Andromeda's romance should inspire ME4

Despite Mass Effect: Andromeda continues to be BioWare's black sheep Mass effect franchise, there are still some areas where it succeeded that the next game can learn from, such as its short-lived romance stories. Among the various questions Mass Effect: Andromeda encountered after launch, as well as its now infamous facial animations, the game was criticized for its underwhelming LGBTQ+ romance options, particularly for one of its dual protagonists, Scott Ryder. However, this meant that one of its most interesting romance arcs fell under the radar, and arguably deserves to be revisited in the upcoming Mass Effect 4.

Of dozens of potential romances throughout Mass effect franchise, whether they are one-night stands or several games long, a special romance in ME: Andromeda stand out by trying to do something life-changing for their players. Still with ME: Andromedas mixed reception cuts its legacy short, along with all the unique stories this romance could have spawned, BioWare has the opportunity to revisit this idea in its next Mass effect game. With a high probability that romances will return Mass Effect 4 after four other games with a stale formula, it can be revived ME: Andromedas close encounter with players who become parents.

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One of Mass Effect: Andromeda's romances stands out in the series

While ME: Andromeda had ten possible romances for players to pursue, the one players could have with Gil Brodie, the player's ship engineer, is an outlier from the others. As an exclusively LGBTQ+ romance for ME: Andromedabefriending and romancing Gil allows players to explore the game's basic premise of colonizing another galaxy that no other romance in the game seems to benefit from. Despite that, the number of interactions players can have with Gil was reduced as he is not a teammate, ME: Andromeda makes up for it by being the only romance where players can ultimately parent with him.

In connection with ME: Andromedas romances and story, procreation is a topic the game touches on through missions like “The Little Things That Matter,” as the next generation of Andromeda-born children will be crucial to the sustainability of its colonies. This is something that Gil's character arc also explores, as regardless of whether he is romanced or not, players have the option to encourage him to agree to become a sperm donor and co-parent one of these Andromeda-born children. However, should players have a romance with Gil, this storyline can include them as well, as the possibility of co-parenting extends to the player as well.

Mass Effect: Andromeda's parenting went where the trilogy couldn't

Mass Effect Andromeda Gil Jill

Because of the original Mass effect The trilogy's backdrop of the Reaper War and a fight against extinction, there are pros and cons to overlooking the potential for player parenting in its story. While it could have taken focus away from the overall narrative of the trilogy, the possibility of parenthood was included Mass effects romances could have added unique depth and stakes to the story where players fought for both their child and the galaxy. Granted though ME: Andromedas colonization background, it was arguably for the best that BioWare saved the idea of ​​the player's parentage for future games after its original trilogy.

Mass Effect 4 should let players explore parenthood

No matter where or when Mass Effect 4 will be set within the franchise's canon, BioWare still has the chance to revive its parentage story in the next game, especially since ME: Andromeda never got the chance to explore Gil's story further. After four games of several romances, Mass Effect 4s romances have the opportunity to finally follow up what ME: Andromeda could only hint at the end. As a result Mass Effect 4 should pick up where ME: Andromeda ended and introduce the possibility for players to become parents through compatible romances, as the list of possible options below.

  • Natural conception via a human romantic partner.

  • An Asari daughter via an Asari romance option.

  • Adopting a stepchild during a partner's romance.

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