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[Goldrush]

Sounds good to me. Set it far enough into the future and the game can explain away any discrepancies with decision made prior.

 

[DataGhost]

I hope you can pick the sex of your character again... nd this time Species... Damn it I don't want to be tied down tl humanity!

Ha, if this game becomes like TES, that would be interesting to see how different people react to your race, but I woudn't put too much hope in it

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

Sure you won't.

Fool me once, etc.........

 

[nfbackstory]

Sounds good to me. Set it far enough into the future and the game can explain away any discrepancies with decision made prior.

It'd be hilarious/awesome if they came out and said "IMPORT YOUR ME3 SAVE!" and ME4 took into account thousands of decisions made by you throughout the trilogy.

 

[Patryn]

Unfortunately, I'm not too much of a techy to care about the game name is related to the technology. I actually thought mass effect was a metaphor of Shepard and how he influences the universe. I guess the name would still work, it's just that it wouldn't feel the same without Shepard as they're the person you've been with for the first three games.

And we get to the root of the problem.

Shepard's story is over. She had three games. I'm ready for something new.

 

[EatChildren]

What actually bothers me the most is the lack of closure in ME3. That's why I can't believe they abandon the last trilogy and start something new, when the old story didn't felt complete. It wasn't even an open ending, it just stopped where it shouldn't. I would shut up and never complain about BioWare (EVER) as soon as they tell me what happened with my Shep and his crew.

Right, this was a common complaint, but it's one BioWare has tried (and probably failed) to address with the extended cut and the Citadel DLC. Fans felt they had no closure or finality to Shepard's arc, and everything the Shepard trilogy thematically represented. Citadel was supposed to amend that, giving fans a full send-off to their companions, and their Shepard.

If it still doesn't feel complete, that's just the way it is, and it's never going to change. It's over. Finished. BioWare has conceded that everything Shepard trilogy is kaput when it comes to video games, and whatever they've left is just going to have to stay.

To those disappointed with how the trilogy ended, the only way to be excited for Mass Effect 4 is recognise and embrace Montreal's intentions to start anew. Cling to the Shepard trilogy and disappointment is inevitable, regardless of how good/bad Mass Effect 4 actually ends up being. You have to want that new territory.

 

[Simzyy]

Ha, if this game becomes like TES, that would be interesting to see how different people react to your race, but I woudn't put too much hope in it

Oh I don't know. It would excite a lot of people and help create some goodwill. Plus they added various races back to Dragon Age for Inquisition. I would never have expected them to add Qunari so there is hope!

 

[DataGhost]

And we get to the root of the problem.

Shepard's story is over. She had three games. I'm ready for something new.

Yes, I guess it is time, even though the last game kinda left it at a cliffhanger and would be a teaser to the next game

 

[The Smoking Bun]

Unfortunately, I'm not too much of a techy to care about the game name is related to the technology. I actually thought mass effect was a metaphor of Shepard and how he influences the universe. I guess the name would still work, it's just that it wouldn't feel the same without Shepard as they're the person you've been with for the first three games.

There's your problem. The original game was a sci-fi nerd's wet dream
Mass Effect is full on tech porn and some regular softcore porn.
It's all about the technology. Mass Effect DOES NOT refer to Shepard.
Nor does it when I say that Mass Effect makes my Mass Erect

 

[Fushichou187]

Why? What could possibly be mined from that universe post- 3? What was left of it anyway.

Well a post-3 story could...

• Be more open world and set in a system where you actually get to explore several planets, not one particular place of interest on that planet.
  
• Spoiler

  Deal with the Sol system post 3 aftermath with all those other races/ships pretty much stuck there.
• Spoiler

  Start out 1000 or so years in the future on Rannoch with the fully reintegrated/unmasked Quarians and Geth working together... doing adventure spacey stuff.

I mean there are a lot of different directions you could go in. The story wouldn't have to be human-centric and could really breathe new life into the series if they fully embraced some of the other races and cultures as central and not just window dressing for Shepard's story.

