Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Party Members Are A Perfect Blueprint for Mass Effect 4
How Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Companion System Could Shape the Future of Squadmates in Mass Effect 4
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the integration of companions and their abilities into the exploration and design of the game world offers a fresh perspective that Mass Effect 4 could adopt to enhance its next squad of characters. Unlike Dragon Age: Inquisition, The Veilguard shifts its focus by blending expansive exploration with a clever use of returning locations and large-scale environments, all while embracing elements of the Metroidvania genre. This approach ensures that each new area of the game becomes more accessible as the player progresses with their companions—offering them not only unique gameplay opportunities but also a deeper sense of individuality within the game world.
As players recruit companions in The Veilguard, new pathways open up based on the abilities these characters bring to the table. This system not only elevates the game's level design but also gives each companion a sense of purpose beyond simply being another member of the party. With this concept in mind, Mass Effect 4 could further enrich its roster of squadmates by blending gameplay with backstory and dialogue systems that engage both the characters and the player in a more interactive way.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Merges Character Depth with Exploration
In The Veilguard, each companion’s abilities serve as crucial tools to uncover hidden parts of the world and enhance exploration. For example, Harding’s newfound ability to manipulate stone allows players to scale walls, cross gaps, and access new locations, all while uncovering deeper layers of the game’s lore. Harding's story, tied to her mysterious powers, also ties into the overarching narrative, revealing more about the dwarven history and the origins of the Dragon Age Blight.
Other companions in The Veilguard, such as Taash and Davrin, similarly have their personal arcs closely linked to their abilities. Taash’s journey as a deified fire-breathing Qunari and Davrin’s struggles balancing his loyalty to Assan, the griffons, and the Grey Wardens highlight how companions' actions are not just gameplay mechanics—they are vital to the character development and the broader story. By tying these abilities to the narrative, The Veilguard ensures that each companion’s growth feels meaningful and integrated into the overall game experience.
Mass Effect 4 Could Improve Its Companions by Learning from The Veilguard
With BioWare narrowing its focus to Mass Effect 4, now is the perfect time for the studio to assess what worked in The Veilguard and how these ideas can be adapted to its own franchise. While previous Mass Effect games have been known for their compelling interparty dialogues—think the iconic elevator conversations—The Veilguard goes a step further by ensuring that companions have more than just reactive conversations; their abilities directly influence gameplay and exploration. This is a feature that could add a new layer of depth to the Mass Effect 4 squad dynamic, ensuring that characters feel more involved in both the story and the player's journey.
Enhancing Mass Effect 4 with Interactive Squadmates
Adapting the Metroidvania-style level design from The Veilguard could significantly improve the exploration experience in Mass Effect 4, particularly when it comes to the diverse planets and space stations players will visit. Through this approach, the abilities of the squad could open up new areas and opportunities for discovery. Additionally, BioWare could further expand on the character-driven stories by tapping into the existing lore of the Mass Effect universe.
For example, new squadmates could bring unique skills that tie into their personal histories and roles within the galaxy:
A Geth hacker trying to navigate a post-Reaper world.
A Batarian refugee seeking answers after the destruction of Alpha Relay.
A Quarian pilot struggling to let go of their nomadic lifestyle.
An Asari hiding her status as an Ardat-Yakshi.
Incorporating such character-driven abilities would allow Mass Effect 4 to surprise players with fresh storylines, all while offering more engaging gameplay as players interact with their squadmates. By blending narrative, exploration, and character progression, Mass Effect 4 could ensure its companions are as dynamic and integral to the experience as the story itself.