Mass Effect 5: Exploring Potential Plot Threads

[@paragonseven]

Apologies for ending on a cliffhanger, but the second part is coming out in 2 days (this Friday). 🫡

[@poxy1000]

what if the andromeda initiative pulls a star trek? say the initiative is losing the war with the kett and are forced to retreat, and run into a time anomaly from the scourge that sends them back 1200 or so years. they can't find a way back, so using it as an advantage, and knowing that they can't change andromeda's history, they go back to the milkyway a few decades post reaper war, from there they try to reunite the galaxy, knowing that the kett are the new threat, and their bound to arrive anywhere between a few months, and a century from now. its a new threat with the potential for being equally if not more threatening once remnant tech gets involved, a unified timeline. its time travel, but its one way and not reproduceable, and it won't create a paradox because communication was lost at that point, its perfect.

[@paragonseven]

@@poxy1000 Sure, why not. Time travel stuff will be inevitable, IMO, if Andromeda is to be involved in a Milky Way setting.

[@michaelkaduck1915]

I am so excited for ME5. I would love if we saw some plot threads continue in a way that makes the galaxy feel more open, like in ME1 and Andromeda. 1. The Destruction of the Mass Relays could lead to resource wars across the galaxy. 2. The Andromeda Initiative establishing communication hubs in dark space. 3. The possibility that each ending in Mass Effect 3 could lead to a different outcome for the Milky Way: (Destroy, Control, Synthesis, etc.) Which would have different benefits and dangers. 4. The Leviathans Return as one of a few antagonists, alongside the Jaardan. 5. We would see returning crew members alongside Liara, depending on if they survived or not, though it will mostly be a new crew.

[@paragonseven]

Totally, I think the ME team will make an effort on expanding the ME universe.

[@michaelkaduck1915]

@@paragonseven It'd be cool if you could load in your choices from Legendary Edition into it. That would lead to so much creative freedom.

[@Blazingstoke]

I suppose it would depend when the game is set. If it's the 29th Century, like ME:A, then at least Liara and Grunt would be possibilities.

[@Blazingstoke]

@@SeverusHunt More like twice that. He talks in ME1 about having grown up in the aftermath of the Krogan Rebellions; those took place in the early 8th Century. He'd be 2,000+ by the time of ME:A

[@Blazingstoke]

@@SeverusHunt Yeah, well, the Citadel DLC is written like mediocre fan-fiction, so I'd take anything in it with a grain of salt ;-)

[@Thunderhawk57]

Hope Ashley is back my favorite love interest

[@15freshstart]

I think what you said is cool but i also feel like them being from the milky way is kinda a cop out because Andromeda is just as big and we only saw a small section of it. There’s still so much space they could have fled to. But i guess we’ll see

[@uncoiledshrimp2549]

I kinda get the idea myself. The jardaan could be a civilization that escaped the reapers previously. Seems safe to assume andromeda would seem like the safest option to them as well

[@LightStreak567]

@15freshstart But without mass relays, it will be difficult to explore beyond the Heleus Cluster.

[@Bernie-zz3vp]

The Jardaan could have escaped the Milky Way during an earlier Reaper Harvest 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

[@12LoLproductions]

Two things that point out to me during the Liara convo is "Human defiance" - Humanities fight against the Kett "The Council will be furious" - Andromeda Initiative uses and created an actual AI system

[@Kadbros]

I want a game where the CGI trailer is one for one similar to the gameplay graphcs

[@paragonseven]

After looking at renders of characters in Unreal Engine 5...it's pretty dang close to the teaser trailer quality!

[@Blazingstoke]

Hoping you're wrong about Shepard returning, but can't shake the feeling you're probably right.

[@internetach8189]

Yeah that's not the me5 I wanna play.

[@GMALEON]

Definitely looking forward to the 2nd part considering this theory (bringing Shep back) still doesn't make sense at all. I really hope I'm proven to be wrong on this 'cause you're among the few worthy ME youtube channels IMO, and so far you've definitely put forward some very viable notions about the next game.