Edit: I suppose if the next one had zero connection to plot events of ME 1-3 then it would have to be a prequel no? I just personally find prequels super lazy tbh..

 

[Hindle]

Ideally, I'd like for them to keep each game standalone from now on. Like, instead of a story about the end of the world, maybe they could have a more personal adventure starring a detective or a hitman.

 

[GuitarAtomik]

I didn't hate the ending to ME3 nearly as much as a lot of people, but what I did hate was how it more or less ruined any chance of them continuing any games after that period without having to pick one of the endings as canon. Oh well. Still excited to see what they come up with for this.

 

[Patryn]

Right, this was a common complaint, but it's one BioWare has tried (and probably failed) to address with the extended cut and the Citadel DLC. Fans felt they had no closure or finality to Shepard's arc, and everything the Shepard trilogy thematically represented. Citadel was supposed to amend that, giving fans a full send-off to their companions, and their Shepard.

If it still doesn't feel complete, that's just the way it is, and it's never going to change. It's over. Finished. BioWare has conceded that everything Shepard trilogy is kaput when it comes to video games, and whatever they've left is just going to have to stay.

To those disappointed with how the trilogy ended, the only way to be excited for Mass Effect 4 is recognise and embrace Montreal's intentions to start anew. Cling to the Shepard trilogy and disappointment is inevitable, regardless of how good/bad Mass Effect 4 actually ends up being. You have to want that new territory.

Yeah, this. I highly encourage people who are still angry at the endings who haven't tried Citadel to give it a shot. It definitely provides the closure that was lacking. Plus, it's one of the better ME DLCs.

 

[astroturfing]

Fuck you Bioware, I absolutely adore Mass Effect 1-3 and I'd go as far as to say they are my top 3 favourite games......ever.

I can forgive the terrible ending to the story with the patchwork job they did with Leviathan and Extended Cut but what's the point in giving hope that Shepard is still alive in the Destruct ending if they are never going to address it again.

I won't be buying Mass Effect 4 or any further Bioware games.

i.. don't get it.

some issues with the story hurt you THAT much? sheesh. i'm personally just happy if they try to write an interesting sci-fi story, we don't see that much in videogames. most devs don't even really try (think Dead Space etc). there doesn't even have to be any choices that impact anything, for all i care. i just want a solid story that makes sense, it's a game after all, what i want most is awesome gameplay and MORE exploration, LOTS MORE exploration, countless optional planets and moons to explore (plz Bioware). there doesn't even need to be a damn story if i can land on planets at will and inspect cave systems and stuff.

 

[Acheteedo]

Fool me once, etc.........

When did they fool you the first time?

 

[Mutanthands]

Fuck you Bioware, I absolutely adore Mass Effect 1-3 and I'd go as far as to say they are my top 3 favourite games......ever.

I can forgive the terrible ending to the story with the patchwork job they did with Leviathan and Extended Cut but what's the point in giving hope that Shepard is still alive in the Destruct ending if they are never going to address it again.

I won't be buying Mass Effect 4 or any further Bioware games.

You'll be back.

I'm excited to see what they'll do when unencumbered by 2 games of exponentially expanding player choices to only partially address. New generation, new characters.

I would be ok with stand alone games, rather than a new trilogy. It would be a way to avoid the complications of the first games.

 

[Audible Phonetics]

Would they dare do a ME with out it being human centric. The core of ME series Trilogy was humans having that X Factor ability that made them the perfect choice to take center fold in the series. Humans were painted as tenacious, and bold.

 

[Hindle]

I'd like to see a non linear style structure as well. Kind of what's seen in Deus Ex.

 

[Marvel]

I will miss Shepard and co but I am ready for a new adventure with brand new characters to know and love.

 

[Keasar]

I demand a new Garrus then.

 

[Lautaro]

My main problem with the ending was how cheap was. Fortunately, that was solved with the Extended Cut and when I finally stopped being upset about it I could enjoy it the DLC's.

