Mass Effect 4 seems likely to continue Commander Shepard's journey, but even if it doesn't, it can learn from the well-received Citadel DLC for Mass Effect 3. Trailers for the next Mass Effect have shown the return of familiar faces, such as Liara, and raises questions about the fates of other characters from the original trilogy. As Bioware looks at the series' future - and possibly a new trilogy - it should consider the aspects of Citadel that made it the series' best DLC.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Mass Effect.]
Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC has a combination of serious and lighthearted moments that can make it a memorable journey in the middle of a dreary situation with the Reapers attacking the Milky Way. By continuing after Mass Effect 3, Mass Effect 4 will need a canon ending from the multiple options players had when finishing Shepard's battle with the Reapers. Despite the mixed reception that Mass Effect 3 received from players, both the main game and its DLC can pave the way for Mass Effect 4.
Mass Effect 4 Needs More Moments Spent With Crew Members
Mass Effect 3 Citadel DLC let players have time off for shore leave, and they got to spend time with crew members individually after taking care of an issue with a clone of Shepard. The threat of not everybody making it through the final pushback against the Reapers looms heavily throughout the DLC, but it can make for a good example of the journey of the game being more important than its ending. Spending time with Mass Effect's Normandy crew made for a memorable DLC, and Mass Effect 4 should give players more time with crew members as a result.
Shore Leave Gives Mass Effect Players A Rest From Priority Missions
It can be depressing when a game is filled with missions that make players fight against the odds, and content like that in the Citadel DLC not only allows players a break but gives developers an opportunity for more world-building. For some players, the crew is the highlight of Mass Effect regardless of whether it has returning characters or a new set. Shore leave missions could be optional in Mass Effect 4 and give players a chance to explore relationships with NPCs and visit more areas of cities like the Citadel.
There are a lot of questions from trailers that will need answers, like how the Geth survived in Mass Effect 4 and what happened to Commander Shepard. Bioware might be taking a chance by returning to the Milky Way without including a large time skip, but it could pay off depending on what it learned from player feedback with Mass Effect 3. The Citadel DLC won the hearts of many players, and Bioware might want to keep the best DLC of the trilogy in mind when creating Mass Effect 4.
Source: Mass Effect/YouTube