What Mass Effect’s Next Suicide Mission Could Learn From DA: The Veilguard

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home December 21, 2024 4 Views 7 Min Read
What Mass Effect's Next Suicide Mission Could Learn From DA: The Veilguard



By looking back on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, BioWare could learn from its most recent release as it turns its attention to the next Mass Effect game, especially if it wishes to recapture the magic of Mass Effect 2‘s Suicide Mission. As two of BioWare’s most well-known and acclaimed series, both Dragon Age and Mass Effect have gained notoriety within the gaming community for how players’ decisions can shape the game’s story and endings. But between BioWare’s most infamous finale with Mass Effect 2‘s Suicide Mission and Dragon Age: The Veilguard‘s The Last Gambit, there could be room for improvement for Mass Effect‘s next game.

While Mass Effect 2‘s Suicide Mission arguably set the standard for the finales of future BioWare games, the studio’s subsequent games like Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Mass Effect: Andromeda have had mixed success in replicating the tense, player-driven experience. However, DA: The Veilguard has come close to achieving its own Suicide Mission-like final act with The Last Gambit, and it may even have something to add to the formula for the next Mass Effect. With BioWare reportedly committing to its upcoming Mass Effect 4, the studio should review what made DA: The Veilguard‘s The Last Gambit stand out for its next game.

SPOILERS for Dragon Age: The Veilguard follow.

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One Cut Dragon Age: The Veilguard Feature Shouldn’t Be Left in The Dust For The Next Mass Effect

Mass Effect is still early in development which means it isn’t too late to include a crucial feature that was cut from Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s The Last Gambit Channels Mass Effect 2’s Suicide Mission

With the release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition allowing both new and old players to experience the original Mass Effect trilogy choice-driven story, players may already be familiar with how brutal Mass Effect 2‘s final act can be as a result. From failing to upgrade the Normandy to not gaining squadmates’ loyalty, lots of the player’s actions or inactions can cause Mass Effect 2‘s Suicide Mission to result in numerous character deaths. But while BioWare attempted to do the same in its following games, the latest DA: The Veilguard has finally achieved a final act comparable to Mass Effect 2‘s Suicide Mission.

For instance, whether certain companions survive the events of DA: The Veilguard‘s endgame can depend on their status as Heroes of the Veilguard. Characters like Bellara or Neve can be potentially killed by a Blight infection if they are not loyal to Rook. Additionally, much like assigning squadmates to roles in Mass Effect 2‘s Suicide Mission, choosing the wrong companions during DA: The Veilguard‘s final act could also see them fail and be killed. In fact, there is even an unavoidable companion death just before DA: The Veilguard‘s The Last Gambit, requiring players to choose between unknowingly sacrificing Davrin or Harding.

How Dragon Age: The Veilguard Expands on Mass Effect 2’s Suicide Mission

Ultimately, DA: The Veilguard has the hallmarks of Mass Effect 2‘s Suicide Mission, but the former appears to go further by integrating its in-game faction strengths into its endgame outcomes. With six factions to pay attention to, players’ decisions throughout the game will shape how these factions act and respond, such as coming to support players in crucial battles. Unlike Mass Effect 2, DA: The Veilguard cultivates a sense of unity between players and in-game regions, something which is then reflected when these factions come together in the game’s final act, akin to Mass Effect 3‘s War Assets.

Mass Effect’s Next Suicide Mission Should Be Bigger and Bolder

With DA: The Veilguard providing a new outline for evolving the Suicide Mission formula, the next Mass Effect game should aim to be bigger and bolder with its final act following this. For instance, adapting DA: The Veilguard‘s faction mechanic would be an easy change and could similarly influence Mass Effect 4‘s endgame, especially as factions could be divided between alien races or groups, as per the list below.

  • Citadel races, such as Turians, Asari, and Salarians.
  • Organizations, such as Systems Alliance, Cerberus, and the Andromeda Initiative.
  • Aliens, such as Krogan, Quarians, Geth, and Angara.
  • Extremists, such as Cerberus, the Kett, and the Roekaar.

While details about Mass Effect‘s next game are still unclear, by at least adopting DA: The Veilguard‘s bigger-picture approach to building its world and story, BioWare could push the envelope for the series’ next Suicide Mission.

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