Summary
The nextMass Effectgame by BioWare is still hanging in the balance after its first trailer made its debut over four years ago, and very little information apart from cryptic teases has been given about it since. Apart from the fact that fan-favorite character Liara T’Soni seems to be making a return, no one yet knows when or where it takes place, as well as whether it will pick up whereMass Effect 3left off, join up withMass Effect Andromeda’s universe, or start something completely new altogether.
If the nextMass Effectgame truly isMass Effect 4, it actually might make sense for it to be more of a reboot than a direct sequel, potentially starting a brand-new trilogy in the process. There are downsides, of course, to thenextMass Effectbeing a rebootfor the series, but the advantages might actually outweigh the disadvantages in the long run, especially considering it has now been over 13 years since the release ofMass Effect 3and the next game is still without a release date.
How the Next Mass Effect Could Benefit From a Fresh Start
A Fresh Start Would Allow for More Narrative Freedom
The biggest advantage to the nextMass Effectbeing a fresh start for the franchise is that it would allow the game more narrative freedom by detaching it from the established arcs of previous entries. Despite the fact that the original trilogy’sLiara T’Sonimay be making a return, the nextMass Effectcould still break free from the trilogy to create original plots, characters, and conflicts that would discourage the overarching narrative from becoming stale.
A fresh start would also provide an opportunity for the nextMass Effectto explore uncharted regions of theMass Effectuniverse, introducing new alien civilizations and cultures in the process.
It’s also worth noting how limited the nextMass Effectgame is already when it comes to story, sinceMass Effect 3had multiple endings. For the nextMass Effectgame to be a direct sequel rather than a reboot, it would need to address which of those endings is the canon endings for the story, which could complicate things very quickly and potentially alienate series veterans who might have chosen a different path. Making the nextMass Effecta new beginning for the series would ultimately circumvent that issue, allowing for a narrative that doesn’t conflict with players' personal experiences from earlier games.
A Fresh Start Would Increase Accessibility for New Players
Perhaps an even bigger advantage a fresh start forMass Effectwould offer than the narrative possibilities that would open up for it is the increase in accessibility it would offer new players. TheMass Effectseries is almost 18 years old now, and while theMass Effect Legendary Editionlaunched only about 4 years ago, the originalMass Effecttrilogy’s story and gameplayare still quite old at this point, which a complete reboot could capitalize on. If the nextMass Effectgame were a fresh start for the series rather than a continuation of the original trilogy, more new players might be drawn to it, especially if it ended up being the start of a brand-new trilogy.
For the nextMass Effectgame to be a direct sequel rather than a reboot, it would need to address which of those endings is the canon endings for the story, which could complicate things very quickly and potentially alienate series veterans who might have chosen a different path.
Reboots can be risky, especially for a series as established and beloved asMass Effect, but sometimes starting over is the best way to move forward. If BioWare wants to recapture the magic of the original trilogy while also avoiding the narrative limitations of past choices, a fresh start could be exactly whatMass Effectneeds in its next game. It wouldn’t need to erase everything that came before, but it could build on its legacy while opening the door to new players, new stories, and a new generation ofMass Effect.
