The Video Game Awards delivered more than just awards last night, as fans were finally treated to Mass Effect Andromeda gameplay after years of waiting. The trailer showed off a number of features, new and old, that reaffirmed Bioware has not lost their touch.
Mass Effect has always depended upon compelling characters and captivating storylines to build its worlds and draw in new gamers. While the previous trailer exhibited a nature of doom and gloom, the gameplay trailer revealed that the game and world won’t simply revolve around the battle against the Ketts.
After leaving the Tempest, (Female) Ryder navigates an outlaw controlled planet where she is invited to speak with a mob boss leader (Sloan Kelly). The interaction shows the ability to cater the conversation in a manner of your own choosing – a staple element of the franchise – but also displays the ability to interrupt the conversation in specific ways.
While the element isn’t entirely new or groundbreaking, as the previous iteration allowed for such represented as Paragon or Renegade actions, it shows Bioware is improving upon old mechanics instead of getting rid of them all together. As always, the conversations and the choices you make grant Ryder and company valuable allies or bitter enemies.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOIzH6UcoW4[/embedyt]
[gap height=”15″]
While plot will be as important as always, Mass Effect Andromeda’s gameplay confirms the franchise will being going back to it’s RPG routes. An example highlighted in the trailer see the return of the weapon/ability wheel pause mechanic – whether it’s to the extent of the original in the first Mass Effect has yet to be made clear – and the introduction of crafting.
We can only hope that Bioware and company have learned from their mistakes in regards to crafting oriented gameplay after complaints of the planet farming mechanics in Mass Effect 2. It would reason to believe that the crafting elements will lean closer toward Minecraft like farming and building based on the footage.
All in all the footage shown should reassure, or at least delay the fears, of those worried about the upcoming installment of the franchise, as Mass Effect Andromeda looks like it has the potential to reinvigorate the franchise. “A new Galaxy awaits, how far will you go?” Find the answer to that question and much more when Mass Effect Andromeda releases Spring 2017.
