The Mass Effect series has long thrived on a galactic scale. From Citadel politics to interstellar warfare, its stories have stretched across dozens of planets and multiple alien civilizations. However, throughout all of that, Earth has remained curiously underused. Apart from serving as Commander Shepard’s birthplace and appearing during critical moments in Mass Effect 3, Earth has largely existed in the background.
This underexposure presents an opportunity for Mass Effect 4 to do something radically different. Rather than building another star-hopping epic, BioWare could anchor the next game to a single planet. Making Earth a central location would not only distinguish it from past entries but also allow for a denser, more narratively intimate experience without losing the scale the series is known for.
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Earth Could Make Mass Effect 4 Stand Apart
The most likely canonical ending for Mass Effect 3 is the “Destroy” path, which eliminates synthetic life, including the Reapers, and causes widespread technological collapse. This version leaves Earth in ruins after surviving the war's final assault. It also creates a logical setup for Earth to become the starting point for galactic recovery. Focusing the story here could support both continuity and reinvention.
Several RPGs have proven that setting an entire game on one planet does not limit scope if the world is built with enough diversity. Xenoblade Chronicles X focused on the planet Mira, dividing it into regions with unique verticality, traversal mechanics, and environmental hazards. BioWare could take similar inspiration by designing a fractured Earth where different cities, ruins, and underground zones each carry their own tone and gameplay systems.
Mass Effect 3 featured multiplayer maps like Firebase London and Firebase Vancouver, which suggested broader Earth locations than the campaign explored. These areas could be fleshed out in Mass Effect 4 to support both combat and story-driven content.
Mass Effect 4 Can Ground Its Story on Earth
A single setting like Earth would encourage more focused storytelling. Rather than building entirely new civilizations, Mass Effect 4 could dive deeper into post-war human and alien politics, rebuilding efforts, and moral dilemmas tied to survival and control. This approach would align well with BioWare's strengths in character interaction and emotionally layered decision-making.
The presence of Liara in Mass Effect 4’s teaser trailer supports the idea that some characters from the original trilogy may still have roles to play. Liara’s potential involvement in recovering lost technology, unearthing Reaper remnants, or searching for Shepard’s legacy could tie directly into Earth’s importance. The planet may house buried tech from the Crucible or destroyed relays, making it a prime site for both conflict and discovery.
The collapse of mass relay travel after the "Destroy" ending could strand numerous species and factions on Earth or in nearby space. This would create political instability and force previously cooperative groups into new conflicts, giving the narrative plenty of depth to explore.
BioWare Can Lean Into Mass Effect 4’s Stakes
BioWare now has all of its attention on Mass Effect 4. Following EA's reported disappointment with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the studio's resources have shifted entirely to this project. With pressure to deliver a strong showing, prioritizing a smaller, tightly designed world like Earth could play to BioWare’s storytelling strengths. A singular focus allows for more nuanced side quests, meaningful exploration, and grounded character development.
Earth's geography also offers natural diversity. Urban ruins, overgrown countryside, submerged coastlines, and war-torn military bases could serve as distinct zones, each representing a different post-war philosophy. One faction might seek to restore order through authoritarian rule. Another could pursue full technological isolation. These ideological divides could fuel the plot while keeping exploration firmly rooted in a single, believable world.
This structure also helps avoid the logistical strain of building dozens of planetary hubs, a challenge that impacted Mass Effect: Andromeda. With fewer load zones and more interconnected regions, the team can create a deeper sense of place and consequence.
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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
