The Pros of Mass Effect 4 Potentially Starting Fresh

The next Mass Effect game 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 where Mass Effect 3 left off, join up with Mass Effect Andromeda‘s universe, or start something completely new altogether.

If the next Mass Effect game truly is Mass 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 the next Mass Effect being a reboot for 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 of Mass Effect 3 and the next game is still without a release date.

Related

What Would A Mass Effect Universe Without Shepard Look Like?

A Mass Effect universe without Shepard would be drastically different, with the galaxy facing dire consequences in their absence.

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 next Mass Effect being 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’s Liara T’Soni may be making a return, the next Mass Effect could still break free from the trilogy to create original plots, characters, and conflicts that would discourage the overarching narrative from becoming stale.

It’s also worth noting how limited the next Mass Effect game is already when it comes to story, since Mass Effect 3 had multiple endings. For the next Mass Effect game 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 next Mass Effect a 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 for Mass Effect would offer than the narrative possibilities that would open up for it is the increase in accessibility it would offer new players. The Mass Effect series is almost 18 years old now, and while the Mass Effect Legendary Edition launched only about 4 years ago, the original Mass Effect trilogy’s story and gameplay are still quite old at this point, which a complete reboot could capitalize on. If the next Mass Effect game 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.

Reboots can be risky, especially for a series as established and beloved as Mass 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 what Mass Effect needs 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 of Mass Effect.

Released

May 14, 2021

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts