User blog comment:Rusty650/About the Idea of "Mass Effect 4"/@comment-86.29.9.25-20130625042812

I had massive post typed out, but it was stuff no one except for me would care about. It was just an idea for a sidestory type mission taking place before ME3. All that's important is that I have no idea how to continue the main series with the endings and I wouldn't mind if they had Dragon Age's 'Origin' and 'Squadmate Approval' mechanics. I don't think a big "save the galaxy from evil!" storyline would be the right way to go. Reign it back a bit.

An Origin-style mechanic allows for a way to introduce a non-Shepard character. He/she would have more customisability than Shepard did to make up for their being not-Shepard. Some kind of vague title could be bestowed, allowing you to choose whatever species and gender you wanted and still giving characters something to address you by (along the lines of "the Warden" or "the Shadow Broker"). But this is also because I want a customisable turian main character, so if I can get that, I'm fine not playing as Shepard.

Seriously though. Loads of games have new main characters in sequels. Metal Gear Solid didn't have Solid Snake as the main character again until number 4 and then he was an old man on the cusp of death. Though Raiden isn't necessarily the best example of how to do it, I'll admit.