One of the most revered aspects ofMass Effectis how well-realized the universe is, as there is a decent chance any questions have a reasonable answer hidden away in the game’s codex. From matters such as why guns from the first game technically have unlimited ammo in gameplay to an interesting cast of characters with complex backstories and personalities, BioWare deservedly gets a lot of praise for helping to makeMass Effectfeel alive.
With a galactic setting as vibrant asMass Effect’s, it comes as no surprise that there have been many cut concepts and characters during the development of each of the games.Mass Effect 2notably has a lot of cut characters, and while some concepts were transferred over to characters in the game, many were cut out entirely. While some of the characters cut were for understandable reasons, one should make a return inMass Effect 4because their concept is too good to waste.
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Mass Effect Needs Its Stoner Salarian
Arguably the biggest loss toMass Effect 2’s roster was “The Techno-Hippie"who not only would have provided great technological prowess to the crew, but would have also been a 45-year-old salarian man with the personality of a stereotypical stoner. His easy-going and forgetful attitude would have been a dramatic tonal shift from everyone else who remains tense due to the severity of the suicide mission. It is tragic that players will never get to experience scenes where the Normandy crew is discussing a mission that will likely lead to everyone’s deaths and have this guy be one of the individuals sitting in even if he would probably forget half of what was said immediately after.
Probably the most baffling part about him is the fact he is 45 years old. This is almost unheard of withMass Effectsalariansbecause their fast metabolism typically allows them to live for less than 40 years. Perhaps his long lifespan would have been due to a slower metabolism, but his age would have still played a bit into how comical he is because while some crew members could be considered middle-aged, the Techno-Hippe would have been downright ancient for someone of his species.
WithMass Effect 4in development, BioWare has an opportunity to right the wrong that was cutting the Techno-Hippie out of the series. Despite his exclusion fromMass Effect 2likely coming down to him feeling tonally out of place with the rest of the game, he very well likely could fit in the upcoming game. All that is known about the game is that it will follow the “destroy” ending fromMass Effect 3and Liara will have a role to play in it, meaning his isolationist habits could be more probable since travel has significantly slowed.
This would depend on the state of the galaxy duringMass Effect 4,as it could very well be set several hundred years into the future when new travel methods could have been found. Should it also have a similar pace to the first game, set during a time of relative peace in the galaxy, his inclusion might not be as tonally out of place as it would have been during other parts in the trilogy.
Since BioWare’s primary focus is on developingDragon Age: Dreadwolf,it may be a long wait until anything is known aboutMass Effect 4. While this might sting for long-time fans of the series, it does also mean that development is early enough that much of the game is probably still being conceptualized. Big things are beingteased forMass Effect 4, and if the Techno-Hippie gets to make his debut, it would be a massive inclusion for the game.
Mass Effect 4is currently in development.
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