Earlier at present, BioWare revealed a brand new 30 second trailer for Mass Impact 5 on the event of N7 Day, main followers to as soon as once more don their detective hats as they comb the brand new footage for recent data.
The most important revelation is that the long-awaited sequel will certainly tie into Mass Impact: Andromeda indirectly. There had been questions on whether or not BioWare would quietly drop any references to its ill-fated spin-off, however it looks as if it is nonetheless absolutely a part of the canon.
Fan hypothesis that Mass Impact 5 would incorporate Andromeda by some means was seemingly confirmed by the next code.
////ACCESS CODE: EPSILON
/////ACCESS CODE ACCEPTED
/////SECONDARY ENCRYPTION DETECTED
/////VJBSVU-XXXX-XXXXXXXX
/////ANDROMEDA DISTRESS SIGNAL DETECTED
/////YEAR SENT: [REDACTED]
/////AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD KNOW BY NOW NOT TO UNDERESTIMATE HUMAN [REDACTED]
The next reveal of the OCULON-2819-DEFIANCE code seems to be one other nod to Andromeda, and implies that Mass Impact 5 can be set lengthy after the occasions of the unique trilogy. In Andromemda’s lore, 2819 is the yr that the alliance arrives within the Andromeda Galaxy.
Followers stay blended on Andromeda, rife because it was with technical issues and aimless design.
Nonetheless, it stays beloved amongst a sure section of devoted Mass Impact followers. We wrote in our 2017 evaluate, “Mass Impact: Andromeda is an expansive motion role-playing recreation with a number of nice moments that recapture the excessive factors of the landmark trilogy that got here earlier than it, and energetic fight and implausible sound results contribute to a potent sci-fi ambiance. With out constantly sturdy writing or a breakout star in its forged to hold it by way of the lengthy hours and empty areas, nonetheless, disappointments like a scarcity of recent races, no companion customization, and main efficiency issues and bugs take their toll.”
Many have all the time identified that Andromeda wouldn’t merely be brushed previous or ignored.
And so it has come to be. ?
/////ANDROMEDA DISTRESS SIGNAL DETECTEDhttps://t.co/LwijBtKpmD
— BSN BioWare boards (@BSNforums) November 7, 2023
Within the meantime, there are many different questions in regards to the 30-second trailer launched throughout N7 Day, together with who precisely is sporting that trendy new N7 armor. Some followers speculate that it is Liara T’Soni, one of many main heroes of the unique Mass Impact. As long-lived asari, Liara may theoretically stay to see the occasions of Andromeda.
Liara’s inclusion was teased in final yr’s reveal, by which she may be heard saying, “The Council can be livid! Though, they need to know by now to not underestimate human defiance!”
Others speculate that the character striding purposefully down the hall earlier than turning and briefly going through the digicam is a revived Shepard, or perhaps a new protagonist totally. One fan joked that the primary character is definitely simply Daft Punk based mostly on their look of their helmet.
WHOSE LEGS ARE THEY. RYDER’S? LIARA’S? SHEP’S??? HOW ARE THE LATTER 2 GETTING TO ANDROMEDA IF ALL THE RELAYS ARE BUSTED??? WHAT IS HAPPENING
— ??? (@sailorbeeee) November 7, 2023
N7 Day teases have develop into an annual custom amongst Mass Impact followers, who’ve little else to go on whereas they await the return of their favourite collection. With BioWare targeted on ending up Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, Mass Impact 5 is rumored to nonetheless be very early in manufacturing. BioWare can be nonetheless grappling with the layoffs which have affected many longtime workers, a few of which marked N7 Day by protesting outdoors of BioWare HQ.
A method or one other, Mass Impact followers should hold speculating for some time longer as they wait to see the place BioWare takes the collection subsequent.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s Information Director in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Ship her a DM at @the_katbot.