Why Fans Want Shepard to Return In Mass Effect 4

[@ImRonDurden]

Its simple. You need a character that can handle the weight that the Mass Effect title brings. And for that.. you need Shepard.

[@smiffwilm]

One simple reason why: We NEED the Shepard again these days. Reporters ain't gonna punch themselves.

[@MrHulthen]

We need Shepard to Shepherd us in the right direction ;)

[@arcviolon1834]

@@MrHulthen Imagine new game begins with some of the old friends led by Liara looking for a way to return Shepard back (given the one we played in ME3 is actually dead) by finding Shepard's "virtual image backup" left within Geth consensus on Rannoch given it has somehow survived the whatever end of the Reaper War. Visiting Geth consensus was close enough to the end of the trilogy to incorporate most critical plot decisions but still before the ultimate choice. After finding it during the process of "reviving" we would be able to "restore" previous events for the player thus "setting up" the world. Probably choosing the ending would be played out there somehow (as this Shepard's version does not remember it, thus it could be predefined). And then we awake years forward where technology similar to Ryder-SAM symbiosis from Andromeda would allow to upload Shepard's consciousness into a new body of a playable character that ultimately becomes Shepard as we know it.

[@ledelste]

Um…yeah. If you punch the reporter, and you’re male shep…you’re basically an incel.

[@IBIS-3D]

100% good reason

[@Illuminous_]

@@arcviolon1834 thats a smart way to bring our shepard back

[@KOTSOSMC2002]

I'm not sure why people say Shepard's journey is over. The Reapers are defeated, that doesn't mean Shepard is out of the picture. Not only do we never actually see him/her dead, on the contrary in one of the endings we see him/her breath (very much alive if I say so myself). And if that wasn't enough, we later have those 2 characters telling us there's "another story about this Shepard" to be told, even with the Control ending. Mass Effect 3 not only tells *and* shows us Shepard's story isn't over, it basically rubs it in our faces. Whether you want it or not is another story. Because one Shepard journey is over doesn't mean another can't happen.

[@CelestialDraconis]

Everytime I hear the argument "their story is over", I'm baffled. Kratos' story was technically over at the end of God of War 3. Hell, he literally kills himself and dies. But they brought him back for God of War (2018) because they had more to tell with that character and it was the best decision they made. They wouldn't even need to pull some Lazarus 2.0 space magic to bring Shepard back either, if they're going to canonize the Destroy ending, as Shepard is able to survive in that one, so already their job is made easier. While Shepard's return is not absolutely necessary, that doesn't mean that they shouldn't return, or that bringing back legacy characters is an inherently bad thing. As long as the character isn't treated like lazy fan service but is instead given proper care, I feel like we could have something truly remarkable. Now whether or not Bioware can actually pull this off is another matter entirely.

[@KOTSOSMC2002]

@@CelestialDraconis Exactly, well said.

[@lkorpfa]

I don't want ea and the modern BioWare to ruin him/her

[@MrAkilleus]

I agree but I think Buzz Aldrins "Ok, one more story" line was just hinting to the upcoming dlc after the release of ME3.

[@snatched.377]

It’s simply lazy and unimaginative.

[@fareflight2029]

I don't really care if Shep is the player character or not. Either way I would be happy. I just want Shep to have a better ending than the one we got in 3.

[@awashington8447]

🎯🎯

[@videlvasq]

Same tbh, I hope they just say screw the ME3 endings and give fans the good ending where the giant alien reaper destruction device actually just destroys the reapers no strings attached lol

[@kityhawk2000]

if they are calling it Mass Effect 4 then he should come back because the name implies it's a direct continuation of Mass Effect 3 just like ME3 was a continuation of ME2 and ME1. If it doesn't include Shepard and the characters from the first 3 games then it should be given a spin-off name like Andromeda. It's like if you call a movie Mission Impossible, people are going to expect Tom Cruise and the cast of the previous MI movies to show up

[@alicedee3767]

They would have to redo 3's ending. . . Pretty sure my shep died, not to mention everything is now hybrid organic/synthetic. Kind of hard to carry on from that. Prologue to mass effect about skyllian blitz or first contact war could be mint. Otherwise they should fix andromeda's world and continue from there a few hundred years later when shits going off.

[@arx3516]

Yeah, i'd love to have Shepard as the mentor of the new game's protagonist.

[@silentflamemc]

There is the core truth in the statement, "Shepard isn't Shepard without their crew." If I had the chance to play as Shepard but I don't get to have my crew, then I don't want to play as Shepard at all. It's why I dislike the 'Frozen Shepard' theory so much. But I also dislike the notion that we should write off Shepard completely. They are the face of Mass Effect and shouldn't be tossed out of some fear of being 'overshadowed.' The future of Mass Effect should produce new and fresh stories in the spirit of Shepard. I don't think that fans that want to see Shepard return are inherently opposed to not playing as them, they're just opposed to outright forgetting about them, or only giving them some sort of statue in their honor when they should have more. The way I see it, there are two ways I think this could be best played out, depending on when the game takes place. If the game takes place right after ME:3, we could play as Shepard for the introduction. They're there with their crew, getting ready for some promotion ceremony that has them take over Admiral Hackett's role in the game. The old crew (and chosen LI if applicable) is there as well to celebrate. The ceremony goes great, everyone has a good time, it's the Citadel DLC party all over again and Shepard goes home (whether it be Earth or any chosen LI's home planet). Soon after, Shepard finds out about some new emerging threat. Knowing that their glory days of saving the galaxy are over, we see Shepard pick out our new protagonist that shows promise. They recruit them, the torch is handed over, and we play as this new protagonist and get sent on our next adventure. If the game takes place a couple of hundred years after ME:3, we could still play as Shepard for an introduction. We see our old crew (and chosen LI if applicable), and again have some Citadel DLC-esque fun that pays homage to the original trilogy. The only difference is that this is obviously a flashback, but over the course of the introduction, Shepard does something random that seems insignificant but will become important in the next couple of hundreds of years, long after they're dead and gone. Something that will give hope to our new Protagonist when facing against a new threat once they uncover it.

[@FuFightersStudio]

This is actually a really well thought out and fleshed out idea and is exactly what would make a new protagonist connect with us much easier. After all how can you protest against a character introduced like this - We dont even need to play as Shepard just give me a damn cutscene of what everyone is up to after the war. Shepard goes pick their successor and retires and the game starts.

[@JDStone-jg8cg]

I like both of these ideas a lot! someone please share with Bioware lol

[@jarrodsteers8991]

Currently working my way through ME2, have seen enough about the ending of ME3, and I think your idea would work really well. The hardest part about making a game this involved is for first time players. Because even though it is highly unlikely that someone will play ME4 without playing the other 3, the developers still have to consider it. Having Shepard appear in a role that even new players can recognize his importance without pulling too much away from the overall game, is something hard to do. But, your ideas sound like they fit that criteria very well.

[@GiovanniZaluchi]

Your first suggestion is great and my worst case scenario for ME4; if I must play as a new character, Shepard - MY Shepard - better damn well be the one selecting that individual. The only problem I see with this is, will Bioware really allow us to not only allow customization of the new recruit, but also make sure that the Shepard who is passing the torch be customized to OUR Shepard? Sure they did it in DA:I, but it didn't have the specifics of DA2, so they could never truly be the exact same. Which brings up the other side of this problem, and why I state it as the worst case scenario in lieu of your idea - Hawke was tossed aside very quickly in DA:I and given all that Shepard has done, even being set aside as an Admiral, even one up to and exceeding the standards set by Anderson and Hackett, it feels like a massive disservice to not only the baseline character, but the specific, characterized Shepard(s) that each player has created over the years.

