- The CE Robot dog is possible to interact with aboard the Normandy, like having it follow you around, play fetch and it apparently has a story to it. No details on whether it’s combat able or not though.
- Character creator will get a lot more hair styles and facial features in ME3. So expect the hairstyles from the femShep competition to make it into the CC.
- They are considering an Uber achievement for all three games. What that is exactly is they don’t know, but they want to reward their long term fans.
- All squad mates will get their story and closure for ME3 even if they might not be a permanent squad member.
- We’ll see more of the Yahg (The former Shadow Broker)
- Not loyalty of people, but loyalty of races. Less focus on building loyalty with squad members and more on the various races. So expect previous loyalty and decisions to play a part in this.
- XP system goes back to ME1. No details but they won’t do the mission summary XP from ME2.
- The fate of the squad mates will not always be up to the player and decisions that feels right can prove to be harmful.
- The banter will be increased significantly since the squad member group is smaller this time.
- The ending of ME3 will give closure to the trilogy so don’t expect answers on post ME3 DLC until the game is out.
- There will not be an SDK after Mass Effect 3.
- Joker-EDI romance is being “looked at”.
- Aside from the Krogan princess, we will apparently not see female counterparts of turians, salarians and so on in ME3 either.
- Mods for ME2 has to be remade for ME3.
- Thane is still alive in ME3 (if he survived the Collector Base).
- Kelly Chambers will return.
- Romance between Joker and Shepard is a case of “you have to play it to see it”.
- If Hammerhead or Mako returns it’s closer to critical path missions. Don’t expect exploration using these vehicles.
- The Normandy will be upgraded by the Systems Alliance, so resource gathering for the ship is not likely this time.
- The geth quarian conflict will be concluded.
- Existing music from ME1 and ME2 will make its way into ME3.
- Side quests will pretty much always be in line with the critical path story.
- Classes will get new powers with up to six different ways to customize each power.
- Squad mates appearances and armor will be possible to customize again.
- Seems Cerberus will be a full blown antagonist and not possible to align with in ME3.
- They have DECIDED about whether you’ll get to see Tali’s face or not.
- There may be time sensitive story elements though it will be more focused ones like the Normandy crew.
- ME3 will make you cry!
- There will be a larger variety of environments compared to ME2.
- Heavy melee will pretty much always kill a target, but defensive factors like armor, barriers and shields will affect the outcome. Also don’t try to melee an Atlas mech.
- There will be mini games though no announcements.
- We may see Quarians without masks. Whether that would include Tali or not was left unsaid.
- The choices you make in the trial at the beginning of ME3 will set the tone for the future in the game.
- James Vega’s voice actor will be announced really soon and is apparently a closely guarded secret, since he’s really awesome.
- Indoctrination seem to play a role in ME3, possibly including party members.
- Kal’Reegar will return in ME3.
- They are discussing possibilities of missions that ties back to your background choice for Shepard.
- You have a lot more romance options in ME3. Possibly not limited to party members.
- You will be able to change class if you import your ME2 Shepard to ME3. Though you will have to start from Lvl 1 while kept class will get Import+ perks.
- Legion will return with a larger role in ME3.
- There may be a ‘special’ import for saves where Shepard died. The interest is clearly too big for them to simply ignore such a treat.
- Miranda will be back and has unfinished business with Shepard.
- Shepard’s SPECTRE status will play part in ME3 and change things if you had the status reinstated in ME2.
- Conrad Verner’s back.
- Normandy will be the SR-2 with an Alliance paint and some redesigned interiors. Joker will apparently be happy with it.
- How many team mates you speak to at the same time aboard the Normandy depends on the context of the missions.
- You’ll have debriefings after each mission that are deeper than ME2, but you are still likely to only talk to the squad mates one on one outside of that.