Mass Effect 4: Why a Total Reboot is the Ultimate Gamble for BioWare

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Mass Effect 4 is an interesting game for a number of reasons, not the least of which being its importance to BioWare’s modern portfolio. Indeed, as the company adjusts following the mixed reception of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the role that Mass Effect will play in its ever-shifting reputation seems more significant than ever, as it could very well grow to define the next chapter of its legacy.

Even more so than Veilguard, Mass Effect 4 is a game at a crossroads. Though Mass Effect 3’s infamous ending remains hotly debated and maligned to this day, it is certainly final and definitive: it doesn’t leave much room for a continuation of the story. This open-and-shut nature was confirmed back in 2017 with Mass Effect: Andromeda, which takes place several centuries after ME3, in a different galaxy with an entirely new cast of characters. While it would appear that Mass Effect 4 will be returning to the Milky Way, and will almost certainly feature at least one character from the original trilogy, it may be in the series’ best interest to distance itself from the Shepard saga as much as possible, forging a new path.

Mass Effect 4 Should Be a Reset Rather Than a Reprisal

The Mass Effect Trilogy Has Nowhere Else To Go

Out of Mass Effect 3’s eight endings, only one suggests that Shepard survives. This is the Perfect Destroy ending, which involves the destruction of all synthetic life, including the Reapers. But the thing is, even if Shepard does survive, it hardly matters: their mission is accomplished, done and dusted, and there’s no reason for them to engage in anything more than a comfortable retirement.

As iconic a character as Shepard is, bringing them back for Mass Effect 4 would be underwhelming at best and destructive at worst. Much of Shepard’s legacy is defined by the fact that they were the man/woman of the moment: they stepped up to save the galaxy from certain destruction, and dragging them out of a definitive and (debatably) satisfying ending would feel contrived. It would be a fleeting moment of familiarity for returning fans, but little more.

As for Mass Effect: Andromeda’s ending, although it is more open-ended than Mass Effect 3’s, it would be a surprising cart for BioWare to hitch its horse to. Yes, although the game has its fans, it’s hardly redeemed itself in the eyes of audiences, and for good reason: the world and characters of Andromeda just might not be worth bringing back, especially now that the better part of a decade has passed.

A Fresh, Loosely Related Story Might Be Mass Effect 4’s Best Bet

It would appear that, at the very least, Liara T’Soni will play a role in Mass Effect 4, but the choice to reveal her as the sole returning character casts a very wide net in terms of setting. As an Asari, Liara can live for upwards of 1,000 years, meaning that ME4 could conceivably take place centuries after the events of the last game.

Liara uncovers a buried piece of N7 armor in the ME4 reveal trailer, which could suggest a reprisal of the special forces unit, perhaps after a long hiatus.

Keeping Liara as the main thread connecting ME4 to the rest of the franchise seems like a wise decision. She could help drive the emotional core of the narrative as a familiar face, while being just disconnected enough to avoid retreading old ground. BioWare doesn’t have to bury Mass Effect’s past with this new entry, but an approach that puts fresh faces and bold new ideas at the forefront seems much better than getting the old gang back together.

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2025-03-16 01:35