6. Multiple Ways to Complete Missions
While you certainly can make life for yourself easier if you don't run and gun, and instead invest time in becoming a persuasive speaker, Mass Effect thus far has not really looked into the potential of non-violent set-pieces. Games over a decade old have been engaging with this idea - look at Metal Gear Solid, Hitman, Deus Ex and Splinter Cell - whereby you are able to circumvent violence with a stealthier approach, saving ammo and conserving health in the process. Given that Shepard and his team mates are essentially a small squad who can nevertheless bring the force of a sizeable army, it's not much of a stretch that they might be able to sneak in and out undetected if the time called for it. Perhaps if, like we suggested above, Shepard was replaced with a new protagonist for the fourth game, that character could be more along the lines of a Solid Snake-type espionage operative, procuring weapons on-site but mostly having to crawl past guards and snap necks. While that might mean an overhaul of some of the gameplay mechanics, it would be another way that BioWare could promote freedom throughout the game.