Mass Effect 4: The Mako Makes its Triumphant Return!

Straight from SDCC, the best/worst thing about the first Mass Effect is driving its way back into our hearts for the upcoming sequel.

Love it or hate it, the Mako is coming back. The land vehicle from the first Mass Effect game is returning to the franchise in the next game in the series. While the game is still early in development at BioWare's studios in Edmonton and Montreal, they still had some details to share at the Mass Effect panel today at SDCC.

For those of you concerned about the physics of the Mako, which were ridiculous at best and frustrating at worst in the first Mass Effect, BioWare has put effort into that. "We're playing around with a bunch of different physics for the Mako. The thing that we have to do is make sure it is as responsive as possible," said Mike Gamble, Producer. "We've learned a thing or two over the years."

The vehicle will apparently be customizable, as well. Exploration will be a bigger emphasis in the new Mass Effect and Gamble shared, "If you're going to be spending a lot of time in vehicles in places, they should reflect you as a player."

YUSS!

Also, we got a peek at some possible default armor sets for your character.

Another interesting bit of speculation, the Escapist's own Andrea Rene said there was a "spiritual successor" vibe to the game. There is still no solid information on when in the Mass Effect timeline this game will occur, but Andrea said it sounds as if the game "will be during Shepard's lifetime but won't involve Shepard."

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/conferences/sdcc2014/11995-Mass-Effect-The-Mako-Returns-Update

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I loved using the Mako! I think I might be the only person ever though.

@jaken7: Were you there?

Calling out all the peeps who participated in the Mass Effect popularity tournament.

@jaken7@thecannon@ostyo@shadowswordmaster@jphu8414@oosupermanthathoeoo@marshall_long@saren@darling_luna@the_tree@jedixman@ultrastarkiller@joygirl@bruxae@pokemondefender@ximpossibrux@reaverlation@smashbrawler@xaos@ishkafel@scorpion2501@cdiddyman911@commanderomega @xiix@night_thrasher@impurestcheese@sanohibiki @yung_ancient_one @m3th

Meh.

When does this come out?

Well the Mako looks weird but the armor looks pretty cool.

Nah, check the link. It's all from that article. Wish I caught the Mass Effect panel though, would've totally been worth going to San Diego.

You're not! I did too! The exploration aspect of ME 1 is what I missed the most when it was omitted from its sequels.

@jaken7: It was pretty fun. The Mako's obnoxious maneuverability made it that much more fun to drive haha

All I really care about is the multi-player really

<Darth Vader "NO!!!" video>

No! Get hyped!

No release date yet. Not even an official title. Probably late 2015 or early 2016.

It's customizable, so it doesn't have to look weird. It's up to you.

@jaken7: But it is happening for sure?

Yes! Fun in an incredibly obnoxious way! :3

O_o

@jaken7: I really, really, really want to be hyped for it, but I don't think I can be. I just don't want to pay for day 1 DLC that was cut out of the game.

I hate giving money to EA, too.

Absolutely. Been official since last year. Even had a developer documentary/teaser trailer at this year's E3.

I never had a huge problem with the Mako. It was a pain to drive on hills, but I had no other complaints with it. I wished they never got rid of it in ME2 or 3, so I'm glad to see it back. Customizing it it also cool.

I also like the look of the armors, but something about them looks odd. Can't tell what, but I still like them.

No one's forcing you to buy the DLC though...

Bigger emphasis on exploration and a customizable Mako sound good to me.

I am too! ^_^

Looks like Cerberus armor, honestly.

@jaken7: I'd agree, unless it's blatantly obvious the DLC was originally cut for the game. I'll buy DLC that's actually new content, but I won't buy DLC that was cut out of the game, so they could make more money.

I shouldn't be forced to pay extra for the games full experience.

@jaken7: That is true...

Well it's never cut from the game. DLC is always started on after the game's development is finished, but it may be completed before release (which was the case with Javik).