[@Brody_Austin]

There's also a really good possibility that all the enhancements that Shepard received in ME2 could make him/her live much longer than the average human. A lot of people forget about all the upgrades you get in ME2.

[@GothicElf68]

I want to see Shepard come back in a game that takes place in the days of rebuilding the galaxy post Reaper War. The ending we got in ME3 was just so... bland. We saw no closure. We saw next to nothing about what happened afterwards, though we are given hints at the rebuilding and what not. But, I want to see that and I want to do so through Shepard's eyes. I also want Shepard to have their happy ending with their chosen love interest.

[@gigalordjesus2259]

not to speak of leviathan

[@revancousland2524]

Agreed I want a happy ending with my Shepherd x Tali romance

[@angeloalvarez5520]

I want to see political tension and commotion in general, like Quarians getting an embassy etc

[@gabematthews4532]

And let’s hope they can apply the aspects of andromeda to Tali and Garrus romance options I mean seriously they don’t show us Tali’s face in any of the games But when the game that nobody wants comes out they show us practically every love interest undressed What did we ever do to deserve this

[@HateAndFlame]

I think the fact that the original cast of the game has remained close and still get together on stream makes it almost inevitable that we’ll get Shepherd and friends again. You can’t get buy that level of advertising or enthusiasm. Purely from a marketing perspective, even if the game is bad, nostalgia will carry it. Andromeda 2.0 will faceplant, Mass Effect 4 is basically a license to print money, call me cynical 🤷‍♂️

[@AAhmou]

And I guess the whole story would be botched in favor of nostalgia appeal. Just by looking at the comments here, it seems that people would be more interested in fan service than anything of consistence.

[@divisiondude2011]

@@AAhmou I see the same and I can understand but honestly I want a new character that newcomers can start getting attached to as well as memories from Shepeard told through still living crewmates like Liara, Wrex and Grunt

[@manwithballsonarm6775]

​@@AAhmoujudging by what in the comments. People wanting to play commander Shepard? That's all that's being said. You shouldn't make up fake arguments to prove a point you don't even have

[@awashington8447]

2:48 To answer your question, it basically comes down to *Emotional Investment* Fans have spent countless hours saving the galaxy via Shepard over the span of 10yrs between 3 separate games. They love the characters, the game mechanics, lore, exploration, etc. So, it's natural to want the continue on with such characters that they've grown to love like family. It's the same way that people still read comics about Superman, despite him being introduced in 1938. Emotional Investment 💯

[@___Nobody__]

I want Shepard because I can’t imagine them continuing the mainline series without him and just simply why not

[@gabematthews4532]

I only have 3 main requirements Shepard Tali Garrus Also Joker (but mainly the 3 best characters)

[@ahmedelkhawaga5482]

I want commander Shepard come back with any way He is legend and legend never Die

[@Pendleton115]

Honestly, a four to 5 hour DLC taking place between the events of ME3 and ME4 starring commander Shepard would be perfect for me. Just seeing the direct impacts of Shepards decisions and what they do (If they survived) after the war. Maybe She bought a beach side home to settle down in with Garrus with a couple adopted children? (Uncharted 4 anyone) Maybe he helped build a new home on Rannoch with Tali? It would be nice to just relax and see Shepard finally at peace for once. Maybe they could tie it in with the main story of Mass Effect 4. But honestly I think we all just want to see Shepard happy.

[@ansur1783]

Blue babies, My Ultimate Goal.

[@magicpyroninja]

I get what you're saying but for a soldier giving your life in order to make something happen for someone else is its own reward you find peace in having completed your mission successfully protecting what you were fighting for

[@feris2137]

Just have Shephard chill with their love interest only for Hackett to arrive in Normandy to pull them out of retirement because there are dumbasses in the galaxy that have to be stopped from killing each other

[@manwithballsonarm6775]

Or or get this? We get a whole other game with him in an updated engine and graphics. Cause they will never make a better character for mass effect than Shepard. That's like trying to outdo geralt from the Witcher. It's not happening and we would all rather play as either just him or give us playable races

[@lukamilic]

Seeing my Shepard living his life post 3 with Ashley is good enough for me.

[@shahzebhasan9995]

As others have stated, there's another reason why we want Shepard back. The poor reception of the ending of ME3 meant that Shepard's death felt very unsatisfactory for us.

[@luisemoralesfalcon4716]

Not just the death in two ending, you don't know how tiring it is hearing people say: "Shepard had a breath, take it and move on to the next character while you imagine what happened."

[@thereseemstobeenanerror1219]

@@luisemoralesfalcon4716 Shepards dead.

[@connordiggle6519]

@@thereseemstobeenanerror1219 there's a secret ending where shepherd lives

[@catandrobbyflores]

@@thereseemstobeenanerror1219 he/she takes a breath if you reach full readiness at the war map. it's a hidden ending.

[@shinigamivenom7644]

Shepard is one of my most favorite character in the game and i really want shepard to actually have a good ending and be happy with his/her romance partner and be with some of his/her crew compared to mass of effect 3 the ending was just so sad Edited: Also hoping tali and garrus is still alive both of them was my favorite characters in the game even liara but i know she is alive

[@XeroCrimson]

To be honest I just want closure for Shepard, what happened and etc. I want him to rest, he literally brought everyone from the edge of hell and to victory. Like don't get me wrong the series is my favorite series. Shepard was an amazing character. I love the small details from the whole game. Learning about the races and Shepard being open and accepting of everyone and doing what is needed. The dialog was one of my favorite things. To be honest I do want a new character with new allies. If Vorcha and Batarians are around still I want them as squadmates as well. L

[@magicpyroninja]

The new council needs to have membership from all races

[@XeroCrimson]

@@magicpyroninja agreed

[@ItsAv3rageGamer]

@@magicpyroninja Isn't the original council still alive?

[@alexandravaleria7079]

I just wanna see Shepard chilling on an exotic island with Garrus and raising baby krogans :(

[@SeanVito]

I thought mass effect 3 was great closure for Shepard. They make the ultimate sacrifice and save the galaxy. I think it is more impactful that way. Makes Shepard human. I get it. Nobody wants the main character to die. And considering it's a choice based game, maybe there should've been a way to make Shepard live. But that would kind of take away the toughness of the choice unless there is a different sacrifice of equal weight. I can't think of anything.

[@spaceghostohio7989]

I think once you are totally into the game at some point you kind of " are " Shepard...A good RPG game turns you into the character...you're thinking about the gravity of the situation , the cost of failure , the thrill of winning in the moment. I'm guessing most if not all of the ME fans have multiple playthroughs and it just makes the connection with Shepard that much more. I would love if Shepard returns but you are correct...without the old team it might be lacking. Give me Admiral Shepard and new Protagonist...just make the new one as EPIC as the original !

[@Spearra]

Or pull a Yakuza series. Acknowledge that the new protag IS capable. But also acknowledge that the OG is THE OG.

