Mass Effect 4 would have an incredible legacy to follow up on, but being connected to such a famous franchise also comes with some potential downsides. The Mass Effect games forged a strong reputation based not only on the series' solid gameplay but also its cast of characters, especially the protagonist, Commander Shepard. Following up on the original trilogy was always going to be a challenge, as seen by the difficulties faced by Mass Effect: Andromeda. However, a direct sequel to the trilogy would not have an easy road either, and Mass Effect 4 would need to tread carefully.