An Old Mass Effect Fan Theory Suddenly Makes Perfect Sense for Mass Effect 5’s Story

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Before Mass Effect 3 came out, fans spent a lot of time speculating about how the story would end and how the war against the Reapers would unfold. When the game was finally released and received a very divided reaction, many fans started suggesting their own ideas for how the story *should* have gone. Although some theories (such as the Indoctrination theory) gained a following, one interesting idea actually comes from early concepts for what the Reapers were originally meant to be.

Although this idea wasn’t ultimately used in Mass Effect 3, it’s still a possibility for future installments. While Mass Effect 4 didn’t achieve the same success as the original trilogy, the series continues with the currently unreleased Mass Effect 5. Reviving a subtle hint from the original Mass Effect trilogy in Mass Effect 5 could effectively link the older games to the new direction of the series and build anticipation for what’s to come.

What Dark Matter Is In Mass Effect 2

Throughout the story of Mass Effect 2, a mysterious substance called Dark Matter appeared in several missions – most notably during Tali’s recruitment mission. Drew Karpyshyn, the lead writer for the first two Mass Effect games, recently explained how Dark Energy was initially envisioned for the entire trilogy. According to Karpyshyn, Dark Energy was meant to be a special power source that only living creatures could use. By tapping into this energy, lifeforms would essentially be draining the universe, ultimately speeding up its destruction. It was a powerful and dangerous resource.

As Karpyshyn described, “The Reapers might be trying to prevent something – perhaps an event like the reverse of the Big Bang (called the Big Crunch). They may have figured out that using biotic abilities is the only solution, but because they can’t use them themselves, they are forced to constantly rebuild civilizations. It would have been a surprising but logical explanation, fitting with the Reapers’ history of causing cycles of destruction, while also giving them a clearer reason for their actions.”

Karpyshyn was quick to point out that this was simply one idea the team explored. Still, it presents a fascinating ethical dilemma and could have served as a strong foundation for the story. Giving the Reapers a grander purpose would have been a captivating twist, providing a motivation focused on the survival of all life. It also would have made the widespread death and devastation harder to justify when facing their ultimate challenge, potentially hindering the kind of climactic battle that concluded the trilogy. Since they ultimately chose a different path in Mass Effect 3, that concept involving Dark Energy could easily be revisited in the future.

How Dark Energy Could Fuel Mass Effect 5

BioWare has occasionally shared hints about the development of Mass Effect 5, and these hints indicate the game will be set during the same time as the first games. Beyond bringing back well-known characters like Liara T’Soni and developers who worked on the original trilogy, the game received short teasers in 2020 and 2023, confirming it was still in progress. However, the future of the series is uncertain. EA, BioWare’s parent company, taking on $20 billion in debt worried fans that the sequel might be cancelled to save money. There’s also concern about the series’ direction given EA’s $55 billion acquisition deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, as their values could clash with the more forward-thinking themes of the games. Considering this, bringing back the beloved characters from the original trilogy appears to be a smart move to refocus and strengthen the central ideas and emotional core of the Mass Effect series moving forward.

Reintroducing Dark Energy could be a great way to build on the story, essentially adding to the ending of Mass Effect 3 and incorporating ideas from earlier in the series. The idea that the player’s choices could lead to the universe being destroyed would create a powerful and thought-provoking continuation of the trilogy’s moral challenges. While previous games relied on quick-time events and actions to present choices, Mass Effect 5 could show the dangerous consequences of overusing Dark Energy and the effects on those who try to control it with bionics. This could add tension to the game’s world and exploration, encouraging players to carefully plan how they navigate a universe that’s on the verge of collapsing. This would also significantly raise the stakes compared to the endings of Mass Effect 3, which ranged from the total destruction of civilization to a peaceful merging of synthetic and organic life.

Exploring the reason behind the Reaper conflict could significantly expand the Reddit-suggested universe and unlock countless possibilities for future installments. This approach would allow the surviving crew of the Normandy to embark on new adventures, using the ongoing threat of the Reapers as a reason to investigate the wider galaxy and discover other dangers. This would give developers the freedom to create a diverse range of new aliens, environments, and technologies as the Normandy crew travels to unexplored worlds. Ultimately, it could establish a limitless future for the entire franchise.

This approach would also help keep the spirit of the original game alive in the new one. The series has consistently been forward-thinking when it comes to sexuality and gender, offering romance options for all preferences. Reintroducing beloved characters like Garrus, Liara, and Tali, perhaps by expanding the game’s universe, could be key to maintaining that important part of the game’s identity in future installments. These characters shouldn’t regress from the growth and storylines players experienced with Shepard; instead, future games should build on the original’s progressive foundation and maintain a connection to its roots.

Mass Effect 5 has a great opportunity to continue the stories from the first games and open up exciting new possibilities. By revisiting the concept of Dark Energy, the developers connect the new game to the original trilogy, creating a link to the past that can lead to a huge and expansive future. This approach naturally builds on the established story and strengthens the series’ overall history, while also setting the stage for Mass Effect 5 and future installments.

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2025-10-03 18:11