A New Setting and Story
Commander Shepard’s story was officially wrapped up with Mass Effect 3, so Andromeda has to take the series in a brand new direction. The title revolves around a program called the Andromeda Initiative, which sent giant star ships filled with inhabitants in cryosleep to the Andromeda galaxy. The goal was for humanity and the other council races to find new, inhabitable planets. This means all new locations, planets, and even alien races to encounter.
Andromeda technically takes place 600 years after the end of Mass Effect 3. However, the Andromeda galaxy is so far removed from the Milky Way that the effects from the events of the original trilogy can barely be seen. There may be mention of Shepard and some events, as well as topics like the Krogan Genophage. Other than that though, you’ll be exploring new locations with an entirely new cast of characters.
Dual Protagonists
Taking the place of Commander Shepard is Ryder, a Pathfinder for the Andromeda Initiative and one of the people leading the charge to discover a new home. Just like previous entries you’ll have the choice of playing either a male of female Ryder. However, it’s done a bit different this time. Scott and Sara Ryder are siblings, and both characters exist in the universe of Andromeda. You’ll choose one to play as, but the other sibling will be off fulfilling their own tasks while you play the game.
This means Andromeda is a bit different from the previous Mass Effect games, as it actually has two different main characters instead of one with multiple options.
No More Paragon and Renegade
One of the biggest changes coming with Andromeda is the absence of the Paragon and Renegade system. The series has always been known for the interesting and impactful ways it handles moral choices, with Paragon and Renegade functioning as a morality slider for Shepard.
This doesn’t mean Andromeda doesn’t have plenty of moral choices; it does, but things are handled in more of a grey area this time around. BioWare has said they want players to think more objectively on the decisions they’re making, not on whether it’s a Paragon or Renegade choice. Creative director Mac Walters describes it as an agree or disagree system: “With agree and disagree it changes by the circumstance and it changes by the character you’re talking to, so you have to actually be more engaged in what’s going on, to know if you’re going to do that.”
Intense Combat With New Options
Mass Effect: Andromeda continues the trend of the series, with each entry streamlining combat and making it even faster. The biggest addition for Andromeda is the jetpack, an item that lets you boost around the battlefield at great speed. This adds a tactical layer onto Mass Effect’s combat that wasn’t there before, as you can position yourself above enemies and easily execute flanking maneuvers. Additionally, you can no longer pause the game to execute an ability, and you’ll need to do everything in real time.
Guns, biotic attacks, flamethrowers, and more will all be at your disposal to take down enemies. You’ll also have the option of switching between different character classes as you go, instead of having to pick only one to stick with for the entire game. Andromeda’s battles are faster than ever before, meaning you’ll need to use every ability at your disposal.
Loyalty Missions and Multiplayer Return
A couple key aspects from previous Mass Effect games will also be returning for Andromeda, primarily loyalty missions and multiplayer. Loyalty missions were first introduced in Mass Effect 2, letting Shepard embark on special missions focused on specific party members. These provided some essential story on each of your squadmates, while also building their loyalty to Shepard, which would boost your chances of survival in the final mission. Similar kind of loyalty missions will be present in Andromeda, allowing you to gain even more backstory and insight into each of your squadmates. Surprisingly, all of these missions are separate from the critical path.
Multiplayer also makes its return to Andromeda, and it’s pretty similar to Mass Effect 3. You and a group of friends, or other players, have to take on wave after wave of powerful enemies. You’ll have different character classes to choose from as well. Luckily, if you don’t want to engage in the multiplayer of Andromeda, you don’t have to. Any of the bonuses you can gain from multiplayer can also be earned in single-player by sending out strike teams on missions.
A Focus on Exploration
Going along with the overall theme of Andromeda, the title puts a big emphasis on exploration. Ryder can select destinations from the galaxy map aboard the Tempest, and each planet functions as a separate open world area. You can complete objectives on planets like taking out enemy bases, scanning for resources, and completing loyalty missions, all of which give you “Andromeda Viability Points.” These allow you to unlock new upgrades and even build settlements on planets.
Of course your jetpack will help you get around the environment, but you’ll also have the all-terrain vehicle, the Nomad, at your disposal. The Nomad is similar to the Mako from the first Mass Effect, letting you zip around alien environments. There’ll be plenty of exotic locations for Ryder and crew to explore in Andromeda, with each one helping to fulfill their mission.
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