The next Mass Effect will see the return of the Mako, focus on exploration

BioWare's next Mass Effect game will see the return of the Mako, the all-terrain vehicle that players can pilot on the surface of planets. Players should expect to spend a good chunk of time with it, because the next game, BioWare said at San Diego Comic-Con, will have an emphasis on exploration.

According to a recap of the panel from The Escapist, Mass Effect producer Mike Gamble said players will be able to customize their Mako to their liking, because they'll be spending a lot of time with it. He also said that BioWare has been investing time in making sure the vehicle "is as responsive as possible."

BioWare also showed off a bit of character customization for human male and female armor options, but stressed that designs could change before the game arrives — which is apparently "years away."

Gamble also hinted that cooperative multiplayer is a bigger focus for the developer than competitive multiplayer, and reaffirmed that the next Mass Effect is not Commander Shepard's story.

At E3 2014, BioWare said players will experience "new places, new characters" and "new people to fall in love with." The team added that it thinks fans will be "surprised at just how far we're going" with the next entry.