In celebration of N7 Day on November 7, BioWare released a series of teasers for the highly anticipated next installment in the Mass Effect game series. While the short video clips themselves were quite vague, the accompanying text and artwork provided some intriguing hints about what players can expect in the upcoming game.

The teaser videos, when stitched together, depicted a character wearing an N7 trench coat emerging from a ship and stepping onto an unknown planet. Although the visuals revealed little, the text and art strongly suggested that the game will revolve around Liara T'Soni, a beloved squadmate, answering a distress call in the Andromeda Galaxy.

Fans and gaming enthusiasts immediately began speculating about the potential plot and implications of the teasers. Kotaku's resident Mass Effect experts, Kenneth Shepard, Isaiah Colbert, and Alyssa Mercante, delved into the details and shared their thoughts on the matter.

Shepard expressed his excitement about N7 Day and acknowledged that the vagueness of the teasers managed to alleviate some of his concerns about the new game. He called attention to the tendency within the community for fans to clamor for the return of Shepard and a canon Mass Effect 3 ending, emphasizing that based on the teasers, it is unlikely that Shepard will be making a comeback.

Colbert admitted that he had only recently started celebrating N7 Day but found this year's teasers to be both detailed and vague. He shared some of his initial theories about the mystery character from the video and discussed the apparent time jump in the game, which is set to take place approximately 633 years after Mass Effect 3. He also pointed out that Liara, alongside a Geth companion, will be responding to a distress signal in the Andromeda galaxy.

Analyzing the accompanying artwork, Shepard highlighted the presence of different alien species, including the Angara and clothes-wearing Geth, in what appears to be a Chora's Den-style establishment. This raised numerous questions about the state of the Mass Effect universe, particularly since the Angara and Geth have not interacted in the series thus far.

The discussion then shifted to the format of the game and what can be expected from BioWare. Colbert expressed his hope that the new Mass Effect will offer a more linear story, akin to Mass Effect 2, rather than an open-world format like Mass Effect: Andromeda. Shepard shared this sentiment but speculated that the final decision might be influenced by the reception of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, another upcoming BioWare title.

The conversation also touched on the ongoing concerns surrounding BioWare as a studio, including recent layoffs and an ongoing lawsuit. Both writers expressed their wariness and questioned whether the teasers were merely a distraction tactic to mitigate criticisms of the company's recent missteps.

Despite these concerns, both Shepard and Colbert agreed that the teasers demonstrated BioWare's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Mass Effect universe. By setting the game after Mass Effect: Andromeda and incorporating elements from that installment, BioWare appears to be continuing the story in a meaningful way. However, lingering questions remain about whether the game will canonize a specific ending from Mass Effect 3.

In conclusion, while fans and gamers eagerly anticipate the release of the next Mass Effect game, they must brace themselves for a wait as it is expected to be years away from even being showcased. Nevertheless, the teasers have ignited excitement and anticipation, and players are hopeful that BioWare will deliver a worthy addition to the beloved franchise.

Overall, N7 Day provided a glimpse into the future of Mass Effect, showcasing BioWare's dedication to the series and setting the stage for a thrilling new adventure.