Mass Effect 4’s Party Members Can Double Down on a Strength of the Trilogy

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This article contains spoilers for the Mass Effect Trilogy and Mass Effect: Andromeda.

In the Mass Effect series, the creators did an exceptional job in portraying various alien races and characters as fully rounded individuals with their own wants and needs, just as significant as those of humans. This is something many science fiction franchises find challenging, often relegating non-humans to one-dimensional roles that serve mainly for a quick quip or tired cliché. With the upcoming release of Mass Effect 4, Bioware has the chance to build upon the original Mass Effect trilogy’s strengths by focusing more on alien companions, whether this means expanding the roster of companions or maintaining a lower ratio of human characters compared to non-humans.

The universe of Mass Effect is richly layered with detailed lore about the diverse alien species inhabiting the Milky Way. One point of contention regarding Mass Effect Andromeda was that the newly introduced alien races didn’t seem as authentic compared to those from the original series. To ensure that Mass Effect 4 lives up to BioWare’s past successes, it would be beneficial to draw upon the strengths of the initial trilogy, and the companions could serve as an excellent starting point for this endeavor.

More Alien Companions in ME4 Would Highlight Mass Effect’s Worldbuilding

Enhancing alien representation within the Mass Effect universe could be achieved by expanding the number of aliens included in the next roster. Pivotal instances in the Mass Effect series often featured two alien party members engaging with each other, like Liara’s initial apprehension towards Samara and Wrex swiftly identifying Grunt’s ailment. These interactions offered unique glimpses into alien cultures that were not fully developed in the original games. Introducing more of these moments would undoubtedly provide engaging banter among squad members, at the very least.

In the diverse alien populations inhabiting the Milky Way galaxy, as depicted in Mass Effect 4, there’s a wealth of intriguing characters to draw from. For instance, a reformed Batarian slave-turned-peacemaker, an Elcor cast out from his planet, a defiant Volus who yearns for something other than trade, or a humorous Hanar are all compelling possibilities. Even alien species that are already part of the crew can offer surprising depth. The unique personalities among the same alien race make the non-human characters in Mass Effect feel authentic and relatable. Additionally, it’s possible that Mass Effect 4 could introduce entirely new alien species to the Milky Way galaxy, further enriching the game’s universe.

Returning Alien Party Members From the Original Normandy Crew Could Prove Interesting

2023’s N7 Day teaser trailer for Mass Effect 4 depicted Liara T’Soni retrieving a fragment of the N7 armor amidst a slain Reaper backdrop. This suggests that Mass Effect 4 might unfold after the occurrences in Mass Effect 3, with the “Destroy” ending being the canon conclusion. However, it remains undetermined how much time has elapsed between these events. Given that Asari can live for up to a millennium, it’s plausible that the time jump could be sufficient for all original crew members to have perished, save for the Asari such as Liara, Samara (or Morinth), and potentially EDI.

It’s worth mentioning that Cryostatis is a significant element within the Mass Effect universe; it could serve as a useful plot device to reintroduce more of Shepard’s team members following a time jump. If these original characters are still alive, players would be treated to the sight of familiar alien companions exploring a post-Reaper Milky Way galaxy. The teaser also hinted at potential new alien allies lurking behind Liara as she retrieved the N7 armor piece. Based on their shadows, they appear to be a Salarian, a Drell, and an Angaran from Andromeda. Since Mordin and Thane Krios are likely deceased, these three characters in the trailer are presumably new faces for the players, assuming they haven’t encountered them as part of Shepard’s team before. The origin of how an Angaran ended up in the Milky Way galaxy is a topic for another conversation.

An Alien Main Character is a Risk Worth Considering

It remains undecided whether Commander Shepard’s story has concluded or not. The developers have been quite secretive about this matter, leaving fans to guess. If Shepard is indeed deceased, a new protagonist could potentially belong to an extraterrestrial species. Among the various alien races, Asari seem the most plausible candidates for the main character role. They exhibit traits that resemble humans, possess a rich history and background, and display individuality rather than being stereotypically like Krogan or Salarians.

Some individuals might find it difficult to accept an extraterrestrial main character in ME4, as it could potentially drive away many prospective players who prefer the role of Shepard-like characters and fulfilling their sci-fi fantasy. Such a choice could lead to a polarizing reaction, possibly even more so than Mass Effect 3’s ending, sparking controversy among fans.

In simpler terms, one possible scenario could be that one of the original crew members assumes Shepard’s role following ME3. The character most likely to take on this task is Liara T’Soni, given her confirmed presence in the game. The radical option would be to let players choose their character’s race and fully immerse in an RPG experience. However, due to the challenges in maintaining a consistent narrative when the protagonist’s race is player-decided, such a choice might not align well with the original trilogy’s storytelling style.

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2025-06-07 15:34