At the moment, the Mass Effect series feels like it’s stuck in a bit of a rut. BioWare has mentioned they’re working on Mass Effect 4, but nobody knows when it’s coming out or what it will be like. Even with these unknowns hanging over the series, Mass Effect 4 is critically important for BioWare’s future, especially after Dragon Age: The Veilguard didn’t quite hit the mark in terms of sales.
Beyond its importance to BioWare, Mass Effect 4 holds immense significance for its fanbase. Since Mass Effect 3, the series has struggled to recapture that special something that made it a standout in science-fiction gaming, a promise that Andromeda unfortunately couldn’t fulfill. Whether it’s fair or not, the task of reviving the series’ greatness lies squarely on the shoulders of Mass Effect 4. Perhaps a clever move, mirroring the approach the Halo series took, could be to expand the series with new, diverse experiences beyond just a mainline release.
Broadening the horizons of Mass Effect similar to what Halo has done could be beneficial. Based on its numbered title and Liara’s appearance in the teaser, Mass Effect 4 seems poised to continue the storyline of the original trilogy, unlike Mass Effect Andromeda. While Andromeda might technically count as a spin-off, its completely separate setting in another galaxy sometimes makes it feel like an entirely different franchise.
Looking ahead, Mass Effect could take a page from titles like Halo 3: ODST, letting players step into the shoes of a lesser-known soldier during a key event, such as the attack on the Citadel from the first Mass Effect. This type of game could provide a new, more personal perspective on the larger conflicts, as Shepard and their team are typically distant from such situations. Alternatively, a prequel game akin to Halo: Reach could explore significant events like the Prothean’s first meeting with the Reapers, or the violent clash between the Krogan and the Turians. These spin-offs could enrich the Mass Effect universe while providing varied experiences for players. With the right approach, these games could be embraced by fans with measured expectations, similar to how Resident Evil’s smaller Revelations games are perceived.
Creating these hypothetical spin-offs could allow EA to hand the reins to other development teams, thus giving BioWare the freedom to concentrate on the main series.
Take, for instance, the longevity of the Halo Wars series, which has endured despite its starkly different gameplay from the main Halo games. As an RTS game, it retains the Halo series’ broader narrative style to tie together its gameplay elements. A similar approach could work for Mass Effect, given its high-tech settings and epic battles, paving the way for engaging strategy scenarios. But there’s also room for Mass Effect to explore other genres—imagine a visual novel or a city-builder, or even a revival of the top-down shooting mechanics seen in the overlooked Mass Effect Galaxy mobile game.
The idea with these varied approaches is to engage audiences with Mass Effect’s universe through new, refreshing mechanics; there’s more than just third-person tactical shooting to explore within the series’ rich lore. In essence, diversifying into different genres would not only expand the types of Mass Effect experiences available but also reduce the burden on mainline games to carry the franchise forward alone, offering fans more ways to connect with the galaxy they love.
