Mass Effect IV - Editorial @ National Post

The National Post has a new article were they talk about a few things Bioware’s Mass Effect team can learn from Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

Exploring the galaxy has always been one of my favourite parts of the
Mass Effect series. The hardcore sci-fi nerd in me adores the way these
games let you seek out and learn about new star systems and their
planets, explore interstellar phenomena, and engage in deep space
activities, such as boarding derelict craft.

The problem, though, is that this exploration feels disconnected from
everything else we do, with the work of travel taking place on various
star maps over which little ship icons crawl, and travel depicted by
loading screens and repetitive Mass Relay cinematics.

I’ve always been aware of this problem, but was willing to chalk it up
to technological limitations. Creating an open galaxy for players to
explore would surely prove a daunting challenge.

However, Black Flag‘s innovations in ship-based exploration combined
with the recent advent of more powerful living room hardware is making
me wonder whether Bioware might not now be in a position to begin
solving this problem.