I really struggle to be a bad guy in games. I mean, sure, I can kill hundreds of people, creatures or aliens without a second thought, but saying something mean to my crew mates or not being supportive when they need me? I just can’t do it. Aside from a few Renegade moments, I played the Mass Effect trilogy as an almost pure Paragon. But this time around, it won’t be so cut and dry.
Speaking to GamesRadar+, Mass Effect Andromeda’s creative director, Mac Walters, explained that morality has changed in the new game.
I think in general, with all this sophistication of games or engaging in any kind of entertainment right now, [gamers are] looking for more of those shades of grey.
[The old system] was a core part of who Shepard was. I think now we’re moving away from that. We’ve been looking for other ways to engage more of those shades of grey; less about it being obviously being right or wrong and more about giving people a sense of choice.
Makes sense to me. Commander Shepard, and gamers in general, were more black and white in previous years. We wanted to know we were making the right or wrong decision. But as games have become more sophisticated, it’s not just a matter of unlocking dialogue options or getting a romance option to pop up. It’s fun to feel like we make a variety of choices, that there isn’t really a right or a wrong action, but a gradient. Plus, it seems more fitting in this new environment – we’re explorers of the unknown in Mass Effect: Andromeda, seeking out a new galaxy as a new home.
Were you also a constant paragon in Mass Effect, or were you like Darryn, never caring about the collection of pixels and acting like a terrible person until it resulted in the death of the one you loved?
Last Updated: June 22, 2016
Gareth Lagesse (eXCheez)
June 22, 2016 at 08:18
I wonder if they’ll still have those quick-click Paragon or Renegade moments though, those were great for those “click right now to push person off the ledge, you naughty Renegade” moments.
I won’t be pre-ordering this Mass Effect, which I had done so since ME2.
Admiral Chief Maximum Effort
June 22, 2016 at 08:18
That Renegade PUNCH IN THE FACE moments, so funny
Her Highness the Hipster
June 22, 2016 at 08:36
I HAD to do those. had to.
miaau
June 22, 2016 at 10:01
Where the stupid human ambssador gets it at the end of ME3, totally. What a prick AND a traitor….
konfab
June 22, 2016 at 08:19
50 shades of blue, green and red.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 22, 2016 at 08:38
If you want to choose Paragon then play the MOBA.
Renegade4lyf
Darren Peach
June 22, 2016 at 10:54
But are you riddled with guilt….
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 22, 2016 at 11:10
That’s why the Irish invented whiskey
Darren Peach
June 22, 2016 at 15:45
Numb yourself. Makes sense.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 22, 2016 at 08:46
I tried to be Renegade on a second play through with a new character. I really did. But the conversation options were just so stupid & douchey I gave up & went full goody two shoes.
miaau
June 22, 2016 at 09:07
yes. fact. plain and simple. It was like they tried for black and white and the real world is far more complex.
1 man’s terrorist is another mans’s freedom fighter, right?
The Order of the Banana
June 22, 2016 at 11:57
Aye!
Ghost In The Rift
June 22, 2016 at 09:22
They should have used Geralt Of Rivia then, no shade left untouched.
The Order of the Banana
June 22, 2016 at 11:57
LISTEN TO THIS MAN!
For the Emperor!
June 22, 2016 at 09:27
1st – Daniel Shepard – hardline soldier. The guy that gets thing DONE. Was mostly respectful to Human Brass and other military personnel. But his reactions to others varied on mood as he didn’t give a flying F about them. So he went quite down the middle.
2nd – Vasilli Shepard – sniper. War Hero. General goody two-shoes. Full Paragon.
3rd – Morgana Shepard – Vanguard. General BAD ASS MOTHER. Renegade all the way! Still made the “correct” choices to get Geth/Quarian peace, but used the renegade conversation choices to achieve that. “I am tired of saving your asses. I am just going to sit back and watch the Geth destroy you” (or something to that effect lol)
4th – Morgana going as Daniel in 1st. Not yet complete.
5th – Going to be on Hardcore with Vasilli. Again goody two-shoes.
6th – Going to be on Insanity. Daniel going full renegade, killing off Wrex, letting peoples DIE! This is going to be a tough one…
miaau
June 22, 2016 at 10:00
ouch. Good luck……..
I cannot do evil or bad, especially where it hurts the innocents, even in a game environment.
Matthew Holliday
June 22, 2016 at 09:50
well, technically, if we get into it, the paragon / renegade differences werent just about selecting the correct answer, it was a bar in your skill sheet that indicated how renegade / paragon you were as a gradient.
renegade / paragon was also not supposed to be about right and wrong, both responses should have been technically correct in some sense.
So sure, Im down to have more choice, but Im also down to have my red / blue conversation interrupts when something comes up that is just too damn much.
I’ll take both thanks.
Darren Peach
June 22, 2016 at 10:52
Paragon all the way.
The Order of the Banana
June 22, 2016 at 11:58
Gnome Warlock here! Chaotic Evil all the way!! BURN IT ALL TO THE GROUND! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH Let’s smoke GEOFF’s pants! MUAHAHAHHAA
Darren Peach
June 22, 2016 at 15:44
The force is strong with this one…..
The Order of the Banana
June 22, 2016 at 11:57
All I want from this game is not to be Mass mEhffect Social Justice – Super Social Justice Warrior edition… (now with even more platitudes)
The Order of the Banana
June 22, 2016 at 12:04
Seriously though, after Mass Effect 2… I really don’t think Bioware has it in them any more. CD Projekt Red! CD Projekt Red! CD Projekt Red! CD Projekt Red!