[@JustMe4131]

I have no problem with sad endings, and they are not a problem in Mass Effect 3. The problem is, that we don't see the aftermath of the victory. In the perfect ending, it looks like Shepard survived. But what happened to him next? What happened to the crew? We spent hours of discovering Shepard's story, and i believe we deserve to get an answer what the hell happened to him (i played as male so i will use term "he") and the crew. I romanced Tali. So, in my perfect scenario, assuming that he really survived in the "perfect ending", i would just love to see him going back to Tali, building her house on the Rannoch and just try to live peacefully on the sooner well deserved retirement.

[@Noreceipts400]

Ill be honest. I would be satisfied if the game was literally just building that house on rannoch

[@JDStone-jg8cg]

@@Noreceipts400 100%

[@JDStone-jg8cg]

Yes! And it could go either way. Shepherd survives the perfect ending, gets rescued out of the debris and reunited with his crew, builds a house on Rannoch with Tali. Then either Liara or someone else shows up a year or two later to pull him back in for some new emergency, or we get a 100 years later cutscene with something as simple as scrolling script telling us that Shepherd quietly retired to Rannoch for years and was eventually asked to train future Specters until he died peacefully in his sleep. The new Protagonist could be his great grand child or shoot even just a members of the Famed Shepherd Squad of Specters . . .

[@masterblaster3508]

What would be interesting is that Shepard becomes unaging after the Crucible energy infected him/her. In this state Shepard is cursed to walk the galaxy as everyone around him ages kinda like a Samurai Jack feel. Either that or the leviathans did something to Shepard that caused him to live. I hardly doubt the Leviathans wouldn't want to let a prized person like Shepard out of their sphere of influence so maybe they set events in motion to retrieve Shepard first and liara is out to find out why.

[@CullenPC]

Currently replaying ME again. I remember when I first turned it on, and started ME1. From the character creation, selecting your background, the dialogue between Anderson and Udina about Shepard and then the following clip of walking though the ship to the cockpit with the music in the background, it just instantly made you feel like this character was going to be important. At the same time we were learning about the ME universe, it was all new and as you fell in love with the universe, the characters and mates. Over the trilogy the strength and resolve of this character was tested and he/she always continued on because he/she knew he/she wasn't done until everyone was safe. However when starting a new trilogy with different characters in a pre existing universe comparisons will always be made, it's very different than entering a fresh universe. The character needs to be strong and we as players need to feel like what we are trying to achieve is as important as say saving the galaxy. I didn't feel that with Ryder, not at all, their own squad mates didn't even seem to respect them. I think a lot of people want Shepard back because it's safer than starting a new character that no one can stand. We will turn it on and feel an instant connection to that character ect. It's safe and the team can focus on story development as opposed to trying to sell us a character we don't know. I'd be happy to play as Shep again, or see him/her as an advisor, or even just hear him/her talked about around the galaxy like the Legend he/she is. However if the team is strong and the writing is good, there is absolutely no reason why they couldn't move forward with a new protagonist, as long as the character is written well.

[@firebear369]

Femshep was the first character I truly fell in love with. She spent years sacrificing everything for the greater good and I really believe Shepard deserves a Happily Ever After. I'd be happy seeing Shepard in an Anderson or Hackett type role, mentoring the next generation's player/character.

[@GothicElf68]

I think I agree with you here. I played Dragon Age 1&2 and while I LOVED playing both the Warden and Hawke, I did not love those characters as much as I love Shepard, and in particular, FemShep. I do want Shepard to get some closure and a happily ever after with her chosen romantic partner. For me, that was Liara, but I know everyone has their own favorite romance option.

[@sloth6480]

I agree up until the point of suggesting shepherd as anything other than a playable character.

[@GothicElf68]

@@sloth6480 I would prefer to be able to play Shepard again. I really would. But, if that does not happen, then I would be able to be content with Shepard being in a position- as I mentioned previously- similar to Anderson or Hacket. The beloved senior officer, who still cares for her or his) people and is a mentor to the next generation of marines. In a way, this was set up for us in ME3, as James Vega already looks to Shepard as a role model and mentor.

[@sloth6480]

@@GothicElf68 that was really well said. I hadn't thought about it that way. Definitely good points.

[@GothicElf68]

@@sloth6480 I really appreciate the comment. It was just an odd little thing that occurred to me that I thought would make a lot of sense supporting why Shepard took an Anderson type role.

[@sizablekoala6879]

I always viewed Mass Effect as a larger setting than just Shepard and his/her crew. I also think the idea of a guy constantly dying and being revived or "put on ice" is a little on the nose of a franchise that people refuse to let rest.

[@BoyeeSmudger]

I do like me some halo though... Oh and some destiny 😬

[@EXTREME_FLUFF]

@@BoyeeSmudger Destiny is the definition of being revived lol

[@lucasmaia8315]

He canonically survies destroy tho, I hope they start off the next acknowledging what happened at the end of 3

[@kityhawk2000]

I agree Mass Effect is more than just Shepard but if they are calling the game ME4 that implies it's a continuation of ME3. Andromeda wasn't called ME4 it was called MEA. if it's not about Shepard they should give it a Spin-off name like Andromeda had

[@sizablekoala6879]

@@kityhawk2000 But ME4 is just what everyone else is calling it. They haven't actually given it a title yet.

[@Xirque666]

I would love to play Shep again as he has such deep personality

[@hagduinithronel5160]

I want him back because I just like that guy. He is the face of Mass Effect.

[@حسامالصحفي-ن2ن]

Honestly I want shepherd back just so he could have the ending he/she deserves not the one we got in 3

[@Jib223]

That Shepard and liara romance was something special. That "gift" moment in me3 was one of my favorite scenes.

[@fox7rain495]

I always kind of hoped it was Liara making a little blue baby with Shepard 😂

[@onni4681]

I believe Shepard will at least make an appearance in the game, whether it be as the playable character, mentor character or just in a flashback or a scene from the past.

[@MrTankFodder]

What I know is; just thinking about that moment when Shepard could be revealed as returning in a trailer or teaser gives me goosebumps. I wouldn't get that kind of excitement for some new character I have no emotional connection to. Yes, I want Shepard back.

[@JDStone-jg8cg]

IF Shepherd comes back here's what I want it to look like. Cannon that in ME3 Shepherd got the Quarians and the Geth to work together. Shepherd chose the Destroy ending but had enough War Assets so you get the final cut scene of him breathing. Liara (as she's in the teaser) tracks Shephard down to his home with his Love interest of choice (for me it would be Tali in a little house on Rannoch) where Shepherd is trying to live the quiet life of retirement. Liars has some reason to pull him back in and the whole thing is set only 5 or so years after the end of ME3. However, I would be just as happy if it was set 100 years after Shepherd saved everyone and got his happy ending and we're playing as some new Protagonist.

[@mathisntmybestsubject8440]

Shepard is just one of those characters that really makes the series.

