Summary
Although little is known aboutMass Effect 4, there’s a good chance that some sort of home ship will be featured in the game, continuing the tradition set by the previous four games in the series. With the nextMass Effectlikely updatingand altering key components from the original games, it should also flesh out the implementation of the player’s space-bound HQ, as this could have a number of benefits.
The Normandy plays a major role in the originalMass Effecttrilogy. The iconic ship is the base of operations for Shepard and their crew, serving as a sort of hub world where players can upgrade their gear and explore relationships with their squad mates between missions. Despite how much ofMass Effectis centered on this key location, the player doesn’t have much interaction with the space itself, with the only means for customization being the fish, ship models, and space hamster that can be placed in Shepard’s quarters inMass Effect 2andMass Effect 3.
With customization being such akey part of the RPG genre, this is somewhat surprising, so more personalization options would likely go a long way toward makingMass Effect 4an even better game.
Ship Customization in Mass Effect 4
How Mass Effect 4 Can Improve Normandy Personalization
Mass Effect 2andMass Effect 3both featured some light Normandy customization options, primarily in the form of collectibles that would appear in the Captain’s Quarters. This feature isn’t bad on its own, as it can be satisfying for the player’s journey to be visually represented. The issue is that this is where ship customization begins and ends. Essentially, the previous games wasted a lot of customization potential, andMass Effect 4has a chance to realize that potential.
Whether or notME4brings back the Normandy, it will likely retain some sort of home base for the player. This base, whether larger or smaller in scale, could feature a great degree of internal and external customization options, allowing players to change small details like the colors of certain items, all the way to major aspects like room layouts. If each area of the ship was customizable, it would make different playthroughs more distinct and rewarding, as players would be able to express themselves through their ship. Indeed, the possibilities for this sort of personalization system are nearly endless, asMass Effect 4could provide players with a wide array of different tools for customization, such as:
What Ship Customization Could Do for Mass Effect 4
Expandedcustomization tools would be a boon forME4, as it would enhance its role-playing elements. Moreover, granting more control over the look and function of the in-game ship would increase the sense of connection between the player and the virtual space;Mass Effect 4’s “Normandy” would feel more like the player’s ship and less like something they have little to no relationship with.
Customization could also impact a number of other in-game elements. For one thing, exploration would be more worthwhile if excess credits or other in-game resources could be dumped into cosmetics and other unlockables. If BioWare was to go even further with customization, players could even enjoy significant, material benefits for upgrading and customizing their ship: new weapons and armor could play a role in missions, or different, specialized rooms could produce key resources. Ship customization could also help to flesh outMass Effect 4’s companions, with players potentially currying their favor by obtaining specific cosmetics or items, a laAnimal Crossing.
Ultimately, there is a wealth of opportunity when it comes to ship customization inMass Effect 4, and its inclusion seems like a no-brainer, given the popularity of personalization in modern gaming. Whatever direction BioWare takes in regard to the next Normandy, it should absolutely focus on this key element.
