Summary
Mass Effecthas been dormant for quite some time now, so the in-developmentMass Effect 4has quite a bit of catching up to do. While the game could benefit fromreturning toMass Effect’s gameplay rootsin some areas, it will be important for the long-awaited sequel to innovate and iterate upon series' foundations, and one effective way to do this would be by expanding class and build diversity.
In traditional RPG fashion, players can select one of six core classes in the originalMass Effecttrilogy. Predictably, these classes have titles that are suitably sci-fi, such as Adept and Infiltrator, but the actual combat archetypes are fairly similar to those found in other fantasy-based RPGs: Adept is akin to a mage, Soldier is a basic warrior build, and so on. But being a third-person shooter,Mass Effectruns into a bit of an issue with build diversity in that every player, regardless of class, will have to rely heavily on firearms in combat, and while it’s technically possible to complete the whole trilogy by only using biotic powers, this is more of a novelty or special challenge idea than a viable playstyle. There are a few ways thatMass Effect 4can expand its combat sandbox for more distinct class-based gameplay, andME3could have the perfect blueprint.
Mass Effect 3’s Kai Leng Should Be the Inspiration for a Proper Mass Effect 4 Melee Class
Kai Leng Shows How Melee-Exclusive Combat Could Work In Mass Effect’s World
TheReapers may beMass Effect’s primary antagonists, but in terms of hate from the fanbase, few villains can match Kai Leng. The exact reasons why he is so despised can vary slightly depending on who is asked, but most critics point to his bland, edgy personality and annoying boss fights as the largest knocks against him. But whatever one thinks about the lethal Cerberus operative, it is at least clear that his combat style is a change of pace from most of the series' gun-toting baddies.
Leng is a cybernetically enhanced, highly agile fighter specializing in stealth and close-range combat. He boasts many of the same tech implants asME3’s Phantom enemies, which also show how effective melee warriors can level the playing field against groups of ranged fighters. WithMass Effect’s class system having room for improvement, BioWare could take a few notes from Leng and his Phantom allies, translating their sword-wielding abilities to the player.
Leng-Inspired Melee Combat Would Help Mass Effect’s Gameplay Greatly
Swift, mobile, and lethal are all traits that make Leng and the Phantoms such a challenge (or headache, depending on perspective). Putting these powers in the hands of players would introduce some much-needed variety toMass Effect’s combat framework while keeping build-crafting consistent with in-universe rules and lore.Mass Effect 4could actually be more immersivethan its predecessors by offering the first true melee-focused build of the series, complete with all the benefits and restraints that such a build demands.
The closest thing the originalMass Effecttrilogy has to a melee-based build is the Vanguard class, but this is more of a short-range option, focusing on some heavy-hitting biotic attacks and synergizing well with shotguns and heavy pistols, rather than actually offering unique melee abilities.
Mass Effect 4could directly draw fromME3’s portrayal of Leng, justifying player melee prowess through the explanation of the Cerberus Phantom implants, or it could adapt it in more subtle ways, simply giving players more close-range combat tools and fewer, or no, guns to choose from. Either way, it would be a great concession for anyone looking for an alternative toMass Effect’s gunplaywhich, while great, is perhaps too standardized and all-encompassing.
