What the canceled Mass Effect would have been: a sci-fi spy thriller built around player choice

The now-canceled Mass Effect: Universe was envisioned as a sci-fi spy thriller that would have placed the emphasis on player choice even further than the original Mass Effect series. Based on leaked materials and comments from former BioWare employees, the game would have featured a customizable player character, an "agent" for N7, the special forces unit from the original trilogy.

The narrative would have taken place centuries after the events of Mass Effect 3, set in a galaxy where human and other races had largely recovered from the damage caused by the previous game's events. Players would have wielded an experimental implant, akin to cyberpunk hacking mechanics, to manipulate objects and the environment around them.

The missions would have been designed with the same handcrafted approach as the original trilogy, while still providing players the freedom to select their paths to completion. BioWare aimed to create a level of autonomy and choice that had never been matched in a video game. The game would have retained beloved series elements such as romantic encounters and companion conflicts.

After six centuries, the galaxy would have been divided into three superpowers: the original Citadel Council races, an alliance of humans, krogan, batarians, and others, and the geth, who would have formed a third. The relationships between these factions would have been tense, reminiscent of a cold war, with a mysterious adversary pulling the strings.

Some original trilogy choices could have influenced the story, and there would have been a connection to the Andromeda setting. Despite BioWare's closure, some fans remain hopeful that EA may eventually sell the company's intellectual property, which could one day allow players to experience Mass Effect: Universe.