Mass Effect Andromeda

[Wrath2X]

Gameinformer info shamelessly stolen from GAF:

Backstory
-Around 2185, at the height of galactic progress, unaware of the impending Reaper invasion (though after Sovereign), several species band together for the "Andromeda Initiative"
-4 Arks, each carrying a different race, are built, housing thousands of individuals to chart a course to Andromeda

More on the Andromeda Initiative:
"Founded in 2176 and launched in 2185, the Andromeda Initiative is a civilian, multi-species project created to send scientists, explorers and colonists on a one-way trip to settle in the Andromeda Galaxy. With powerful benefactors lending their support, the program has grown substantially in scope since its inception. The Initiative’s ultimate goal is to establish a permanent presence on the seemingly resource-rich frontier of Andromeda, and eventually create a reliable route between it and the Milky Way Galaxy."

-Turians are confirmed in the game
-The Heleus Cluster is noted as having a significant amount of "Golden Worlds", or planets ripe for life
-Each ark is led by a "Pathfinder"
-The Pathfinder, recon teams and others onboard are in cryosleep, unaware of what transpires in the Milky Way after they depart
-You play as either Scott or Sara Ryder, the children of Alec Ryder (pathfinder of the human ark)
-Alec Ryder is voiced by Clancy Brown
-Events at the start of the game occur that pass this role down to you, you are untested and unproven, unlike Commander Shepard of the previous trilogy
-This doesn't mean Mass Effect is Ryder's story from now on, they want the game to feel like a complete story (while teasing other stories that could happen)
-More customization options than previous games
-You can customize your father and your sibling, though not as extensively
-The "Nexus" is basically a forward command center staffed by multiple species that arrives in Andromeda early to pave the way for the Arks
-The Hyperion (humanity's ark) arrives at an incorrect location that's volatile and loses contact with the other arks and Nexus

Inspiration
-The (much improved) Mako of ME1, the loyalty missions of ME2, the multiplayer of ME3

Combat
-Global cooldowns are now replaced by individual timers
-Powers are instead hotkeyed for quick use, no longer pausing to bring up a wheel and aim (you can still pause the combat but it's not how BioWare intends combat to function)
-Dynamic cover system (ala TLOU)
-Still a cover based shooter with a goal to get the player moving around the battlefield more
-Jetpack allows for more movement variety; you can quick dash instead of rolling
-Jetpack has a hover function that allows you to hit enemies seeking cover or survey your surroundings
-Less emphasis on linear, clearly telegraphed environments that tell you a combat encounter is coming (though linear areas are still in the game)
-Game Informer's hands on was positive, feel the game has a clearer identity in combat than previous games
-You still queue up attacks, combos, order your squad, etc
-All key elements are still intact but the studio wanted to encourage more experimentation and wider variety of abilities
-Class system is gone; instead you have full access to abilities from all classes, you can mix and match skills from tech, soldier or biotics
-Goal is to allow players to try different approaches to combat without being locked in at the start
-However, you can still specialize once you invest enough points into a category of skills, you unlock a profile that can get you bonuses for your particular play style
-This is where class names like "Vanguard" (invest in combat and biotics) and "Adept" (invest in biotics) resurface
-Invest in multiple categories and you unlock the "Explorer" profile
-There is a narrative reason that allows you to reconfigure your points throughout the game so that you can try out multiple gameplay approaches without making multiple characters
-You can customize your helmet, chest, shoulders, arms and legs, more extensive than previous trilogy
-Many familiar weapons return, as well as new melee options like swords and hammers

