Why Mass Effect 4 Faces a Villain Problem: The Reaper Curse

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Moiz Banoori

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Ever since BioWare revealed that they are working on the next installment of Mass Effect, there has been a lingering uncertainty about the project. Don’t get me wrong, I am incredibly excited about exploring the Milky Way galaxy after the Reaper threat has been neutralized.

However, a persistent feeling at the back of my mind keeps asking: can the developers deliver a villain that surpasses the epicness of the Reapers?

Impact of Villians in Mass Effect

Villains aren’t just here for godly space battles. In Mass Effect, they’re the driving force that pushes Shepard and crew to their limits. The Reapers forced us to confront galactic extinction. The Collectors made us question trust and loyalty, and even Saren Arterius, the first game’s antagonist, grappled with the morality of preserving his species. 

Mass Effect 2 set a high bar in the RPG genre, where reapers prevailed. The Reapers were a galactic-scale threat, a cosmic entity that haunted every civilization for years. They were the ultimate enemy, the completion of a trilogy-long story.

How do you create a villain that feels as impactful and terrifying, especially after another game by BioWare – Andromeda – that fumbled the landing?

Andromeda’s villain, the Kett, was… forgettable. They weren’t bad, but they didn’t leave a lasting impression. Maybe that’s because Andromeda itself had its issues.

The single-player story felt lackluster. Even developers agree that Andromeda should’ve focused more on multiplayer. Here’s hoping BioWare learns from its mistakes and introduces a well-designed villain for Mass Effect 4.

A great Mass Effect villain does more than just threaten to blow stuff up; they challenge our ideals and understanding of the universe and ultimately make saving the galaxy feel meaningful. Finding a villain who can capture that magic will make or break Mass Effect 4.

My Personal Villain Speculations

The Reapers were a tough act to follow, but it’s manageable. Here are some ideas I’ve been thinking for Mass Effect 4:

• The Reapers’ Legacy: Maybe the threat isn’t entirely gone. A splinter group of rogue Reapers, or perhaps a new faction worshipping the Reapers as gods, could rise from the ashes. It’s a risky move, but it could work if done well. We wouldn’t want a total rehash, but exploring the lingering effects of the Reaper invasion could be interesting.
• Internal Conflict: The Reapers are gone, but that doesn’t mean galactic peace. What if the power vacuum left behind leads to war between Council races? Or a new, aggressive species that views the weakened galactic powers as easy pickings emerge. This could be a great way to explore the political landscape of the Milky Way after the Reaper War.
• Something Completely New: It may be time to break away from the Reaper shadow altogether. Introduce a new threat, something alien and unknowable. This would be a bold move, but it could also be refreshing. Imagine a threat that challenges our understanding of reality, forcing us to question everything we thought we knew about the universe.

Of course, BioWare is hands full right now. With Dragon Age Dreadwolf releasing in 2024, they have much on their plate. Along with that, BioWare is also working on a third game besides Mass Effect and Dragon Age.

They should take their time producing the new Mass Effect to ensure it doesn’t turn out like Andromeda. The last thing we need is a rushed product, especially when the villain is such a crucial element.

Concerns and Challenges

BioWare should avoid the mistake they made with Anthem. Anthem has sold over 5 million units despite its poor launch. Had BioWare not neglected it, it may have made a comeback and stunned the community.

Therefore, even if Mass Effect 4 doesn’t perform as expected, BioWare should keep rolling out updates to improve the game. 

Another mistake was introducing an open-world touch in Andromeda, which turned against their expectations. Rumors suggest that Mass Effect 4 won’t have any open-world features from Andromeda.

While some fans might be disappointed by this removal, I believe it’s the right call. Let’s return to the core Mass Effect experience, which glued us to our screens for hours.

Bottom Line

Here’s the bottom line: Mass Effect 4 has a villain problem, and it’s a big one. Hopefully, the recent reports of BioWare laying off 50 developers will not hurdle Mass Effect 4’s development.

However, BioWare is a talented team that has overcome challenges before. I trust them to deliver a story worthy of the Mass Effect legacy. Here’s to hoping they surprise us, overcome the villain hurdle, and provide a story that sets a new standard for the franchise.

Moiz Banoori

Moiz Banoori, with a decade of experience in gaming and tech journalism and a degree in journalism, is a notable figure in the industry. He has contributed to various esteemed platforms, showcasing his expertise in both reporting and opinion writing.