Research methods and uses
I think there's quite a bit of player involvement in keeping track of the tech as it's developed and making sure the NPC scientists have equipment and don't die in walls, but it would be nice for the player to be able to have a hand in the research process. It would work if we could have in-depth, relevant minigames that feel more like mechanics instead of Mass Effect move-your-cursor-through-this-maze-to-open-this-door minigames. But even the minigames should be tedious and time-consuming.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a completely ad-hoc plot device"
— David Langford
— David Langford
Spoiler: