If the Mass Effect team is to copy anything from the Dragon Age team, I think it should be race selection.
Im all for race selection but only if it makes sense. It made sense in Inquisiton because nowhere was it stated that a qunari or an elf couldnt be leader. however if they put us in an N7 outfit its got to be human. The only way I can see them changing this is if they went with a completely new organisation or branch. Anythings possiblt in the future i guess.
It was always a huge problem with Bioware's game, half of the characters are here just for the sake of being here and are useless to the plot. Look at Mass Effect 1 you don't need Tali or even Garrus to the story they are useless same goes in Mass Effect 3 for Tali, Garrus, James only Ashley, Liara and Javik are important to the plot. Mass Effect 2 I don't have it's different and weird, most of the characters are not that important to the plot but you need them for the suicide mission.
And I think this problem is even worse in Final Fantasy games where you have maybe 2 or 3 important characters. The only RPG I have ever played where all the characters are all important to the story is Persona and Atlus did a wonderful job on this.
I wish Bioware would be better on this.
Relevance to the plot is hardly the same as relevance to the story. Although certain characters may not have direct influence over the sequence of events, their presence serves an important purpose. In this case, ME squad mates tend to act as a lens to another culture or perspective (something vitally important to the themes of Mass Effect). Mechanically, the plot might work without them, but every squad member is there for a specific reason and not simply for "the sake of being there."
If nothing else, the fact that your ship is filled with well-rounded individuals and not automatons designed for the sole purpose of plot progression just lends credibility to the universe. Some of the most touching moments of Mass Effect 3 are the small conversations that seem to happen naturally between squad mates.
Yes, some characters are less developed or less necessary than others, and that's something BioWare should attempt to rectify, but it's not nearly as big of a problem as you suggest.
Im all for race selection but only if it makes sense. It made sense in Inquisiton because nowhere was it stated that a qunari or an elf couldnt be leader. however if they put us in an N7 outfit its got to be human. The only way I can see them changing this is if they went with a completely new organisation or branch. Anythings possiblt in the future i guess.
I agree. Even though some aliens were informally called N7s due to dangerous missions they undertook with N7s, it is still a human organization unless they make it official after the Reaper War. But if not, I can see them doing at least the Council Races as options. Something like:
Asari: Female only(since they are an all female race)
Human: Male or Female
Salarian: Male only(since only men leave Sur'Kesh)
Turian: Male and Female
That results in six options, two less than Inquisition and equal to Origins so they could even add a non-Council race, most likely Quarians due to a few factors.
Relevance to the plot is hardly the same as relevance to the story. Although certain characters may not have direct influence over the sequence of events, their presence serves an important purpose. In this case, ME squad mates tend to act as a lens to another culture or perspective (something vitally important to the themes of Mass Effect). Mechanically, the plot might work without them, but every squad member is there for a specific reason and not simply for "the sake of being there."
If nothing else, the fact that your ship is filled with well-rounded individuals and not automatons designed for the sole purpose of plot progression just lends credibility to the universe. Some of the most touching moments of Mass Effect 3 are the small conversations that seem to happen naturally between squad mates.
Yes, some characters are less developed or less necessary than others, and that's something BioWare should attempt to rectify, but it's not nearly as big of a problem as you suggest.
I m pretty sure you don't need Garrus or Tali in your squad to learn more about Turians or Quarians and their culture, there are many other ways to do this, if I remember well you don't even have to take Garrus with you in ME1.
To me half of those characters felt like fillers even if loved Garrus. And it's exactly the same thing in DAI, and it's even worse because they don't add to the culture stuff (Sera/Solas well we all know the elvens at this point because he had Zevran and Merill or Fenris before, Blackwall we played as a Warden in DAO so he brought nothing new, the same goes with Iron Bull because of the Arishak in DA2 and Sten in DAO) only Dorian is interesting because he's from Tevinter and Vivienne because she's from Orlais. Varric and Cassandra are the only characters really important to the story.
Inquisition's outlier characters with their ultra-short companion quests don't really feel any different to me than the ones in Origins which operate under the same lens. It's a problem regardless, but it's not a new one. Finding Sten's sword wasn't exactly Garrus' loyalty mission, either.
Inquisition's outlier characters with their ultra-short companion quests don't really feel any different to me than the ones in Origins which operate under the same lens. It's a problem regardless, but it's not a new one. Finding Sten's sword wasn't exactly Garrus' loyalty mission, either.
ME1 had this problem too.
