BioWare is deep in development on Mass Effect 4 and, while little is known beyond the return of Liara T’Soni, one returning character could dramatically enhance both the tone and tension of the sequel. Aria T’Loak, the Asari pirate queen of Omega, may not have been a main squadmate but her presence in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 left a lasting impression. If she was reprised for the next entry, along with a reprisal of Carrie-Anne Moss, it could signal that BioWare is leaning into bold, morally gray characters to help define the next stage of the galaxy.
Aria’s possible return in Mass Effect 4 would also offer a different perspective on how power has shifted in the aftermath of the Reaper War. Depending on player decisions in Mass Effect 3, she either helps reclaim Omega from Cerberus or remains bitter and distant if Shepard denies her full control. Either outcome leaves her in a vulnerable yet narratively intriguing position, making her one of the most flexible figures to reintroduce.
Mass Effect 4 Should and Will Live or Die by Its Companions
Whatever Mass Effect 4 looks like, it will be paramount for it to stick the landing with its companions, as they are crucial to the series' identity.
Why Aria T'Loak Deserves a Potential Role in Mass Effect 4
In Mass Effect 3's Omega DLC, players witness Aria fall from power and battle to reclaim it. While she succeeds with Shepard’s help, she never fully returns to her former position. This loss makes her one of the few secondary characters whose arc is both unresolved and open-ended—ideal for a new installment set in the same continuity. Aria could appear as a displaced power broker, a behind-the-scenes tactician, or even a reluctant ally navigating a fractured political landscape.
If Mass Effect 4 takes place within a few decades of the Reaper War (as many fans suspect based on Liara’s unchanged appearance), Aria would be physically and mentally capable of continuing her journey. Asaris live for over a thousand years, entering the Matriarch stage around age 700. Aria was already portrayed as a seasoned adult in Mass Effect 2, suggesting she could easily serve as a Matriarch figure now.
While Aria’s exact age is never confirmed, Asari like her often hold leadership roles well into their Matriarch years without slowing down.
Unlike Liara's idealistic mentality in Mass Effect, Aria represents the darker side of survival and leadership. In Mass Effect 2, she declares, “I am Omega,” asserting herself as a symbol of ruthless order. Her presence in Mass Effect 4 could ground the narrative in a world where diplomacy has failed, and pragmatism is queen.
Mass Effect 4 Could Use Star Power
Aria’s return could also benefit Mass Effect 4 on a production level. Carrie-Anne Moss brought a signature gravitas to the role, similar to how Martin Sheen’s Illusive Man in Mass Effect 2 elevated the series’ stakes. Other game franchises have used legacy characters effectively, and Mass Effect 4 could follow suit by allowing Aria to serve as connective tissue between Shepard’s era and whatever comes next. Whether she’s advising the next protagonist or building a new Omega from scratch, her character opens doors for high-stakes decisions that would resonate with long-time players.
Moss’s involvement would also carry marketing appeal. She remains a popular and recognizable actor, and her presence could signal a return to the layered storytelling that defined the original trilogy. Unlike Mass Effect's Liara, who is expected, Aria’s presence would be more surprising and add value both narratively and commercially.
Aria Could Reflect Mass Effect 4’s Themes
Aria is a symbol of what happens when absolute power meets sudden collapse—an ideal metaphor for a post-Reaper Mass Effect galaxy in flux. If Mass Effect 4 centers on rebuilding or redefining leadership, Aria could reflect those themes as someone who’s already lived through both dominance and defeat.
This kind of moral complexity is something fans expect from BioWare, and Aria’s return would let the developer showcase those strengths without relying on main-trilogy squadmates. While Mass Effect companions such as Garrus or Tali would draw excitement, Aria sits in a space that blends the old world with new possibilities. She's part of the past, but not defined by it. If Mass Effect 4 wants to move forward while respecting what came before, Aria T’Loak would be one character worth betting on.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 96%
- Released
- May 14, 2021
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Mass Effect
