There’s basically nothing to know about the next Mass Effect game, to the point that even its title became an object of dispute. Confirmed to have been in development since at least 2020, there’s no doubt that a sequel to BioWare’s flagship sci-fi RPG franchise is coming. With the lack of DLC for Dragon Age: The Veil Guardmany longtime fans hope that the new Mass Effect is BioWare’s biggest focus, impatiently waiting for each new piece of information to break the long silence.
Their impatience is not entirely unwarranted either; the last game in the franchise, Mass Effect: AndromedaIt was as unpopular for its departure from the original trilogy as it was for its rampant glitches and bugs. That was seven years ago, and other than a cryptic two-minute teaser and a ridiculously nondescript poster, they still don’t know anything about the sequel (if it even is a sequel). That being said, there is no reason to believe the next Mass Effect was cancelled. But what will it be called when it finally launches?
Why Mass Effect’s numbering is so confusing
Main Trilogy vs. Spin-offs
The simple fact of the matter is that Mass Effect numbering conventions are complicated due to the way the series distinguishes its original trilogy from the more recent sequel. The first three Mass Effect the titles were named normally, even in an uncreative way: Mass Effect in 2007, Mass Effect 2 in 2010 and finally Mass Effect 3 in 2012.
These games were numbered consecutively for a reason: They all revolve around the life and times of a Commander Shepardof the Systems Alliance Navy. Although created entirely by the player, Shepard is a recurring figure in all three games of the original trilogy. Players have the opportunity to transfer their save files from one game to another, transferring Shepard’s custom appearance, background, and key story decisions (or “world state”, a concept later borrowed by Dragon Age series, albeit in a different way).
Although separated, the first three Mass Effect The games are not independent and must be played in sequence. Shepard’s life unfolds between them as a single saga. But Mass Effect 3 end this saga – albeit unsatisfactorily. Since then, everything about the series has been different, including the naming convention.
Is Andromeda considered Mass Effect 4?
It is complicated
Before the reveal of its official title and plot details Mass Effect: Andromeda was in fact referred to as Mass Effect 4. And technically, it’s an accurate name: Andromeda is the fourth game of Mass Effect series, then, in this aspect, it could be considered Mass Effect 4.
However, BioWare chose to leave the numbering convention behind for a reason. It would be wrong to simply add the next number in the sequence, because is not a direct sequence; in fact, it occurs between the events of Mass Effect 2 and 3. (By this logic, it should be called Mass Effect 2.5.) Not exactly a spinoff, but Mass Effect: Andromeda it was intended to represent the first step in a new direction for the series. It has nothing to do with Shepard, instead focusing on a new protagonist named Ryder.
The events of Andromeda have little or no material impact on those of Mass Effect 1 – 3and vice versa. Naturally, they take place in the same universe, are technically canonical to each other, and feature references to the same people, places, and concepts, but Andromeda it was written very clearly and intentionally to be far enough away from the original trilogy to stand on its own. Making a direct sequel would probably mean declaring one of the ME3Canon endings, and given their reputation for variability and player choice, this simply wasn’t something BioWare was willing to do.
AndromedaThe post-credits scene suggested that BioWare intended to move the subseries forward. Ryder probably would have gotten his own trilogy in time, with the sequel probably called something like Mass Effect: Andromeda 2or perhaps choosing new subtitles along the way, like Mass Effect: Meridian. With so little information about the next Mass Effect publicly available, it’s hard to say if that’s still the plan. Only one thing is certain.
The next Mass Effect game is technically ME5
But it will probably have a different name
In the same way as Andromeda It’s technically Mass Effect 4, the as-yet-unnamed sequel is technically Mass Effect 5. But it was never referred to as such, at least not in an official capacity. The teaser trailer for Mass Effect The YouTube channel (see below) simply calls it “The next mass effect”, and the title card at the end of the trailer simply says “Mass Effect will continue.” This suggests that BioWare is saving the title reveal for a later date – the game may not even have a title set yet.
AND the chances of this title actually being Mass Effect 5 are almost zero. It’s been 12 years since one of its flagship RPG series had a numbered entry. Titles like these are anathema to potential new players, who may balk at the implied number of games they’ll have to play before jumping into the new one. Furthermore, if it is a direct sequence of AndromedaGiving a number is just confusing. It almost certainly won’t be part of the Shepard saga either, meaning numbered entries are almost completely out of the question.
BioWare’s recent output suggests an alternative naming approach: subtitles. Mass Effect: Andromeda, Dragon Age: The Veil Guard – titles like these are standard now, so It’s likely to be next Mass Effect game will also have subtitles. What this subtitle will be is subject to speculation, but let’s venture some guesses. The N7 Day 2023 teaser was split into three parts, posted on separate pages on the EA website called “EPSILON“,” “POST-NEBULA,” and “OCULON.” Any of these could make an appropriate subtitle for the next Mass Effect game – as long as the plot details, when finally revealed, justify it.
But at this early stage, there is still plenty of time for a Mass Effect 5 to prove this theory wrong. It happened with the Dragon Age series, whose most recent title was called Dire Wolf until a few months before launch. There is no way to know for sure until much closer to the day when the next Mass Effect title – whatever it’s called – is released.
Source: Mass Effect/YouTube