Mass Effect Fans Want Shepard Back
There’s very little information about Mass Effect 5, but demand for the return of the series’ iconic character, Commander Shepard, is growing. While BioWare has kept the series alive for years with only brief teasers, fans have launched social media campaigns demanding Shepard’s return.
Jennifer Hale Eager to Return to Mass Effect
Mass Effect fans expect Mass Effect 5 to be a sequel to the original trilogy. Concept art suggests that the Destroy ending has become canon. This means that all synthetic lifeforms in the galaxy—including the Reapers and Geth—have been destroyed. However, that brief breathing sound in that final scene suggests that Shepard may still be alive.
Jennifer Hale, the legendary actress who voices Shepard, says she hasn’t yet received an offer from BioWare. However, she’s keeping a small door open for fans to hope: “If they call, I’ll be there before they finish their sentence,” Hale says. She also invites the community to support her, saying, “The more you want it, the more it might be possible.”
Still, there are some obstacles. The new Mass Effect game is rumored to be connected to Andromeda. This universe is set hundreds of years after Mass Effect 3. Therefore, all the cast members—including Shepard—except for Liara have long since vanished. Despite this, Hale states her willingness to portray not only Shepard but also another character: “I love that universe. Whether it’s Shepard or anyone else, I’m ready.”
Hale’s candid statements have been met with great enthusiasm by the series’ loyal audience. Thousands of fans on social media are calling on BioWare with the hashtag #BringBackShepard. However, Hale emphasizes that this shouldn’t turn into a “pressure” campaign: “Say what you want, but don’t harass anyone,” he says.
BioWare announced that despite this year’s mass layoffs, development on Mass Effect 5 is “progressing as planned.” Whether Shepard will return to the story remains unclear, but the community’s voice is growing louder. Who knows, perhaps Commander Shepard will return to the galaxy through a hologram, a memory, or a surprise cutscene.
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