Mass Effect: Andromeda’s Next Patch Adds Male Romance with Jaal

Mass Effect: Andromeda has seen its fair share of patches since it’s release, a good deal of which fixed the notoriously poor facial animations. Despite news that they are halting the franchise, for the time being, Bioware is still adding significant patches to the current game.

Patch 1.08 will introduce a number of new features to the single-player aspect of the game. Alongside adding higher level gear to vendors, Ryder’s appearance can now be changed at any time on the tempest.

Like any patch, it will also fix a number of different bugs and efficiency issues, like problems with the Nomad upgrades Shield Crafting quest. Multiplayer will receive a fair amount of polishing as well, improving stealth grid issues, melee hit boxes and ammo pick up audio cues to name a few.

The most interesting addition accompanying the patch though will be the player’s ability to Romance Angaran squadmate Jaal as Male Ryder if they so choose. Mass Effect has always been known for its acceptance in regards to the LGBTQ community, making plenty of options for Gay relationships throughout the multiple games in the series.

While Mass Effect: Andromeda did also offer this, there was no option a same-sex squadmate relationship for the male Ryder.

“Scott Ryder did not have a same-sex squadmate available as a romance option, nor could the achievement for completing three romances be achieved with only male same-sex partners,” the patch notes said. “And as the angara have expressed their fluidity in how they perceive gender, it seemed only natural that Scott could have a relationship with Jaal.”

The notes emphasized that the character’s orientation is an important part of what makes them feel real, and they wanted to make sure they got it right. As a result, the Mass Effect: Andromeda team of writers, editors, and animators worked together to ensure that the change made sense and made it as fulfilling for characters who choose the option as Scott as they did with Sara.

For more information, check out the full patch notes on their official site, and be sure to check back to the site for other Mass Effect: Andromeda updates as well as all of your Nerdy News and Needs!