Something I was too busy to do but with me being out of work for the time being..here we go
Mass Effect is a top 5 franchise for me. A series of games I didn’t know I wanted until I played them. I must divulge that Andromeda left me extremely disappointed but not even because of the glitches or other things. It wasn’t fully Mass Effect in spirit. I’ve already written a letter (yea I know lol) about that so I won’t retread but the opportunity to rebirth Mass Effect into the spirit of its former glory and then some. I’m not intending this to be a telling a developer how to make their game but as an avid fan, I can give examples of the what and why I would love to play and in the next Mass Effect as pure feedback. I will give specific examples but only with the intent to communicate the spirit of what I would love to see.
One of the reasons I love videogames is because of the passionate environment that comes with it. For better or for worse its amazing. The negative reactions to the Mass Effect 3 ending and Andromeda while not all completely justified came from a place of passion. Very few games can say they inspired that level of passion. I kind of pride myself on not being attached to entertainment but there are some shows and games that have completely overridden that and make this 40-year-old man fanboy. Zelda, Overwatch, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and Mass Effect. I could put any of these in a youtube search and add ost and 4 hours later I’ve gotten the largest dosage of dopaoxcyotonin possible. I look at the comment sections and some of it is like reading my own thoughts. I’ll then go on deviant art and see the coolest Tali, Garrus etc fan art and proceed to make them into a wallpaper. Then I’ll share it with my Mass Effect buddies and that turns into a reminiscent conversation on Tali drunk with her emergency induction port and having a very deep conversation about the parallels between herself Miranda and their Fathers while also calling her a perfect Cerberus cheerleader Bosh’tet. (I have a point here so bear with me.) I looked up this scene and even as I’m experiencing it again for the Andre 3000th time I laugh and tear up a little. Ok so my point is companies pay millions of dollars to have their customers experience that kind of feeling. Bioware did that and there is a tremendous opportunity to recapture at least some of it. I
Idea # 1 Armax Arena 3.0
Make the multiplayer a virtual training simulation much like the Citadel dlc Armax Arena. In order to draw upon the potency of Mass Effect it would be great if during a session Shepard or any of the crew was on coms giving direction (kind of like Battlefront 2 coop). Maybe even make it a choice to who you want narrating the session and have unique dialog and banter between everyone. Like the previous Armax Arena this is where you can play as the old crew along with any other multiplayer characters and can bring back any previous faction. Strike type missions, classic horde or something like the Battlefront 2 coop with objectives that take you through iconic areas. For example A match that is in the shadow broker ship playing the battle theme with Fem Shepard on coms and Liara, Wrex, Garrus, and Tali. Some of the comments can be based off of your decisions from the previous games that you shared with the game to get the unique experience. It doesn’t have to have the old crew playable but having their presence on coms would give a concentrated dose of da feelz.
Idea #2 Put the character in multiplayer characters.
Every multiplayer character with a unique voice and story, gameplay ala Overwatch Street fighter, Mortal Kombat etc but with the choice and customization of Mass effect in the skill tree.
Idea #3 Put the power in powers
What do I mean? This would be effects-heavy to communicate how strong a biotic or engineer is. Omni tools will instead be an Omni suit to facilitate this visual/audio. I’ll give some examples to communicate the spirit of what I mean.
- Biotic based characters, as they are using a power the ground or objects next to them, will crack or shake the environment. The warp ability can have a bending space effect around the power. Biotic explosions should create small craters with some form of environmental destruction. Biotics should have absolute command of all space. Throw many or any reasonable object. Reflect or deflect any projectile. *Please please bring back the Mass Effect 3 biotic explosion sound or make something just as good or give the option to use it
- Engineers when using overload could have electricity coursing through their body and tech burst combo can have a thunderous like sound.
3.A Krogan Vanguard should have every step sound like a walking tank with the ground cracking. Nova should leave a sizable crater and a Vanguard charge leaves enemies it charges into noticeable weaker and damaged state especially if it detonates a primer.
- Infiltrator based characters will be masters of mobility and precision getting anywhere and everywhere quickly. Powers or shots have the ability to shoot off limbs or damage to legs slow down enemies. Damage to arms hampers the ability to attack coupled with distinct visual and audio cues like the enemy yelling about their arm while their gun is not pointed.