[@aerynstormcrow]

For me it’s that the game back then felt much more “adult” bc it was a military ship, which means it was serious when it needed to be, there was actual emotional weight behind any mission you took bc the seriousness of it felt real. It was also funny when it needed to be (Citadel DLC, I’m looking at you.) But not ridiculously serious to the point where it’s childish or naive. Shepard gave that to us and being her reminded us of this constantly so we identify a good game with her as the figurehead. (Btw I said her bc I like femshep better. Not bc I’m a woman, but bc I feel the character gives a much more robust experience if she is. Especially considering how much better the voice actor is. And let’s not forget her and Garrus’ relationship is just flat out awesome.) Anyway, Andromeda didn’t work, not bc it didn’t have Shepard in it but bc it was everything opposite of what made 1-3 great. It lacked a complete sense of seriousness from the very beginning when the Ryders lost the dad. They went from 😞 to 🥳 in two sentences. The entire game felt like my freshman year at college when I knew literally nothing of the world but had just enough education to be dangerous, sprinkling in several dashes of rebellion, sex, drugs and alcohol. It felt like you wanted to scream “who gave these 12 year olds guns and a generational ship and said have fun! You’re now humanities last hope for survival, and then they took the keys and revved it full speed out of the driveway without any forethought whatsoever. Also….they were incredibly chipper. Who the hell is that constantly happy and where can I get some of those pills? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@FuckYoutubeAndGoogle]

Dating a giant bird that looks like a bug is awesome, totally...

[@aerynstormcrow]

@@FuckKZbinAndGoogle you might be the only person I’ve ever talked to that has said anything negative about Garrus. Geez…if everyone based their dating choices on looks, 99% of the world would be alone. He’s a talking dinosaur, sure. It could be worse. He could be some judgemental asshole on KZbin. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[@SagaciousNihilist]

@@FuckKZbinAndGoogle With Metallic skin lol imagine trying to romance that shit, at least Liara and tali are humaniods, Quarians and Asari are Mammillians that resemble humans and reproduce like humans and are squishy like humans, as much as people laud female Shepard and her voice actor, the truth is that only a minority played as female Shepard according to Bioware stats. The best friend Tango and Cash dynamic between Garrus and Shepard only makes sense with male Shepard. Humanity is not going to send the weaker, smaller sex to represent the species when its trying to prove its capability to the specters and the council races, especially considering what was on the line for humanity if we failed to impress. Female special forces operatives don't exist in real life, they would never be able to complete N7 training, the Army and the Marines had to greatly lower requirements just to let them graduate basic boot irl, unless women get some cybernetic modifications to compensate for their physical and mental weaknesses, they will never be allowed into operative roles in a spec ops unit. That's the main reason why I cant play as female shep, she isnt believable as this character and she clearly wasnt intented to be canon too many implications that imply otherwise, the biggest giveaway is the cover art. I can see female shep as a strong biotic, but a N7 special forces commando, whos the best humanity has to offer? Maybe in feminist fan fiction.

[@gamingsethzers]

I think if we are to play as Shepherd again 1 of 2 things needs to happen. Either we play as a younger Shepherd somewhere between the Skylian Blitz and becoming a Specter. Or they fix ME3 endings and Shepherd clearly survives with the end choice. If they're brought back as a adviser, perhaps they can do something with the Shepherd VI we see in ME3 or take a page from the andromeda play book and unlock memories, maybe finding things like Shepherds logs, talking to old crew mate's/finding their logs(depending on when the next game is set)

[@medical-cyanide1526]

While I certainly didnt grow up with Masseffect, Ive become quite invested into the Franchise, its setting, stories, and charaters. As and individual I LOVE stories, A good attention grabbing story pulls me in. and I've spent ~600H's on Masseffect from playing the original Triology to Playing Andromeda. With the original trilogy it had its moments of mundanity, or were slogs to play through but for the most part I really enjoyed myself in the games on Insanity Difficulty. But on Andromeda at ~200H's Ive worn myself out. Im struggling to get to the finish line, and this each mission forward is a chore. (because I had decided to do pretty much any mission Id come across as long as I didn't have to scour maps so I've done a good 90% of the missions Ive been given.) Okay so I haven't considered it before but what the hell have I been doing to have ~200H's in Andromeda? According to steam anyways. pardon got of topic, but what I mean to get to is Im greatly invested into Shepard, I love the game designs of the trilogy. And while the finish line is admittedly not all that different but in the Trilogy shepard has renegade and Paragon flavorings that alters how your shepard acts, to a degree.

[@The_mad_God_of_Cheese]

I think you overlooked the fans that just want our hero to have a happy ending, give them the chance to settle down after years of saving the galaxy. Shepard didn’t deserve to die.

[@Shield-Metal]

Haveing Shepard in the next game imo makes the universe seem so small, just like how Star Wars feels so small with everything based around Skywalker

[@andrevaughn6980]

I mean it is called the Skywalker Saga, but go off I guess.

[@Shield-Metal]

Go off what?

[@willfanofmanyii3751]

Star Wars was meant to be like that though.

[@Shield-Metal]

Doesn’t stop a universe of billions feel small

[@Shield-Metal]

But hay it’s all opinions and if people want the universe to revolve around one person all the time that’s up to them I just disagree

[@Phoenixoflife56]

The problem I have with rider is that they’ve personalities and morals are more or less set in stone which makes it harder to write a compelling main character. I can’t help but draw parallels to fallout 4 because both games took what the previous games in their series did right and went in the opposite direction in very similar ways

[@madameneko3]

Some part is ,yes, attached to Shepard. But in this case (not knowing how the ending would turn out as a new fan) I wanted an ending that would actually take into account of the major choice you made throughout the trilogy(mostly in ME3). Hoping that the choices and the war assets would culminate in an ending where Shepard does survive and live a life they deserve after being snub by the council and most of the galactic community till the 3rd game.

[@MantraHerbInchSin]

I want Shepard back because he is AWESOME and I am invested in him as hell. Give me a clone with partial memories and I am fine, dig up old ones and merge the "new" Shepard with the old one, and become THE Shepard! Ofc, a "reheated" Shepard is good as well

[@nunya_bizniz]

👍

[@SchazmenRassir]

I just want it to be done well. If Shepard comes back, I want a valid reason. But I also kinda don't want to play as him. He's already had three games with enough stress to sleep for a decade.

[@CommanderShepard-wq3wo]

Personally, I want Shepard back to continue the relationships I had with Garrus, Wrex, Grunt, Liara, Tali and everyone else. And of course, the ultimate space waifu, the driven, brave, a$$-kicking Ashley Williams.

[@gabematthews4532]

Before I played the trilogy I would’ve agreed with you but when I look at Ash and Tali side by side I always go for Tali Well actually I go for Kaiden on virmire But for romance I choose Tali

[@artxgx9245]

In ME2 Shephard had a mostly new crew; and we were still able to attach to them; you don't need ALL the old crew back to enjoy Shep. And with Liara back and maybe at least Grunt back, that would be enough. If they really want Shep. gone give us a chance to play Shep again and pass on Shep's legacy ourselves.

[@PeterMasi_Son_Tile]

Yes I absolutely want Shepard back! Shepard is Mass Effect!

[@5starlifestyle555]

Mass effect is Shepard..... Shepard is Mass effect

[@johnwager5112]

I think the best case scenario for Shepard's return would be the game picking up in the aftermath of the reaper conflict using the destroy ending as the base, as this is the only ending that would guarantee future conflict for the milky way factions in Liara's lifespan and the only one that Shepard survives, I'd guess it's 4 years later based on the recent teaser trailer from N7 day 2022. The plot could easily be that of a more political conflict between the various races and factions, say a Cerberus-type political faction for the Humans, a System's Alliance faction and of course the Council-type factions and the goal of the first part would be a race to reestablish galaxy wide influence before turning into a larger conflict in the back half of the game and having a climax that sets up a larger plot for the trilogy - basically using the structure of the first trilogy. From a 4th wall business perspective bringing Shepard back is an easy way for EA to guarantee a return on investment for the game by capturing longtime fans and fans that they created with the excellent remaster. And from the other side of it, the creative perspective, the writers would likely have an easier time bringing Shepard back and canonizing the destroy ending for the plot(again the only one he could live through and would guarantee future conflict without a bunch a writer magic) would allow them to build rapport with players by simply giving them more of what they want, it goes from being a risky task of building a brand new original character and party, which could fail easily(Andromeda), to being a goal of staying true to the original trilogy and the later is a far lower risk and gives the writers a bunch of successful source material to work with. In summary, bringing Shepard back would be the lowest risk for Bioware/EA from a business and creative perspective and would likely still make a lot fans incredibly happy.

