Following the surprise announcement of BioWare’s closure and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect, new details have seemingly emerged about what it could have offered. YouTuber Dantics, who provided feedback as part of the “community council,” claims the alleged Mass Effect Universe took place over 600 years after the Reaper War.
Instead of Commander Shepard, players would control a “customizable N7 agent” described as a cross “between John Wick and James Bond.” Three factions rule the galaxy, and interestingly, humans have allied with the Krogan and Batarians. With the Council races on one side and the Geth reportedly a “third superpower,” the setting is reportedly more of a “galactic Cold War” rather than a universe-ending threat like the Reapers.
Universe would continue the original trilogy’s trend of handcrafted missions but with a unique twist. You had extensive freedom, described as “Hitman-style,” with the ability to hack, utilize “brutal close-range executions” and more. Squadmates were still present and could “clash with each other.” Finally, Liara, who was teased in the first-ever reveal teaser, returns as an “incredibly powerful Asari Matriarch.”
While the validity of all this is always up in the air, former cinematic supervisor Tony de Waal has talked about BioWare taking inspiration from Larian Studios and CD Projekt RED when it came to player agency. We may never know the extent of those plans, but on the bright side, the TV adaptation is still reportedly in the works. So there’s that.