Again, no one is forcing you to pay for anything. I think all DLC is the full experience, because I'm a big fanboy and enjoy it all, but I know plenty of people (like@thecannon for example) who never played any of the DLC, and still got their full experience from the game.

@jaken7: I loved the multi-player in ME3 and thought it was massively underrated.I was one of the best at it and hope it's brought back

I loved it too...I just care about the single-player more.

@jaken7: Javik was obviously in the original game. He had way too many unique scenes with him to not be apart of the game. He was found disc locked in the original game files for Gods sake. He was literally in the original game.

I know I'm not forced to buy the DLC, but when they cut out an important part of the game to get a few bucks, I have a right to be a bit pissed. Also, Cannon didn't receive the full experience, if he didn't by the Javik DLC.

It was definitely cut from the game.

Here's a picture explaining it.

Awesome!

@beaconofstrength: His files were found in the game's code because they finished working on him before they shipped the game, and were able to put him in there. His inclusion puts a new spin on a few missions, but it never directly affects the events of the plot.

@jaken7: Mhm.

Does this imply that ME4 is going be taking place in the ME1 time line or before? Maybe in between ME1 and ME2? Because it doesn't make sense to still drive around Makos when you have the Hammerhead.

In any case, exploration on the planets surface was literally the most boring part of ME1 for me, but hopefully they can spruce up the environments a lot more, cut their size down, and make the Mako more fun to drive.

@force_echo: Well maybe...

"There is still no solid information on when in the Mass Effect timeline this game will occur, but Andrea said it sounds as if the game "will be during Shepard's lifetime but won't involve Shepard."

Alright. I'm ready for some Mako action!

I don't even care, I'm in!

Not a huge fan of the Mako...but I'll roll with it

Bruh I'm the only one who loved exploring sh*t in ME1 lol

@jaken7: I did not enjoy the mako but I did enjoy traveling on the planets. So I'm glad they are working on the mechanics of the mako.

More planetary exploration is always good.

@beaconofstrength: Oh man, I remember those games, The Da Vinci Chronicles. The originals were great but I heard the reboot was crap.

I can't wait to flip over for no reason and spin 10 minutes crawling up a mountain.

Mako, that was fun, flying off mountains and crap. Then flipping over and trying to crawl up a hill for 10 minutes. But all in all, i'm stoked!

I missed the Mako, hopefully we get a Salarian squadmate again.

Meh at the Mako. But I hope the armor is more customizable with more choices.

i hated the using the mako cause but i love exploring the planet surfaces cause it felt like i was in a sci fi show like star trek , now thats its improved i wont have much problem now

LOL Mass Effect...

I hope they do this game well and redeem themselves in my eyes... but I am so extremely skeptical about BioWare now after ME3, not just because of the game itself, but how they treated their fans after the game was launched.

It is cool to see the Mako back. The exploring of planets was a really cool part of Mass Effect 1 that was a neat idea that really needed some polishing.

EDIT: "During Shepard's lifetime..." woah... biggest turn off

This game should be like DoFP and do everything in its power to undo ME3 :D

Nuh uh, you ain't alone!

Interesting. MetH still needs to play tHe first game. MetH wants to play tHe first game and tHen replay tHe 2nd and 3rd witH tHe new 1St story information.

June'sVeryOwn

I liked the Mako and Uncharted worlds mainly because of the atmosphere, and the concept of exploring barren planets and finding something on them. It's nice to see them emphasize one of the things I liked most about ME1. The planet scanning was a disappointing alternative.

Unfortunately, I thought the sequels, specifically ME3, took several steps back which doesn't leave me that excited for a new ME game right now.

Cool, I liked the Mako.

It was that sense of exploration that I felt was lacking in ME2 and ME3.

@jaken7:

Yeah ! AWESOME !

Thanks a lot !

It look gorgeous.

But ironically, what kept me to play Mass Effect games were not really the graphic, but rather the whole universe and the story line. I hope that the story will be interesting and the characters memorables. If this isn't, it will be a MASS (pun tended.) disappointement.

Im one of those rare few who actually enjoyed the Mako too!