Summary
TheDragon Agegame series has never had a consistent visual style, with dramatic changes from game-to-game. However, even some longtime fans were surprised at how dramatic thechanges inDragon Age: The Veilguard’s reveal trailer were. The changes to the art style were only made more clear in the gameplay trailer, where the style has pivoted to be less realistic and more stylized thanDragon Age: Inquisition, with a vibrant color palette.
In contrast, theMass Effecttrilogy had an art style and combat system that went largely unchanged over the course of the three games, with some modification and streamlining regarding the combat system. The biggest stylistic change toMass Effectcame withMass Effect: Andromeda, which was largely necessitated thanks to BioWare’s switch to EA’s Frostbite engine. Now that BioWare has mastered Frostbite and taken a bold new direction withDragon Age: The Veilguard- and with the previousMass Effectgame being criticized heavily for its visuals - it may be time forMass Effect 4to establish its own stylistic identity via a fresh art style.
Mass Effect 4 Needs a New Identity That Works
Mass Effect 3’s endingsparked a controversy so widespread and unrelenting that BioWare released a new DLC ending for free to replace the original one.Mass Effect: Andromedawas released just a few years later to a largely disappointing critical reception, although that reception has improved over time. Much of the criticism thatMass Effect: Andromedareceived was directed at its animations, although the changes made to the combat system were widely welcomed.
Mass Effect 4can’t return toMass Effect: Andromeda’s art styleif BioWare wants to avoid the same controversy, and the original trilogy’s art style has become very dated since its release over a decade ago.Mass Effect 4is in need of a refresh, both in terms of animation but also in terms of art style. With BioWare’s announcement that it has a handle on Frostbite, there’s more potential for theMass Effectuniverse to develop stylistically, without the same problems that affectedMass Effect: Andromeda.
How Mass Effect 4 Could Move in a New Direction
Forging a New Path
A complete change in art style might feel jarring, butMass Effect 4is very likely still years away from release and a fresh new look that overhauls the colors and textures of the galaxy could be exactly what the series needs. LikeDragon Age: The Veilguard,Mass Effect 4needs to impress fans both old and new, perhaps more so because of the tumultuous baggage ofMass Effect 3’s ending andMass Effect: Andromeda’s reception. With thecritical reception ofDragon Age: The Veilguard’s prologuebeing largely positive from those who have seen it, adopting a confident refresh may be exactly whatMass Effect 4needs.
Remembering Mass Effect’s Original Goals
One of the aims of the firstMass Effectgame was to invoke a feeling of wonder when exploring the galaxy and encountering planets. Unfortunately, the technology at the time was not quite able to bring that goal to life, but BioWare’s progression with Frostbite might be the key to finally achieving that inMass Effect 4. Streamlining the style and emphasizing color and scale, rather than leaning into a realistic style that tends to age faster, might bringMass Effect 4into the direction that it needs to taketo revitalize the series.
