The Future of Mass Effect

Now that I've completed BioWare's latest and greatest, Dragon Age:  Inquisition, I find myself wandering back into the world of Mass Effect and wondering about the direction of the next game.  There haven't been a lot of details released about the next incarnation of my favorite sci-fi action drama.  Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock and who is a fan of the series probably knows that the series ended in a weird place and there are so many possibilities for where it can go.  I've been thinking about things that I would like to see in the next game.  (There will be spoilers about the Mass Effect series)

Should the next game be a prequel of sequel?
I would like to see the next game be a sequel.  The events of Mass Effect 3 were so dramatic that I think a story set after those events would be open to many more creative possibilities.  We've already gotten to see a lot of the council races and need something new.  One huge strength in BioWare's storytelling is their ability to tie the games together.  I always feel like the decisions I made in previous games will have some effect on the next game.  I am curious to see how the galaxy rebuilds after the devastation of the reaper invasion.  My Shepard cured the genophage, will that decision come back to haunt me?  Did I unwittingly unleash a new Krogan superempire?  How will the major decision at the end of Mass Effect 3 effect the galaxy?

Should there be any ties to Commander Shepard?
At the end of Mass Effect 3 there is that weird epilogue scene where it seems like the future and an older person is explaining to a child the importance of Commander Shepard.  Could this be a possible Shepard child?  Should there be a Shepard child?  Personally, I vote no.  I think the Shepard story line needs to be done.  There needs to be a new protagonist or new group.  I think it's alright to reference Shepard, and how could you not, but no child/grandchild.  I think it would be really cool if players were given the option of playing as different races--that the protagonist could be Asari, Turian, Quarian, Krogan, or Human.

What aspects of the three games would I like to see incorporated into the next game?

The new Mako.

There were many people who were upset when Mass Effect 2 seemed to take a clear departure away from RPG-like aspects.  The change from not having the multitude of loot--customizable armor and weapons--was a big change.  Mass Effect 3 seemed to somewhat rectify this problem by adding in mods for weapons and some new pieces of armor.  I would like to see the old loot system return with more options.  Of the few details released about the new game there has been concept art of the Mako.  Does that mean that they are going to add planetary exploration back into the game?  Should it be more open-world, like Dragon Age:  Inquisition?  As someone who is not a big fan of "open-world" type games I am hoping that they don't.  I liked doing some minor exploration on the planets, but have always enjoyed the focus on the story in the Mass Effect series.  One part of DA:  I that I really enjoyed was the ability to customize Skyhold.  It would be fun to have a new ship that is more customizable.  It's not the Normandy, but it's something you can make your own.

What about Shepard's old crew?  Should they make a reappearance?
I always like getting some closure about the characters from previous games.  While I want a departure from the Shepard storyline I think it would be nice to see these characters playing a role in the new galaxy.  Maybe Tali is leading the Quarian effort to rebuild Rannoch and you cross paths or you complete a mission for the shadow broker (AKA Liara).

That's all I can think of at the moment.  I'm currently replaying the Mass Effect series so it's on my mind.  I can't wait to hear more about my favorite series and hope all the other fans are just as anxious.