New Mass Effect mechanics march ahead of launch
Bioware announces release date and drops more details for ME Andromeda
This is it, Pathfinders. A new galaxy beckons and the arrival date is now in sight. After years of teases and rumours, we finally know that the spacefaring saga’s latest adventure will be touching down on PS4 on 23 March. Considering OPM’s first hands-on was only last November, we’re delighted – and even a little surprised – at being able to head back into orbit so soon.
But unsurprisingly, the floodgates are now starting to open, and we’re being hit by a tidal wave of info on what to expect when you arrive in Andromeda. Surfing on top? Details of how you use skills on your quest to find a new home for humanity in the Heleus cluster. New protagonist Ryder is now able to equip three separate powers to use in combat, and these fall into three different categories: Tech, Biotic and Combat. Depending on the ones you pick, they either give you passive benefits during a fight, such as ‘Auxiliary Power’, or are more active abilities that you choose to trigger.
Out of those, we’re already making bug eyes and kissy-faces at ‘Flamethrower’. This Tech power shoots a stream of fire straight from Ryder’s hand, burning anybody foolish enough to be at the wrong end of it. Basically, it looks like a Jedi trick (as if we needed even more reasons to be desperate for the new Mass Effect). And as you’d expect from any RPG worth its salt, you have the ability to rank up individual skills. So, when you decide to max out Flamethrower, it’ll add bonuses such as +50% damage against armour or +25% damage over time. Simply put, there’s plenty of firepower at your disposal now.
SECRET SKILLS
Intriguingly, one of the skills we notice provides a hint at the role of a new race, the apparently mechanical Remnant. Bioware’s been cagey on the specifics of these mysterious beings since introducing them at last year’s PS4 Pro event. Yet one power
in Ryder’s arsenal, ‘Remnant VI’, shows you’ll be able to use one of them as a skill. How exactly? The game’s menu describes this skill as a “retrofitted Remnant Observer,” implying the Andromeda Initiative manages to modify one of these flying drones to help in combat.
It’s no wonder humanity wants to make the most of this new tech. Remnant VI can attack a target you direct it to, cloak itself when damage is critical, and repair itself. This power also tells us that the Remnant are neither clear friends nor foes, and the ability to hack them in Ryder’s favour means they could be AI using mechanical bodies, like the Geth. Either way, it’s not long until we find out exactly what role they play in the new galaxy.
SMOOTH INFILTRATOR
Next up are profiles, and we’ve got a better idea of how they function. This new class system is reworked from the original trilogy, with new protagonist Ryder far more flexible in approach than Shepard. Whereas the old Commander had to stick to a class, Ryder can change classes on the fly. All you need to do is head into a menu and switch to the one you fancy. (Commitment’s for chumps.)
Of course, there’s a lot more depth to it than that. You see, each profile comes with its own bonuses, depending on its rank. At rank one the Engineer gets a Combat Drone, which helps speed the recharge rate on their tech powers, whereas the Soldier gets higher damage bonuses for taking out enemies in a small window of time. This is where the powers you equip and profiles you choose dovetail together. The skills you unlock affect what rank your profile is, and the higher your rank, the better those bonuses are. It’s an elegant way of being able to tailor Ryder to your preferences.
MATTER OF CHOICE
This level of customisation is stretching into Ryder’s equipment as well. Modular designs for armour allow you to kit your Ryder out with helmets and gear for their chest, arms and legs that boost their attributes in different ways.
You’re also able to upgrade specific parts of your vehicle, the Nomad. That includes its thrusters, shield, radar and, best of all, paint job. Yep, the Nomad will have different cosmetic designs to pick and choose from. Time to start crossing all your fingers for a Hot Pink decal to make you stand out on those hostile alien planets.
Finally, there are melee weapons. According to lead designer Ian S. Frazier, you’ll be able to craft and name your melee weapons. Frazier specifically mentions the Krogan Hammer, which featured in ME3’s multiplayer DLC. There’ll also be a dedicated melee weapon slot, so your shiny Bludgeon-ator never has to leave your side for a single moment. (Okay, maybe commitment’s a good thing – though be wary of new squeeze Cora, who could be the Illusive Man’s daughter…)
YOU SHALL NOT SEASON PASS
Bioware is also hinting at postlaunch plans, with general manager Aaryn Flynn tweeting that there won’t be a season pass for the game. That doesn’t mean there won’t be DLC, however. Considering every Mass Effect has had postlaunch content, it’s a sure thing.
With just a month to go until we get to zoom back into this incredible universe, the scope of Andromeda’s ambition is astounding. From the refinement of your character building to the tantalising powers and equipment you’ll get to play with, this is shaping up to be Bioware’s best game yet.
MODULAR DESIGNS FOR ARMOUR LET YOU BOOST RYDER’S ATTRIBUTES IN DIFFERENT WAYS.