It almost seems hard to believe that it has been 12 years since the release ofMass Effect 3and six years since the release of the last game in the franchise withMass Effect: Andromeda.While BioWare has been transparent about the existence of a newMass Effecttitle in development, whether this game is going to beMass Effect 4or another spinoff similar toAndromedaremains to be seen. With BioWare itself largely silent on the progress being made towards a new entry in theMass Effectfranchise, parent company EA has stepped in and revived another dormant and much-loved sci-fi saga with this year’s remake ofDead Space.
Given that both franchises are published by Electronic Arts and take place in the emptiness of space, it shouldn’t come as a surprise thatthe worlds ofMass EffectandDead Spacehave crossed over in the past. To celebrate the release ofDead Space 3, EA offered players withMass Effect 3save files the ability to unlock an N7-themed armor set for protagonist Isaac Clarke. However, EA could push the connection between the two science fiction titles further in the nextMass Effect.The next title in BioWare’s space opera has a golden opportunity to lean into a horror-themed side quest that explicitly connects the worlds ofMass EffectandDead Space.
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Plenty of IPs in pop culture emphasize just how effective outer space is at being scary. Some of the best and most iconic science fiction and horror films ever have utilized the darkness and unknown of space to great effect. While its unlikely that many would make the case for theMass Effecttrilogy qualifying as survival-horrorgames, there are plenty of locations and events from those games that ratchet up the tension and dread to a degree not dissimilar fromDead Space.
One of the most thrilling aspects ofMass EffectandMass Effect 2was the act of exploring signals in outer space only to stumble on a derelict spacecraft or abandoned settlement crawling with enemies. Depending on whenMass Effect 4takes place, and with the potential for that game’s plot to establish multiple universes or realities, it becomes possibility for players tostumble upon the USG Ishimura fromDead Space. For fans of both series who have imagined a crossover between the two franchises, getting to combat necromorphs using a blend of firepower and telekinetic abilities is an enticing prospect.
The success of the firstMass Effectserved as a catalyst for EA’s acquisition of BioWare in 2008. When one considers the success that the trilogy ofMass Effectgames brought EA and BioWare, it stands to reason that the next game in the series will be a landmark release. Manyconsidered theDead Spacefranchise to be deadand gone until EA made the surprise announcement of a remake, and it currently stands as one of the highest rated games of 2023. There is a possibility that the sequels will receive remakes if there’s enough of a demand. The nextMass Effectgame could play a pivotal role in making these sequels a reality.
Given the potential for a crossover of theDead Spacelocations and enemies in aMass Effectgame,Mass Effect 4embracingDead Spacecould prove to be mutually beneficial for both franchises.Mass Effect: Andromedawas a slight misstep for BioWare following the critical and commercial reception of the original trilogy, and it’s likely thenext game in theMass Effectserieshas the future of the franchise riding on it. With EA determining the likelihood of aDead Space 2and3remake based on sales and fan reception and aMass Effectuniverse ripe for a horror-themed crossover, these two sci-fi franchises could help deliver one another back into prominence.
