Mass Effect 5 is already facing an uphill battle to prove itself

After waiting years for its arrival, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is here, and despite mostly receiving positive reviews across the board, it’s fair to say that it’s been shrouded in a lot of controversy that existed long before its release.

For the most part, BioWare hasn't been afraid of letting players explore same-sex relationships - as seen in 2009’s Dragon Age: Origins - but those options weren't fully introduced into its beloved sci-fi series until Mass Effect 3 in 2012.

There were plans to have same-sex relationships in Mass Effect 2 but after Fox News dubbed the sequel a “sex simulator” disguised as a game, Electronic Arts and BioWare decided to remove all same-sex relationships. Thankfully, that was made up for and then some in Mass Effect 3 when it introduced more species across its large galaxy blowing the door wide open for player expression.

Check out the Mass Effect 5 teaser trailer below!

Released this year, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the first game from the developer that explicitly explores other gender identities. The new fantasy RPG from BioWare has come under scrutiny from some sections of the video game community, but it’s also received its share of praise. However, as many of us know, sometimes, even if it’s from a minority, negative views can overshadow those that are positive. Certainly, you need only consider how mainstream media effectively pressured BioWare with the original Mass Effect games to see this isn’t an inherently new issue.

As a massive Mass Effect fan, I’m concerned about some of the negative aura that’s surrounded Dragon Age: The Veilguard and could turn Mass Effect 5 into a poisoned chalice before it’s had a chance to prove itself.

The Mass Effect series already has non-binary characters of sorts with Legion and EDI, though none are available for romance. Well, depending on interactions, EDI might be ok with getting close to the pilot, Joker. So it will be interesting to see if BioWare makes such relationships possible for the player in Mass Effect 5.

It wouldn't surprise me if BioWare takes some of the relationship depth of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and implements it in the next Mass Effect with more gender options. Furthermore, with the prospect of the largest galaxy in the series, relationship possibilities could be broader than ever. Yet, for all we could know, BioWare might decide to tone relationship options in the next Mass Effect, we can only speculate at this time.

The truth is, we still know very little about the next Mass Effect. As a fan, all I want is for it to be the best that this series has to offer. I hope that the next Mass Effect isn't judged until we know more and that it isn't doomed on arrival because refusing to play a game for giving players more options from all walks of life would ultimately be your loss and no one else's.

I for one, cannot wait to learn more about the upcoming sci-fi RPG, and I hope that its first gameplay trailer isn’t a galaxy far, far away. That being said, at this point, it might be safe to assume that Mass Effect 5 could be released as a next-gen title.