Mass Effect 4 had been speculated about for a long time and its existence was finally affirmed with a teaser trailer during the 2020 Game Awards. From there, there’s been even more speculation about what the plot will entail, if and how it’ll connect to Mass Effect: Andromeda, and how exactly it will continue the story of the original Mass Effect trilogy. While these answers will surely come at a later date, for now, there’s a lot of freedom for speculation and wishful thinking.
Some wishful thinking comes in the form of hoping characters from previous games return. It has already been confirmed that the teaser trailer shows two galaxies, presumably the Milky Way and Andromeda, implying that both games will somehow connect. It also confirmed that fan-favorite character Liara T’Soni will return in Mass Effect 4, though no one is sure in what capacity. However, there are plenty of other Mass Effect characters who should reappear in Mass Effect 4.
Jaal Ama Darav and the Angara Should Return in Mass Effect 4
If Mass Effect 4 will truly combine the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies, the Angara will need to be part of that in some capacity. A huge part of the story of Mass Effect: Andromeda revolved around meeting and helping the Angara, so it would be a disservice to the Andromeda galaxy if the Angara do not come back in Mass Effect 4. Specifically in regards to Jaal, he becomes a crewmate and even a romantic interest if players choose to pursue a romance. Jaal becomes integral to the team and helps Ryder prove themself to the Angara.
Quarians Should Return in Mass Effect 4
Quarians were noticeably absent from Mass Effect: Andromeda, so it would be nice to see their return in Mass Effect 4. It was written that their ark ship, Keelah Si’yah, hadn’t yet reached Andromeda due to the events of the book Mass Effect: Andromeda: Annihilation. The game doesn’t spend a lot of time trying to figure out what happened to the quarian ark, presumably setting up the debut of the ship in Mass Effect 4. Given the quarian lifespan, it’s highly unlikely Tali’Zorah will make an appearance in Mass Effect 4, but it would be nice to get to see the quarians again.
Sara and Scott Ryder Should Return in Mass Effect 4
The protagonist and player character of Mass Effect: Andromeda, Ryder proves themselves to various alien races to help stop the Kett. Mass Effect: Andromeda ends on a high note, with Ryder having stopped the Archon and learned even more about the Remnant. There are quite a few questions that Mass Effect: Andromeda leaves unanswered and there’s no better person to find the answers than Ryder, especially because players have already spent so long playing as them.
Commander Shepard Should Return in Mass Effect 4
There are three different endings to the original Mass Effect trilogy, one of which implies that Shepard survives their encounter with the Reapers. While Shepard returning in Mass Effect 4 would imply one ending is canon compared to the others, it would be an interesting twist to have the Commander reappear. With the teaser trailer showing Liara smiling at a piece of N7 armor, it’s entirely possible that Shepard will make an appearance in some capacity. However, it doesn’t mean that players will be stepping back into the Commander’s shoes.
With not much known about Mass Effect 4, there’s tons of opportunities for theorizing about what the game will cover. Liara’s return could imply a big crossover between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies, which could in turn mean big things for the entirety of Mass Effect 4 and other characters who may return.
Mass Effect 4 is currently in development.