And finally, we take a full look at the newest entry in the Mass Effect universe: Mass Effect Andromeda
Andromeda opens with the races of the Milky Way sending chosen members of their species to Andromeda in an effort to explore, colonize, and conquer (if that's your thing). Beginning shortly after the events of ME:2, we pick up with the human ark some 600 years later as the ark crashes into an anomaly of dark energy that later becomes known as The Scourge. The members of the Andromeda Initiative soon find out that none of the other species' arks have arrived and the "golden worlds" they were promised are wastelands. The player Character, Ryder, takes on the role of Pathfinder and must find a way to create colony outposts, save the planets of the Heleus Cluster, make alliances with the native Angaram, stop the evil Kett, and reunite the disparate factions from the Initiative all while looking for the other arks. Whew...
Andromeda's graphics are top notch, next generation for ME games. Environments are beautiful and even bring to mind a great many Star Wars locales. UNFORTUNATELY the games was released with goofy animations and they haven't all been fixed. It is not uncommon for another character's lips to move during someone else speaking. Some cut scenes are buggy and crash the game. I thought that was my own low-end computer than I found out it was happening to other people. Regardless, the game is beautiful and captivating.
Mood appropriate music accompanies Ryder on his mission and a fully voiced cast (a BioWare staple) complete the immersive environment. Listen for a few old friends during cut scene flashbacks. Clancy Brown figures prominently in the prologue and remains an important force throughout.
The game's controls are in line with the previous games. Simple, easy movement with a much improved combat, cover, and inventory systems. The Nomad exploration vehicle (the spiritual successor to the Mako) is just plain fun to drive and bounce from dune to dune, drift to drift, and crater to crater. The exploration harkens back to ME:1 with the Nomad but keeps the simplicity introduced in ME: 3. The quest journal system is vastly improved and allows for easy tracking and changing goals.
See my previous post on Andromeda's multi-player aspect. i stand by it either being more refined that ME:3's or me simply not completely sucking. Probably a bit of both.
Summing Up:
Story: 5/5: Absolutely engrossing story and characters that are genuinely likable. At the end make sure you talk to everyone for a really cool surprise!
Graphics: 3/5: While absolutely gorgeous, the animation issues cause this score to suffer a couple of points. Important to note: This game is NOT for kids. Holy alien T&A!
Sound: 5/5 I've come to expect NOTHING less from BioWare.
Control: 5/5: Great improvements incorporating what was great about the original trilogy and innovation at the same time!
Playability: 4.5/5: Even with its bugs the game is damn near a masterpiece. Get this game. Play this game. (Get it on PC and play with my friends and I!). Sure, you'll get a laugh out of the cross synched speech but I promise you, unless you are a complete sphincter, you won't care.