[@paragonseven]

Second part is a doozy, I think anyway! 😁 Appreciate it, I love theorizing about stuff like this, it's the funnest thing. :)

[@drcrowlee]

Most convincing theory I've heard. Think you nailed it

[@spaceghostohio7989]

Knew you were on the writing team..saw it a mile away. Be careful everybody. She's just teasing some plot threads / ideas to see how the fans react..

[@paragonseven]

Intentiona- JK JK. 😁 This is the best reaction to this video by far! 😂

[@TheWireLayer]

I really like your theories, but im getting the feeling that you are ignoring another possibility here. Im thinking about the refusal ending. Do you have any ideas on linking the information we have gotten so far to the refusal ending? My theory is, shepard was last seen entering the teleport in london, after that, hackett briefly made contact with the commander, then nothing, the crucible did not fire. The fleets retreated/were lost, i mean, why isnt liara commanding the Normandy in the teaser? Because it was lost. In all the 3 ''Main endings'' we see the normandy survive, but not the refusal... We wouldnt have to worry about new antagonists, control/destroy/synthesis(saren ending) at all, we just continue the fight against the reapers. A few dead reapers covered in snow in the teaser doesnt mean the war is over.. plenty of dead reapers around.

[@paragonseven]

Honestly, I can't see them including the refusal ending in the next game. You don't get a save after choosing refusal, and you don't see the credits. You have to choose one of the 3 main endings to reach the end of the game. So, I'm going to assume refusal doesn't need to be accounted for, even though it'd be cool if they found a way to make all endings work.

[@TheWireLayer]

@@SeverusHunt Good points! But im sure it is possible to destroy a relay without the crucible, just as it is possible to destroy a reaper without it. A relay was destroyed in the arrival DLC, just as an example. But you have some very decent arguments there... Im open for anything right now, except for the multiverse theory, that's just lazy writing and childish.

[@keymaster7323]

Yes...but can you say Khalissa Bint-Sinan Al-Jilani three times fast?! Seriously though...I hope your theories are the right ones because they're way cooler and more epic than any of the other ones I've heard. The game you're describing is a game I'd like to play. And, on another positive note, if you quit your day job, you'd make a great games writer.

[@paragonseven]

Y'know I might actually say Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani 3 times fast before I film... 👀 Hahah thank you, appreciate it. :D I will say that I wouldn't theorize about something that didn't have the potential to be in the game. I have a ton of other wilder theories, but I don't think they'll happen, so it probably won't be voiced. :)

[@Moni_N7]

WOW! The hype is so high! Anyway, I have this insane idea in my head, what if Liara brings Shepard back and Shepard behaves in a different way? Let me explain, like for example Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy. She is Shepard but in a different way, because she lived in a different universe. This intrigues and scares me at the same time.

[@paragonseven]

Well, I'm assuming that this is actually what they're going to do. 👀 If you watched the multiverse theory video, if we don't hold our heirloom, then we'll technically be able to move forward as a "new" Shepard (I'm guessing anyway).

[@Moni_N7]

@@paragonseven this is blowing my mind!!! But isn't it risky? I mean for BioWare to do such a thing?

[@paragonseven]

@@Moni_N7 I genuinely have no clue, but if they went there and managed to pull it off in a meaningful way, I think it'll be the best Mass Effect game to date, and I don't say that lightly.

[@Moni_N7]

@@paragonseven yeah you’re right, I trust them! And I’m convinced that they will do a great job, at least I hope so! Anyway thanks for sharing your theory with us! Your contents are awesome

[@BlazeTheCatMan]

also from viewing the trailer i think its on a moon cuz when liara looks up in the trailer where it shows the krogan and human and salarian in the back ground up in the sky it looks like a planet thats bigger so i think i figured it out and i now don't think its alchara

[@warriornorman4026]

It would be really nice to see Shepherd again

[@bocktordaytona5656]

In halo the hollwed shpere planets are usually called Dyson spheres and sometimes they acted like arks to save the foreruner species from the halo array detonations. Maybe you are right and in the next mass effect it took this route

[@MELISSAMDC104]

So, are you thinking that at the beginning of the game we might start off playing as a different protagonist until we find Shepard?

