Amazon and EA are said to be close to closing the market for a televised adaptation of Mass Effect, the popular video game franchise whose success has depended mainly on player preferences and the relationships that shape those decisions. It’s too early to expect details about the upcoming series, but that hasn’t stopped fans from embarking on Commander Shepard’s Battle Against Reaper Invasion adaptation.
There are some solid arguments for and against adopting the game’s storylines, such as the fact that the series is not only aimed at gamers but at a wider audience who may not be familiar with Mass Effect and its original story game – Perfect Trilogy for Customization. But suppose the Prime Video series tells that story. In that case, any decision it makes about Commander Shepard will stand in the way. Any creative decision that deviates from the player’s game choice can potentially alienate some of the longtime fans. Ultimately, the Mass Effect franchise would do well to tell a different story in the trilogy universe. And we mean the universe.
The Mass Effect trilogy has done a fantastic job of putting players in their Commander Shepard’s shoes and guiding a crew of compact characters across the galaxy, reshaping the fates of almost all alien races and colonies. Players got to know every personality, from key team members like Garrus Vakarian to those on the sidelines like Diana Allers. They created a unique relationship with these characters – some of which did not always work well – and it helped shape the whole experience beyond the expanses of space. Almost all video game adaptations have a hard time getting into the cinema and dealing with the vast differences between media in storytelling.
The massive impact of Prime Videos may require different approaches. Fans are already demanding that the show focuses on the First Contact War. This three-month human-tourism conflict took place about 26 years before the events of Game One. Many opportunities to create a new series right now would appeal to modern fans and longtime fans of the franchise when viewers experience the world of Mass Effects as humans.
Since many breeds such as krogan and asari have a relatively long lifespan, the show’s creation would allow beloved characters like Wrex and Liara to be 26 years old before the games. Plus, the show could dive further into its stories. The long life cycle would also help if Prime Video defined the series after Mass Effect 3.
There’s a whole galaxy with the potential for incredible storytelling – no, not just a sequel to Blasto: Eternity Is Forever – no matter which ending the Prime Video series chooses as its canon. The show would explore the destruction of any technology, the control of mowers, or the complete synthesis of organic and synthetic DNA, from the perspective of humans on Earth or colonies across the galaxy. A great way to honor Commander Shepard’s legacy and, through The Shattered Pieces, bring a wider audience into the Mass Effect world than the new protagonist is expected to get. Whatever the direction, the point here is that the series can do more than tell a story that has already said the game brilliantly.
The Reaper Invasion was exciting and unforgettable for the players. However, the success of any show that attempts to tell this story will largely depend on its many years of a fan base. Whatever new perspective the creative team tried, that approach would have been very nostalgic. It would be even harder to tell the old story. It would require unnecessary, unfair comparisons to the video game trilogy.
The show may work its way through the established canon based on the events and life of Mass Effect: Andromeda instead of the Mass Effect trilogy. It has all the familiar elements that fans love. Still, it would give the show complete creative freedom without interrupting or relying too much on video games. It is also possible to focus on characters like Peebee or Jaal. To leave
If the show is to fit into the video game history, it should find its way. Maybe it would mimic the direction of animation in Mass Effect: Paragon Lost, which told the story of James Vega and the collectors during Shepard’s two years in Mass Effect 2. The band also helped evoke the character as a background for the events of the game. There are many other areas that a TV show can explore, but the show needs to be careful.
Once Amazon and EA have finished shopping for Mass Effect, Shepard or Ryder will ideally inspire the creative team and follow paths that many people have never done before. But if not, game fans can at least take comfort in the fact that the veteran team behind the Mass Effect trilogy is returning for a sequel. You’re likely to create a new story for Commander Shepard fans. A better one.
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