'Mass Effect 4' release date: March 2016 launch expected; tougher combat for players

(BioWare)

Fans had a glimpse of BioWare's fourth installment to its acclaimed action role-playing game, "Mass Effect," at last year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Since then, the game's publisher, Electronic Arts (EA), has yet to release any concrete details about the development of the third person shooter game, or its scheduled release date. However, a recent report by research firm Wedbush Securities claims that "Mass Effect 4" will be out before the end of March 2016.

According to an article by Express, Bioware level designer Jos Hendriks has teased via Twitter that "Mass Effect 4" is set to offer tough combat to players. "Well that combat certainly works. I just got my ass handed to me," Hendriks wrote on Twitter. "You would have also died, trust me. The enemies.... didn't follow script." In another tweet, Hendricks wrote: "I hope the people reviewing my mission in the coming days know their stuff, because these combats are no joke."

Meanwhile, a Reddit user has posted an article describing the finer points of the upcoming game. The Reddit user claims to have acquired the information after answering online surveys. According to the post, "Mass Effect 4" will take place in the Helius Cluster and will pick up from the events of the Mass Effect Trilogy. The player's mission is to travel across the Cluster to face off with aliens and find a suitable home for mankind.

The article also includes gameplay details, such as jetpack jump, an upgraded cryo-beam and laser canon. Also, "Mass Effect 4" will reportedly offer players more control over conversations with the use of action-based choices. These choices will enable players to decide on how to approach a dialogue and come up with "more extreme outcomes." BioWare is yet to comment on any of these rumors.

On a positive note, BioWare recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and expressed gratitude to fans through a statement saying: "We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of BioWare. To our fans across the globe: We are truly grateful and humbled by your continued support. We're excited for what the future holds - the best is yet to come."

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