#heleus cluster

[stg-retired]

[bluerose5]

On Heleus and the Jardaan

Y'all ever think about how little we actually ventured into the Andromeda galaxy in ME:A? I mean, we only really touch one cluster of the galaxy, and its considered to be "in the outskirts" of Andromeda. We only touch a single corner in all of ME:A. For reference —and yes while not all of them have groundbreaking, plot-relevant locations— ME1 has a total of 17 locations classified as "clusters," according to the fandom wiki. For ME3, there are a total of 34.

I only mention this because it raises so many questions, in my opinion. Questions that I know will likely remain unanswered, but I like to consider them anyways. For instance, the Jardaan. I can't remember whether it was established if they left Andromeda as a whole or if they just left Heleus. And if that's the case, did they evacuate to other clusters after deploying the Scourge, only to quarantine Heleus off? Did they just (wrongly) assume that the remaining angara would die off in their absence, but that was an accepted casualty of a bigger war being waged against an unnamed Big Bad™ or even against the kett? Because, if I remember correctly, it's basically implied in-game that the kett have a larger empire outside of Heleus, so it would make sense for these two major factions —one of whom, their entire way of life is built upon destroying others— to be at war. Maybe the Jardaan thought the kett were foolish for wasting resources in trying to recover Heleus, believed there was no way for them to possibly find anything like Meridian, not knowing what they left behind.

Then, there begs the question, "why make a sentient race?" What would they possibly have to gain from making the Angara? Slightly off-topic from the original point, but I like to consider it nonetheless. My current theory is that, the Angara are the Jardaan, in a way. The Jardaan has had to develop so much advanced technology, has had to incorporate it into their ways of life and into their very being (think of a sort of hybrid species like in the Trilogy's Synthesis ending). But this was done out of necessity. More importantly, to lengthen their lifespans until they are bordering on immortal. Why did they do this? Because the kett are taking more of their people in the galaxy at-large every day than they have ability to replace through reproductive means. They are a dying race, and they are on the verge of extinction.

They don't conduct research in Heleus to make the Angara. They work to make Jardaan, to preserve their people. It is why the Angara are compatible with their tech. It is why they wanted to make more worlds viable via terraforming. It was never meant to be a creator-created relationship. It was meant to be a relationship where they walked as equals, the Angara made in the image of who they were before the war. Because what bigger insult is there to an enemy that wants to destroy everything you are, than to live on in spite of them. Only, the Jardaan left, presumably taking some of their research and some of their people with them, and that is when those who were abandoned split off to form the people that we know as the Angara.

[pathfinderslog]

MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA : PROLOGUE The arrival of the Ark Hyperion in the Heleus cluster.

[justryderthings]

JRT: trying to make the planets habitable even though they are right next to a giant black hole.

[obvidalous]

Planets of the Heleus cluster  [ Part II ]

[ Part I ]   [ Part III ]

[apollodraconis]

Andromeda Initiative: Look at this cluster, seven potentially habitable planets! What a great ratio for a cluster!

Someone logical, probably: But there’s a giant black hole in the middle of it

Andromeda Initiative: THIS CLUSTER IS PERFECT, LETS GO

[deadlymaelstrom]

Deep breaths! SAM, transfer Pathfinder access... encrypt memories. There’s still hope for your mother...

[paperplns]

"May the stars and skies light your way."

I’ve just finished ‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ and thought I’d share a few quick thoughts about the game, like I did in the past with ME2 & ME3.

Coming in at 87 hours (as a comparison, it took me 130 hours to finish the first three games on my second playthrough with all DLCs included, except the ones for the first game), this has been the longest and most massive game I’ve ever played. It’s also the first ‘Mass Effect’ game that I actually reached 100% completion in. I searched every nook and cranny of the Heleus cluster. I’ve been playing videogames my whole life and no other game has ever held me in front of it for 87 hours, not to mention I was completely invested and excited until the very end.

About 30 hours in, I was completely disappointed... upon realizing that this is the first game of a planned trilogy and I would not be able to completely finish what looked like an amazing journey.

Most of the disappointment of hearing there would be no DLC faded after 40 hours of gameplay, when I realized I was still very far from completion. It still saddens me that plans for DLC were cancelled (especially upon hearing there would have been DLC involving the Quarian ark), but the sheer amount of content packed into the standalone game was enough to be extremely satisfying. 

I thought the story was amazing and I LOVED it. I’m not saying everything about the game and the storyline was perfect, and I’m not saying there was no room for improvement, but honestly I think overall it was way more than “good enough” and just thinking about the amount of work that went into this amazing game... Christ!

I am very sad about the poor reception ‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ received (I still believe it was mostly because of it being riddled with bugs at launch) and I really hope the guys at EA change their minds soon about future ‘Mass Effect’ games. More than that, I really hope than when we do finally return to the ‘Mass Effect’ universe, it will be for a sequel to ‘Andromeda’. Honestly, whatever issues you had with the storyline, I think we can all agree that the premise is pretty awesome and even if you were disappointed, I’m sure no one out there thinks it was so bad that a sequel couldn’t possibly be amazing.

Overall I think it was a great game that stayed true to the ‘Mass Effect’ formula that we’ve come to love. Whatever comes next, be it a sequel or something completely different, I can’t wait to jump back into this amazing universe that will forever be with me in my heart.

P.S. Every decision I made was toward the best possible outcome: built all the outposts, no one important died, and everyone was there to help me in the fight against the Kett.

As for my romantic partner, I “embraced eternity” with Peebee. Although I wasn’t that into anyone in particular, I liked Peebee the most and I only romanced her.

As for my best friend (not actually something you choose in-game, but more like the squadmate I liked the most), that would have to be Jaal. He’s a cool guy. Felt really sorry about him and all the shit he went through. I’d be a mess if I were in his shoes.

Sided with Sloane, shot Reyes. There was something off about him. I don’t like the sneaky, cunning types, they’ll turn on you sooner or later. At least with Sloane you know where you stand and she doesn’t bullshit you when she wants something.

Let Morda have the drive core. You want a good relationship, you gotta build it on trust, even if it’s risky. Compromises can lead to great things in the end.

Saved the Salarian Pathfinder and left the Krogan scouts for dead. Felt sorry about the scouts, but I chose the Pathfinder simply because I thought he was more important and his survival would mean more to everyone.

Turned down Primus’s deal. FUCK HIM! I was like “MOTHERFUCKER I AM GOING TO TEAR THE ARCHON A NEW ASSHOLE WITHOUT YOUR HELP AND THEN I AM GOING TO BRING DOWN ALL YOU BITCHES!”

Backed Morda as ambassador. Thought it time the Krogan got a say in things. Figured they’d appreciate it and strive to do a good job; being the first time someone’s given them power and trust, they wouldn’t want to disappoint, they’d want to show that they can do the job and they can be counted on as more than just killing machines.

Kept Sarissa’s secret. She made a tough choice trying to save thousands of lives. I get that. Revealing it to everyone wouldn’t do anyone any good. The first Asari Pathfinder was dead and nothing would bring her back. Better to just move on.

Spared Akksul. Had faith in my boy Jaal. Heart skipped a beat though when Akksul fired at Jaal.

Let Peebee save Kalinda. Kalinda, that fucking cunt; who knows what information the orb might have given us.

Convinced Avitus to become the new Turian Pathfinder and boy am I glad, ‘cause from what I’ve read, there would have been some nasty consequences if he had refused.

Spared the AI on Voeld, brought her aboard the Tempest. She killed that dude though...