Spoilers for the Mass Effect Trilogy follow.
Mass Effect stars Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer would love to play Commander Shepard again in the next entry in the series, though they seemingly haven’t been contacted by BioWare in order to do so yet. Both Commander Shepard actors loved the role and would be back to do another Mass Effect if the opportunity presented itself.
Over the last couple of decades, few original science fiction settings in gaming have reached such legendary acclaim as the Mass Effect trilogy. The ending of Mass Effect 3 was divisive among many, but the trilogy itself has become an iconic tale in no small part due to Commander Shepard, the partially-customizable main character of the third-person shooter. Back in 2020, BioWare confirmed another Mass Effect game was coming, though precious little has come out about it in the following years.
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Mass Effect Stars Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer Want to Play Commander Shepard Again
Of course, one of the big questions on everyone’s minds is whether Commander Shepard will be back – and it turns out, it is one the protagonist's actors share as well. Prolific voice actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, the female and male voice actors for Shepard, recently appeared on Fall Damage to respond to various YouTube comments from fans. Right off the bat, while musing on Shepard’s potential survival in the Destruction ending, Hale said, "I invite everyone out there to email the powers that be who make these games and say, 'Give us more Shepard, please,' because we will be there. Because we should not go." She went on to say, "I would be there with bells on if they asked us to play Shepard again."
Meer mirrored her enthusiasm, albeit with false seriousness, saying that he agreed, “but only under any circumstances.” It seems that if BioWare wants the first Human Spectre to return in the next game, it will have little trouble getting both Hale and Meer back in the studio to play Shepard in the next Mass Effect.
I invite everyone out there to email the powers that be who make these games and say, 'Give us more Shepard, please,' because we will be there. Because we should not go. I would be there with bells on if they asked us to play Shepard again.
However, the fact that they were so open about their eagerness to theoretically return to Mass Effect as Shepard almost certainly means they have not been approached yet. While this could simply be because BioWare hasn’t gotten to the stages of development where voice acting is being recorded, it could also mean that Shepard simply isn’t going to be coming back. Regardless, the next Mass Effect project is still likely a long way off, so it may be a while before fans find out for sure.
What Do We Actually Know About the Next Mass Effect?
Not much is actually known about the next Mass Effect game – not even a title nor whether it would technically be Mass Effect 4 or 5, considering Andromeda. However, there have still been a couple of interesting tidbits that players have seen, including some concept art shared by former BioWare game director Casey Hudson in 2019. That said, the first actual morsel came in the form of a trailer during The Game Awards 2020, shortly after Hudson's departure. Featuring Liara pulling an N7 logo from wreckage in the snow, this teaser confirmed it would be taking place after Mass Effect 3, and likely would not be a sequel to Andromeda, which happens 600 years afterward in a different galaxy. Even so, the twin galaxies and quotes from Andromeda during the trailer suggest it could still involve some aspects of the spinoff as well.
Hudson is now working on Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic as CEO and director of Arcanaut Studios.
Then, on N7 day this year, BioWare executive producer Mike Gamble shared a new piece of concept art starring a group of Krogan with guns blazing. Titled “Civil War,” Gamble confirmed this was not an image of the past, but rather, of the future – potentially teasing a plot point of the next Mass Effect game in the process.
That said, BioWare was among the many studios to experience severe layoffs this year, including Mass Effect veterans like writer Trick Weekes (Mass Effect trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Inquisition, and Veilguard) and editor Karin Weekes (Mass Effect 2, 3, and Andromeda, Dragon Age: Origins, 2, and Inquisition, Anthem, and SWTOR). Even so, development on the next game continues with a small team of Mass Effect veterans who have been retained or rehired, including Parrish Ley and Derek Watts, the game’s original cinematic and art directors, respectively. It may be some time before fans see the next Mass Effect game, but it at least seems like it is still happening for now.
Mass Effect 3
- Released
- March 6, 2012
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Earth is burning. The Reapers have taken over, and other civilizations are falling like dominoes. Lead the final fight to save humanity and take back Earth from these terrifying machines, Commander Shepard. You’ll need backup for these battles. Fortunately, the galaxy has a habit of sending unexpected species your way. Recruit team members and forge new alliances, but be prepared to say goodbye at any time as partners make the ultimate sacrifice. It’s time for Commander Shepard to fight for the fate of the human race and save the galaxy. No pressure, Commander.
Fight smarter. Take advantage of new powers and combat moves. Shepard can now blind-fire at enemies and build tougher melee attacks. Plus, when you fight as a team, you can combine new biotic and tech powers to unleash devastating Power Combos.
Build the final force. Build a team from a variety of races and classes, and combine their skills to overcome impossible odds. You’ll be joined by newcomers like James Vega, a tough-as-nails soldier, as well as EDI, a trusted AI in a newly acquired physical form. Keep an eye out for beloved characters from your past, but beware. Some may not survive the final battle….
Face off against friends. Enjoy an integrated, co-op multiplayer mode, and team up with friends online to liberate key conflict zones from increasingly tough opponents. Customize your warrior and earn new weapons, armor and abilities to build war preparedness stats in your single-player campaign.