4.Soldier based characters could have the ability to wield multiple weapons in a variety of ways. You can take the N7 soldier with the shoulder-mounted missile launcher with an acidic DoT effect causing enemies to temporarily cough and choke loudly all while being able to accurately shoot from the hip and left trigger with an alternate fire. Soldiers should have a myriad of artillery at their disposal
5.Sentinel based character is the hybrid of hybrids. Sentinals could have the ability to temporarily change into any class with varying degrees of power. A sentinel can have overload and throw but with the ability to copy teammates power set for a set duration or have a predetermined set of powers to shift to. Adaptability is what could be the spirit.
Idea #4 Unique combo effect
This is a mix of Andromeda and Anthem. Anyone can detonate a primer but with different effects. When a primed enemy is detonated the effect will be different based on the nature of the power and the character class maybe even the character or skill tree specific. For example A Biotic primes an enemy with a dark channel and a vanguard detonates with Nova which causes biotic explosion that can prime multiple enemies or knocks every enemy in a certain radius down. An engineer can cryo an enemy and an infiltrator can shadow strike the enemy for very high and crippling damage. That same primed/cryo enemy if detonated by a biotic detonator will cause a somewhat AoE snow storm.
Idea #5 Reorganize Rearrange Reverse
This is a weird one for me to communicate but I’ll try. Every character doesn’t have to have a gun. Left trigger can be more than just aiming.For example, you can have a pure biotic that has access to 6 + powers with the additional buttons coming from LT/RT and their combinations. Characters can be more team enabling all or some. I’d love for teamwork to be incentivized with gameplay mechanics. Powers can have an effect on the enemy and an effect on teammates. Some can be decisions by the player in skill tree or how developer sees fit. Desire is to have unique characters in size, speed abilities, voice, story, guns, movement etc with skill tree decisions to make more distinctive. The same button press with one character can be something completely different for another
Biotic Based character example
R1 Dominate on enemy. On teammate, enemies stop shooting at for duration
L1 Pull 2.0 (think a mixture of Andromeda pull and Controls Launch ability)
R1+L1 Stasis
R2 Warp on enemy. On teammate puts temp biotic barrier
L2 Backlash 2.0
X (Jumping/floating ability almost like Scarlet Witch in the MCU and Levitate in Control)
Guns: Can replace power with guns or not. Player choice within developer chosen options. Unique guns only available to character
Soldier Based character
R1 Grenades
L1 Concussive Shot
R1+L1 Adrenaline Rush Can be applied on a teammate or self.
R2 Primary fire (Assult Rifle)
L2 Ammo power
L2 hold +R2 Tertiary fire (Shotgun)
X jump *double tap dodge
Guns: All traditional type guns player can choose
Engineer based character
R1 Energy Drain 6b gives teammates in radius of person(caster or teammate) getting energy drain effect. The more people the stronger the shield
L1Cryo blast
R1+L1 Omni bot: Duplicate enemy or teammates fighting on your side
Infiltrator based character
R1 Melee with electric or corrosive daggers Hold for extra damage
L1 Phase through walls and enemies Can apply to teammates
R1+L1 Tactical cloak Can apply to teammates
Sentinel based character
R1 Overload
L1 Throw
R1+L1 Copy cat can change into any teammate or preselected character
Idea #5 Enemy variety in/and behavior
I got a taste of enemies made with Machine Learning in Battlefront 2 and it blew me and all my friends away. Every match feels like we must earn it and knowing that you can lose is actually exhilarating. Some of the enemies in Battlefronts 2 coop are more challenging than some humans!!! If Mass Effect can achieve that paired with the weapons and powers at its disposal it could be something extremely special
Well if you got through all this thanks a bunch. Once again my intent isnt to tell the developers how to make their game but communicate my passion and love of the series and share the essence of what would make me rekindle my excitement and buy the super mega ultra edition of the next mass effect. With next-gen around the corner and AI, Machine Learning, etc to facilitate the developers from my limited perspective Mass Effect has a tremendous opportunity to reinvigorate itself and chart a new and familiar path.