Enemy/Environments/Crafting
-The 'Kett' are the main enemy
-The team wanted players to experience the first time encountering a new alien species vs already having it established in prior games
-Rather than painting them as mortal enemies, BioWare wanted to make them feel foreboding but not ugly as they want you to also empathize with them
-Instead of having "linear slices" of planets that you land on, you explore these planets from the surface to their underbelly
-Critical paths, optional planets, major hubs, loyalty missions return
-Your land vehicle is designated the "Nomad", and the team got special guidance from NFS developers on its handling.
-The Nomad isn't sluggish and cumbersome like the Mako, it's very fast, still boosts and maneuvers much better
-The Nomad doesn't have weapons, you can customize things like its speed and appearance
-BioWare did not want to repeat having things like mineral nodes and multiple identical outposts scattered across planets
-Points of interest include combat encounters, puzzles, narrative beats etc on planets
-One planet, called 'Elaaden', is flagged as a possible habitat zone, however the surface is hazardous (no water, extremely hot); you can be pointed in this direction in multiple ways, for example, a Krogan can request the Pathfinder to find a missing colony ship or you can just choose to land on the planet yourself and see what you find
-On planets, one of your priorities is to scout for drop zones for your crew that drop "forward stations" that establishes a foothold for you
-These stations allow for changing up your loadout, fast travel point, etc
-Planets can have multiple dangers like acid pools, burning wreckage, weather etc that can all kill you
-Most planets have at least one major enemy base
-Planets can have areas, encounters and "super bosses" that are too tough for you to handle at first, encouraging players to come back later
-Since Andromeda is a new galaxy, Ryder can actively scan and discover things in the environments; that gets sent back for analysis and unlocks new technologies for the player
-Scanning and discovering these things also allows you to obtain blueprints to craft weapons and armor for yourself
-You can create a wide array of items, not just ammo types and weapon mods, items that haven't been seen before in the Milky Way (thanks to new alien tech)
-Some plot threads and missions lead you across multiple planets

Squadmates
-Peebee (nickname): Asari squadmate shown in previous footage. Went off on her own after arriving on the Nexus and described as having a "bubbly personality". She's smart and not concerned with social norms and "niceties".
-Liam: Arrived with the Pathfinder, former police officer and described as having a "light attitude", bringing levity to situations

The Tempest (Your Ship)
-Important to harken back to the Normandy as it was a fan favorite
-There are no loading screens as you move through the ship
-Galaxy map returns but rather than piloting a mini ship on a map, it is more immersive, you select a planet, the game gives you sense of traveling towards that planet, and when you back out, you're immediately at your destination
-You don't pilot the ship manually, but it feels seamless as you go from planet to planet and see them from your bridge getting closer in the window
-They wanted a seamless experience from picking a planet to walking down to your cargo hold, hopping into the Nomad and landing on a planet. There is a landing sequence and you get off the ship. No more loading screens and instantly popping up on the surface of a planet.

Relationships/Characters
-There are more relationships in the game than any other Bioware game (as they noted fans make a big emphasis on romance in the games)
-The squadmate with the least amount of lines in Andromeda has more lines than the squadmate with the most amount of lines in ME3
-Due to complications in the awakening process, your sibling won't join you in combat but you can interact with them and build a relationship
-Many of these dealings are optional, and discovering more about the Ryder family is a plot thread
-BioWare is confident the details of this story are what differentiates it from a traditional "hero's journey"
-Loyalty missions return but they are not critical to the ending of the game; you can complete them after you complete the main story path for example
-Emphasis that relationships don't just culminate in a sex scene, but rather characters can just want to get in the sack, while others are interested in long term relationships and others still aren't interested at all. Bioware wanted to capture more "shooting bottles with Garrus" moments in the game, of which there are plenty

Multiplayer
-More evolved and refined form of ME3
-Card based economy where you earn XP and credits
-There are microtransactions but no real world money is required, you can unlock normally
-You still set the map, enemy, as before but you can also activate modifiers that can give you decreased health (for greater reward) or more damage (less reward)
-Bioware also plans to release custom crafted missions with unique modifiers that players can't change themselves
-These custom missions give you a 3rd currency, "mission funds" which allow you directly purchase items and weapons vs the mercy of random card packs; however these items are only available for a limited time in the store and can change often
-In MP, you play as the "Apex Force", a militia strike team from the Nexus
-Different enemies require you to use different tactics (some are shield heavy, some use heavy biotics etc)
-Playing MP will have advantages for the single player but it absolutely does not affect the ending of the game
-New "Prestige" mechanic added: With several types of characters, you earn regular XP and prestige XP. The prestige XP goes into every character of that 'type', for example 'tanky' characters. Earning enough prestige can grant you added health for all tank characters, etc.

