With at least 20 million copies sold across four titles, the Mass Effect franchise has captivated gamers for over a decade. Even 16 years after the release of the original game, the passion and loyalty of its fans remains unwavering, although it probably didn’t hurt that Electronic Arts released Mass Effect: Legendary Edition during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
BioWare, notably recognized for their Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, initially launched the original Mass Effect in 2007 for Xbox 360. It quickly became a classic and was later adapted for PC, PS3, and the aforementioned remastered collection, which included the subsequent two games and all DLCs in the Legendary Edition.
The series did not stop there. 2017 saw the introduction of Mass Effect: Andromeda. This title, albeit met with criticism for its bugs and gameplay dynamics, was placed 600 years after the events of Mass Effect 3. As is common in gaming, the initial impressions are lasting, and despite improvements, Andromeda’s glitches and design flaws left a mark.
Yet, the tide of anticipation rose once again when Mass Effect 5 was teased during The Game Awards in 2020. The trailer highlighted the fan-favorite character, Liara T’Soni, sparking hope among the community. However, three years post this announcement, BioWare has remained tight-lipped about the game’s progress and release date. What we do know is that as of last year, the game had entered early stages of development, taking the backseat over Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.
Recently, industry whispers have ignited discussions around the game’s format. Jez Corden of Windows Central, in the most recent episode of “The Xbox Two Podcast”, suggested a significant shift from Mass Effect: Andromeda’s open-world design back to the classic formula.
While this rumor is yet to be verified, there’s potential reason to believe this may be the chosen path for Mass Effect 5. The initial trilogy, with its linear approach, was widely successful and set high standards for narrative-driven sci-fi RPGs.
However, all is not smooth sailing at BioWare. The recent reports indicate that the studio recently laid off approximately 50 employees, raising concerns over the development of Mass Effect 5 and another major title, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. But BioWare’s association with popular franchises lends it the cushion of resilience and hope.
Mass Effect Andromeda’s open-world approach, though ambitious, didn’t sit well with many fans. The fourth entry was criticized for its lackluster narrative and characters. When contrasted with the original trilogy’s storytelling, it became evident that the series’ strength lay in its narrative focus. In many ways, Mass Effect was less about the freedom of role-playing and more about an immersive, cinematic experience. Comparisons to top-tier sci-fi shows were not uncommon. The series’ unique blend of deep narrative and player-driven decisions set it apart from other titles, ensuring its place in gaming history.
A shift to the original format might be in the best interest for BioWare. A balance between open-world elements and a guided narrative proved successful.
A good example of this is 2018’s God of War and its sequel, God of War: Ragnarok, which only came out last year. Both games featured a healthy mix of open-world and linear storytelling can work wonders. Similarly, a return to the series’ OG format would allow Mass Effect to maintain its unique identity in the vast sea of sci-fi RPGs.
Giving players too much freedom might dilute the pacing and impact of its core narrative. Going for an entirely curated experience would ensure the series doesn’t simply become another Starfield, which is currently getting negative reviews.
While the future of Mass Effect 5 remains shrouded in mystery, one thing is clear: the expectation and hope for a return to its roots run high among its fanbase.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to the release of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf some time next year. However, if you’re looking for a more space-centric adventure, Starfield, which is currently beating The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on Steam, might be more up your alley.