Despite their mistakes, Bioware made a good job trying to salvage the situation so I'm willing to keep buying their games... I just won't preordered them... probably (if I can play as a Turian pirate then I'm sold).

 

[Marleyman]

I am really optimistic for ME4. Bring it on.

 

[LogicStep]

Bring on next gen Mass Effect, that will be glorious! I love my Mass Effect.

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

i.. don't get it.

some issues with the story hurt you THAT much? sheesh.

Not that I have to explain myself but the games helped me through some stuff and I feel an emotional connection to the characters and yes the story did hurt me that much.

 

[Taker34]

Right, this was a common complaint, but it's one BioWare has tried (and probably failed) to address with the extended cut and the Citadel DLC. Fans felt they had no closure or finality to Shepard's arc, and everything the Shepard trilogy thematically represented. Citadel was supposed to amend that, giving fans a full send-off to their companions, and their Shepard.

If it still doesn't feel complete, that's just the way it is, and it's never going to change. It's over. Finished. BioWare has conceded that everything Shepard trilogy is kaput when it comes to video games, and whatever they've left is just going to have to stay.

To those disappointed with how the trilogy ended, the only way to be excited for Mass Effect 4 is recognise and embrace Montreal's intentions to start anew. Cling to the Shepard trilogy and disappointment is inevitable, regardless of how good/bad Mass Effect 4 actually ends up being. You have to want that new territory.

That's very true. I can still revisit the trilogy and hope for an "HD"-Release, but you're completely right. Thanks for your helpful thoughts, I will keep that post in mind.

 

[Cyber Caesar]

In order for us to have a good MP component similar to ME3's doesn't the universe have to be at war? I don't see room for a smaller conflict. Even though I'd prefer one.

Also competitive multiplayer story based RPG all in one may be the future. The Division stole Bioware's lunch. Dem bastards! Dem bastards! Dem bosh'tets!..........................I should go.

 

[EatChildren]

I've said it many times elsewhere, but Citadel DLC is really, really obviously supposed to be a finality to the "Shepard Trilogy" from the perspective of a player irrespective of where it logically fits in the narrative and canon. Like, even though it happens before the trilogy end game, the aim of it's resonance with fans is to be the last thing you play. It's a total fan service pandering goodbye to the narrative you experienced and the content you played. I mean, if

Spoiler

the end boss being a Shepard with exactly the same look, skill distribution, and equipment as your own

isn't beating you over the head with finality, then I don't know what is.

 

[FrontalMonk]

Well, they did say that Mass Effect 3 was supposed to be the ending of Shepard's story.

Even though the ending wasn't great, I wonder what they're going to do about the grandpa and the kid when they left it off at the cliffhanger where the kid says that he wishes to hear one more story about Commander Shepard and the grandpa says one more story which leads to this game.

I'm pretty sure that "one more story" bit was Bioware wanting you to go back and play DLC, wrap up sidequests, etc. After all, pretty much the only concrete thing they all keep saying is that Shepard has nothing to do with ME4, and the kid says he wants another story about the Shepard.

 

[Jarmel]

Not the first time they've spoken about this, and certainly won't be the last. At more or less every opportunity they have to speak about the setting/story, without being able to actually talk about the setting story, they make it abundantly clear that everything Shepard trilogy is done and dusted. The Citadel really beat you over the head with this point too, as a finality to companions, Normandy, Shepard, and the status of the universe. Montreal has said it, Edmonton has said it; they're all saying it.

And really, it's partially why I'm optimistic for Mass Effect 4's setting/narrative. I'm glad they not only don't feel the need to pander to the Shepard trilogy, but are actively avoiding it. Or so they say. The cleaner the slate, the better.

You know that they're going to pander though.

 

[Mutanthands]

Not that I have to explain myself but the games helped me through some stuff and I feel an emotional connection to the characters and yes the story did hurt me that much.

