Whatever BioWare titles the next Mass Effect game—Mass Effect 4 (because it’s a continuation of the Milky Way), Mass Effect 5 (because one teaser showed both the Milky Way and Andromeda), or a secret third thing—the biggest question right now is which ending is canon. Mass Effect 3 put forth three different main endings for the original trilogy, with all synthetic life being Destroyed, synthetic and organic life being fused in the Synthesis ending, and Shepard taking control of the Reapers in the Control ending. Thus far, all teases seem to suggest that Destroy Ending is Mass Effect‘s canon, and that opens a Pandora’s box of weaponry.
The biggest hint that Mass Effect 5 uses the Destroy ending as canon is the Mass Relays. One teaser indicated that Mass Relays were being rebuilt, meaning they were destroyed, and it seems there is a huge time gap in reconnecting the Galaxy. This would explain how both the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies play a role in ME5; however, it’s worth noting how heavily teased the Geth have been for ME5, too. This eliminates the Synthesis ending, at the very least, and wouldn’t really make sense for Control when Destroy could explain their re-emergence. They could either be rebuilt, or it’s also teased that Geth were searching for a way to escape the Milky Way in the Mass Effect games,. Either way, this isn’t just a store and lore consideration; it’s also a gameplay and combat-oriented one.
Mass Effect 5’s Combat is Begging for the Destroy Ending
In terms of technology, there’s no doubt Mass Effect combat is advanced. Biotics and technology play a big role in most classes and all combat, with the pure combat specialist class being a straightforward soldier. Beyond that, the guns fit its sci-fi setting, but if the timeline is advancing considerably, so too must the technology. And there is no better technology than what’s left behind by the Reapers. It’s not technology based on what Reapers left behind for its people to find, allowing them to end them quicker as part of the cycle (The Citadel), but genuine use of their remains as new technology.
The Reapers represent the pinnacle of technology in Mass Effect, and with Reaper tech now destroyed and scattered across the galaxy, it stands to reason that many of Mass Effect’s alien races had some that they could utilize (while cut off from the rest of the galaxy). This could prompt more space exploration, shifting dynamics based on who expands the fastest, and huge new story details, but it also means new guns for combat. No doubt, these guns may be outlawed, limited to key factions, or in limited supply for other reasons, but using Reaper weapons in Mass Effect 5 only makes sense. It would be a subtle nod to the original trilogy and a way to advance its combat.
Reaper Technology in Mass Effect 5
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what this could look like in Mass Effect 5‘s combat, but some notable Reaper features include:
- The ability to create incredibly large Mass Effect fields
- Mysterious cores that are “unreachable” and possibly powered by Element Zero and other, unknown resources.
- Magnetohydrodynamic cannons with a yield of 132 to 450 kilotons of TNT, capable of firing in a fragment of the speed of light.
- Point Defense + Kinetic Shields + Drones
- Hulls that are nigh-undestructible
- The ability to remotely control other transport-designated Reaper ships
- Powerful processors capable of mass DNA harvesting
- The ability to indoctrinate targets
- Incredibly Advanced FTL capabilities (another key point to connect Milky Way and Andromeda)
- Highly advanced computer viruses (although not unbeatable by a powerful enough AI)
- Highly advanced microtechnology
It’s worth noting that Mass Effect has cracked this Pandora’s box before, albeit briefly. Mass Effect 3 features weapons of Reaper design, one known as the Reaper Blackstar, which scientists don’t even fully understand. It’s incredibly powerful, shooting off micro-black holes in essence. Reaper technology has been used, to some degree, in other weapon manufacturing, but with access to full Reaper corpses, it stands to reason that Mass Effect 5 will fully open this box.
And, combining its technology with modern races, it stands to reason that even the most innocent conflicts stand to be capable of mass destruction, heretofore unheard of. Mass Effect 5‘s Reaper technology means the game is going to be more advanced than ever in story, lore, and combat, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
9/10
- Released
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May 14, 2021
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 4