MEA and RPG Chart

This is based on relatively minimal gameplay, but lots of spoiling for myself.



Humble origins: Somewhat true. N7, but only informal dad training because he's the distant jerk dad that wants you to not be a sissy. Soldier, but only some experience and no accolades. Part of galactic level of society, but only barely (just more than Shepard generally was). Prestige lineage, but few assume you're good because of it.
Yellow.

Devastating Battle: Yep. First contact with Kett. If it didn't happen, you wouldn't be Pathfinder (yet?). There are other battles in the past, but this one affects Ryder in their story.
Blue. At least Yellow.

Two Companions: Cora and Liam. However both are at least a little magical (tech blades, biotics) and a little martial (crisis response, soldier). You do get Vetra quickly but she's still relatively sidelined and more just there to have options earlier on.
Blue. At least Yellow.

Elite Order: Pathfinder. Even the Initiative is a sort of elite order in itself. However, both are untested, weakened early on, and only elite in technical aspects. All of them have to prove themselves.
Blue. At least Yellow.

Four Locations: There's a bunch, at least 4, but isn't there 5-6? There is a linearity, but Bioware does encourage multiple visits and other missions that take you elsewhere.
Blue. At least Yellow.

Evil Organization: The Kett. While an invading force in this game, there are allusions to them being part of a larger galactic-scale agenda.
Blue.

Dream Sequence: Alec's memories that put us in another realm of existence, albeit in restrictive and temporary ways. If they were just recordings, sure this wouldn't count, but these are all sensory and if Ryder wasn't accustomed to SAM so much, they'd be freaking out.
Yellow.

Ancient civilization: The Remnant, which we learn more of as we progress.
Blue.


Grade: Blue. Very strongly sticking to form. However, the gameplay design and attempts to differentiate itself somewhat from the trilogy, has meant most of the recipe has tweaks. It feels like Bioware is both straining against their format while also thinking that for this game, they have to be as 'safe' as possible. It does intrigue me how they'd treat future content, if they'd just continue this or finally feel like they can or should break out.

Some of this is basic Hero's Journey that almost every story has something of (if even to subvert it).