Mass Effect fans have long waited for the franchise's next installment. While Mass Effect 4 was officially announced in November 2022, BioWare has been highly secretive about developing the upcoming title. Fortunately, slight hints about Mass Effect 4 have been released through the years, with new concept art, teaser trailers, and blog posts offering plenty of clues for fans to pour over. Although Mass Effect: Andromeda could be considered the fourth entry in the Mass Effect franchise, the game's underwhelming reception and lackluster gameplay has left gamers wanting more from future installments. Hopefully, Mass Effect 4 is a satisfying mix of the original trilogy and the latest title.
Mass Effect 4's most significant development challenge might be expanding gameplay while maintaining the experience that has made the original trilogy so beloved. While Andromeda was widely considered a disappointment upon its March 2017 release, the original trilogy -- particularly Mass Effect 3 -- received near universal acclaim and financial success. While the release of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition has gamers discovering and rediscovering the original trilogy in recent years, it remains to be seen how Mass Effect 4 can compete with its predecessors while creating a distinct and meaningful experience.
Mass Effect 4 Should Learn From The Pitfalls and Successes of Previous Installments
When thinking about Mass Effect 4, some fans may be skeptical about the upcoming title due to the underwhelming performance of Mass Effect: Andromeda. The mixed legacy of the Mass Effect franchise has made it difficult to ascertain how previous installments will affect the development of future games. While Andromeda was not as critically acclaimed as its predecessors, the game still has successful aspects. For instance, the combat system in Andromeda was widely praised, with players able to customize their play style while engaging in more dynamic battle scenarios. The game also included an open-world atmosphere that allowed gamers to engage in more immersive exploration compared to past titles.
In contrast, Andromeda didn't hit the mark narratively compared to the original Mass Effect trilogy. Mass Effect 4 could benefit from emulating the complex social and relationship mechanics seen in Mass Effect 2 while allowing player choice and a complex morality system -- as seen in Mass Effect 3 -- to affect gameplay fundamentally. The definitive popularity of the cast of companions in the original Mass Effect trilogy show the importance of nuanced character design in future games. As Mass Effect 4 is rooted in the lore of the original trilogy, there's ample possibility that it will feature the narrative strengths of past games while including modern gameplay upgrades.
Mass Effect 4 Could Level Up Gameplay While Honoring The Roots of the Franchise
Mass Effect 4 could have been set relatively recently after the events of Mass Effect 3.N7 Day 2022 gave fans a short video of a mass effect relay being rebuilt, which gives credence to the theory that the infamous "destroy" ending in Mass Effect 3 might be canon in the upcoming game, requiring the existing races to work together to rebuild the relay network. It's unclear if the game will be set only in the Milky Way galaxy or if the new relay network allows travel to Andromeda, connecting both galaxies in the franchise. However, the teaser video could also foreshadow unique locations in the Milky Way.
Another essential clue could be found in the Mass Effect 4 announcement trailer. Not only are two galaxies featured, but fan-favorite companion Liara T'Soni appears directly in the video. As Liara is one of the most popular characters in Mass Effect, her appearance in the upcoming game is a surefire way to tie together the original trilogy with new gameplay. It's possible that the upcoming game could be set after the events of Andromeda, with an aging Liara still searching for Commander Shepard or following through on an untold mission.
Mass Effect 4 is currently in development.