[@jakemooshian2995]

We all want Shepard back because he’s the real mass effect hero always has always will besides he’ll always be one of my top favorite characters and I’d play him myself in the movies

[@chegorilla1468]

I think it's just because people felt dissatisfied with the ending of 3. We kind of just wanted him to either retire in some kind of space cottage or maybe acting director of Specters or something before retiring. I'm fine not playing as Shepard, poor bastard has been through enough.

[@TrumanBurbankFE]

ME is for me Shepard and Mark Meer (and Mark Vanderloo). He's an iconic figure for Bioware and a very enthusiastic person for the series.

[@sloth6480]

I want Shephard back as a playable character. Truly hard-core Shephard fan . Shephard as an advisor takes away my ability to make choices for my Shephard which would no longer make Shephard my own. It would be like what kassandra became when you play as a different character and she comes to visit :/ except at least the writers of kassandra never respected your choice to begin with. That's what made mass effect special. The crew is a fixable thing ex. Liara is back for one, who is to say others or their descendants won't be back? I want Shephard back not just in my life as a character but so I can play a character I know just like halos master chief.

[@sk8ergrrl1]

I NEED Shepard to be back so I can retire somewhere tropical and adopt lots of Krogan babies with Garrus!

[@mrpotatohead321]

The biggest difference between the trilogy and andromeda is that with Shepard, you feel like you can put yourself in his shoes more, while being a complete badass. His personality is kind of dictated strictly by your dialogue choices, the background, and the look you choose for him, and you immediately feel immersed the instant the game starts. Theres also a much stronger hook in mass effect 1 compared to andromeda. In andromeda the initial hook is pretty lackluster, and you dont feel immersed with ryder at all. He feels 100% like his own character. You don't feel like someone whos being spoken to, you feel way more like you're observing people having a conversation. I think bioware REALLY needs to just stick to the roots of the trilogy with mass effect 4. I think the problem arises when they try to fix things that aren't broken. No one is tired of the feel of the original mass effect trilogy. Fans just want a new story, with that same trilogy feel. You dont need to change the gameplay and how the game works. Just add on new content, new characters, new stories etc. Dont change how the game fundamentally functions.

[@horseface31]

To me, Ryder felt the same no matter what options you chose. I felt constrained playing him. With Shepard, i felt like i had actual choices.

[@artxgx9245]

I'll preorder if Shep is back as a character I can play; or Jennifer Hale/Mark Meer voice one of the main characters I can play who has a connection to Shep. Otherwise I'll just wait. My attachment isn't just to Shep but the wonderful voice actors who made our Shep's come alive, as well as the ability to choose your own backstory which Andromeda didn't allow. Short of that I'll wait. The next voice actor and 'main character' has some big shoes to fill.

[@superbrian7997]

15 Years Later 2007-2022 and Commander Shepard is still my all-time favorite video game 🎮 protagonist. And I was reminded exactly why this is the case when I purchased Mass Effect Legendary Edition on PS4 for just $23.99 a few days ago. I was on the Normandy SR-1, in the Prologue and it was just something that Mark Meer said to Corporal Jenkins that felt so lived in, real and authentic as Commander Shepard: There’s no rush: You’re young Corporal. You have a long career ahead of you. So don’t do something stupid to mess that up. I know people like Commander Shepard with how his first real job was as a young man joining the Systems Alliance at age 18 and that’s really the only job or career that he has known for the last 11 years. Me on the other hand. I’ve never had the same job for two years. So off the rip, Commander Shepard is already somebody that I can relate too and admire in some ways. BioWare succeeded immensely at making Commander Shepard feel like our own character and his own character as well. And they did that all with Shepard’s Service History, Backstory & Dialogue. Like when Shep & Ash have a good time reminiscing about having the same Drill Instructor. Commander Shepard is three amazing characters in one. 1. Jack Bauer - 24 (Renegade) 2. Qui-Gonn Jin - Star Wars( Paragon) 3. Mike Lawry - Bad Boys (Charm & Charisma)

[@BoyeeSmudger]

You're right, it all comes down to the writing of the games story. If they do nail it in the next game many will be happy, regardless of shepherds status. But also at the end of the day, some will be salty regardless. P. S. Glad you used Sean instead of Roger Moore as an example.

[@warriornorman4026]

I'm not going to lie I desperately want Shepherd to return lol

[@NotDustyDrB]

Fans are wrong. Shepard's story is over. Mass Effect has so much more to tell.

[@jannyegaxherd9376]

because of...reasons. to me he was tough, routined and straight forward and a little emotionally dull from the beginning, but the other characters around him kinda fell in love with that or were attracted to it, he knew how to lead. the other one was with a different job, finding a way for people to settle down in a new place while being thrown in his job, that one was more easy, chill, emotional with comrades and funny with words. in the end both became heroic. i played all games with being neutral as i am myself a castlevania fan, so you love the shepard like we do love simon belmont. but there never was a need of talk down the other dude, as he was cool in his own way.

[@holidayjones2824]

I can't imagine being in Bioware's shoes right now. Making a sequel to Mass Effect 3 is going to be tough because of that ending. After that tease at the end of ME3 I want Shepard back. The problem is, you're right, if we don't get the original squadmates like Tali and Garrus back then I don't want Shepard because it wouldn't be the same. It would just feel like a cheap nostalgia pop because Shep's back, but none of his friends are. Because of the ME3 "Shep's alive!" tease I don't want a new protagonist because the tease would feel completely pointless. It would be even worse if we were a new protagonist looking for Shepard because anything the new protag does would be completely overshadowed because everyone would just want Shepard back. I think the only real solution to this would be Shepard waking up in a hospital a few weeks or months after the Reaper War.

[@moppeliini6614]

Hi. Im 56 year old woman and I have Played Mass Effect trilogy about 5 times. Andromeda too. I miss that game and live in hope that story will continue before Im too old to play.. It's so much deeper than just a game for me .. It have helped me true hard times .. I learned to play true my sons illness. He had 2 times acute leukemia and to keep myself all together I found that story make me stronger.. lot of nostalgie.. I guess that It's the same for many of us..

[@iLegionaire3755]

Mass effect without commander Shepherd is like Halo without the master chief or Nintendo without Mario and Zelda.

[@vinak963]

Bioware dropped the ball so hard with ME3's ending, most players felt they didn't get proper closure with Shepard. (and ME:A was like pouring salt on an open wound.) ME4 gives people hope for finally getting that closure. Plus Shepard has some awfully big shoes. It's going to be exceedingly difficult for any new character to fill them.

[@SpectreStatus]

𝙴𝚡𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚕𝚢.

[@kassekohler429]

I always liked to believe the keepers are keeping Shep alive until Normandy arrives.

[@TheSigmaElite1987]

Did anyone notice in mass effect 2 that when you enter back into the Normandy and the loading screen plays the decontamination screen that there are always 4 people getting decon Instead of the 3.

