Summary
It’s been a while since the lastMass Effectgame, so fans are naturally wondering what kind of approachMass Effect 4will take when it comes to its narrative, gameplay, and foundational RPG design. Of course, many have speculated that the next game will be areturn to form forMass Effectas a franchise, but the game could also take inspiration from other RPGs released in the wake ofMass Effect 3andAndromeda. Regardless ofME4’s general design, there will surely be comparisons drawn betweenMass Effect 4and other sci-fi RPGs, with one potential comparison seemingly particularly likely.
Announced at last year’s The Game Awards,Exodusis set to make a splash in the world of narrative-driven science-fiction games. Thanks to the game’s setting, RPG classification, and the composition of its development team, comparisons to theMass Effectfranchise have already begun, and some may think thatExoduswill be positioned as a rival toMass Effect 4. While it’s possible that there will be some overlap between the two games, they will have a number of core differences as well, and it might not be the best idea to think of them as being in direct competition.
Exodus and Mass Effect 4 Should Be Judged On Their Own Merits
Why Exodus Is Being Compared to Mass Effect
Although little is known about the game,Exodusis sure to appeal toMass Effectfans. As a narrative-led RPG set amidst the stars, with a reported emphasis on narrative and science-fiction themes over hard-hitting action,Exodusmay seem like something of a spiritual successor toMass Effect. The game will also feature a companion system, which sounds similar toMass Effect’s.
The similarities don’t end there, though. Perhaps the biggest connection betweenExodusandMass Effectis the fact that the former’s developer, Archetype Entertainment, is composed of former BioWare staff, including James Ohlen, BioWare’s former Creative Director. AsBioWare pushes ahead withMass EffectandDragonAgeover the next few years, it may only be natural to view Archetype Entertainment as a competitor to the famous EA studio.
Mass Effect 4 and Exodus Will Likely Be Different Types of Games
Despite the obvious surface-level, genre-related similarities and the connections between Archetype and BioWare, there’s a good chance thatExodusandMass Effect 4will ultimately be very different games. For one thing, asExoduswill be Archetype Entertainment’s debut release, it’s likely that the company will want to stand out from the crowd, releasing a unique game that doesn’t run the risk of being considered a rehash or carbon copy of another, more established franchise. BioWare, on the other hand, is looking to resurrect a once-beloved series, reincorporating features, design staples, andnarrative elements from previousMass Effectgames and attempting to make them work in a new, modern context.
Alternatively,Exodus’s former BioWare developers may be aiming to recapture the spirit of the classicMass EffectorDragon Agegames, while BioWare itself might be trying to pushMass Effectinto the future with its next entry, taking more creative risks and implementing more radical changes. Ultimately, each game will bring its own strengths and weaknesses to the table, and differences in creative vision, budget, and franchise context will result inExodusandMass Effect4being necessarily different from one another.
Exoduslooks like an interesting sci-fi storywith key elements of RPG interactivity, whileMass Effect 4is promising to reintroduce a beloved IP to modern audiences. They each have different goals and selling points, and players should embrace the distinctions between the two games. Best case scenario: gaming audiences can get their hands on two stellar RPG games at around the same time.
Mass Effect Trilogy
WHERE TO PLAY
One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced. Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition. Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs – remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD.RELIVE THE CINEMATIC SAGA: Heart-pounding action meets gripping interactive storytelling where you decide how your unique story unfolds.EXPERIENCE THE LEGEND OF SHEPARD: Create and customize your own character, from appearance and skills to a personalized arsenal then lead your elite recon squad across a galaxy in turmoil.REFLECT ON YOUR CHOICES: Your choices seamlessly travel from one game to the next. Each decision you make will control the outcome of every mission, every relationship, every battle – and even the fate of the galaxy itself.
