More details have surfaced regarding the direction of the canceled BioWare project known as Mass Effect: Universe. The planned fifth mainline entry in the franchise was reportedly envisioned as a spy thriller, drawing inspiration from action films like 'John Wick' and 'James Bond.' This direction was discussed as part of feedback from a community group that advised BioWare during the game's development.
An internal trailer for Mass Effect: Universe, featuring pre-production assets, emerged following EA's closure of the BioWare studio. This trailer offered a glimpse into the potential future of the series, including the possibility of the franchise's first male Quarian squadmate. The game was reportedly set to take place over 600 years after the events of the original trilogy, a timeframe that mirrors the journey from the Milky Way to the Andromeda galaxy in Mass Effect: Andromeda. This detail fuels speculation about a potential connection between the next Mass Effect installment and Andromeda.
Instead of a large-scale conflict akin to the Reaper War, Mass Effect: Universe was reportedly conceived around a "galactic Cold War." The proposed political landscape involved an alliance of Humans, Krogans, and Batarians facing off against an alliance of Council races, with the Geth emerging as a third major power. The Council races are presumed to be the Turian, Salarian, and Asari.
The player character was envisioned as a customizable N7 agent, described as a blend of John Wick's tactical prowess and James Bond's suave sophistication. Gameplay was said to offer "Hitman-style freedom," allowing players to approach handcrafted missions with a high degree of flexibility. Players would have access to experimental technology, including hacking abilities similar to those seen in Cyberpunk 2077, enabling environmental manipulation such as seeing through walls and remotely triggering hazards.
Reported plot and gameplay details from the 'Mass Effect Council' feedback include:
- A setting over 600 years after the Reaper War.
- A customizable N7 agent as the player character.
- A focus on being a skilled operative, akin to John Wick and James Bond.
- Preservation of Commander Shepard's legacy, irrespective of player choices in previous games.
- A galaxy divided into three major factions: Humans, Krogan, and Batarians allied together; Council races forming their own alliance; and the Geth as a third superpower.
- A galactic Cold War scenario rather than another Reaper-style invasion.
- The presence of Geth-built megastructures.
- Connections established between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies.
- Implanted experimental technology granting unique abilities, such as hacking and environmental manipulation.
- Handcrafted missions offering Hitman-style freedom in completion.
- Brutal close-range combat executions.
- Squadmates with potentially conflicting personalities.
- Uncensored romance options.
- The return of Liara T'Soni as a powerful Asari Matriarch.
While many of these elements could be inferred by long-time fans based on series lore and previous teases, the reported details suggest an ambitious direction for the franchise. The community's involvement in providing feedback indicates BioWare's intention to shape the next Mass Effect based on fan input. Further corroboration from other members of the alleged "Mass Effect Council" may shed more light on the development of Mass Effect: Universe.