[@stustuie8126]

Why do the wrinkles on Liaras face have to signal a different timeline? I am 34 and I have wrinkles when I a smile. They are lines that tell a story of your life and your experiences not just your age. Perhaps the lines of Liaras face are merely there to show the fans the level of detail that the next game will have compared to the legendary edition, especially with the use of unreal engine 5. Lastly, Shepard had tons of forehead lines throughout Mass effect but he is only in his 30s. I think that perhaps we are suggesting a level of importance on that detail that is not necessarily needed. I think commander Shepard and the entire Normandy crew should come back. If Male Shepard and Kaiden aren’t together it wouldn’t be the same. Plus all our friends, Tali, Liara, Garrus, Miranda, I mean… need I go on? Lol

[@MrEyescream]

I think there is another point that makes players want to be Shepard again. And that is an uncomfortable point. the Superman Problem. Superman is such a succsess because he is technically a well written mary sue, perfect. We want to follow a person who is like we WANT to be. And that brings us to the differences between Shepard and Ryder. Ryder is in my opinion unpopular because she/he is too realistic, too human. When i play an RPG, i want the Protagonist to be confident, carismatic, brave, well respected, good looking and able to achieve all i want. A Superman. Ryder on the other hand is, i would not the say opposite, but he/she is: young (target for a younger audience), whimsy, not well trained, not really respected and unsecure and when i think about the Suvi romance, sometimes even akward. I read about some critiques who pointed that out for ME3. Those nightmares made Shepard vulnerable, more human. And that was disliked, they want the Hero to stand rock-solid in the face of every problem thrown at them. But why should want to be Superman an uncomfortable point? Nowdays wanting to be perfect it is considered boring, unimaginative or straight bad. A Hero should be flawed, every Marvel Hero has a "flaw". But at one point, and that is usually the best part of a movie/film/book, is when the Hero has a heroic, perfect moment. I personaly think we all want to be Superman, maybe in other flawors but in the End, we want to be perfect. Noone plays a game and say "now i want to be a weak, unsecure person with zero carisma" (well, the one who do that are mostly looking for a challenge, like i did in p&p).

[@TheFuchsiaRosa]

shepard is probably one of my favourite protagonists

[@CelestialDraconis]

I just want closure for Shepard. Be it they die or they retired somewhere nice with their LI. I've been blue-balled for 10 years, Bioware please, just let us know what happened to Shepard after the war.

[@terryautry6493]

the actor/actress of male/female shep put out an instagram post i believe, that said they are not the retiring type. that should give you a hint

[@luthiascrowe]

I want to see Shepard come back, but probably not as a player character because i wouldn't want to see them with a new crew. Shepards been through alot, getting older, and deserves to take a rest from being the frontline in the fight. Simple fact: after everything they've done after even just the first game, why are they not getting promoted? Can I get a pay raise for my hero of the galaxy eh? No other is more worthy of taking Anderson's place, unless the Control ending is chosen in which case Shepard could still be an advisor/mentor role and honestly still given an Admiral postion anyway even as a token. Well time for me to create the next Mass Effect!(I wish lol.) But seriously, thoughts: The ending of ME3 and all your choices along the way being rendered essentially irellavant to affect the ending makes things complicated for what to potentially carry over, but its not impossible to import all choices incuding the ending into the next game.(Other than the whatever "do nothing" option added in, which would be like the ending with no continuation.) With the Destruction ending, the salvage from the Reapers could lead to a similar tech boom you would likely see the Control and Synthesis. If the existence/lack of Reapers is relegated to a background role with only potential extra characters being the prevalent difference, the game can advance without forcing a specific cannon. Travel can be facilitated by rebuilding relays with the combined knowledge/effort of the various races, or new drive technology could be created(maybe people can stop following the blueprint of technology now known to be left by the reapers, like the relays, and embark on new paths and ways of thinking?). The premise of the next game should at least start out as a more simple adventure with a new protagonist soon after the end of ME3. The galactic community is in chaos and needs to rebuild. In many ways it could be what I had hoped Andromeda would be when first annonced. Ypu could stick to having another human soldier, or amp up the RPG elements with developing a new protagonist. The player character can potentially be a choice of race rather than only human, maybe with various origins you get to choose and perhaps even experince part of a la Dragon Age: Origins. The player character can exist in the game as (with starting choice, a specific default, or even changing positions based on choices during gameplay) a civillian adventurer, military/merc member, Spectre (though maybe that could be potentially earned during the game rather than at the start), etc. The idea can be focused on essentially assisting in rebuilding efforts, fighting againts lingering threats like leftover Cerberus etc., and being a pioneer searching for new worlds/resources to he the galactic community rebuild. Depending on how RPG you want to be, maybe add in some settlement/faction building. As long as it's not half-assed at least. The "galactic threat" for perhaps even the whole next game can simply be the dire situation of the galactic community, and trying to rebuild/reconnect. Along the way, certain elements like the "Leviathans" can enter the fray either as a definte antagonist or as an option for either ally/enemy/whatever. Threats in the future can either come from outside the galaxy or within. With the Leviathan proof of concept, perhaps other races(even some Protheans perhaps?) buried themselves so deeply even the reapers couldn't find them. With the change in the status quo at the end of ME3, maybe it's time to rise up and show these primitive races who's boss? Anyway, rather than having a major threat from the get go like the other ME games all did, this one could be a more adventurous experience in the world of Mass Effect(not counting the general overall situation). Fight, adventure, discover, and build the new future for the galaxy. Rely on existing threats, and lay a new foundation for Mass Effect going forward. Only then consider new major threats. I'll miss Shepard, although I hope I'll have him/her around at least and a mentor for future characters. I think it's a good time to allow the player to experience the world of Mass Effect from new and different angles, rather than trying to make Shepard 2.0.

[@masterdynamo6457]

There's no Shepard without Vakarian. Bring them all back, or none at all. 90% of what makes Shepard truly great is their interactions with their crew.

[@oldmangamer01]

I'm as a big a ME fanboy (and Shepard, male or female) as there is and if this question had been asked of me after ME3, my answer would have been a resounding YES. However, after the debacle of Andromeda and Anthem, my answer has changed to a resounding NO. I just have no faith/trust that Bioware/EA can do any sort of justice to ME and Shepard - none whatsoever. As bad as my opinion of Bioware/EA is at the moment, if they bring back Shepard to just to sell the next ME game, without a good story, character-building and squadmate interactions, I would be even more dismayed. Let Shepard go, people - let him/her go and RIP.

[@messityler4121]

first we play as stranger no name what so ever, then return to earth to save it again... then big reveal.. the stranger was shepard with all new technopower...

[@Long_Fang]

I only want him back because I felt like the end pay off in 3 for his character was ruined/lacklustre he deserves a hero's end

[@gabematthews4532]

Yeah I mean would it have killed BioWare to give us a game where he didn’t die ME1 crushed by debris ME2 Beginning by the collectors ME3 every ending except perfect destroy I mean seriously they could’ve at least allowed us to see a cutscene of Shepard reunited with his/her love interest in perfect destroy

[@copilots3159]

Honestly Shepard being a reaper a.i. that controls the reapers to defend the galaxy sounds (whether or not it player controlled) sounds dope as fuck.