Choices
-No more Paragon/Renegade system
-They want more nuance and subtlety and giving the player more opportunity to express themselves
-You can agree or disagree with someone without being punished or cornered into a paragon or renegade choice
-Dialogue option tones: heart, head, professional and casual.
-These don't affect you or sway a meter one way or another, rather they allow you freedom without worrying about unintended consequences
-"Narrative actions" (previously "interrupts) return but rather than giving a "red"=bad or "blue"=good choice, it can say "shoot", leaving more ambiguity to your choice
-Decisions aren't necessarily obvious "right" or "wrong", there are pros and cons to each and you'll just have to play the game the way you want

The future
-Mass Effect: Andromeda leaves the door open for more games (obviously)
-New game+ mode allows you to change your gender if you choose
-BioWare is coy about multiple endings; "it's a suprise", "it's different than the trilogy"

Looks and sounds pretty awesome, actually.

ME3 was perfect for me till the very last second with the dumb translucent baby and ME2 is probably my 2nd favorite game of last gen so definitely down for this. I like how you can customize three characters and choose between two. Also, while I didn't mind the Paragon/Renegade thing I mostly just do what I want to not go full on either so this new direction fits my playstyle anyway.

[Rufus]

Looks like they made a lot of good changes.

[Great Rumbler]

Looks like they're trying to step their game up after Dragon Age Inquisition got bodied by Witcher 3, hopefully it works out because I really do love the Mass Effect series outside of, as Wrath said, the absolutely dreadful ending to ME3 [and also the kinda dull "save the Earth!" stuff].

[Beezy]

ME3's multiplayer was unexpected crack. I can't wait to have more of that in my life.

[Let's Cyber]

the (much improved) Mako of ME1, the loyalty missions of ME2, the multiplayer of ME3

[Let's Cyber]

They had the right idea with the mako, it felt like they didn't have the time or man power to flesh it out.  To much repetition and copy and paste.  Plus the vehicle combat wasn't particularly fun. I'm glad they tried though, it gave the game a much bigger feel than it would have had otherwise.

 ME2 is probably the tightest game in the trilogy and definitely the most replayable.  If they can give me some exploration with the character development of 2 and improve upon the combat of 3, I'll be very happy.

[Rufus]

The biggest mistake they made with regards to the Mako was the final time you use it. Inspired by Halo, I bet.

[Positive Touch]

letting you change powers is fantastic. after me3 multiplayer the single player just felt too limited by forcing you into one class for the whole campaign.

me3 multiplayer was like overwatch before there was overwatch so I'm pumped that's returning

[MMaRsu]

I stopped playing Mass Effect after 2. Didn't even bother with three.

Might have to replay 2 tho

[Stoney Mason]

No more Paragon/Renegade system

 

That shit was dumb

[Trent Dole]

Not until Q2 2017 huh? Holiday releases must be kind of barren if they can generate hype for this in November.

[Positive Touch]

uh this quarter is a blazing hot forest fire of quality man wtf

[Rufus]

No more Paragon/Renegade system

 

That shit was dumb

I recently learned just how dumb it was.

The morality system of Mass Effect 2 works on percentages rather than the total points earned. There is a set number of morality points available in the game. Shepard's current "effective" morality score at any given point is the number of points earned out of the number of points available from the areas the Commander has explored so far. It is possible to have Shepard's Paragon/Renegade scale(s) maxed out, but still not have the percentage required for certain dialog options.[1]

[eleuin]

hope the new alien races are more structurally unique

there has to be a 4 legged elcor like companion

[tiesto]

I liked fucking around on the Mako in the first game and screwing around with the broken physics... Disappointed they removed it in the sequels (with the exception of some ME2 DLC)

[Fortus]

hope the new alien races are more structurally unique

there has to be a 4 legged elcor like companion

Elcor? Screw that...I want Blasto in my squad

[Stoney Mason]

[Beezy]

 

[nachobro]

 

[archnemesis]

I'm glad they scrapped the old characters. Looking forward to this!

