Mass Effect 4 is set to revive Bioware’s iconic sci-fi RPG series after years without a new entry. 2021’s Mass Effect Legendary Edition remastered the original trilogy and reinvigorated interest in EA’s prolific games, but only further highlighted the massive disappointment that was an attempt at continuing the franchise, Mass Effect: Andromeda. With a large component of Mass Effect: Andromeda’s failure being attributed to the developer’s reluctant use of the Frostbite Engine, Mass Effect 4’s use of Unreal Engine 5 offers it the opportunity to be the most beautiful game in the series yet.
The original Mass Effect trilogy were all made on Unreal Engine 3, an engine that dates all the way back to 2006. While it’s impressive what Bioware were able to accomplish with the engine across the three games in the franchise, the decision to move on for the next entry was obviously understandable. With conflicting reports concerning what has taken place at the controversial EA, Bioware would end up utilizing the publisher’s in-house Frostbite Engine. The incompatibility of the Frostbite Engine with the unique RPG genre that Mass Effect occupies led to 2017’s Mass Effect: Andromeda being widely considered the worst entry in the Mass Effect series, so switching engines is already a big step in the right direction.
EA’s Compromise Shows a Lot of Faith in Mass Effect 4
Mass Effect’s future was uncertain after its Frostbite Engine outing, and EA has appropriately seemed to have re-calibrated its approach to the franchise. In 2021, rumors began circulating via job listings that connected Mass Effect 4 and Unreal Engine. From a financial perspective, it makes sense that EA benefits from not having to pay the costs of using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, so choosing to use it once again shows a serious investment in Mass Effect 4. If Unreal Engine 5 will be used by Bioware for the next Mass Effect, it would seem that EA is willing to once again take a risk by leveraging the effectiveness of Epic Games’ technology and the vision of Bioware.
In an impressive nearly photorealistic Matrix-themed tech demo, Epic Games has displayed that Unreal Engine 5 is a powerhouse in terms of graphical fidelity and presentation. With many major developers utilizing the latest iteration of Epic Games’ engine, it may even be surprising to many gamers that the engine is publicly available and used by indie developers alike. There are many popular concept videos for tech demos remakes of older classic games, showing the engine’s ability to allow dedicated fans to compete on a visual level with the actual developers. A recreation of an area from Pokemon Black and White in Unreal Engine 5 even seems to compete with the visuals of the official modern offerings.
Bioware’s Connection to Unreal Engine was Revived by Mass Effect Legendary Edition
If even fan games can look great in tech demos, then Bioware’s utilization of Unreal Engine 5 is likely going to be a remarkable feat for the Mass Effect series. The last major entry in the series, Mass Effect 3, has held up quite well considering that it is over a decade old. Fresh off the production and massive success of Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Bioware was likely re-familiarized with the inner workings of their old Unreal Engine 3 as they optimized the trilogy for its modern release. EA may finally have been allowing the studio to take its time on the production of the new entry over the past couple of years, a far cry from the rushed development of Mass Effect: Andromeda.
Considering their experience with Epic Games’ technology, and now having had time to be acquainted with Unreal Engine 5, the next game actually has a good chance of turning out to be a beautiful experience. With the set of remasters providing a great update to the look of the originals, and games like Anthem showing the wasted potential of a visually impressive sci-fi game, there is no telling what level of visual fidelity Bioware could achieve in Mass Effect 4.
Mass Effect 4 is currently in development.