Here’s All the New Mass Effect: Andromeda Info from the Press Embargo
SOURCE: https://www.reddit.com/r/masseffect/comments/5vq0qp/embargospoiler_discussion_thread/de4a760/
Shepard’s gender affects Andromeda’s story somehow.
According to a Bioware rep, ‘Eagle eyed players may uncover a few narrative morsels related to Shepard’s story’.
No importing of the trilogy’s save files.
Character customisation contains ‘unconventional and bizarre hairstyles’. Makeup, scars and tattoos are also available.
You can choose the training Ryder received. They are: Security, Biotic, Technician, Leader, Scrapper and Operative.
Game starts out quickly with the introductory sequence takes place on a toxic planet.
According to IGN and Gamespot, the game has performance issues, with visual glitches, audio and framerate drops.
Clunky and jarring Bioware animations on characters. Awkward faces and movements.
‘Eyes, eyelashes and mouths look particular cartoony’, according to IGN.
Gamespot’s reviewer feels that ME:A is a more polished version of Dragon Age Inquisition.
PS4 Pro will support higher resolutions and HDR features.
It feels like Mass Effect.
The game opts for flexible skill profiles that can be changed to suit different challenges.
Combat is ‘engaging’ with a variety of skills and combat encounters. In addition, the skill tree is ‘massive’ which can be mixed and matched.
Skills trees are Combat, Biotics and Tech.
Once you hit rank 3 of a skill, you get to choose between 2 separate varieties of the same power and specialise in 1.
Classes are still present. They are Soldier, Engineer, Adapt, Sentinel, Vanguard, Infiltrator and Explorer. They have no unique skill trees but rather, they give you a boost in things such as health regen or access certain items that might help you in combat.
Combat is faster with tighter gunplay and more responsive handling.
Gun feedback has been greatly improved.
Most offensive abilities are considered ‘primers’ or detonators’. Deploying a primer skill followed by a detonator inflicts more damage on your target.
Jet pack allows for more combat strategies and can be used to access higher, out of reach places.
Skills and abilities can be saved and favourited. You can switch between different set-ups mid combat.
Some enemies can apparently kill you in one hit.
Cover system is sticky and a little finicky, according to IGN. Automatic clipping into cover when the reviewer did not want to get into cover.
Squadmates’ AI seem to be more competent.
You cannot control your team mates like in the Dragon age games but you can tell them where to go, like in the previous games.
Armour is customisable and can be changed on the ship.
Elemental ammo (fire and cryo) are no longer powers but consumable items.
Powers can be combined to produce devastating results to your enemies.
Autosaves seem generous and Ryder respawns 1 to 2 mins before they he/she died.
Blueprints for armour and weapons using RD (research data). You can obtain these by scanning environments and creatures.
Blueprints are colour coded. Bronze (common), sliver (uncommon), gold (rare). The rarer it is the more RD they cost.
Crafted items can be named.
You can add augmentations to your armour.
Paragon and renegade choices are gone, replaced with more open ended dialogue allowing for grey areas.
Dialogue choices are emotional, logical, causal and professional which will influence the direction of the conversation.
There is A LOT of dialogue now.
Interrupts are now called ‘Impulse Actions’. Interviewer did get the chance to experience it.
After completing a mission, you can look at a summary of the events as well as see how you responded to any choices.
Exploration is ‘exciting and not a chore’.
The Nomad controls like the Mako but less rubbery. No bouncing and no weapons on it. You can also return to your ship any time by holding down the Evacuation button.
The Nomad has a booster and a shield that, when destroyed, knocks enemies back during combat.
Nomad has mining drones to help you retrieve resources.
Environments are ‘gorgeous and varied’.
COMPANIONS AND CHARACTERS
Interactions between characters are similar to where ME3 and the Citadel DLC left off, more friendly and light banter.
You can interact with Dad Ryder.
Companions are sectioned off into their own rooms like the previous games.
There is a whole menu detailing your relationship status with your crew. Relationships are obviously going to be a huge part of the game.
Party members as well as non-party members (eg. the pilots, engineers and doctors) have been fleshed out, with equal care put into each. For example, your crew interacts with each other over the intercom.
All squadmates can be flirted with but a relationship might not be necessarily possible. (Think Samara’s romance)
You get Cora and Liam at the start of the game.
Cora and Liam are ‘fun, passionate people who want to get away from the life they lead but also want to talk about it.
Cora is stricter and trained to be your senior but has to deal with the fact that you now outrank her.
Liam is cool, upbeat and cockney.
Kallo, the new pilot is a bit more serious than Joker.
Asari doctor, Lexi T’Perro is voiced by Natalie Dormer from Game of Thrones fame.
There is a Scottish scientist called Suvi and a chief engineer called Gil Brodie, who enjoys Male Ryder’s flirting.
Vetra is like a ‘stern mother’ and warmer than Garrus.
Drack is a bit like Wrex with his dead pan humour but also has a more mature point of view.
PB is impulsive and flirty and lives in an escape pod.
SAM (Simulated Adaptive Matrix) is like a combination of EDI and Legion and was created by your parents. He can eventually bond with your brain and you can engage in philosophical debates with him. It is hinted you can uncover more of your family backstory though him.
Sloane Kelly is an ex-Andromeda Initiative officer who defected.
Companions are as engaging and interesting as the ones in the original trilogy.
Banter is back. They can be triggered during exploration and while driving in the Nomad.
