Mass Effect 4 – Where we want to see the franchise go next
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The future of Mass Effect
The Mass Effect trilogy has come to an end, and what an end it was. BioWare’s sci-fi franchise reached heights we never thought it would, achieving the highest levels of interactive storytelling.
And now, it’s time to look towards the future. Though BioWare hasn’t commented on the future of the franchise, we’ve cooked up some ideas for things we’d like to see in new Mass Effect games.
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It should be a prequel
We don’t really know which of Mass Effect 3’s many endings is canon, and the galaxy’s future could be dramatically different depending on the choices each player made throughout the series. There’s no way BioWare can keep up with all of the different decisions gamers made over three games (we’re amazed it pulled it off with two), so, in favor of keeping our canon in-tact, we suggest they go backwards.
There are tons of stories to tell in the past, and even if we know how they end up we’d still like to see how they played out. The Rachni Wars, for instance, would be an interesting change for the series, as would some of the different battles Anderson talked about. Go back, not forward, and BioWare doesn’t need to worry about whether or not we killed Wrex or not.
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The plot should be less dramatic
Mass Effect’s epic trilogy was… well, epic. Every mission required the player to save the galaxy from ancient, evil threats that could very well wipe out all life. Been there. Done that.
The next game’s story should be more personal. Plenty of fantastic games have made plotlines about saving someone who has been kidnapped, or killing an old rival for revenge. Let’s take a step away from cataclysmic apocalypses and experience a more sedated, individual story. Save the end of the universe stuff for Mass Effect 5.
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It should be an RTS or an RPG or an FPS
We’ve had three games of cover shooting as Commander Shepard, but the interesting thing about the Mass Effect universe isn’t the guns, it’s the lore. The people. The aliens. The planets. These would all make for more interesting games outside the realm of cover-based shooters.
Give us control of an entire army and make a Mass Effect RTS. Blizzard managed to shove some amazing story into StarCraft II, and even included some decision-based segments. It feels like something along these lines would work well for the futuristic world of Mass Effect.
Heck, we wouldn’t even mind a full-blown RPG. BioWare proved that it was capable of doing turn-based combat with the Nintendo DS Sonic RPG, maybe the next game in the series could play up the RPG and tone down the action.
We also think a survival horror FPS would work. The universe is a scary place, after all.
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...or it should be an MMO
If BioWare really wants to go crazy with the universe, though, there's no better medium than an MMORPG.
For as much as we loved The Old Republic, we couldn’t help but wonder how much better it would have been if BioWare had made its MMO set in Mass Effect’s universe instead. With SWTOR’s launch out of the way, maybe BioWare can start rolling towards the next iteration of the Mass Effect franchise being a persistent online one.
BioWare should take advantage of the foundation laid with The Old Republic, with story missions being interwoven between MMO quests. If they do go this way, though, we’d like for the combat and gameplay to be closer to what we already have in Mass Effect. That works. Don't mess with it too much.
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It should be one self-contained story
It must have been extremely hard to make choices in Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 flow into Mass Effect 3. We’re not sure BioWare is in the mood to have three more games of choices – so why not wrap them all up in one game?
Mass Effect 4’s plot should be as branching as Mass Effect 3's, with different plot twists and turns that live and die depending on your choices. The original Mass Effect trilogy was a proof of concept for decision-driven narrative for the developer, now it needs to see if it can create the same kind of customized experience on a game-by-game basis.
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It should star a Krogan
The Krogan are a proud, powerful race in the Mass Effect universe – so powerful, in fact, that they were used as a weapon of sorts in the Rachni Wars (see: a war against the bugs from Starship Troopers). But after the war they didn’t put down their weapons and go home. The Krogan are strong, and began expanding their numbers dramatically, waging war on the rest of civilization.
To keep them in check, other alien races developed the genophage, a virus that targeted their reproductive capabilities.
Why is that important? Because it illustrates the most important fact about the Krogans: they’re crazy awesome. All of the highly-advanced alien races cowered as the Krogan marched their forces around the galaxy, and eventually had to neuter them, since they couldn’t go toe-to-toe with the powerful, reptilian soldiers.
