Summary
Mass Effect 4has a lot to live up to. It’s billed as a return to form for a series that has faltered in recent years, and needs a victory if it is to restore its RPG crown. TheoriginalMass Effecttrilogyis one of the most revered in gaming, with revolutionary dialogue, epic set-pieces, and a thrilling journey that’s made all the better by a smattering of truly memorable characters.
From the Turian pencil pusher to an efficient hunter, Garrus Vakarian, to the loyal and sarcastic but lovable Tali, the BioWare series has been acknowledged by fans for the way it develops a crew of misfits to feel like an unlikely, but easy-to-root-for team. Liara T’Soni is one such character, but as she seems to be the main familiar face inMass Effect 4’s early promotional footage, it could be a risk to have her play the companion role once again.
Liara’s Prominence Puts Her in Prime Protagonist Position
The coreMass Effecttrilogy putsCommander Shepard in the role of protagonist, but his fate in the often-criticized ending of the third game leaves little room for a heroic return. As such,Mass Effect 4, which hopes to restore the reputation thatMass Effect: Andromedaoffset somewhat, has to seek other eyes through which to tell the story, but be familiar enough to existing fans. Liara T’Soni is the character that BioWare seems to have selected, at least for the promotional material.
Liara T’Soni is the only daughter of Matriarch Benezia and a researcher who specializes in studying Prothean technology.
Gamers could be forgiven for thinking that this means she will bethe focal point inMass Effect 4, being promoted to main character after a whole trilogy of lighting up the sidelines. Liara is great, so implying she takes center stage, only to once again be used as a companion would feel like she’s being robbed of the spotlight and an intriguing arc.
Liara is Interesting Enough to Take Center Stage
Commander Shepard gives players the opportunity to role-play as a character that is highly customizable and can be taken in eitherthe Paragon or Renegade direction. It adds to the role-playing element, but games likeThe Witcher 3show that pre-established main characters don’t have to be restrictive. Liara has been wonderfully developed over time, enough that she has more than enough charisma and nuance to be at the center ofMass Effect 4. Keeping her as a companion could create uncertainty, and prove to be a big risk as people need someone who is immediately interesting to root for.
Liara is a Memento from Shepard’s Journey
Putting the character at the forefront would giveMass Effect 4a feeling of familiarity, and having her be playable throughout would help the story to constantly feel connected to what came before. She was shaped bywhat happened onMass Effect’s Normandy, and so the story continuity could benefit hugely from players following her tale, as it would feel like the best means of connection to previous popular entries.
Liara Works as a Familiar Friend
Being one of Shepard’s most stalwart allies and trusted confidants,Liara wonderfully fills a companion slot, and would surely do the same forMass Effect 4. Some may argue that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, and Liara can have so much influence and input in the story as a companion, keeping the protagonist (whomever that may be) grounded in scientific and moral reality.
Liara is also the only character who can be romanced in all three original games, as the relationship can continue at the close of the Lair of the Shadowbroker DLC forMass Effect 2.
Asrelationships are a pillar ofMass Effect’s immersion, having her as a companion opens up the potential to romance her once again. Otherwise, BioWare could even use similar mechanics to forge another intimate and rewarding friendship, much like Shepard did with Garrus.
Different Abilities Make Mass Effect Shine
While it can be all too easy to have Shepard pick up the biggest gun and blast enemies away with a barrage of firepower, Liara was always a useful companion inMass Effect’sstrategic combatbecause she relies largely on biotics, bringing a whole new element to battles. Abilities like Barrier, Throw, and Singularity can be the difference between squeaking through an intense fight or failing it entirely and relying on her skillset is something that most players will be accustomed to, making her a formidable ally when the going gets tough.Mass Effect 4would do well to remember what she offers in that role.
Liara Brings Ties to the Asari and Citadel Races
It will be unlikely thatMass Effect 4spends too much time with one race of people, and Liara being a companion would serve to bring more ties toMass Effect’s Asari people, and keep players attentive to that area of Citadel space. Having Liara offer further insight into her people, feeding the protagonist with information, would also do well to teach new players aboutMass Effect’s world-building. Instead of having her talk to herself to justify catching new players up, putting her in the position of companion would be the best way for her to bring people up to speed.
Mass Effect’s DNA Wouldn’t Be Complete Without Liara T’Soni
Without the context of the pre-release material, the thought of Liara being themain character ofMass Effect 4would be positively out of left field. That said, the brief sight of her in the trailer changed expectations, so if she stays in her role as a companion it could feel at best like a missed opportunity, and at worst a miscommunication that got fans' hopes up for nothing. There is so much more that is yet to be revealed about the project, but Liara’s input will be critical to making it feel like an extension ofMass Effect’s golden age.