Well, it's your choice, but why not keep yourself open to idea of appreciating new characters?

Citadel was the closure for the current Mass Effect cast. In combination with the extended ending, it did a decent job.

 

[BuckRobotron]

This is good. Start up anew. The Shepard and friends trilogy ultimately came to a nice close (well, after some of the DLC fixed the basic ME3 product). Plus, there should be no conflicts in ME4 with how individual player stories played out and with whom by the end of ME3.

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

I've said it many times elsewhere, but Citadel DLC is really, really obviously supposed to be a finality to the "Shepard Trilogy" from the perspective of a player irrespective of where it logically fits in the narrative and canon. Like, even though it happens before the trilogy end game, the aim of it's resonance with fans is to be the last thing you play. It's a total fan service pandering goodbye to the narrative you experienced and the content you played. I mean, if

Spoiler

the end boss being a Shepard with exactly the same look, skill distribution, and equipment as your own

isn't beating you over the head with finality, then I don't know what is.

I can buy that but Shepard taking a breath and the love interest refusing to believe that Shepard is dead by not putting the name on the memorial just shits all over what Citadel DLC was trying to do.

It doesn't even have to be in ME4, a comic, short story, something to give me closure on Shepards story...

 

[CorrisD]

Good, start again, same universe, new characters, a different time. They ended up with 2 games worth of build up and evidently wrote themselves into a corner considering how things turned out, better come up with something out of the blue that was never mentioned in any of the previous games that will save us! And that is ignoring how nonsensical it all ended up being the first time through, and the fact they thought they could get away with it.

So yea, good, just try not to screw it all up again, ME1 was a fantastic start to the series, it had exactly what I was looking for in a new Sci-Fi IP, and hell, I even enjoyed the Mako missions.

 

[Mutanthands]

You know that they're going to pander though.

People will be upset if they pander, or upset if they don't pander. They can't win.

 

[Enduin]

I also hope they really bring exploring back and make roving around on the Mako look foolish. Give me a true space sim/TPS hybrid and all will be forgiven. Real space combat and exploration as well as on foot combat and exploration would be utterly divine.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

The only possible way. That's pretty much the statement they made by the ending of 3.

 

[Labadal]

I'm happy that we're getting new characters. I do admit I will miss Garrus. I hope the game is more like the first game than the other two.

 

[SolidusDave]

Eh... I don't even want it to be set in the same universe. Or should I say not the setting established in the first three games.
I mean... I don't care about the universe with the reaper threat being explained and reoccurring no matter what. I guess they could say that the cycle went past and now it's 50k years till the next doomsday anyway so it won't impact the story/setting of ME4.

At best, humans discover a way to travel to another galaxy. I want new alien species etc., not the same guys sitting on the good old citadel all day long.

Prequel would be even worse, unless it's far in the past but I don't see how the player character won't be human again.

 

[Burt]

A completely different branch of the universe is a great idea, except for the fact that I have zero confidence in Bioware to put together a decent story anymore. I don't even expect them to have the balls to set it after Mass Effect 3 and establish one of its endings as canon. Never played through any of the DLC, so forgive/flame me if that statement is somehow stupid.

 

[geomon]

I want to be excited but I don't trust Mac Walters.

 

[Capital_Five]

Good to hear this as an official line. Definitely renewed my interest in this thing. I'm ready to go somewhere else not involved in Reapers or anybody on the Normandy. I'm ready for Mass Effect to realize the expanded universe game dreams I've always had for Star Wars.

 

[flyover]

Every character that people like was one they once never knew. You had to be introduced to them, learn them, and either like/love/loathe them over time. I liked the ME1 cast. I liked new characters in ME2. And I liked new characters in ME3.

Yeah, I'm excited about all new characters. Hell, I'm excited about all new everything. I don't need or want any returning characters -- even in cameos. Same goes for music. (I thought it was cheap how ME3 dropped "Vigil" in as a nostalgia blast in places where the song didn't really fit.)

