The Mass Effect universe is known for its detailed stories and interesting characters. The original trilogy and Andromeda created a grand and personal story, leaving players with memorable experiences and a craving for more. However, even well-loved stories have their flaws. As we look forward to Mass Effect 5, we can’t ignore the ongoing questions and inconsistencies that have bothered fans for years, especially after the controversial ending of Mass Effect 3 and the separate story of Andromeda.
The new game has a great chance to start fresh and resolve these unanswered questions. Instead of ignoring the plot holes, Bioware can show they care about the story by providing clear answers and settling long-standing discussions. Fans have been busy theorizing about everything from the true role of the reapers to the real outcomes of Shepard's choices in the ending. Clearing up these questions would help build trust as we move into Mass Effect 5.
10 How Much of the Indoctrination Theory Was Correct?
Unreliable Storytelling - Or Something Else?
Mass Effect 5 should seriously consider the Indoctrination Theory, even if it doesn’t completely confirm it. The game could explore unanswered questions about what happened to Shepard at the end of Mass Effect 3. Were the endings real, or was Shepard being manipulated by the Reapers? All these questions shouldn't just be brushed off.

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This could be shown through unreliable storytelling, broken memories, or clues suggesting Shepard’s view of things was skewed. Addressing the idea of indoctrination would help explain the confusing parts of the Mass Effect 3 ending and change how players think about the whole trilogy. It would also introduce an exciting new danger for Mass Effect 5. Whether it confirms indoctrination or just leaves some doubt, bringing it up would help Shepard's journey and the series as a whole.
9 Who Really Started the Crucible?
The Protheans Only Continued It
Mass Effect 5 really needs to clarify where the Crucible comes from. The game suggests it's an artifact from before the Prothean era, similar to the Citadel and Mass Relays, but this brings up important questions. Was it actually made by civilizations from earlier cycles, or is it just another trick by the Reapers for civilizations to work for and waste time in? The uncertainty about who created it adds to the feeling of unease and deception that is important in the Mass Effect series.

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There's still a wonder about what it is, since the Crucible doesn't actually do everything that players want it to do. It gives weird choices and a star child, and the storytelling quickly falls apart. The ambiguity of whether it's needed is one of the biggest proponents of the Indoctrination theory. Clarifying this issue will significantly affect the lore and future direction of the franchise.
8 Did the Krogans Start War With the Galaxy Again?
They Have A History & Are Cured Of The Genophage
A big concern for Mass Effect 5 is the possibility of Krogan becoming aggressive again. The Krogan have a history of conflict, and now that they've been cured of the genophage, their ability to reproduce could lead to a renewed push for power. This raises whether they have regained their strength and are starting a war against other species.
Addressing this issue is important because it affects the delicate peace in the galaxy. Ignoring it would be a serious mistake, as it would miss the chance to explore the consequences of past decisions while connecting to themes from the original trilogy, such as conflict, responsibility, and the ongoing cycle of violence.
7 What Do Quarians Look Like Under Their Helmets?
We Were Told There' Would Be A Real Answer Already
The mystery of what Quarians look like has been a long-standing question in the Mass Effect universe. While players have seen hints throughout Tali's romance storyline, it’s important for Mass Effect 5 to provide a clear reveal. Fans have been debating and guessing about this for years, making it a major topic of interest. It doesn't help that the picture reveal changed in DLC.