[@mistress_of_the_dark380]

As badly as I would want to see Shepard again, I would be just as happy with a new character

[@Droto7647]

I don't need to play with Shepherd again, I just need to be able to go to Ranoch and see him enjoying life with Tali

[@CmdrVictory]

If the writing is gonna be bad, then I don't want Shepard to be a part of it. However if the story is really and Shepard is at the centre, then sure I'm all for that.

[@razanon4373]

I think them going with A.I. overlord with Shepard would work very well. Have them helping all the races rebuild and expand out into unexplored space. Where they can find a new threat.

[@feris2137]

I just can't imagine Mass Effect without Shephard being therapist for the whole galaxy. That's like Modern Warfare without Captain Price, Wolfenstein without Blazkowicz or Doom without Slayer

[@JnEricsonx]

:47-thanks for showing my favorite moment in Star Wars. Hands down, the binary suns+John Williams....

[@janeshepard9549]

Just let my brother rest, people - he's had enough. Go make your own history.

[@chrizzr2837]

Mass Effect is special because of the relationships with the crew but also the journey of shepard. We got to create his backstory and played our shepard. Not being able to continue the story we chose from the decision we made in me1 to me3 would be tragic. There is just to much history with the character to move on in my opinion. Even if it is 100's of years in the future, I'd love to see the reaction of shepard to this new universe and his lost friends.

[@baundiesel]

Honestly I'd argue with the little we know the people who don't think Shepard will be in the next game are "grasping at straws". I'd be fine with Shep just being in the prologue to give us a proper ending. That said I'd happily play as Shep again for one last go at it. I don't think Shep needs to be frozen or anything crazy... I think the next game could just pick up in the post "perfect" Destroy world after he's recovered. There's a slight chance they could put him in cryo after he's recovered from the broken Citadel "until they can fix him" similar to the Ryder's mother.

[@keandregreen5628]

I just know shepherd and liara better have little blue children in mass effect 4

[@JnEricsonx]

Or as I said to Jennifer Hale at a con a few years ago...."They need to adopt at least one baby Krogan." And then I did say, "I should go." Had to.

[@jessesenpai6473]

They better have best girl tali

[@Kayla-xr7mz]

I think at this point, I would love to play a different race. Maybe with varying origin stories like in DA Origins. I love Shepard, but I want something new

[@HANNIBAL30ro]

they said mass effect is a story from a human point of view. there wont be a different race to play, and the amount of content diversity for them to do would be enormous.

[@Kayla-xr7mz]

@@HANNIBAL30ro Which I'm definitely okay with, but it would be pretty cool to do so. I think it would be possible if they truly thought out the plot points/differing branches.

[@TonyFontanesi]

If it's 100's of years in the future, it would REALLY need good writing. Imagine Shepard thinking he's making the ultimate sacrifice to end the Reaper invasion only to find himself in a future without his friends or love interest (other than Liara). The ptsd Shepard would be dealing with would be a huge burden and probably would shape the way his character acts moving forward. Shepard will always be a hero, but an experience like that could make him a very bitter one.

[@RomanFedVO]

I recently played through the LE and now fell through a YT rabbit hole about ME. I don't mind a new character to Shepard but I need to know Sheps sacrifice wasn't in vein. I want to see what happened to Tali, Garrus, Miranda, etc. I think the reason why people don't like the ending is because Shep dies never truly knowing if it worked, if anything changed or if we go back to the status quo.

[@johnnyreiling5633]

Shepherd as an advisor would be great, but I don’t think he’d want to be in charge of anything except perhaps the next N7 Spector selection or something along the lines of a special task force operation. Id love to see my custom shep gray and wise for the next protagonist.

[@twiggytwigg5297]

If they can find a proper way to bring shepherd back with the storyline plot making since yes i would want him back but if they cant do it in a way it would make since i do know if you play the destroy ending with all your war efferts his chest does start beating at the end and he does start breathing

[@senuaquest]

Personally I would love Shepherd to come back just because I have been using the same saved character and the story line and cameos of the others I saved in mass effect to that made it into me3 plus but I highly doubt that in 4 I will be able to do this because at the end of the me3 play through ( SPOILER ALERT ME# HERE) I might have made it as for Andromeda, I liked that ME also . so even if it takes off from Andromeda, i would be ok with that , but I do like the character and friendship development and comedy of me 3 like at the house party or bailing out grunt after his friends help him sneak out of the hospital and he is explaining the events to Shepard those things is what made the game great in my eyes

[@LandofBrickForests]

I wouldn't mind seeing shepard come back at all. But is, definitely time for him/her to get a redesign, something flashy and badass. Not face wise though, they should just get a hold the guy they modeled male shepard after. Seems like they were able to get a hold of the guy they used for captain anderson's likeness too, i don't know anyone noticed, but anderson is actually in that star wars squadrons game that was released a few years ago.

[@VAustin89]

what made Ryder and the Inquisitor weak for me is the shift in the dialogue choices. Others may not like the binary nature of the paragon and renegade dialogue but this helps shape our character and gives room for NPCs to react differently. The life paths and psych profile though it doesn't impact in the over all game gave at least different dialogue. I always find it funny that a Ryder who has a military background acts as if he/she doesn't have leadership skills. maybe they should take a page from DA Origins life paths.

[@JenMaxon]

There is no Shepard without Vakarian.

[@larrm2050]

For me, Mass Effect without Shepard is like Metal Gear Solid without Snake. I really hope Shepard comes back

[@gabematthews4532]

I have 3 requirements for me to even consider buying the next game Shepard Tali Garrus Shepard must build that house on Rannoch for Tali As for my Femshep she and Garrus must agree to Tali’s drunk talk

[@EndellionQT]

I think one huge problem in an extension in the story past the Reaper War is that one of the three endings (hell, even four for people that believe the IT was the real ending) and all meaningful choices in the previous three games would require to be canon, that'll alienate a huge chunk of the people who would be interested in purchasing the game. You can't fudge over those sorts of details and give players the choice of what happened beforehand, those are galaxy changing things.

[@rubberdown1969]

Thinking of how to tie it all together for me4. Shepherd when hit by harbinger's beam, is delirious & he is fighting the reapers that are trying to indoctrinate him. Everything that happens aboard the citadel, except activating the console, is the reapers trying to turn him, the final test in his mind being the choice you have to make at the end. The crucible is activated fin the console but Shepherd doesn't know that because he's delerious & out to it. As killing the reapers has Shepherd surviving, he doesn't become indoctrinated & if found in the rubble of the ceiling/wall panels & floor of the area he was in, when the citadel blew up. With Shepherd found, the team could be back together, edi could have survived if she uploaded herself to a dyson sphere the geth built, outside of the range of the blast & that brings the geth back into the game too. The mass relay seen in the trailer could be a special one & after a few years & local missions, you sling yourself & team over to andromeda, arriving only a decade after the colonists. They could then all team up for missions.

[@TeaDrivenDev]

lol.... I was singing 'Commander Shepard' from the start of the video. As was said in another comment, after 250 hours, you *are* Shepard. I definitely was, and a big part of that was Jennifer Hale's incredible performance. However, that arc is over, and as you say, especially if there are hundreds of years in between ME3 and the new game, it doesn't make sense to bring her back just to have that familiar character. And honestly, for all of "Andromeda"'s failings (and there were many, and they were big), I also really enjoyed Ryder as a character and would much rather see her incomplete story further developed.

