Mass Effect 4

Mass Effect 4 is an action role-playing video game developed by BioWare and Vedewan for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlaStation 3 and Playstation 4. The game will be released on April 4, 2014, and marks the first chapter in the New Age trilogy of the Mass Effect franchise.

The combat system in Mass Effect 4 has been altered slightly and overall refined, with the core mechanics staying the same. In particular, the cover and melee systems have been improved, prompting smoother and more exciting gameplay. Improved artificial intelligence was introduced, as well as a sixteen player multiplayer mode which has been added to the already existing four player co-op mode. Gameplay in Mass Effect 4 can be influenced by decisions made in the past three games who have imported their save files.

Mass Effect 3's ending controversy led to many people believing that the development of Mass Effect 4 would be discontinued, however BioWare hired Vedewan Studios to help with the extra portions of the game, such as multiplayer.

Gameplay
Aspects of gameplay from the previous games have been changed, such as an improved melee system with the option to equip an omni-sword, and a biotic stiletto which prove for faster and more reliable melee combat. An element of stealth was added as an optional path, improving on the primitive stealth system from the Mass Effect 3 DLC: Citadel. A more expansive skill leveling process was introduced, with much more perks, advantages and other options. Player's criticized the amount of effort put into side missions in Mass Effect 3, prompting the developers to put more time into side missions and space exploration, with over 85% of landable planets being free to explore. The squad system from the past games has been altered to fit the story, there is a maximum of one follower at a time, and the player may choose to play the game solo.

Mass Effect 4 has a larger focus on combat than any other game in the franchise, with an average 60% of game time spent in combat. Roleplay elements have been improved upon too, including Paragon/Renegade decisions while in combat, which can be triggered by saving/killing a civillian etc. Each landable world has a special story of it's own.

Multiplayer
Mass Effect 4 changes the four player co-op mode from "Galaxy at War" to "Combat Refinement". The end of the Reaper War signifyed an age of peace, leaving the galaxy not at war, but at peace. Most soldiers either needed training to defend against terrorists, petty criminals or gang fights. Most larger threats have been long gone since the Reaper War. Vedewan Studios improved upon the co-op mode, creating a more diverse range of maps and enemies, as well as adding a few new elements to the system.

Mass Effect 4 also features a sixteen player multiplayer element, called "Gang Wars" which focus on the criminal element still present in the Mass Effect universe. Most battles take place on criminal ridden areas, such as Omega, Illium and the wards of the Citadel. Gang Wars is an eight vs eight PvP mode, where teams must work together to either steal enemy supplies, invade enemy territory, exterminate enemy gangs and much much more.

Plot
A few details have been released about Mass Effect 4, including the setting of the game. The game takes place ten years after the Reaper War, where the player is a masked mercenary that goes by the name Ghost. Contrary to previous Mass Effect games, the player controls a darker, more evil character compared to Commander Shepard. Ghost has an unknown past, a dark past that nobody knows. All that is known is that Ghost requires a large mech-suit that it lives inside. Rumors suggest that Ghost was once a respectable soldier, but a military accident badly injured Ghost and that the injuries were irrepairable.

The game starts off with Ghost en route to his target, Aria T'Loak. When Ghost arrives on Omega, Aria's guards put up a tough fight, but Ghost easily destroys them. Barging it's way into Afterlife, Ghost finally has Aria at gunpoint, but before Ghost could shoot, it is tackled by a krogan off the balcony and onto the stage. The krogan reveals itself to be no other than Urdnot Grunt (Ravanor Zekor if Grunt is dead) Ghost and the krogan battle, with the krogan just short of skill to best Ghost. Ghost, in turn, can either throw the krogan off the stage, breaking his arm or blast off the arm with Ghost's arm mounted laser cannon (Paragon/Renegade respectively). The krogan bought enough time for Aria to get off the planet, but she didn't get very far. After an intense space chase Aria is taken captive by Ghost, who has the choice of faking her death, or killing her (Paragon/Renegade).

Ghost then performs three assassinations on high profile political targets, with the option to spare them or to kill them. Ghost gets a new target, Major Coats. En route to Earth, Ghost has blurred flashbacks of his military past, but it is hard to make out anything, the only thing that is seen is a large explosion, presumably the horrific military accident. Major Coat's building was laced with explosives, but before Ghost could destroy it, his right arm is blown off by James Vega.

It is confirmed that all previous squadmates will have a role in Mass Effect 4, provided the survived the events of the trilogy. Squadmates (now called followers) are mostly mercenaries that you can hire to provide assistance in battle.

Characters

 * Ghost
 * Garrus Vakarian
 * Tali'Zorah
 * Ashley Williams/Kaidan Alenko
 * Liara T'Soni
 * Grunt
 * Urdnot Wrex/Wreav
 * Mordin Solus
 * Miranda Lawson
 * Jacob Taylor
 * Grunt
 * Jack
 * Kasumi Goto
 * Samara/Morinth
 * Zaeed Massani
 * James Vega
 * Javik
 * EDI
 * Aria T'Loak
 * Commander Bailey