Highlights
- Mass Effect 4 may not include the iconic Paragon and Renegade features, breaking away from series tradition and following broader trends in the gaming industry.
- The removal of the binary morality system in Mass Effect: Andromeda was intentional, allowing for more nuanced choices and a departure from strict good vs. evil decisions.
- Introducing a new protagonist in Mass Effect 4 could mean the exclusion of Paragon and Renegade choices, focusing on a more fluid and expressive choice system for players to make their own decisions.
Very little is known about Mass Effect 4, but there's a solid chance that it will be lacking the iconic Paragon and Renegade features that appeared so prominently in the original three games. Although the system is often thought of as a key element of Mass Effect, decisions made by BioWare with Andromeda, alongside broader trends in the gaming industry, suggest that the binary system may be a thing of the past.
Depending on who's asked, the morality system is one of the best or worst qualities of the original three Mass Effect entries. Supporters of the system argue that the strict Paragon/Renegade dichotomy allows for unique playthroughs, exciting decision-making, and heightened replay value, while critics posit that the binary nature of the mechanic harms the role-playing experience overall, undermining nuanced narrative beats and scenarios.
Whether it's good or bad, the morality system is an integral part of the original Mass Effect trilogy, and its removal in Mass Effect: Andromeda was a notable departure from series tradition, which could be repeated in ME4.
Assuming the next game in the Mass Effect series features a Normandy-like ship, it should give players more choices in terms of personalization.
BioWare Might Not Bring Back Paragon/Renegade for Mass Effect 4
Cutting out the binary morality system in Andromeda was an intentional move on the part of BioWare, with the game's creative director, Mac Walters, citing identity and storytelling goals as key reasons for its omission. Essentially, BioWare considered the system as an inextricable part of Shepard's story and personality, so with the implementation of a new protagonist and a new cast of characters, it made sense to ax it.
Since Mass Effect 4 will likely introduce a new protagonist as well, it's possible that BioWare will once again choose to leave out Paragon and Renegade choices, relegating them to Shepard's story alone.
Other Reasons for Cutting the Paragon and Renegade System in Mass Effect 4
Though Mass Effect 4 may be a return to form for the franchise, it may be better off leaving the Paragon and Renegade system behind, even if Shepard does reprise their role as the lead hero. The original Mass Effect trilogy released during an era where binary systems of morality were popular in gaming, with hit franchises like Fable and Infamous implementing their own form of a Paragon/Renegade mechanic.
However, the gaming landscape is quite different now, and RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3, Undertale, and Disco Elysium have shown what is possible with more nuanced choices that aren't tied to a strict, binary system of morality. This fluid and expressive choice system is not only more true-to-life but can also be more satisfying to engage with.
Evolving Mass Effect's morality system could benefit ME4's role-playing aspects, especially as the series faces competition from newer RPGs. Because of how dialog checks work in Mass Effect, specifically Mass Effect 2, players are encouraged to strictly adhere to either the Paragon or Renegade path, or else they miss out on influential dialog options.
If Mass Effect 4 scraps the morality system, the game could instead encourage players to experiment with different combinations of decisions, allowing them to express themselves in the game and make the choices they truly wish to make, not just the ones that align with their earlier decisions.
Even though Andromeda did away with it, it's still hard to imagine Mass Effect without the Paragon and Renegade mechanic. It's important to note thatMass Effect 4 can bring back the morality system while still addressing its shortcomings.
For instance, while morality in the original games isn't supposed to boil down to "good vs. evil," certain Renegade choices, such as killing Samara in ME2, could be considered unambiguously immoral. Mass Effect 4 could allow for more gray area within the confines of the Paragon and Renegade continuum, thus fulfilling the original intention of the system. Steering clear of the red Renegade eyes would probably help too.