We want to play as them. We want to play an entire game from the perspective of a Krogan, either during the Rachni Wars, during the wars right after where the Krogans kicked the butts of every other race, or even after that. They’re a warrior race, and we think that playing as a young Krogan soldier who rises up the ranks to become a powerful warlord would be an absolute blast.
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...or an Elcor
Sadness. We really feel as though the Elcor were underutilized in the Mass Effect universe. They were introduced, but never used as anything besides occasional comic reliefs. Disappointment. In Mass Effect 3 we thought we’d get a chance to interact with them more, but every Elcor mission was relegated to planet-scanning, keeping us off the Elcor home world entirely. Crippling depression. It was sad.
Excitement. So let’s make sure that sadness doesn’t repeat itself by including playable Elcor in Mass Effect 4. Passionate. In ME3 it's said that the Elcor fight by attaching powerful weapons to their backs, lumbering around like organic tanks, and that would make for an awesome game. Sincerity. Don’t you agree?
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No matter what it is, it shouldn't come out for a few years
The Mass Effect series is one of our favorites of the generation. Heck, it’s one of our favorites of all time. We loved learning about the different races, exploring distant planets, and being completely immersed in a realistic, fully-realized universe that actually felt different from what we were used to.
And now it’s time to take a break. No matter what Mass Effect 4 is, we hope BioWare takes its time on it, releasing it a few years into the next generation instead of forcing it out within a few years. If it takes its time, Mass Effect’s return can be a huge deal, and we want it to be a big deal. We love this franchise too much to see it milked to death.
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si-man-kitson-harris - May 3, 2012 4:10 a.m.
Please dont do a Prequel, THey are so pointless and we end up having to wait twice as long to find out what happens next. Just read the first book if you want to know what happened before -
Syphilis23 - April 5, 2012 9:25 p.m.
Ok, just did some research on the First Contact War from Mass Effect:Evolution. Cerberus did not exist until after the war ended, but the Illusive Man (Jack Harper) and Saren Arterius both played pivotal roles in the conflict. So, Bioware could make a game (FPS would be best, because the transition between characters would be smoother and you wouldn't need a ship or base of operations) with Jack Harper and Saren Arterius as the playable protagonists. The main antagonist would be Saren's brother, Desolas. From my research, it seems to me that Desolas is indoctrinated by the reaper artifact in the story, and he is trying to use it to indoctrinate more people. Jack (Illusive Man)'s exposure to the artifact could (SPOILER ALERT) be a prelude to his indoctrination in ME3, making him easier to control for the reapers, and making his suicide at the end of the game seem even more noble. Finally, after the credits roll at the end of the game, there could be a scene where Saren steps up to the Reaper artifact and becomes indoctrinated himself, giving a great lead-in to Mass Effect 1. -phew- -
Syphilis23 - April 5, 2012 3:27 p.m.
I think alot of your ideas are interesting, but I would favor a more conservative approach to Mass Effect 4. I don't want them to change it too much. I do like the idea of a more personal story, and I think that it should be done with a major historical event as its background. Perhaps it would be interesting for them to make an FPS that centers around the First Contact War, with playable characters on either side of the incident? (i.e. - a human character and a Turian character who come together in some way to end the conflict.) Then again, it would suck to have the good guys fighting each other...maybe there should be a clandestine third party, like Cerberus or a rogue sect of STG, involved? Maybe a merc group? This might be a great opportunity to explore the Illusive Man's background. -
Darkhawk - April 3, 2012 10:43 a.m.
Even before Mass Effect 2 was released, I had this idea that taking Shepard out of your control would make for an interesting narrative. Imagine booting up the game only to find that the Shepard you lovingly created is now a villain (or "playing the part" of a villain) in a new conflict. It would be interesting to see how his/her actions would be taken out of your hands, yet still based on previous choices on your part. -
Gorgonn - April 2, 2012 9:19 a.m.
I know it might be seen as childish but Ill wait to see how mass effect 3 is resolved. Another thing I wont be doing is buying pre-release. Ill be waiting for the reviews of the game first to see that they didnt get carried away with whatever it was that motivated them to ruin ME3s ending moment. Boy that should have been an epic moment too. Im still in disbelief. -
Ravenbom - March 31, 2012 10:37 a.m.
