More than three years have passed since the release of the first teaser trailer for Mass Effect 4, leaving fans eagerly anticipating updates about the game. With limited information available, enthusiasts rely on the annual N7 Day teasers for insights into the upcoming installment. The recent teaser unveiled a mysterious figure adorned in an N7 coat and helmet, featured in a lithograph poster available for purchase from BioWare’s official merchandise store.
The poster, depicting a bar scene, also showcases recognizable Mass Effect races, including figures reminiscent of the Angara and Geth. However, the presence of the Angara, native to Andromeda, and the Geth, confined to the Milky Way and potentially extinct, raises intriguing questions about their involvement in Mass Effect 4.
Addressing the Logistics of Mass Effect 4
The Angara species, introduced in Mass Effect: Andromeda, inhabits the Heleus Cluster within the Andromeda galaxy, facing threats from the invading Kett. Given the vast distance of over 2.5 million light years between Andromeda and the Milky Way, the arrival of the Angara through conventional means seems implausible, raising logistical challenges for their inclusion. Additionally, the Geth, not part of the Andromeda Initiative, further complicates their potential presence in Mass Effect 4.
The game’s setting, whether in the Milky Way, Andromeda, or both, will significantly influence the resolution of these challenges. Should the storyline unfold in Andromeda, the Geth's journey to this galaxy before the events of Mass Effect 3 could provide an explanation. However, indications from teasers suggest a primary focus on the Milky Way.
Notably, the 2020 Mass Effect 4 teaser features the Andromeda Galaxy in its opening shot, while the recent N7 Day teaser introduces an augmented reality game where the Systems Alliance receives a distress signal from Andromeda. This hints at the potential arrival of individuals from Andromeda or the establishment of a stable intergalactic travel link between the two galaxies.
Significantly, the time gap of 1200 years between the original trilogy and Mass Effect 4 poses further challenges, as substantial changes in the Milky Way would be expected over such a period. The teasers do not align with the prospect of such a significant time leap, adding complexity to the game's narrative.
Introducing the Angara to the Milky Way in Mass Effect 4
The 2022 N7 Day teaser for Mass Effect 4 potentially offers a solution to the intergalactic travel dilemma. The teaser unveils the construction of a new, significantly larger Mass Relay, hinting at the potential for rapid travel between galaxies. The accompanying audio clip alludes to humanity defying the Citadel Council, sparking theories about the Alliance's construction of a Mass Relay capable of reaching Andromeda.
In the Mass Effect universe, Mass Relays enable near-instantaneous travel, drastically reducing travel time across vast distances. While secondary relays cover limited light years, primary relays span thousands of light years. A Mass Relay connecting Andromeda and the Milky Way would require significant advancements, potentially facilitated by the time lapse between the original trilogy and Andromeda.
While the return journey from Andromeda would necessitate the construction of a corresponding Mass Relay, the knowledge gained from building the initial relay could expedite this process. It is also plausible that the under-construction Mass Relay depicted in the teaser may be located in Andromeda rather than the Milky Way.
The Geth's Role in Mass Effect 4 and Canon Considerations
The potential resurgence of the Geth in Mass Effect 4 presents canonical challenges, particularly in reconciling their status based on the diverse endings of Mass Effect 3. The game's teaser imagery, featuring a dilapidated Citadel, deceased Reapers, and a potentially post-apocalyptic Earth, appears incongruent with Mass Effect 3's Destroy ending, where the Geth are eradicated.
For the Geth to feature in Mass Effect 4, BioWare faces the task of justifying their reconstruction post the Destroy ending. Alternatively, the game could challenge the validity of the Catalyst's decisions or introduce narrative reinterpretations of the Mass Effect 3 endings. While retcons are contentious, they offer the potential to address the polarizing reception of Mass Effect 3's conclusion.
Ultimately, the inclusion of the Angara and Geth in Mass Effect 4 presents BioWare with intricate narrative and logistical hurdles, necessitating creative solutions to seamlessly integrate these iconic elements into the game's universe.