As much as I hated the ending(s) of ME3, I'm really optimistic about a new game/series, so long as it's not a prequel. New planets. New races. New people. I'm in.

 

[Sanctuary]

Not the first time they've spoken about this, and certainly won't be the last. At more or less every opportunity they have to speak about the setting/story, without being able to actually talk about the setting story, they make it abundantly clear that everything Shepard trilogy is done and dusted. The Citadel really beat you over the head with this point too, as a finality to companions, Normandy, Shepard, and the status of the universe. Montreal has said it, Edmonton has said it; they're all saying it.

And really, it's partially why I'm optimistic for Mass Effect 4's setting/narrative. I'm glad they not only don't feel the need to pander to the Shepard trilogy, but are actively avoiding it. Or so they say. The cleaner the slate, the better.

Yeah. As much as I became attached to some of the characters (ME & ME2 are in my top 5 games of this gen still), three games was enough. I'd rather they focus on making newer, and hopefully as interesting (you know, not Vega, Kaiden, Ashley or Tali) characters and a different storyline.

None of that matters though if the game goes chasing Gears of War even more than ME3 did. The gameplay was just barely less dull than what was found in Bioshock Infinite.

PS: The ME3 ending nonsense is way overblown. People need to get over it already. To see all of the outcry, you'd think that nothing up until the ending was actually any good, or worth playing.

 

[LuchaShaq]

i.. don't get it.

some issues with the story hurt you THAT much? sheesh. i'm personally just happy if they try to write an interesting sci-fi story, we don't see that much in videogames. most devs don't even really try (think Dead Space etc). there doesn't even have to be any choices that impact anything, for all i care. i just want a solid story that makes sense, it's a game after all, what i want most is awesome gameplay and MORE exploration, LOTS MORE exploration, countless optional planets and moons to explore (plz Bioware). there doesn't even need to be a damn story if i can land on planets at will and inspect cave systems and stuff.

Imagine you have three slices of really really good pizza.

Then in the crust of the third piece there is literal shit/puss/blood/aids needles.

Sure the pizza may be great, but the end of your meal was so bad that I'd never ever eat there again.

That is the mass effect series.

I want to be excited but I don't trust Mac Walters.

Yup will never touch a product him or hudson are involved in. Wouldn't trust those two clowns to write a coherent paragraph let alone game.

 

[Meccanical]

Then take the 4 out of it idiots.

 

[Audible Phonetics]

So is the synthesis ending Canon?

 

[EatChildren]

You know that they're going to pander though.

Yeah, but I think it will be indirectly, if it's a sequel. I don't think they're going to totally forget what happened in the Shepard trilogy, and will be sure to drop nods and fan service here and there, but I think they'll be pretty strict on the cast. The only characters from the trilogy I could see making a return would be those who were always supporting, like Aria, The Illusive Man, and so on. And that will depend entirely on when it's set.

I know they'll pander, but I honestly think BioWare probably want to bury a lot of the Shepard trilogy. Not in a bad way, but to divert as much attention to new content as possible.

 

[Simzyy]

I can buy that but Shepard taking a breath and the love interest refusing to believe that Shepard is dead by not putting the name on the memorial just shits all over what Citadel DLC was trying to do.

It doesn't even have to be in ME4, a comic, short story, something to give me closure on Shepards story...

I get what your are saying. But that was only one ending. The other two were very clear.

I mean that ending was suppose to be open so that players can decide what ultimately happens to their Shepard.

I actually thought it was pretty good. It's my favourite ending.

 

[Toxi]

Marauder Shields saved ME4.

Seems like he did. Thank God there's no baggage, I might actually try out this one.

 

[HK-47]

Hmmm.... if there's no companions, unless they're doing a MAJOR timejump, they'll have to deal with fans questioning where Liara, Wrex and Grunt are. Because those three should still be alive for at least another 1000 years.

I'm pretty sure wrex would be dead. He was already quite old
He definitely doesn't have 1000 years