I actually think a game ripping off Battlestar Galactica would be awesome. Play as a Quarian fighter jock for the exodus (which also teaches you the new mechanics) and then have the bulk of the game play like Wing Commander: Privateer where you jaunt around the galaxy gathering resources on the first pilgrimage. Plus you could see the evolution of bio-suits, maybe have the Geth use bio-warfare forcing the bio-suits on the Quarians right before the start of the game. You could also see the Quarian pity turn to Quarian hatred throughout the galaxy. -
SentientSquidMachine - March 19, 2012 9:16 a.m.
Krogan fighting on Kakliosaurs....I don't care what else is in the game. -
aj-dark - March 17, 2012 12:32 p.m.
everyone is speculating ideas yet there are problems, the best and only way for the story to go on and make sense is that shepherd needs a son, most people made sweet juicy love to there squad mates and a kid should become of that. sure there's the problem what if you dident make sins of the flesh with anyone or maybe you were a gay couple. that is no easy answer, my idea may not work yet if this story continues it cant be solely based around one of the last decisions because then bio ware needs to make 3 different games for the choices you made, maybe your can be a be person all together, perhaps a clone. but you know what should happen... nothing. SPOILER (Shepherd is dead except for that one intense and nothing can bring him back besides this game is not what it used to be they dumb it down for those people that cant appreciated he beauty this game is plus the fact that it sells more because most Americans are stupid and like having big guns and killing things. i don't fully support the ending but it wasn't bad they only thing i can say bad about it is why the fuck was joker in the mass relay with my ship he should have been fighting he would have been fighting or waiting for me at least and in my ending Ashley was with him with James Ashley was in my squad during the attack how did she go back there in time. and the crash landing pissed me off here Ashley is thinks I'm dead with joker and a huge muscular jersey shore guy. soon there going to have ideas of repopulating the planet BULLSHIT, Ashley is mine. i saved the world and am bleeding out under the citadel because of it and sooner or later Mr situation over there is going to make a move and chances are there going to have sexual intercourse. and what about everyone else are they all died now or alive who knows to many unanswered questions. if they are forced to make a new one instead of making Ashley look like a tramp give her a respectable look like is mass effect 1 Miranda is used the the tramp cheer leader witch is also very kinky. and don't dumb it down sure you wont get as much money but you will feel better knowing you created an awesome game, not saying ME3 wasn't amazing the story line made me pull multiple all nighters playing it but the ending wasn't as emasculate as i hoped. i wanted to go back to Ashley arms or here to be with me when i die to hold her hand tell her i love here then blow up the reapers. not be alone with some little kid. well that's all for now hope this made you think -
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positronics - March 13, 2012 5:06 p.m.
The ending was an amazing culmination of countless player-driven twists and turns in an epic three part narrative. *SPOILERS* My Shep, a Ruthless Spacer, slowly evolved from a cold soldier who wouldn't hesitate at killing the Rachni queen to an introspective peacekeeper that by the third installment was curing the genophage at the expense of snubbing the Salarians. Ultimately, he initiated the Synthesis, ensuring an end to not only the galactic cycle of extinction, but also the inevitability of an organic apocalypse. The Reapers are no longer necessary, and the line between creators and the created have been forever blurred. I disagree with those that feel the ending was weak. All choices are valid, depennding on the viewpoint of your Shep. Through my Shep's choices, he has -not- died, he has transcended life itself and become a legend: "The Shepherd", litteraly infused within the altered DNA of all life in the galaxy. I disagree with the author of the article, I think the Mass Effect universe deserves nothing less than epic storytelling. There are so many ways to go forward from here. Imagine the mass relays, through use of Reaper tech, being reconstructed hundreds of years after the events of ME3. The Shepherd is worshiped as a galaxy-saving deity. Races throughout the galaxy have been endowed with new abilities through the Synthesis. The story can begin with the first Mass Relay being tested between Earth and the utopian planet that the Normandy crashlanded on, now populated and well developed by the varying species that rallied to the Liberation of Earth. Through the Synthesis, powerful eezo manipulation and hyperevolved biotics are commonplace, giving your new protagonist lightning fast movements, and gravity altering abilities on gargantuan scales. The conflict could come from anywhere, but I think the best enemy always comes from the Lovecraftian "outside". Perhaps a synthetic empire in nearby Andromeda took note of the Reaper cycle failing, and are alarmed by the prospect of a union between synthetic and organic life... The issue of canon will arise, which ending was correct, but I don't see Bioware being able to tie together all of those disparate pieces, since the varying outcomes would have such a drastic alteration of the future. They would have to pick one. -
chris-cook - March 13, 2012 6:29 p.m.
