As I've been going through this game on the PC, I started thinking about the wonderfully heated topic of how to make ME2/ME3 more of an RPG. Although I've stated in this thread a handful of times that I am fine with the balance of RPG and shooter elements, there are still some things that I would personally like to see done. The idea that popped in my head was this (and I'll try to explain it as best I can): a hybrid system of outfitting your squadmates that involves the loyalty system and an armor system. I'll give an example (using Miranda) of the specifics of this idea:
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Currently in ME2, Miranda has two outfits:
White uniform (default)
Black uniform (loyal)
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My idea for would have Miranda w/ four outfits:
Cerberus uniform 1 (default)
Lightweight Cerberus recon/spy armor 1 (default)
Cerberus uniform 2 (loyal)*
Lightweight Cerberus recon/spy armor 2 (loyal)
* this piece would be a lot more different than the two she uses in-game, as my idea will involve being able to change colors of squadmates' attire
Now you're probably saying "Okay, 2 more pieces of clothing for me to pick from..big deal! That's not more RPG, those are just cosmetic differences." Well, let's take this idea one step further:
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In Mass Effect 1, armor set customization involved you as the player collecting add-ons for your equipment that boosted anything from the amount of health the equipped person had to how quickly their guns overheated. You found them on dead enemies, crates, and from buying them from the store. You would then place said add-ons into the armor that you also picked up from the same places. All this was thrown into a mediocre inventory system.
And with the removal of the item drops and armor outfitting for squadmates, ME2 has a lot less variety in terms of the squadmates' look and equipment bonuses.
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In addition to having two new sets of armor choices for each character (each armor being specifically tailored to "fit" with that character's abilities/role), each outfit that you choose has specific bonuses tied to them that the other three pieces don't have. As an example (again, with Miranda):
Cerberus uniform 1 (default) = +10% Health (team), -10% Power Cooldown (team)
Lightweight Cerberus recon/spy armor 1 (default) = +15% Weapon Damage (team)
Cerberus uniform 2 (loyal) = +7.5% Power Duration (team), +7.5% Power Damage (team)
Lightweight Cerberus recon/spy armor 2 (loyal) = +10% Shield Strength (team), -15% time for Shields to begin recharging (team)
In the example, all of the bonuses to each piece of Miranda's wardrobe fall in line with Miranda's role as a squadmate - to boost the team. Obviously, some of the numbers above are exactly what her skill tree boosts but the numbers aren't necessarily important - just the idea that each piece has it's own bonuses.
My idea would not allow you to change any of the bonuses on the outfits (like swapping gauntlets for more weapon damage, etc.), as they would be hardwired into the specific piece. The armor sets, just like her uniforms, would not be customizable in regards to changing the look of the armor itself. It would be a unique armor that fits her character, and would not be something like Female Phoenix Armor VII (like in ME1) that you or anyone else you fight would use. You would, however, be able to change its color. You would still choose the armor and weapon setup before the mission starts, ala ME2. On the Normandy, she'd be back in her uniform at all times (which you'd still be able to choose between uniform 1 and 2).
As an extension of this idea, you'd see the following for other characters (not going to list them all, use your imagination):
Jacob - Cerberus Soldier uniform (default), Cerberus Heavy Soldier armor *bonuses tied to close-range weapons damage, health and shield boosts*
Mordin - Salarian scientist uniform (default), STG recon armor *bonuses tied to Tech powers, shield strength and small-arms weapons damage*
Garrus - heavy Turian armor (default), medium Nihilus-like Spectre armor *bonuses tied to medium-to-long range weapons damage, Tech powers, and shield strength*
Jack - belt-bra and pants (default), light non-military armor *bonuses tied to Biotic powers, close-range weapon damage, and cooldown reduction*
...etc.
One of the biggest positives that I can think of out of this idea is that it would increase the amount of variety in your gameplay with different characters. For instance, say you really like having Miranda along with you for every possible mission. Currently with a maxed out Miranda, your team would be receiving a +7.5% boost and a +15% boost in either health or weapon damage. Now, toss my idea into the picture. Your options quadruple simply by adding two armor sets and giving every piece its own bonuses. Now you can choose to have a Miranda that boosts health by +17.5%, weapon damage by +15%, and that lowers cooldown times by 10%, etc. This puts even more strategy into choosing the correct Miranda for a specific mission in the game. Apply that to a possible 11 other squadmates and you have yourself a lot more decision making to do.
All in all, I think this would bolster the RPG elements of the game up some. It certainly wouldn't turn it into the RPG that a lot of people want it to be, but I think it'd be a step in the right direction in most people's eyes. It shouldn't be very hard to implement into the game at all, and it'd be very simple to use.
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Thoughts/comments/concerns on any or all of the stuff I mentioned? Do you agree/disagree with any of it? I'd just like to get opinions on this idea (not like I'd be formally submitting it to BioWare in a letter or anything). I can definitely explain more, if need be.
Jacob is the model for which Kaidan should have been made after. If it were like that, Kaidan's ashes wouldn't be blowing around in the wind back on Virmire.[/QUOTE]I'd put Miranda's loyalty mission on par with Tali's, though as I only have three of them done, I'll see if I agree with you later. 
