Characters We Want To See Return In ME5

Summary

• Jaal Ama Darav could be a perfect choice for the next Mass Effect game, bridging Milky Way and Andromeda.
• Matriarch Aethyta, as Liara’s father, could play a significant role in the upcoming game due to her longevity.
• The savvy Nakmor Kesh from Andromeda Initiative would be an invaluable ally and could offer insights on new aliens in Mass Effect 5.

The next Mass Effect game is hot in the speculative minds of countless BioWare fans, and agonizingly little information has been revealed about it. But just enough has been teased to allow those fans to wildly theorize which of their favorite characters they might see in the fifth entry.

With four games so far and plenty of incredible squadmates and friends in each one, that potential list is substantial. But there are a number of them that it would make a lot of sense to see again, particularly given rumors about Mass Effect 5 bridging the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. But which ones could convincingly make the jump?

9

Jaal Ama Darav

• If the angara are going to be in the game, pick everyone’s favorite.
• He’s already become friends (and maybe more) with Milky Way species.

There have been many hints, from a teaser trailer to cryptic developer posts, that have heavily implied a return of the angara species from Mass Effect: Andromeda. If you’re going to have Angara, you might as well have everyone’s favorite, Jaal.

Obviously, time would have to be a factor given the 600 year trip that brought the Milky Way species there in the first place. But assuming it’s temporally possible for Jaal to show up, he would be a perfect choice. He’s already successfully lived among humans, asari, salarians, and other species alien to him on the Tempest, so there’s nobody better to help facilitate a smooth meeting for the rest of both galaxies.

8

Matriarch Aethyta

• She’s got the longevity.
• Liara might as well bring her angry half-krogan dad.

A teaser for Mass Effect 5 has already essentially confirmed that fan-favorite (and developer favorite) asari Liara T’Soni will play some role in the upcoming game. But if she’s going to show up, wouldn’t it make sense if she brought some family with her?

Matriarch Aethyta is always a delight, whether she’s slinging drinks and insults on Illium or slinging drinks and insults on the Citadel. She’s also Liara’s father, as the parent who didn’t give birth. Yes, she’s a Matriarch in the original trilogy, meaning she’s already in her last stage of life. But that could last a while still, and who’s to say Mass Effect 5 will be THAT far in the future?

7

Nakmor Kesh

• The most savvy member of the Andromeda Initiative should make an appearance.
• Already has experience with new aliens.

Kesh is remarkably intimidating for the most level-headed authority figure in the Andromeda Initiative. No matter how much bickering goes on between Tann and Addison, the tall children that they are, Kesh is always there to offer a reasonable suggestion and perhaps a swift headbutt as well (which is occasionally just as reasonable a suggestion).

Mass Effect 5 may very well include some new aliens, and Kesh already has experience there thanks to the angara and kett. She also holds everything together on the Nexus and still finds space to fuss over her legitimately ancient grandfather Drack. Anyone with those time management skills would be an invaluable ally no matter where the next game goes.

6

Aria T’Loak

• She’ll likely still be around no matter when the game is set.
• Nothing happens without her knowing about it, and she’ll probably want a piece.

There’s currently no confirmation on how far after the original trilogy Mass Effect 5 will take place. But asari are long-lived folks, so regardless of the time frame, if Liara can show up, so can Aria. Chances are, any new Mass Effect adventures will deal with the criminal underworld at some point, and that’s her territory.

As the semi-official ‘queen’ of Omega, the galaxy’s seedy underbelly concentrated into one space station, Aria will want a piece of anything big going on. Plus, if the Milky Way is about to meet the angara, that’s a whole new wave of potential clients for her. If there are credits to be had, she can’t very well pass it up.

5

Ryder

• Pathfinder Ryder still has plenty of adventuring to do.
• Both siblings could show up.

There hasn’t been any confirmation on how a proper connection will be made between the Milky Way and Andromeda. But if some of the best parts of the Dragon Age series are any indication, BioWare fans are going to want to see their own past characters again, and that includes Ryder.

Commander Shepard had their time and their story is over, regardless of their fate. But Ryder has so much more to offer after the events of Mass Effect: Andromeda. They’re a Pathfinder, after all. Plus, there are two of them, so who wouldn’t love a good sibling team of explorers continuing their adventure as NPCs or even your own squadmates this time around?

4

Urdnot Wrex

• Potentially the leader of the krogan.
• Has the lifespan to accommodate nearly any time jump between games.

Yes, Wrex can die at more than one point in the original trilogy. So it would be hard to make him any sort of major character if he showed up in the next one if BioWare wants to preserve player choices. But they also brought back Leliana even if you literally decapitated her in Dragon Age: Origins, so hey.

At worst, Wrex can end up dead. But at best, he can end up as the leader of the krogan, bringing them back from the threat of potential extinction. A new game will likely involve the higher-ups of each species, and even if it’s set centuries in the future, the longevity of his people is an excellent narrative excuse to keep him around.

3

EDI

• An AI doesn’t die of old age.
• Would be a great source of wisdom and wit for new characters.

One of the coolest story ideas is a long-lived person continuing to persist throughout history. EDI is an artificial intelligence who gained self-awareness, a wicked sense of humor, and even a body (sort of). So assuming her tech is maintained, she could easily stick around longer than anyone in the series, experiencing everything and regaling her friends with tales of the past.

Whether Mass Effect 5 takes place a few decades or centuries later, EDI could conceivably still be around. Even in the ‘destroy’ ending of Mass Effect 3 where she supposedly died along with all synthetic life, it could be argued that she could be rebuilt as she was. Anyone who lived through the Reaper war would be great to have around going forward, if nothing else than to ensure past mistakes aren’t repeated.

2

Vetra Nyx

• Every organization needs a procurement specialist and she’s the best.
• Andromeda’s spiky girlfriend deserves more screen time.

Vetra Nyx is who you come to when you need something. What something? Whatever you need. How does she get it? Don’t worry about it. Vetra is one of the most resourceful people in the Andromeda Initiative and a member of the Pathfinder team who saved everyone, so yeah, she’s got some clout. (She’s also the best love interest in Andromeda and there will be no further discussion on the matter.)

If Andromeda and the Milky Way are bridged somehow (and assuming she’s still alive), Vetra should absolutely be involved. Not only is she a natural at making things happen, but she’s also got a younger sister, Sid, who’s kind of a savant when it comes to gathering intel. One heck of a package deal.

1

Conrad Verner

• Might as well be the original trilogy’s mascot.
• If Starfield could do it…

It doesn’t matter how they do it, what sort of time travel or wormhole shenanigans they have to pull off to make it work. Conrad Verner needs to return in the next Mass Effect. The original trilogy’s very own adoring fan is as much a part of the series’ identity as asari and passing out drunk at every bar.

He’s a bit of a bother in the first game, but fans loved him enough that he came back to be an even bigger bother, eventually resulting in some war assets in Mass Effect 3 if you really stuck with some of the earlier games’ more mundane side content. His sister Cassandra even ensured that the Verner bloodline made its way to Andromeda, so here’s hoping Mass Effect 5 also continues this dork’s proud traditions.