Since its inception in 2007, Mass Effect has built a legacy of true greatness, despite stumbling at a handful of important hurdles, and fans hope to see the legacy carry on in Mass Effect 4. Commander Shepard's desperate quest to save the galaxy from an ancient threat rivals the likes of Star Wars for visual and narrative quality, and takes so many cues from Star Trek when it comes to exploration, but has a human touch that neither aforementioned franchise can boast. The unlikely cast of misfit Normandy crew mates are at the center of the trilogy's charm, and though it may end on a sour note, Mass Effect 3 provides so many conclusions that fans were so eager for when the series started all those years ago.
Hopping between star clusters can be done within the time it takes for the often-too-ambitious games to load, but in the story this is made possible by Shepard's most loyal companion, The Normandy. It's a ship that is littered with all the best technology and advancements, often covering the mistakes that Mass Effect's sublime supporting characters have a tendency to make. It's built a personality of its own, but as the franchise is set to return in Mass Effect 4, the valiant and heroic Normandy should be left on the bench.
The Normandy is a Seasoned Ship
The Normandy has a while to go before it reaches the universal reverence of the Millennium Falcon or USS Enterprise, but to fans of the Mass Effect license it's thoroughly deserving of a similar cultural status. It's plucky, and makes the daunting task of stopping the Reapers not only possible, but comfortable, with living quarters that rival any mid-tier hotel suite. Crew mates litter the main battery, engine room, and the storage section, preparing the team to embark on one of the bountiful quests that's essential in seeing an end to the galactic threat.
Through the events of the core trilogy, Commander Shepard isn't the only character to see their end, only to return in the next game. As Shepard awakens at a Cerberus facility, revived after the events of Mass Effect 2's shocking opening, he's presented with a new take on the Normandy that's used to gather a new team to fight the Collectors. The ship's SR-2 model is decked out with all kinds of fancy features, and has to tackle the daunting mission of passing through the Omega 4 Relay, which can be a great success or an epic failure depending on the player's actions. The conclusion of Mass Effect 3 renders it useless once again, so reviving the Normandy would repeat old plot points, and do the fourth game no favors.
Mass Effect 4 is a Fresh Start
The upcoming game has to tread a delicate line between pleasing fans of old, while also providing a new starting point for another generation. BioWare has the capability to forge truly great stories packed with memorable characters and ever-lasting lessons, but to do this, it has to make a product of its time rather than one that leans too heavily into nostalgia. Mass Effect will always be cherished by those who began its journey fifteen year ago, but the overwhelming amount of lore that is presented in the three mainline games is ripe for fresh tales that can please everybody, not just the enlightened few. Mass Effect: Andromeda had some good ideas that could carry over to the next game, and a new ship is undoubtedly one of them.
Following up The Normandy with something new is the smart play, and while Shepard's ship could be included as an exciting cameo or a source of world-building, transporting the characters of Mass Effect 4 in a new vessel would give the series a renewed sense of wonderment, appreciating the past while looking to the future. BioWare isn't known for perfect consistency between releases, but shelving The Normandy in favor of something else would ensure that the Mass Effect trilogy's legacy goes untarnished, and fans can always look to it with a sense of pride.
Mass Effect 4 is in development.