I have to say I was surprise by how lackluster squadmates mission were in DAI, and that's why it came after ME2. And ME2 showed how incredible squadmate quests can be.
You assume that every Inquisition player has played Origins and DA2?I m pretty sure you don't need Garrus or Tali in your squad to learn more about Turians or Quarians and their culture, there are many other ways to do this, if I remember well you don't even have to take Garrus with you in ME1.
To me half of those characters felt like fillers even if loved Garrus. And it's exactly the same thing in DAI, and it's even worse because they don't add to the culture stuff (Sera/Solas well we all know the elvens at this point because he had Zevran and Merill or Fenris before, Blackwall we played as a Warden in DAO so he brought nothing new, the same goes with Iron Bull because of the Arishak in DA2 and Sten in DAO) only Dorian is interesting because he's from Tevinter and Vivienne because she's from Orlais. Varric and Cassandra are the only characters really important to the story.
Im all for race selection but only if it makes sense. It made sense in Inquisiton because nowhere was it stated that a qunari or an elf couldnt be leader. however if they put us in an N7 outfit its got to be human. The only way I can see them changing this is if they went with a completely new organisation or branch. Anythings possiblt in the future i guess.
If you were a member of Spectre it would make sense
I m pretty sure you don't need Garrus or Tali in your squad to learn more about Turians or Quarians and their culture, there are many other ways to do this, if I remember well you don't even have to take Garrus with you in ME1.
Actually you did need Tali, since she was the one who discovered the Geth Recording of Saren and Benezia talking about Eden Prime.
If you want to learn more about the Quarians, you would absolutely need Tali. She's the only Quarian in the whole ME1 Game you encounter and they aren't even properly mentioned in-game.
On Topic: I agree with what the OP said, but the Codex Entries -and Point 1(see Cap and Gown, this was pretty much what I would say)- They are entirely optional, and they can be read anytime after the mission. We could even have a Codex Library in the next Mass Effect Ship... After all, it's focused on Exploring, right? (Oh my God, this idea just came up)
Why do you have to read every codex entry? I don't read any of them and till now when you mention Orlais the first thing coming into my mind is fancy shoes. (And the thing I remember about Quarian is that they crap in their suits)
DAI is said to sell really really bad, not even under the top twenty games in first month.
Dunno if this is a s bad as it sounds and what impact it might have for ME4.
I'd hope they worked to flesh out the main story and characters in ME next than have tons of side quests.
If there are any, I hope they are like ME2's. There was plenty to shoot at, little or no fetch quests involved.
Some of those missions were pretty good actually. BUT I'd much rather have a longer collector base than any side missions.
Im all for race selection but only if it makes sense. It made sense in Inquisiton because nowhere was it stated that a qunari or an elf couldnt be leader. however if they put us in an N7 outfit its got to be human. The only way I can see them changing this is if they went with a completely new organisation or branch. Anythings possiblt in the future i guess.
Thing is, in ME3 the N7 program was represented much more broadly (albeit in an unofficial capacity). Hackett said he'd let it slide due to boost in morale.
If the next game is a sequel like so many are adamantly demanding (why, I have no idea), then it wouldn't be so far fetched to see N7 become a spec op program that involves elite soldiers from numerous species. Many things will change after the Reaper War. And humans will have a significant say in how things are handled in the future, considering they led the charge against the Reapers.
Less codex entries? No side missions? Uhhh.....yeah I'd rather not go back to the ME2 approach when they butchered or just completely removed aspects of the gameplay experience that made Mass Effect what it was in ME1.
I hope there will be more side missions than ever before. I love the codex as well. Bioware needs to get back to their rpg roots. The last thing they need is another linear shooting gallery, especially one that only has a main story and nothing else. I enjoy my freedom to go and do what I want, when I want. The more options, the better (imo)
I'm sure there will be plenty. Which is fine, as long as they aren't fetch quests. ME3 suffered for them imo.
The quality of side missions in ME2 was mostly very good and comparable to ME1's, So they didn't completely remove everything.
Agree about the codex and going back to RPG roots though. I hope Bioware tie them both together for next ME.
Quoting wiki on N7 Special Ops
The most experienced operatives formed squads to secure objectives, evacuate civilians, and battle Cerberus or the Reapers deep in enemy territory. Initially led by N7 Alliance marines, these squads were nicknamed the N7 Special Ops. In light of these teams' exemplary service and remarkable bravery, the Alliance allowed this unofficial name to spread across the ranks as a sign of respect for their efforts.
