R.I.P. Paragon/Renegade: Mass Effect Andromeda Explains the Dialogue Overhaul Being Done

Cause Let’s Be Honest, Conversations Rarely Go As Planned

The Mass Effect: Andromeda countdown continues, as the release date draws near. As a result, more and more information is pouring out from Bioware regarding the game and the decisions behind certain developments. Bioware shared with players early in 2016 how the dialogue system from the original trilogy will receive an overhaul. In particular the moral binary system of Paragon/Renegade. There are also hints that the system’s replacement with a 4 Chat Option, was imminent but no official confirmation.

Creative Director, Mac Walters opened up about why the team decided scrapping Paragon/Renegade is for the best. In an interview with Official Xbox Magazine, Walters states a big reason is an association with Shepard. “So, Paragon and Renegade is gone. The reason they’re gone is because they felt very Shepard – they were very tied to the Shepard character, so they didn’t really make sense if we weren’t going to have Shepard as our protagonist.”   

Walter comments on elements of the new system, and how he believes it will enhance player engagement with the story. “What we have now is based more around agreeing and disagreeing. The reason I like that is because in the trilogy it’s like, ‘I’m gonna play Paragon,’ and then you know which way you’re moving the stick on every conversation. You don’t have to think about it, because you’re just going to hit Paragon every time.”  

It seems as if the team has taken the degree of player engagement and expression very seriously. Walters also gives a confirmation of the previously mentioned 4 Chat Option or something similar. “We’ve added in four tones and we’ll talk a little more in the future, but they basically allow other types of characters to express them[selves] in one of four different ways, and sometimes one of two different ways. And I think that gets back to that more traditional role-playing sort of feeling which is less about ‘Do I want to be good or bad,’ and more about ‘How do I want to express myself?’ Maybe something similar (but better) than the following:

This is exciting news, and the system may even be more in depth than those in the Dragon Age series. Bioware does put together games that really win you over with the cast of characters, degree of freedom, and story. So seeing them spend even more time and effort on these elements, bodes well for fans.

So what do you think? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for more Mass Effect: Andromeda news!

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