The next Mass Effect game was formally announced with a teaser trailer in late 2020. The trailer featured fan-favorite character Liara, discovering what looks like a piece of N7 armor. While there isn't anything known about the premise of the next Mass Effect, the trailer could suggest that it's a direct sequel to the original trilogy. Mass Effect: Andromeda released to middling reception when it launched in 2017, and fans have been longing for a more direct follow-up to the original games. If the new game is designed as a successor to the original trilogy, a case must be made for certain important choices to be carried over from the Commander Shepard-starring titles.
BioWare has been refocusing its development as of late. A new version of Anthem was cancelled in favor of the team working on new Dragon Age and Mass Effect games. BioWare seems to be returning to some of its most popular franchises, a move that could please a lot of fans. Mass Effect seems to have become a renewed focal point for BioWare, between the announcement of the next game and the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition collection. The next Mass Effect looks like it could be influenced by the original games, and players' choices could affect the title even further.
When the Next Mass Effect Takes Place
The next Mass Effect probably won't release for a long time, which gives players plenty of time to theorize over it. While there are few confirmed details about the next game, fans have been been able to take away some tidbits of information from the teaser. Liara looks noticeably older in the next Mass Effect trailer, which could indicate it takes place far into the future. Liara was barely considered an adult at the outset of the original trilogy, and her people, the Asari, can live for thousands of years. If the next game is further along in the timeline, some choices might not be relevant. However, choices made specifically in Mass Effect 3 could still have far-reaching effects.
Major Mass Effect 3 Choices
The Mass Effect series is filled with tough choices, and several found in Mass Effect 3 could have serious implications for the galaxy's future. If the next Mass Effect game was to carry over decisions made in Mass Effect 3, some choices likely wouldn't matter, provided that the next game is further along in the future. Some decisions relating to individuals, such as the fate of General Oraka, would be irrelevant at this point. There are some far more profound decisions that Commander Shepard has to make, ones that could influence the future generations of the galaxy.
One of the most important decisions in Mass Effect 3 is whether to cure the genophage or not. This choice affects the entire Krogan people, and it's down to Shepard to decide whether they should be cured of the disease or not. Similarly, Commander Shephard is the deciding factor in brokering peace between the Quarian people and the Geth, or not, as well. Decisions like these could have far-reaching consequences that affect the future of entire species, rather than just individuals who would possibly be gone in the timeline of the next Mass Effect.
The most impactful decision in Mass Effect 3 is how to resolve the Reaper War. Throughout the game, players will be able to gather allies against the Reapers, and the strength of this alliance will determine the fate of Earth. Ultimately, players have four choices with how to deal with the Reaper threat. Commander Shepard can choose to destroy them, control them, synthesize organic and synthetic life, or refuse to make a decision. In most endings, Commander Shepard perishes while leaving the galaxy in a better, safer place. While this is the most important choice of the game, the effect it should have on the next Mass Effect isn't clear-cut.
Mass Effect 3 Decisions That Could Impact the Next Game
The next Mass Effect looks set to follow the original trilogy, and some decisions should affect the game and the state of the galaxy. Commander Shephard was a central figure in resolving the genophage, the conflict between the Geth and the Quarians, and the Reaper conflict. These decisions would undoubtedly have consequences for the various species that Commander Shepard influenced for years to come. It would make sense to include player decisions related to the fate of the Krogan, Quarians, and Geth, so that the galaxy can be more personalized for players returning to Mass Effect.
Despite how ill-received the endings of Mass Effect 3 have been, it might not be in BioWare's best interest to bring back Commander Shepard. Bringing Commander Shephard back in Mass Effect could ultimately undermine players' decisions in the original trilogy. In every ending, bar one, Commander Shepard dies so that the galaxy is saved. Bringing the character back would make one ending where he does survive canon; either that, or BioWare would need to retcon the ending of Mass Effect 3.Â
Either option would take away the biggest choice of the original trilogy that players had to make, and it could be poorly received. Maintaining the integrity of players' choice of ending, and keeping Shepard out of the game, might be the best way to go.
Considering how much older Liara looks in the trailer for the next Mass Effect, it would make even less sense to bring Shepard back. A long time has clearly passed, and even if Shepard did survive the endgame of Mass Effect 3 somehow, he would have likely passed away from natural causes at this point. While it would make sense to have galaxy-wide decisions affect the next Mass Effect game, it doesn't make as much sense to bring Commander Shepard back. Doing so could contradict the series' staple decision-making, despite how much some fans would welcome the character's return.
The next Mass Effect game is currently in development.