[Rufus]

OK, jet-pack Vanguard looks like it could be a lot of fun.

[Let's Cyber]

Some janky animations but it wouldn't be Mass Effect without a little jank.     Looks great overall. 

90% of the Vanguard players in ME3 multi were fucking awful.  Charge into a crowd and die.  I expect to see a lot more of that in Andromeda.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Ill give beaware one last chance after ME3 and DA2/3

[Positive Touch]

90% of the Vanguard players in ME3 multi were fucking awful.  Charge into a crowd and die. 

it me

[Joe Molotov]

Scanning stuff.

I scanned every planet in ME2.

[TakingBackSunday]

Same here

[Phoenix Dark]

dat Metroid Prime influence

[Huff]

Only played/beat mE1. This looks fun tho

[Stoney Mason]

[Rufus]

I really like this set-up.

[Let's Cyber]

I'm curious to know the number of potential squadmates. ME 3 only had 7 (8 with Javik).  ME 2 had 10 not including the DLC and that felt like the best balance of personalities, I hope we get around that number.  We already know about 2 humans and the asari.  If the krogan and female turian from the gameplay trailer are also squadmates, that's 5.  So hopefully a male turian. Hopefully a salarian. Maybe a Quarian. And the last 2 could be new races from Andromeda?

[Rufus]

Elcor squadmate. Make it happen.

[Let's Cyber]

Elcor squadmate. Make it happen.

Surely you mean Hanar, right?

[Let's Cyber]

[Rufus]

Ah, fuck, I can feel the hype welling up.

Pls be good.

[Let's Cyber]

The Krogan is already slotted for one of my main teammate spots.

I hope there are 2 or 3 more squad members we haven't seen yet.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Getting excited for Biotrash in 2017, their last 5/10 years track record is as bad as Mehthesdas

[Joe Molotov]

Getting excited for Biotrash in 2017, their last 5/10 years track record is as bad as Mehthesdas

 

[Cerveza mas fina]

I think thats pretty much the normal opinion in circles of people with taste, nothing controversial

[Let's Cyber]

I know the BioWare combo of DAII and ME3 3 left a nasty aftertaste but it is worth noting Andromeda is a fresh start in a lot of ways. It is developed by the mostly new-ish team in Montreal, which was the same team that did the most of the DLC packs for ME2, N7 missions from ME2, ME3 multiplayer, all the free multi ME3 DLC packs (which were awesome btw) and the Omega DLC.  Casey Hudson and most of the old guard are gone.  Whether that is good or bad is yet to be determined but it is important for understand for the sake of context that these devs were in charge of the best part of ME3 (multiplayer/combat).  Sounds like they're trying to mold the best parts of the trilogy into one package, which should be reason enough for some hope. 

This blog post from November 2012.

That evolution now takes its next step, with the news that the next Mass Effect game is already in development, driven by the team here in Montreal.

This isn't a DAII/ME3 rush job.  It has been in the oven a while.

[Freyj]

I've disliked pretty much every Bioware thing I've played since DA:O, but I'll give this a shot because I want to believe they can make another game I enjoy.

I keep hearing I need to play Inquisition, but I'm hearing it from someone that loves DA2 so 

[Positive Touch]

inquisition has tons of crummy filler content. not recommended unless you're a huge da fan.

[Let's Cyber]

I've disliked pretty much every Bioware thing I've played since DA:O, but I'll give this a shot because I want to believe they can make another game I enjoy.

I keep hearing I need to play Inquisition, but I'm hearing it from someone that loves DA2 so 

Inquisition was a good game underneath the fluff. The world building and lore is handled well IMO.

