New Details on Mass Effect: Universe Revealed
Following the sudden closure of BioWare and the cancellation of Mass Effect Universe, new leaks from YouTuber Dantics reveal what the game would have looked like. Set over 600 years after the original trilogy, the title planned to feature Hitman-style linear missions and an N7 operative described as a cross between James Bond and John Wick.
The wound from the sudden closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game (titled Mass Effect Universe) is still fresh, yet the internet is already filling up with leaks about what we were supposed to get. According to the latest reports, it seems we missed out on a game that could have changed the face of the entire series.
The new details come from a YouTuber named Dantics, who was allegedly part of a closed player council that advised BioWare during development, with his claims receiving partial backing from sources at IGN. According to the leak, the game was supposed to take place more than 600 years after the events of the original trilogy. The story this time focused on a galactic "Cold War" between three major factions, with a mysterious new threat lurking in the background. Despite the time jump, Liara from the original trilogy was set to return as an "extremely powerful Asari Matriarch."
The most interesting change was meant to be in the gameplay department. BioWare wanted players to step into the shoes of an N7 operative defined as a "cross between James Bond and John Wick." This would have translated into gameplay focused on hand-to-hand combat, gadgets, hacking, tech implants, and many more stealth options. Additionally, instead of massive open worlds, the game planned to offer polished linear missions with "freedom of approach in the style of the hit game Hitman" regarding how you choose to complete them. Moving away from an open world toward linear missions is a decision we already saw BioWare make with Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Of course, the familiar RPG elements of the series were not abandoned, promising deep romance options and squadmates who could get into conflicts with one another. "Not to rub salt in the wound, but they were much further along in development than their statement implied, and we were going to get something truly magical," the leaker concluded.
The more we hear about this game, the more painful its cancellation following the studio's closure becomes. However, as we reported earlier today, there is still hope for the future of the franchise alongside Dragon Age. What do you think of the new direction the series was aiming for? Would you have preferred a Hitman-style espionage game or a direct continuation of the familiar formula? Let us know in the comments!