True N7 soldiers are exclusively human, I'm afraid.
I'm sure there will be plenty. Which is fine, as long as they aren't fetch quests. ME3 suffered for them imo.
The quality of side missions in ME2 was mostly very good and comparable to ME1's, So they didn't completely remove everything.
Agree about the codex and going back to RPG roots though. I hope Bioware tie them both together for next ME.
I actually think ME2 side missions were better than the ones in ME1. ME1 suffered heavily from reused assets, every planet ended up being the same thing. In ME2 missions were quite different and each told a little story of its own, despite being small and linear
DAI is said to sell really really bad, not even under the top twenty games in first month.
Dunno if this is a s bad as it sounds and what impact it might have for ME4.
It's outselling DA:O so far.
YMMV on if that is good or not.
I actually think ME2 side missions were better than the ones in ME1. ME1 suffered heavily from reused assets, every planet ended up being the same thing. In ME2 missions were quite different and each told a little story of its own, despite being small and linear
I was thinking of missions like the Dr. Death mission and one or two others. You know the ones aboard ships? I forget the exact details.
Varied planets would be great. And they look so, from what we've seen so far. That's definitely one thing to look forward to 
Quoting wiki on N7 Special Ops
The most experienced operatives formed squads to secure objectives, evacuate civilians, and battle Cerberus or the Reapers deep in enemy territory. Initially led by N7 Alliance marines, these squads were nicknamed the N7 Special Ops. In light of these teams' exemplary service and remarkable bravery, the Alliance allowed this unofficial name to spread across the ranks as a sign of respect for their efforts.
True N7 soldiers are exclusively human, I'm afraid.
You can easily see it changing in the future though. Whether through closer military ties or blurring the lines over cross species colonies. Can you really imagine a future liberal world in which 2nd generation citizens were not allowed to serve in the military because they were a different race?
The quality of side missions in ME2 was mostly very good and comparable to ME1's, So they didn't completely remove everything.
I have to disagree on this one. ME2's side missions were a downgrade imo. Too linear and pointless, like much of the level design and narrative in that game.
You can easily see it changing in the future though. Whether through closer military ties or blurring the lines over cross species colonies. Can you really imagine a future liberal world in which 2nd generation citizens were not allowed to serve in the military because they were a different race?
I can easily see some intergalactic special forces with humans, turians, asari etc. N7 will stay human-only though. It's not that there are different races of the same species, it's different alien species. Each of them has their military. Same way a human can't undergo training with asari commandos, quarian marines don't take turians etc. The training is focused on bringing the best in human soldiers, different species have different qualities that are brought in their own militaries. So, unless the Alliance becomes intergalactic military force, I don't see N7 becoming multispecies special forces
And yet, there's non-humans representing N7 during ME3. Things can change, as Malanek suggested. The Alliance already is a galactic force. One could argue they may be the most dominant towards the end of ME3. They led the war against the Reapers as well as the construction of the Crucible.
"intergalactic" would require them to be travelling to galaxies outside our own.
I can easily see some intergalactic special forces with humans, turians, asari etc. N7 will stay human-only though. It's not that there are different races of the same species, it's different alien species. Each of them has their military. Same way a human can't undergo training with asari commandos, quarian marines don't take turians etc. The training is focused on bringing the best in human soldiers, different species have different qualities that are brought in their own militaries. So, unless the Alliance becomes intergalactic military force, I don't see N7 becoming multispecies special forces
If a Turian family lives on a Human world, then their kids live on the same world, then their kids live on the same world, which military force should those grandchildren join?
And yet, there's non-humans representing N7 during ME3. Things can change, as Malanek suggested. The Alliance already is a galactic force. One could argue they may be the most dominant towards the end of ME3. They led the war against the Reapers as well as the construction of the Crucible.
"intergalactic" would require them to be travelling to galaxies outside our own.
True, I didn't find a better word. Interplanetary or galactic, like you said would be better.
If a Turian family lives on a Human world, then their kids live on the same world, then their kids live on the same world, which military force should those grandchildren join?
Alliance maybe. But they won't get into N7 program. At least the way it is presented now.
Allowing other species to undergo the same military training (of all ranks) as humans would make separate military forces irrelevant. Might as well make a joint military with joint special forces. Which can happen in ME:Next, no arguing about that. The way it is now though, there are separate military forces for all species and allowing aliens into the training process of the best human soldiers is not the best idea. There will also be issues of food, armor etc.
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