[@ashleyvansleve3020]

Unfortunately for the Ryders, the premise of Andromeda was built around Pathfinders tasked with exploration and colonization - with the enemy sort of a third consideration (and far less impactful than the Reapers / Collectors). This really could not compare with Shep being tasked with saving the galaxy over the course of the trilogy -(and whilst I enjoyed Andromeda - of course the writing / storyline was far superior in the Trilogy). As a result I think most people are just nostalgic for Shepard and his/her crew and want more of the same. It is a tricky one for Bioware, I am not sure a continuation of Shepard is the answer myself, I would rather an amalgam of both Andromeda and the Milky Way is some form with maybe a new protagonist - but certainly having some old friends along for the ride....

[@hunterchartrand6646]

I want a new character, but wouldn't complain if it was another Shepard installment, as long as its good.

[@micheleosullivan4430]

I loved all of my Shepards. However, I'm ready for the next adventure. I would love for Shepard to have a history based on ending choices. Archives, perhaps? We could listen to the aftermath story which would give us a better closure.

[@TheDmanone]

Why fans shouldn't want Shepard back. 1. The new game will warp his character dramatically. Having a war time hero and a hero that wanders a desolate/rebuilding world are completely different. One is a soldier, the other a veteran, or at least a lost soul seeking harbor. Perhaps they could do a solid job of updating the character while killing off the rest of the cherished cast outside of Liara, but it is far simpler and more interesting to develop a new character while integrating a few of the old ones like Wrex, Grunt, Liara, long lived species. 2. Bringing back Shepard seriously limits what the devs can do with the story. While it does allow exposition dumps to catch Shepard and the player up with the new timeline, it also forces players to take up a fish out of water character and puts you not in the position of an experienced leader. But of a newcomer to the fold, while still knowing all you'd previously done as Shepard. Many would feel that what you could reasonably do as Shepard in this new world would fall well short of the old stories and games simply because they would have to rehash the plot points of Shepard establishing his credibility, actual ability, and his place in the world. These points were already felt as annoying throughout the second and third game. Most fans hated that the story followed the Council and humanity basically ignoring Shepard again and again until it was too late. Doing it all over again, but this time, just so Shepard can help what I imagine is a struggling rebuilding universe would do more damage to the character and story then help it, as well as annoy many fans who would feel it tedious for such a war hero. Why not start anew with possibly playing as other races, or maybe human again, but someone that can establish themselves in a new universe without the massive baggage Shepard has to drag along. 3. Shepard in an advisory role will not be appreciated. Many believe that if returned in that middle ground role, it would be similar to Hawk coming in inquisition. What people forget is that Hawk had their own mission line in the story, thus somewhat necessitating their arrival. If players are able to go through a mission with an older or similarly aged Shepard, they will ask why they could not just play Shepard, but that has the problems I previously mentioned. If all that happens is Cameo Appearances, like the Admiral of ME3, it will most likely deviate from the parts of Shepard that players enjoyed. IE, the character path they chose to enjoy the most with Shepard. It hard sets canon for Shepard, and while fixating on the ending is one thing. Rewriting player agency would come out just as bad as the 3 stock endings of ME3. While it would be cool to see Fem Shep or Shep appear on holo to give you a pat on the shoulder, it would also cause way too much anger at the new story for numerous reasons. 4. Shepard is not the hero you want for a new world. Shepard is the die hard soldier. The man who gets shit done. The go to cowboy for the council, humanity, and many species. Whether diplomatically, violenty, or just cock sure. Shepard was the action hero military man that a Universe on the brink of all out war needed. That is not the case for this post war universe. If you look at old westerns, there are many where a cowboy walks through a town that they previously passed through after some terrible tragedy. The people don't look at that person as a hero anymore, but as a part of their misery. The soldier is only needed to fight the fight. Once their time is done, a soldier isn't the tool you use to fix the leaky drain. What a post war universe needs is someone hopeful and fresh eyed to do something about the fracture civilizations left in the wake of the end of the relays. Whether that hope hits rocks and hurdles is part of storytelling, but it is much better to have that and end up with someone like the vault dwellers of Fallout 3 and New Vegas, or Aloy from Horizon. Someone that is powered by hope for a new start, beginning, or path forward, but tempered by the shit they meet on the way, not the darkness of the past that constantly makes the current problems look like children fighting over a bottle can. It's the equivalent of having a WW2 soldier going into Star trek and seeing trade disputes over a mining colony being treated with such seriousness, when they actually saw children burning in buildings, or starving. Meanwhile everyone around them has food synthesizers and more planets then anyone knows what to do with. 5. The Companions made the story work. The defining point of the ME trilogy was the relationship between Shepard and his companions. As stated in the video, what is the point of bringing him back to morn 90 percent of his crew and try to move on? The relationship built with the returning cast and new characters was always the selling point of the games and the good writing and close knit bonds of the crew. Having the go through Shepard's already traumatized mind from the reapers, the war, and now losing his whole crew and most of the people he knew? That is just too much darkness for a fresh start type of game. Even if the new crew is fantastic, it will feel hollow compared to the old ones. 6. The series is not the Shepard Chronicles. We saw what too much focus on a character or characters did for Star Wars. It diluted the story telling capabilities, and brought about very wacky and altogether nonsensical writing to justify tie ins or bringing back characters. The more you have to do to justify why a character is there or doing what they are, the more likely it is to sound ridiculous. Even the best writers would struggle to make Shepards return centuries later make sense, not to mention all the other fan servicing they would have to do with the incorporation of the old titles so much now that Shepard is back. 7. Mass Effect is Huge!!! Explore it. Seriously, mass effect was always meant to be Bioware's answer to wanting their own Star Wars. They practically achieved it with the second and even third title. It's time to start exploring the expanded universe, just like Star wars did. See new characters, races that we only hear about, completely out there plot lines that don't just involve earth or the council's doom, or the reapers or some galactic level threat. Where are the slave uprisings on the outer colonies, or the smuggler's debacle in the merchant consortium? Where's the civil war on raxion? Obviously I made most of that up, but I know those plot lines existed in the Expanded Universe of Star Wars and they should help flesh out Mass Effect as well and stabilize its recent rocky foundations as a main stay in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Putting Shepard back on the front means refocusing him right into the political main front of the series, dealing with the council, Earth, etc. It means taking on another threat nearly or as large as the reapers, because anything less makes the game feel like a side story for the great and mighty Shepard. With new characters, we can look at more small and diverse stories and plots that flesh out the ME universe, and can still touch on the major threats later so that we're not having another carbon copy of the reaper threat like in Andromeda. Those are the main points for me anyway. Story limitations, dev limitations, Character and writing consequences, Franchise limitation, and overall far more risk then reward scenarios. Maybe I'm wrong, but the same team is no longer at Bioware and writing, or working on ME. That means they have to look at the old writing and games with eyes that don't have 100 percent of the picture or direction the old team did with Shepard's character. They have a very high chance of misinterpreting or arranging a story with Shepard that will royally piss off the fans then actually getting it right and recapturing the nostalgia of Shepard. That's just my thought process

[@AceOvrZero]

A cool idea would be to have a player created character with no relationship to shepherd then have a big twist towards the end where you figure out your a clone of shepherds that they tired to bing him or her back but that time they were too far gone and it’s a clone situation similar to x23 from xmen where your not a 100% copy because all others failed then the overarching story for the trilogy could be living with the fact that your apart of this legend and the stress associated with living up to that and fate vs free will