Highlights
- A content creator and BioWare fan believes that the Paragon/Renegade moral choice system will return in the new Mass Effect 4 based on a theory about the recently revealed Mass Effect poster.
- The Paragon/Renegade system was a popular feature in the original Mass Effect trilogy, offering binary moral choices that were not necessarily good vs. evil.
- Many fans enjoyed the Paragon/Renegade system and missed its absence in Mass Effect: Andromeda, so they will be excited if the theory about its return in the new game is true.
A content creator and BioWare fan believes that she found evidence that the Paragon/Renegade moral choice system will return in the new Mass Effect 4. The theory comes from examining the recently revealed Mass Effect poster, of which fans have spent the last few days picking over every detail.
BioWare announced the new Mass Effect on N7 Day 2024. Sometimes referred to as Mass Effect 4, the game could just as easily be called Mass Effect 5, and there is a good chance it won't launch with a numbered title at all. This ambiguity about the name reflects how little fans know about the upcoming game. Despite the annual teasers, fans still have more questions than answers, with BioWare offering cryptic clues but few direct statements. Educated guesses from industry insiders indicate the game could be released as late as 2029, but that's more of a ballpark estimate than a proper release window.
On November 8, YouTuber and freelance illustrator Kala Elizabeth shared a tweet about the new Mass Effect poster, which showcases the mysterious woman from Mass Effect's latest N7 Day teaser. However, she draws attention to the red swipes framing the bar scene superimposed on the character's coat. Elizabeth points out how the red streaks somewhat resemble the Paragon symbol from the original Mass Effect trilogy. She believes this indicates that the Paragon/Renegade moral choice system will return in the new game.
The content creator fleshed out her theory in a video later that day, pointing out how the swipes merge with the red on the character's coat to approximate the symbol's shape. The mix of red and blue colors also evokes those of Mass Effect's iconic moral choice system.
Mass Effect’s Paragon/Renegade System
Binary moral choice systems were popular among games in the 2010s, with most framing a choice of good or evil. The Mass Effect trilogy was slightly different, presenting the Renegade choices as anti-heroic but not necessarily villainous. However, it's debatable whether it lived up to that idea.
Additionally, many of Mass Effect's dialogue choices were locked behind the player's alignment. This, combined with the dialogue wheel's layout, encourages players to pick all Paragon or all Renegade options rather than deciding on a case-by-case basis. A binary morality system also inherently means a lack of nuance, as writers need to present all choices as fitting neatly into one category or the other.
Still, many fans liked Mass Effect's Paragon/Renegade system in the original trilogy and missed its absence in Andromeda. Many would like to see it return in the new game and will likely be excited if Elizabeth's theory turns out to be true.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is a three-game pack, featuring the original Commander Shepard trilogy. Players will have access to each game, as well as all of the appropriate DLC. The titles feature graphical enhancements and other small tweaks.
