one thing players loved with the trilogy, it was the combat system. I’ve never encountered people complaining about it, and for good reason. I strongly feel Bioware needs to keep combat mostly unchanged for Mass Effect 4. Why fix something that isn’t broken? Combat brought a functioning cover system (unlike Star Wars The Old Republic for instance), and successfully mixed FPS elements with RPG elements and tactical decision-making. It wasn’t particularly difficult (even on the highest difficulty settings), but it certainly provided certain challenges here and there. It was engaging, fun and dynamic, and it needs to remain the same. Sure, improvements can be made, but I’m seriously hoping Bioware will keep the core of the combat system unchanged in Mass Effect 4
[promo title=”Engine”][/promo]
It’s not yet known what game engine Mass Effect 4 will sport, but it’s most likely to be the same Frostbite 3-based engine Bioware is currently developing Dragon Age: Inquisition on. One thing is certain: people expect Mass Effect 4 to look great. The previous titles are still holding up with the test of time (perhaps with the exception of the first game), but the old engine certainly cannot be used in Mass Effect 4 again. The game’s universe looks and feels futuristic, and so, the engine must reflect that feeling. It’s not clear for what platforms Mass Effect 4 is being developed. If The Witcher 3 is any indication, a greatly improved engine would make it difficult for the game to be properly ported for last-gen consoles such as the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The PC will surely get its own version, and the same can be assumed about the Xbox One and Playstation 4, which both have the juice to handle visually stunning graphics. It’s hard to tell what Mass Effect 4 will look like without some solid visual evidence from Bioware, but the expectations are high in this regard.
[promo title=”A worthy antagonist”][/promo]
It’s unclear who will be the protagonist of Mass Effect 4. In fact, we’re not even sure if the new game will be a prequel or a sequel to the initial trilogy. However, if there’s something Mass Effect games never lacked, it’s a worthy antagonist. Whether it was Saren or Sovereign, there was always someone extremely threatening and dangerous to take down, and this must remain true in Mass Effect 4 too. The antagonists of the series were a strong point, and we’re curious to see what Bioware will come up with for the new installment of the franchise. It will be hard to to fill the boots left by the Reapers, but we’re hoping the creative minds behind Mass Effect 4 will have the ability to pull it off successfully.
What are you hoping to see in Mass Effect 4? Leave us your feedback on our forums or in the comment section!