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The lack of a solid answer has made this mystery more frustrating than exciting. Showing what they actually look like would satisfy fans' curiosity and give closure to this ongoing mystery. Since Quarians are a key part of the story, they should be revealed instead of remaining a secret. This would also help players connect more deeply with Quarian characters and their culture.
6 Who Was the Benefactor of the Andromeda Initiative?
One Part of Andromeda You Can Answer
The identity of the person who funded the Andromeda Initiative is an important loose end that Mass Effect 5 needs to tie up. This mysterious benefactor ed the entire project while knowing about the Reaper threat in the Milky Way, but somehow would never benefit from it in a real way.
Revealing who this person is could change how people view the Andromeda Initiative and might connect it to familiar groups like Cerberus or the Illusive Man, linking the two galaxies. Leaving this unanswered would be a big mistake, and it's basically a hole in the story, making it less satisfying for anyone who played Andromeda.
5 How Can Mass Relays Get Destroyed Without Major Galactic Consequences?
Arrival DLC Proved It Does A Lot of Damage
Mass Effect 5 needs to deal with the problems caused by the destruction of the mass relays because it creates a big plot hole that weakens the ending of the original trilogy. The Arrival DLC shows that relays cause serious damage across entire star systems when they explode. However, the ending of Mass Effect 3 suggests that their destruction only affects the relays themselves, which doesn’t make sense. This inconsistency takes away from the series' important themes of risk and sacrifice.
To make the story believable, this issue needs to be fixed. The game could either change how relays work, increase the consequences of their destruction to match what was shown in Arrival or explain how they are repaired so easily, as shown in the DLC BioWare released after ME3 was poorly received. If this plot hole is ignored, it will hurt the established stories of the series and lower the credibility of Mass Effect 5.
4 What Happened To The Human Reaper?
Is Mass Effect Going To Keep Ignoring It?
The fate of the Human-Reaper is an important question that Mass Effect 5 needs to answer. The Human-Reaper's creation was a key part of the story in Mass Effect 2 and showed how the Reapers operate and how twisted Cerberus's goals are. This was basically pushed aside in Mass Effect 3, and if it continues to be ignored, it will lessen its horror. Fans need to know if Cerberus succeeded with their research and what could have been.

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Exploring this question could help us understand more about the Reapers' long-term plans or highlight the dangers of unchecked technology. It might also relate to the themes of control and corruption that are central to the Mass Effect universe. Leaving the fate of the Human-Reaper unanswered would be a missed chance for closure and deeper exploration of the plot.
3 How Did Anderson and the Illusive Man Get To the Citadel Before Shepard?
Hacket Clearly Said No One Made It
The appearance of Anderson and the Illusive Man on the Citadel before Shepard in Mass Effect 3 is a big issue that Mass Effect 5 needs to fix. Their arrival seems impossible given the chaos and security measures in place, which disrupts the story and creates confusion. This has been one of the biggest plot points that helps the Indoctrination Theory, and without that theory, it would be just silly. This is bad writing otherwise.
It would be helpful to explain how they got past the defenses and reached the control room, maybe by using indoctrination. This would not only provide closure but also add some interesting twists. Fans deserve a clear explanation for this major plot hole, as it weakens the established rules of the Mass Effect universe. A good explanation would make the story far more satisfying. I would even take "they drove there while Shepared was down," as an answer, because at least, it's a real answer.
2 How Did A Rachni Survive To The Third Game?
"Somehow, The Rachni Returned"
The return of the Rachni Queen in Mass Effect 3 overlooks player choices and established story details, which is a crucial issue that Mass Effect 5 needs to tackle. In the first game, players had to make a clear decision: to save or destroy the Rachni Queen. If she was destroyed, her presence in the third game would create a significant inconsistency in the story.
Somehow, another queen pops up, and the first game's decision feels really unhelpful. Ignoring this makes it seem like the choices players made in the first game, which is one of the main attractions of Mass Effect, don't actually matter. To keep the franchise believable and honor players' past decisions, Mass Effect 5 needs to give a better explanation than "this one was hidden" because otherwise, it's just bad writing.
1 What Happened To The Andromeda Initiative?
Don't Ignore The Mass Effect Step Child
Mass Effect 5 needs to address what happened to the Andromeda Initiative after that game ends to give players a sense of closure and tie the games together. After the events in Andromeda, the Initiative was in a tough spot, facing resource shortages, weak leadership, and challenges in a dangerous galaxy. If the game ignores their situation, Ryder and the pathfinders' decisions will feel pointless.
It's known that years would have ed, and all they were doing would be done before they could return. So an answer could come from a vision from a psychic or anything like that. That seems silly, but the series has done wilder things before.
Knowing what happens to the Andromeda Initiative is important because it connects back to the Milky Way. The people in Andromeda are basically refugees trying to escape the Reaper threat, and their outcomes are important to those who stuck with the series during its worst game. Figuring this out is key to creating a strong narrative that will please long-time fans of Mass Effect and help Mass Effect 5.

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
- Released
- May 14, 2021
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Franchise
- Mass Effect
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One