[@paragonseven]

Honestly, I think that we're going to get a 15 minute long cutscene at the start of the game where we recover Shep / everything Andromeda-related, then we enter the character creation for our new Shepard.

[@toniadfgn]

Way out of topic but I'm way too exited at potentially seeing the angara animated with the original engine

[@paragonseven]

Definitely looking forward to it too! :)

[@riml7727]

Still thinking Sheppis and Ryder can be both protagonist, like Halo 2 campaing but non fan will be ok with it

[@paragonseven]

After Spiderman 2, I think anything is possible. 👀

[@dorottyapapp]

I'll be OK with that.

[@melman8372]

Sorry to say this again as I seem to in many of your vids but I again disagree with much of it 😂 but I still also really enjoy your vids as I always mention! 1- I think “Shepard is dead/Liara resurrecting Shepard” is a huge leap currently as we know basically the Shepard survives in one version of the destroy ending and whilst all signs post to a destroy variation ending so far we don’t know if they will pick a canon and which one - I think if they pick a canon which I still think they should and probably will and if Shepard returns it won’t be any alternative universe stuff, it’ll just be that he survived it imo. 2 - got to agree with the benefactor theory - without knowing nuanced details about them from my couple of painful play throughs, one of the very few interesting things from andromeda was the benefactor - maybe because they weren’t shown so the mystery remained - I feel they could be the new illusive man if this next trilogy 3 - I’m going to guess that NONE of the crew from andromeda will have a part to play in this next game. In the last N7 blog post it was confirmed that both loved old characters and new ones will return. There isn’t a loved character from the andromeda crew and I honestly don’t think it’s going to happen. 4 - I could maybe see something to do with the jaardaan which would be interesting but I think the connection will stop there at most - I don’t think we’ll get any aligning of galaxies going back and forth between them nor do I think thr andromeda galaxy will feature at all. I think the link will be either the benefactor, jaardaan or both but it’ll stop there. I think there is so much story and scope within the Milky Way and they will need focus, I think they’ll make a great game within the confines of the Milky Way. I honestly get the feeling this coming game will be positioned as a follow up to the original trilogy for OG fans and as a follow up to the legendary edition to new fans and there will be some nuggets for andromeda fans too whilst not focusing on a failed project too much essentially. Makes little sense to me from many point of views. Honestly whilst I disagree with many parts of your theories and I don’t feel a multiverse is the way to go I really enjoy your enthusiasm and vids! Look forward to disagreeing with part two haha All the best!

[@galaxya51-us4ir]

I think the protagonist will be Liara though. Something like ... Searching for Sheppard leading to his reinstallment in a sequel.

[@MartuDaArtist]

Very interesting! That could be pretty epic storyline! Really wish to see and play the new ME already! xD

[@John_Marstonm]

Mass effect 4 needs Shepard back

[@chrissyce5613]

Poor Shep, having to get rid of the villain again. You think they would give her a break. Honestly, I think there is going to be years before society is set up again. People are always trying to take advantage of disasters to make money, to increase their fame or power. I can see wars popping up all over for resources. I do really enjoy your theories. I loved my snarky, wannabe comedian Ryder so I'm good with whomever they do continue with. BioWare seems to like using new heros in every DA game so I would be surprised if they being back Shep again. But they could easily mush all the game data together for ME games like the DA Keep does for DA. Just for fun, that voice that says 'Anomalies reading all across space' sounds like Liara's voice. Also, that long colorful (star system?) at 4:22 looks like a humanoid figure of some sort. Long and lanky with a stretched out neck like those figures of the aliens sitting in those chairs in Ilos? I have a terrible memory but pretty sure Liara says something about them being from a previous cycle before the protheans. I still think the benefactor will end up being an Asari Matriarch but only because there are so many tiny details that show how untrustworthy the Asari actually are. Who knows though, perhaps the Jardaan have a way to hide as other species.

[@paragonseven]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was a quick "one-game only" situation for Shepard, before fully moving on to other protagonists. Appreciate it, glad you enjoy the theories! :) As to the voice being Liara's...I honestly don't know. Sometimes I can hear it, but other times it sounds more like the asari Councilor. 🤷

[@brianwt1]

Honestly if Shepard is in the next game he or she shouldn’t be playable have him or her be an admiral in the alliance like Hackett was.