You sir are a genius! This is a great idea. Aforementioned synthetic race could be the ones who created the AI that controls the Reapers. Their motive being to prevent the evolution of another synthetic race that could oppose them, thus solidifying their dominance for eternity. Wiping out 'primitive' organics before they can create such competition is the perfect plan. And now that the Milky Way's inhabitants are part AI, they are able to combat this Andromeda race (I prefer the idea of them having created their own planet/station/ship in deep space from which they harvest all other near by galaxies). That would explain the plot holes at the end of ME3 beautifully and reinstates the whole 'bigger picture' thing, which went down the drain in ME3. The Reapers are revealed to be the vanguard of the Synthetic fleet, which adds a whole new level of 'epic' and recreates that sense of insignificance that Shep had in ME1 when you find out that a rogue Spectre is the least of your worries. I do not like the idea of First Contact War, I know some people want a smaller story this time but that simply isn't mass effect, it needs scope. Plus aren't we are all WAY to fond of Garrus and his Turian friends to start killing them? MMO/RTS/FPS are all terrible ideas, I honestly believe the only way for the series to go (And to keep the legend of commander Shepard alive) is the far future, thus the player really feels their actions in ME1/2/3 made a difference on a scale that they never could have predicted. -
aj-dark - March 17, 2012 12:45 p.m.
and for you if you haven't played mass effect 3 im about to spoil it for you because you should talk about thing you don't understand the catalyst created the reapers so that there wouldn't be a Agamemnon caused my organics they killed the more advanced so the new ones can be born then kill them the reapers were always there and if for some reason your plan works the choices prevent it, one makes it so that synthetics are fused with organics so there's peace, the second makes it so that all synthetics are destroyed so again your plan fails and the third one makes it so that you control the reapers granted that one could work but tell me what civilization could defeat the reapers combined with all the galaxy. nothing can the entire galaxy couldn't even destroy the reapers to took the crucible to do the job without that nothing can kill them and the catalyst is gone so there is no way to use it again. besides the mass relays are gone there's no way to get to one nebula to the other, they could rebuild them but they cant because 1 there not real and 2 they would most likely be dead, P.S organics couldent have created the reapers because the reapers would be forced to kill them. -
aj-dark - March 17, 2012 1:08 a.m.
if all life was fused then there wouldn't be a pure synthetic creature furthermore there couldn't be a new enemy because the new DNA was meant to stop all wars if there would be another war thee reapers would be needed once more because the cycle of you happened and what about the people who dident choose synthesis what about them your idea is narrowly based around your choice. remember one game affects the other Bio-Ware would need to come up with multiple different story lines it would be creating 7 games because of the choices you have. think of what you say next time because everything you just said made no sense sorry to call you out but that cant be ignored -
aj-dark - March 17, 2012 1:09 a.m.
if all life was fused then there wouldn't be a pure synthetic creature furthermore there couldn't be a new enemy because the new DNA was meant to stop all wars if there would be another war thee reapers would be needed once more because the cycle of you happened and what about the people who dident choose synthesis what about them your idea is narrowly based around your choice. remember one game affects the other Bio-Ware would need to come up with multiple different story lines it would be creating 7 games because of the choices you have. think of what you say next time because everything you just said made no sense sorry to call you out but that cant be ignored -
inkyspot - March 13, 2012 4:22 a.m.
I finally understand those endings now, and if I am right and I feel I am, the ending is perfect and you will see in the upcoming DLC. I was incline to agree with you until I figured it out. All I will say about that is that "Bioware, you got me", and I am actually happy about that,... Great game. -
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marek-pfeifer - August 21, 2012 4:09 p.m.