TheMass Effectuniverse is known for its detailed stories and interesting characters. The original trilogy andAndromedacreated a grand and personal story, leaving players with memorable experiences and a craving for more. However, even well-loved stories have their flaws. As we look forward toMass Effect 5, we can’t ignore the ongoing questions and inconsistencies that have bothered fans for years, especially after the controversial ending ofMass Effect 3and the separate story ofAndromeda.

The new game has a great chance to start fresh and resolve these unanswered questions. Instead of ignoring the plot holes, Bioware can show they care about the story by providing clear answers andsettling long-standing discussions. Fans have been busy theorizing about everything from the true role of the reapers to the real outcomes of Shepard’s choices in the ending. Clearing up these questions would help build trust as we move intoMass Effect 5.

Commander Shepherd and the Andromeda protagonist from Mass Effect with the N7 logo to their left.

10How Much of the Indoctrination Theory Was Correct?

Unreliable Storytelling - Or Something Else?

Mass Effect 5shouldseriously consider the Indoctrination Theory, even if it doesn’t completely confirm it. The game could explore unanswered questions about what happened to Shepard at the end ofMass Effect 3.Were the endings real, or was Shepard being manipulated by the Reapers? All these questions shouldn’t just be brushed off.

Mass Effect 5 Should Use These Mechanics From Mass Effect: Andromeda

Mass Effect: Andromeda is frequently derided, but it introduced some mechanical changes that the series’ next game would be wise to adopt.

This could be shown through unreliable storytelling, broken memories, or clues suggesting Shepard’s view of things was skewed. Addressing the idea of indoctrination would help explain the confusing parts of theMass Effect 3ending and change how players think about the whole trilogy.It would also introduce an exciting new dangerforMass Effect 5. Whether it confirms indoctrination or just leaves some doubt, bringing it up would help Shepard’s journey and the series as a whole.

Characters from Mass Effect

9Who Really Started the Crucible?

The Protheans Only Continued It

Mass Effect 5really needs to clarify where the Crucible comes from. The game suggests it’s an artifact from before the Prothean era, similar to the Citadel and Mass Relays, but this brings up important questions.Was it actually made by civilizations from earlier cycles, or is it just another trick by the Reapers for civilizations to work for and waste time in? The uncertainty about who created it adds to the feeling of unease and deception that is important in theMass Effectseries.

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The Mass Effect trilogy tells Shepard’s journey to save the galaxy from the Reapers, but there are countless moments that help make it memorable.

There’s still a wonder about what it is, since the Crucible doesn’t actually do everything that players want it to do. It givesweird choices and a star child, and the storytelling quickly falls apart. The ambiguity ofwhether it’s neededis one of the biggest proponents of the Indoctrination theory. Clarifying this issue will significantly affect the lore and future direction of the franchise.

Kai Leng from Mass Effect

8Did the Krogans Start War With the Galaxy Again?

They Have A History & Are Cured Of The Genophage

A big concern forMass Effect 5is the possibility of Krogan becoming aggressive again. The Krogan have a history of conflict, and now that they’ve beencured of the genophage,their ability to reproduce could lead to a renewed push for power. This raises whether they have regained their strength and are starting a war against other species.

Addressing this issue is important because it affects the delicate peace in the galaxy. Ignoring it would be a serious mistake, as it would miss the chance to explorethe consequences of past decisionswhile connecting to themes from the original trilogy, such as conflict, responsibility, and the ongoing cycle of violence.

Joker from Mass Effect with the Normandy SR-1 in the background.

7What Do Quarians Look Like Under Their Helmets?

We Were Told There' Would Be A Real Answer Already

The mystery of what Quarians look like has been a long-standing question in theMass Effectuniverse. While players have seen hints throughout Tali’s romance storyline,it’s important forMass Effect 5to provide a clear reveal. Fans have been debating and guessing about this for years, making it a major topic of interest. It doesn’t help that thepicture reveal changedin DLC.

Kai Leng Was Added Too Late To Be Effective In Mass Effect

Kai Leng ended up falling flat as a character when he showed up in Mass Effect 3, but he could’ve been better if used earlier in the trilogy.

The lack of a solid answer has made this mystery more frustrating than exciting. Showing what they actually look like would satisfy fans' curiosity and give closure to this ongoing mystery.Since Quarians are a key part of the story, they should be revealed instead of remaining a secret. This would also help players connect more deeply with Quarian characters and their culture.

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6Who Was the Benefactor of the Andromeda Initiative?

One Part of Andromeda You Can Answer

The identity of the person who funded the Andromeda Initiative is an important loose end thatMass Effect 5needs to tie up.This mysterious benefactor supported the entire projectwhile knowing about the Reaper threat in the Milky Way, but somehow would never benefit from it in a real way.

