The Argument for Completely Rebooting the Franchise

Mass Effect 4 definitely catches the interest of gaming enthusiasts for several great reasons, notably for its pivotal role in shaping BioWare’s contemporary slate. With Dragon Age: The Veilguard receiving a mixed bag of reviews, BioWare finds itself at an interesting juncture, where Mass Effect’s influence could potentially carve out a defining new chapter in the company’s storyline.

While Veilguard set the stage, Mass Effect 4 arrives at a more critical crossroads. The iconic and contentious finale of Mass Effect 3 still stirs debates, acting as a solid and intense conclusion with little room left for plot continuation. This was further solidified by Mass Effect: Andromeda back in 2017, which jumpstarted a new narrative set centuries later in a different galaxy, introducing a fresh cast. It seems Mass Effect 4 will be back in familiar territory—the Milky Way—and may feature returning faces from the original saga. But it might be in BioWare’s best interest to carve out a new direction, stepping away from Commander Shepard’s legacy to embrace fresh narratives.

The Mass Effect series seems at a turning point with the fourth installment. Shepard, despite being a beloved character, doesn’t have much left to offer the storyline. Out of the eight possible endings in Mass Effect 3, only the Perfect Destroy ending hints that Shepard survives by eliminating all synthetic life, including the Reapers. Even if Shepard survived, the mission’s completion warrants a quieter life rather than another galaxy-saving escapade. Bringing them back might dilute the closure their story received, appearing as an unnecessary touch of nostalgia. Similarly, although Mass Effect: Andromeda ended on a more flexible note, it hasn’t really earned a compelling call back despite having a loyal fanbase due to its lukewarm reception.

With what we know so far, Mass Effect 4 looks to feature Liara T’Soni, which opens up exciting possibilities given her Asari lifespan that can span over a millennium, allowing the narrative to be set well ahead of previous events. The latest trailer teases Liara discovering an N7 armor piece, perhaps hinting at the revival of the iconic special forces squad after years in limbo.

Keeping Liara T’Soni as the narrative thread in ME4 is a promising strategy. She provides a familiar yet distanced point of reference that could anchor the emotional journey without rehashing past plotlines. This method steers clear of overshadowing new characters and story arcs while maintaining a connection to the roots of Mass Effect. It’s a smart move that doesn’t bury the series’ legacy but seeks to strike a balance by putting innovative concepts at the forefront instead of reassembling the old crew.

In summary, Mass Effect 4 has the potential to break new ground by forging its own identity within the established universe, setting a stage for both old fans and new players to explore fresh adventures while respecting the past.