[@user-do5zp5it4e]

Ok @paragon7 you got me your theory sounds very interesting

[@MrHorsepro]

I just love the way your young mind works, young lady. You have given all of us an abundance of food for thought and speculation Again thank you so much for all your hard work on this. Please keep it up.

[@MrHorsepro]

Thank you, young lady; the feeling is mutual. That is why I am a proud Patreon supporter. And I always encourage others to do the same.

[@alexxpinkerton5270]

Yeah I for one am hoping you’re wrong and that we don’t have an AI villain for the 5th damn game in a row. I mean there’s still the shadow brokers race and if I remember correctly I think the reapers spared their world this cycle since they weren’t spacefaring yet. There’s so many other choices for villains than Reapers 3.0

[@kevinmccalister4602]

Hey, in the first 20 seconds, what’s that a clip from? Because Shepherd was awesome in that fight scene from what little I saw. Also, you have a new subscriber and good work

[@paragonseven]

The clip is from the Take Back Earth cinematic trailer to hype up the ME3 release in 2012. Welcome aboard! 🫡

[@BlazeTheCatMan]

its actaulling saying anomaly readings are a critical and the other woman says space idk how you not know this but ive figured it out 3:10

[@paragonseven]

Regardless of who says what, the main point is the anomaly readings.

[@KrissKingdom]

As long as shepard comes back, i dont mind any story 😂 But good theories, would be a good connection between all!

[@brianwt1]

Honestly he or she should just be cameo or high up with the alliance like an admiral or something.

[@Dyslexicminipainter]

Interesting I like it (trying to boost alg o rhythm)

[@paragonseven]

Haha thank you! 🫡

[@ivanjqz6129]

They showed the geth to be the next villain

[@roangrahm1529]

They will get so much hate from fans if they reuse Shepard again especially if they rinse and repeat the whole "resurrection" Shepard BS from ME2, what's more likely is that Shepard will be alive and well in the next game already He or she will likely be an Admiral and will play the role of a mentor to the new protagonist just like Anderson was to Shepard or Leliana, Cullen, and Cassandra in DAI. P.s. and I highly doubt the Jordaan are the big bad in the next game nothing in the lore of MEA pointed at the Jordaan being the type of race that could play the role of the big bad.

[@roangrahm1529]

@user-wr7mb3ic7m Shepard's story is over and done, Assuming He survived Shepard would be at minimum a 1 star Admiral if not a 2 or 3 star Admiral and Admirals don't fight on the Frontlines in a conflict they command from the rear and this is assuming Shepherd is even still active duty military He could've just as easily decided to retire and live his life with his love interest.

[@JWickyJr13]

Heres me panicking because i beat the OG trilogy on Xbox and Andromeda on Playstation and i really dont want to have to replay Andromeda to make all my choices connect

[@paragonseven]

Dang this is one heck of a problem! 🥲 Andromeda's choices were less impactful though, so who knows, maybe we'll only need to port in our ME3 save file?

[@warriornorman4026]

Commander Shepard shepherd shepherd shepherd😂

[@gamechannel1115]

I'm not sure what I would say if I would be asked what my advice to bioware is. Here is a few games I like, Mass effect 1 and 2, deus ex mankind, the witcher 2 over 3, skyrim, fallout 3. Saints row 3 was much better than 4 imo. all these games are addicting.

[@itswollspidey]

The multiverse theory is super promising, I’m rooting for any way to get Shepard back. Looking forward to the next video! :)

[@lidular]

Please don't make Shepard return. Haven't they been theough enough...

[@internetach8189]

This is fun, i just have no interest in a mass effect where shepard is the player character. Love your work though.

[@paragonseven]

Appreciate it! 🫡

[@fabiolobo6594]

Sou do Brasil. gostaria de uma tradução do seu video.

[@stefansibbes2440]

It's best if ME5 is a direct sequel to the OT and ignores Andromeda. It was poorly written. Also give players the option to customize Shephard even as an NPC with a small role.