The problem is there are a lot of bad sidequests and a dumb "Power" mechanic to lock you out of story progression.  If you just blitz the main story and only do the minimum of side quest stuff to push forward, the game is fine.   I also think that is why it reviewed relatively well at release. Most reviewers, working on a deadline, weren't seeing how flimsy optional content was because they were only playing what they had to in order to beat the game.

Keep in mind the "true" ending is in the final DLC, so play the GotY edition if you do plan on playing it.

[Stoney Mason]

I don't dislike Bioware as much as the internets does. Dragon Age 2 sucked imo but Inquisition is a very flawed but ultimately good game.

I liked Mass Effect 3 also outside of the very ending.

So I'm down for Andromeda. Hopefully they've learned real lessons about what worked and didn't work from inquisition and the older mass effect games.

[Beezy]

ME3's backlash because of the ending was dumb. Gamers are annoying.

[Great Rumbler]

ME3's backlash because of the ending was dumb. Gamers are annoying.

The ending was awful and Bioware actively lied about it right up until the week of release. They deserved it.

[Positive Touch]

they overlooked the entire rest of the gigantic game to bitch about an unsatisfying ending. i wish more companies would tell the more entitled members of their fanbase to eat a bag of room temperature cocks.

[Great Rumbler]

 

[Positive Touch]

the ending was bad but fans totally turned it into a "you killed my dog" situation. just wild overreaction.

[Joe Molotov]

Why are normalizing shit endings, Positive Touch?

[Positive Touch]

bc i like muh space shooting dammit

[Rufus]

Nobody would bitch about the ending if the dumb choice at the end where you decide universal shit happened. If credits rolled instead everybody would have been satisfied.

If only they had let Shep die next to Anderson. But nooo~

[Stoney Mason]

ME3's backlash because of the ending was dumb. Gamers are annoying.

I didn't like the ending.

But yeah I think the over-reaction to the ending was too much. But then I'm a its all about the journey kind of guy instead of overly being fixated on the ending kind of guy. Some of my favorite pieces of entertainment have shit endings.

It's great when an ending caps off an already great experience but a disappointing ending almost never ruins something I enjoyed a great deal.

Like the Sopranos for instance. Or any of the other dozens of examples I could use.

So I get the bitching about the ending. But not in the context of this ending was so bad it ruined my experience with the games and now I'm bitter about it for all eternity.

[Great Rumbler]

Mass Effect 2 was better anyway, though, even disregarding the ending.

[Stoney Mason]

Mass Effect 2 was better but that's a high bar. I think Mass Effect 3 was very good also outside the ending.

[Beezy]

Me at ME3's ending: "...that's it? Whatever." *switches to multi to pull off sick biotic/tech combos*

Me and a friend spent countless hours on ME3's multi because the gameplay was just that good. If I remember correctly, they originally planned to charge us for it. Getting all multiplayer DLC free more than made up for the ending.

[Stoney Mason]

Not to rehash it all but ME 3 tried to get too artsy with its ending. All it had to do was do a Fallout style ending where you have a long ass post game scroll that tells you a post-mortem on everybody you met and the large state of universe. It's not that hard. It's time consuming and a decent amount of work but it wasn't hard to see what they should have done.

Instead they got "artsy". The ending should have been pure fan service because that's what you want after spending that long with those characters.

Even if they wanted to wipe the slate clean for the next set of games, they could have done that when those new games came out.

[eleuin]

Had to look up what exactly the ending was without the extended cut.

Not seeing what happens to your companions before being transported to the citadel is pretty inexcusable, but besides that it was just underwhelming.

[Positive Touch]

Me at ME3's ending: "...that's it? Whatever." *switches to multi to pull off sick biotic/tech combos*

Me and a friend spent countless hours on ME3's multi because the gameplay was just that good. If I remember correctly, they originally planned to charge us for it. Getting all multiplayer DLC free more than made up for the ending.

oh man I totally forgot about the free dlc thing. me3 multi player would never have for as big as it did without that. me3 ending retroactively redeemed

[Let's Cyber]

https://twitter.com/masseffect/status/832273373547872257

New video will be out today showing off some weapons and powers.