Science Fiction Genres in Mass Effect

Since Mass Effect is practically a tribute to the Space Opera genre, I keep thinking about possible addition of other distinct subgenres of Space Opera and Science Fiction into the ME universe.

Space Western would fit perfectly within the Mass Effect setting, featuring stories of colonial expansion into the frontiers like the Atticus Traverse, or of outlaws and lawmen in the lawless Terminus Systems.

Yet the inclusion of Science Fantasy into ME would including Fantasy elements into the universe, which can create a massive tonal shift. The best way to minimize this would be introducing Low Fantasy (Game of Thrones) rather than High Fantasy (Lord of the Rings) into the universe, similar to what they did the Riddick series. Another great example would Star Wars; though it is considered very fantastical, the universe of Star Wars is basically a space opera setting plus a single metaphysical element that acts the source of all the paranormal phenomena that occurs in the series. (obviously this has little to no place in CDN, it's just speculation)

There can be a place for cyberpunk and post-cyberpunk in the universe. There are plenty of opportunity for cybernetics and cybernetic augmentation, hacker intrigue on cyberspace, cutting edge technology and it's abuse by the powerful like megacorporations and morally defunct governments. The perfect settings for Mass Effect cyberpunk would be corporate run worlds like Illium and Ios, and the System Alliance and the Salarian Union ruled respectively by the SATAE and the ever weakening Dalatresses.

And welcome to what's basically the best part about CDN: each of those interpretations are completely valid and employable by different characters and different settings. Including my personal favorite (aside from general Space Opera which I really kinda love ME for)

You rang~? But no really I've always loved this, and ME canon gives just enough details to expand and build upon. For example: genetic modification and cybernetic implantation are already acknowledged as being A Thing for military personnel and civilians, and there are further blocks on even more radical progress. Before legislation went into effect for example, humans were capable of uplifting species and possibly implementing new capabilities. The tech definitely exists. Nanites. Wetware. Cloning. Enginebeasts. Transhuman soldiers. It's all there.

I'd question the SA though, there is legislation already barring it and one can reasonably assume other species have similar things. Basically boiling down to you can enhance existing abilities but can't make new ones.

Of course, basically anything is purchasable on Illium so there's that.

But you are missing one great avenue for it. The Terminus, Traverse, and Abyss are host to hundreds upon hundreds of nations, warlords, and corporations that exist outside the Citadel's sphere of influence and thus its legislation. We've already had some of that exploredon the boards.

But yeah basically a lot is possible.

Space Western was one of the earlier ideas I thought about exploring on the site, but never got around to doing. Maybe I should get around to making that colonial Sheriff character I've had kicking around in the back of my head.

I have some ideas for how to put science fantasy into Mass Effect.
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Dragon Effect: It's merely Mass Effect with elements of Dragon Age. There are new races like the Qunari and metaphysical Alfar and Dvergar. There are the human mages of the Rosicrucian Brotherhood and the monster hunting Paladins of the Citadel Council. And there is DarkSpawn, mystics from past cycles who tried to escape the Reapers through the metaphysical dimension of the Aether, only to be tainted by the corrupting influence of the archdemons dwell within it's darkest depths.

Space Magic (get it?): It's a setting where mystics and magicians coexist with the rest of the galaxy (think Star Wars), or a setting where the galaxy is confronted or menaced by a supernatural force (Think The Stand, and/or other works by Stephen King). The prevailing metaphysical element of the Space Magic setting would be the Aether reality from with all supernatural phenomena ultimately originated.

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All of it is basically creating an "contemporary" or "urban" fantasy set in the future and on a galactic scale.