Revealing who this person is could change how people view the Andromeda Initiative and might connect it to familiar groups like Cerberus or the Illusive Man, linking the two galaxies.Leaving this unanswered would be a big mistake, and it’s basically a hole in the story, making it less satisfying for anyone who playedAndromeda.

5How Can Mass Relays Get Destroyed Without Major Galactic Consequences?

Arrival DLC Proved It Does A Lot of Damage

Mass Effect 5needs to deal with the problems caused by the destruction of the mass relays because it creates a big plot hole that weakens the ending of the original trilogy.TheArrivalDLC shows that relays cause serious damageacross entire star systems when they explode. However, the ending ofMass Effect 3suggests that their destruction only affects the relays themselves, which doesn’t make sense. This inconsistency takes away from the series' important themes of risk and sacrifice.

To make the story believable, this issue needs to be fixed. The game could either change how relays work,increase the consequences of their destructionto match what was shown inArrivalor explain how they are repaired so easily, as shown in the DLC BioWare released afterME3was poorly received. If this plot hole is ignored, it will hurt the established stories of the series and lower the credibility ofMass Effect 5.

4What Happened To The Human Reaper?

Is Mass Effect Going To Keep Ignoring It?

The fate of the Human-Reaper is an important question thatMass Effect 5needs to answer. The Human-Reaper’s creation was a key part of the story inMass Effect 2andshowed how the Reapers operate and how twisted Cerberus’s goalsare. This was basically pushed aside inMass Effect 3, and if it continues to be ignored, it will lessen its horror. Fans need to know if Cerberus succeeded with their research and what could have been.

10 Characters That Should Return In Mass Effect 5

Mass Effect is famous for its incredibly expansive roster of characters, and there are plenty that deserve to return in the upcoming Mass Effect 5.

Exploring this question could help us understand more about the Reapers' long-term plans or highlight the dangers of unchecked technology. It might also relate to the themes of control and corruption that are central to theMass Effectuniverse.Leaving the fate of the Human-Reaper unansweredwould be a missed chance for closure and deeper exploration of the plot.

3How Did Anderson and the Illusive Man Get To the Citadel Before Shepard?

Hacket Clearly Said No One Made It

The appearance of Anderson and the Illusive Man on the Citadel before Shepard inMass Effect 3is a big issue thatMass Effect 5needs to fix. Their arrival seems impossible given the chaos and security measures in place, which disrupts the story and creates confusion.This has been one of the biggest plot pointsthat helps the Indoctrination Theory, and without that theory, it would be just silly. This is bad writing otherwise.

It would be helpful to explain how they got past the defenses and reached the control room, maybe by using indoctrination. This would not only provide closure but also add some interesting twists. Fans deserve a clear explanation for this major plot hole, as it weakens the established rules of theMass Effectuniverse.A good explanation would make the story far more satisfying. I would even take “they drove there while Shepared was down,” as an answer, because at least, it’s a real answer.

2How Did A Rachni Survive To The Third Game?

“Somehow, The Rachni Returned”

The return of the Rachni Queen inMass Effect 3overlooks player choices and established story details, which is a crucial issue thatMass Effect 5needs to tackle. In the first game, players had to make a clear decision: to save or destroy the Rachni Queen. If she was destroyed, her presence in the third game would create a significant inconsistency in the story.

Somehow, another queen pops up, and the first game’s decision feels really unhelpful. Ignoring this makes it seem like thechoices players made in the first game, which is one of the main attractions ofMass Effect,don’t actually matter. To keep the franchise believable and honor players' past decisions,Mass Effect 5needs to give a better explanation than “this one was hidden” because otherwise, it’s just bad writing.

1What Happened To The Andromeda Initiative?

Don’t Ignore The Mass Effect Step Child

Mass Effect 5needs to address what happened to the Andromeda Initiative after that game ends to give players a sense of closure and tie the games together. After the events inAndromeda,the Initiative was in a tough spot, facing resource shortages, weak leadership, and challenges in a dangerous galaxy. If the game ignores their situation, Ryder and the pathfinders' decisions will feel pointless.

It’s known that years would have passed, and all they were doing would be done before they could return.So an answer could come from a vision from a psychicor anything like that. That seems silly, but the series has done wilder things before.

Knowing what happens to the Andromeda Initiative is important because it connects back to the Milky Way. The people in Andromeda are basically refugees trying to escape the Reaper threat, and their outcomes are important to those who stuck with the series during its worst game. Figuring this out is key to creating a strong narrative that will please long-time fansofMass Effectand helpMass Effect 5.