For almost three decades now, developer BioWare has been making RPGs that fans have enjoyed over the years. While the developer has had some issues lately, mainly with the botched releases such asMass Effect AndromedaandAnthem, the renowned RPG creator is set to make a comeback withDragon Age: The Veilguard. Impressions look good for the upcoming title, butBioWarehas recently come under criticism for how it is treating previous game decisions.
WithDragon Age: The Veilguardofficially narrowing the scope of decisions from previous games, people are beginning to speculate about how BioWare may apply a similar approach toMass Effect 4. By only selecting three major decisions to carry over from theDragon Ageseries, BioWare is showing a new way of handling continuity. AsMass Effect 4is confirmed to connect the story from the original trilogy, this new system could set the stage for how it manages the complex web of decisions from earlier titles.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Three Key Decisions Set a New Standard
InDragon Age: The Veilguard, players will face three critical choicesfromDragon Age: Inquisition: who they romanced, whether they decided to stop or save Solas, and the fate of the Inquisition. These selective decisions are a departure from the sprawling web of consequences seen in earlier entries. This new approach is designed to avoid contradictory choices and streamline the continuity, allowing BioWare to focus onThe Veilguard’s new narrative arcs without being bogged down by an overwhelming number of past decisions.
Players have a personal tie into big decisions, such as the ones taken inMass Effect 3. Longtime fans will want to see how these decisions have played out over the years. But having a story spanning so long, and the team not being the same as it was when both series were initially created brings continuity challenges. By narrowing downa few key decisions fromMass Effect 1-3, BioWarecan maintain the impact of past player choices while building a narrative that bridges the gap between the original trilogy andMass Effect: Andromeda.
Solas and Liara: Key Characters Who Could Shape Dragon Age and Mass Effect Continuity
The handling of Solas inThe Veilguardoffers a clear example of how BioWare may handle key returning characters inMass Effect 4. Solas, revealed as Fen’Harel, the Dread Wolf, serves as a central figure in the narrative, connecting past decisions with the future of the world. In a similar fashion, concept art and teaser trailers suggest thatLiara T’Soni may play a pivotal role inMass Effect 4.
Liara, a fan-favorite character, could serveas the narrative bridge, much like Solas, by tying the plot to past events while pushing the series into new territory. Whether she takes on a direct antagonistic role like Solas or serves as a guide between old and new remains to be seen, but her presence hints that BioWare will continue to focus on character-driven continuity rather than a broad, all-encompassing system of choices.
Streamlining Choices for Future Mass Effect and Dragon Age Games
The decision to limit the influence of past events inThe Veilguardmay reflect BioWare’s struggle with a realization that too many choices can overcomplicate future entries. The developer has said that it’s trying to appeal to newer players while also maintaining the story pedigree it’s been known for.
InMass Effect, the consequences of choices from the original trilogy varied in significance, and were mostly pushed aside inAndromeda. By narrowing the scope of decisions to just a few key moments,Mass Effect 4could offer a more focused narrativewhile still acknowledging players' past actions. But as they are finding out, it’s a very thin line to draw. If done correctly though, the outcome can be a cleaner narrative that new and old fans alike can follow and connect with.
Speculation on What Will Be Canon in Mass Effect 4
One of the more intriguing aspects ofMass Effect 4is how BioWare will handle the longstanding debate over what choices are canon. WithDragon Age: The Veilguardconfirming only a few key decisions from prior games will matter, it seems likely thatMass Effectwill adopt a similar approach. It may attempt to ignore thethree controversial endings of Mass Effect 3, and only mention the narrative of the Ryder twins in passing dialogue. Perhaps it may even take the mysterious Benefactor fromAndromeda, and expand on that narrative.
AsDragon Age: The Veilguardnears release,Mass Effect 4remains in pre-production, with BioWare focusing its efforts on completingThe Veilguard. While fans eagerly await news onMass Effect 4, the studio’s approach to narrative continuity inThe Veilguardcould offer insight into what’s to come. If done right, BioWare might have just created the winning formula.
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