Mass Effect: Andromeda Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is an action RPG with open-world, developed by BioWare Montreal and published by EA. It is highly recommended to download and install the latest update to reduce bugs, glitches and crashing issues.
Story
This game takes place in the Andromeda Galaxy, far away from the Milky Way Galaxy, setting of the previous Mass Effect games. Alec Ryder and his children, Sara and Scott Ryder are a part of the Initiative that journey to the Andromeda Galaxy to settle in a new home. Due to a certain circumstance, Alec Ryder sacrificed his life to one of his children and made him/her the Pathfinder. Thus. his son/daughter is now tasked to find viable planets to settle, as well as finding a way to stop the threat by the kett species.
Story is decent. Nothing great, but not bad itself. There are several non-conclusive plots after finishing the game, where some of them are resolved by reading the Mass Effect: Andromeda related novels. The characters are pretty varied and likable, especially the Tempest crew. Unfortunately, the main villain is a weak and unlikable character. Other supporting characters are good as well, if you follow their questlines.
Gameplay
Exploration is hugely different from Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. Although you can travel to certain worlds via Galaxy Map like the previous three Mass Effect games, you will find yourself exploring several worlds in a much more open area, not dissimilar to open-world games. You will use Nomad to travel, as many locations are far as well as you need to avoid environmental hazards carefully.
Progression is simple. To progress the story, you need to complete Priority Missions. Priority Missions may require you to fetch objects or talk to certain NPCs, as well as fighting a variety of enemies. Some Priority Missions also require you to go to linear areas for the duration of the mission, and you may also need to make hard decisions that may impact the story later. Your squad members have their own optional quests, which can be done once you have progressed the story enough. Other planet related quests are also available throughout the game, which are scattered in different worlds.
Before you start the game, you can customise your character's appearance, gender and training. You may also customise your twin's appearance as well. As you play the game, you may open containers to obtain new weapon mods, salvage, as well as new equipment. You may customise your character with different armour parts, new weapons and etc. Squad members have fixed loadouts and appearances, so you can't customise them much. Items may also be bought from various merchants in different locations.
Your character gains a level and Skill Points after acquiring sufficient experience points. Experience Points are obtained by completing enemy encounters and completing missions. After gaining Skill Points, you can use them to acquire new skills from three different Skill trees, such as Combat Skills, Tech Skills and Biotic Skills. Some may include passive abilities, but most of them are active skills that can be used in combat. Unlike in previous games, there is no Class system. Instead, this game allows you to use Profiles that bolster certain effects such as Soldier Profile enhances your firearms' damage. Unlike in previous games, you have the option to use a specialised character or jack-of-all-trades character very easily.
Combat is done as a third person shooter like previous Mass Effect games. You can use your firearms to fight your enemies or use powers. You also have access to other combat options such as dashing to avoid attacks, taking cover, or hover jump. Enemies come in variety, such as kett soldiers, local aliens, robots, and etc. Killing enemies in an encounter will reward you experience points, as well as possibly dropping loot.
Overall, pretty good gameplay. Great combat, good exploration, decent weapon customisation, good variety of powers, and interesting Profiles feature. However, there are some negative aspects I have with this game, such as not customisation for squad members, lack of squad member control in combat, no power wheel like previous Mass Effect games, weak character creator system, weak choices and consequences system, as well as the short story campaign. It is still worth playing, regardless of the issues I have with this game.
Graphics
Pretty good graphics. Some weird facial and movement animations, as well as some mediocre human character models. The environments however, look great. Decent framerate too, but be aware of glitches while playing the game.
Sound
This game has good voice acting. No one stand outs much, but at least the voice actors did serviceable jobs in voicing their respective characters. The soundtrack is pretty fitting for a sci-fi game.
Replay Value
Good replay value. You can opt to complete a variety of side missions such as your squad members' missions, side missions, achieve 100% viability for all worlds, and etc. You may also choose to play the multiplayer mode as well.
Conclusion
This is a pretty good game. Despite several shortcomings, this game could serve as the start of a new Mass Effect trilogy. Unfortunately, there are no plans for a sequel at the moment, as this game has a promising start. Worth playing and try the game if you are interested with sci-fi RPGs.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 7.5/10 or 30/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Promising start for a new Mass Effect game series.
- Interesting lore.
- Some interesting characters.
- Fun and good combat.
- Good weapons customisation.
- Good variety of powers
- Interesting Profiles feature.
- Good Nomad control.
- Good exploration.
- Loads of side-content.
- Good replay value.
Cons
- Weak and underwhelming main villain.
- Story campaign feels a bit too short.
- Too few new alien species introduced in this game.
- Weak character creator system.
- Mediocre choices and consequence system.
- Some weak romance options.
- Generic side quests.
- Lack of squad members customisation.
- Lack of power wheel like previous games.
- Unable to control squad members' power usage.
- Bugs and glitches are still present after update.
- Several crashing occasions after update.
- Animation issues as well as questionable character model designs.
**Images are from official PlayStation website.
This is an action RPG with open-world, developed by BioWare Montreal and published by EA. It is highly recommended to download and install the latest update to reduce bugs, glitches and crashing issues.
Story
Control either Scott or Sara Ryder in your journey.
Story is decent. Nothing great, but not bad itself. There are several non-conclusive plots after finishing the game, where some of them are resolved by reading the Mass Effect: Andromeda related novels. The characters are pretty varied and likable, especially the Tempest crew. Unfortunately, the main villain is a weak and unlikable character. Other supporting characters are good as well, if you follow their questlines.
Gameplay
Explore different planets in the Andromeda Galaxy and stop the kett threat.
Exploration is hugely different from Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. Although you can travel to certain worlds via Galaxy Map like the previous three Mass Effect games, you will find yourself exploring several worlds in a much more open area, not dissimilar to open-world games. You will use Nomad to travel, as many locations are far as well as you need to avoid environmental hazards carefully.
Progression is simple. To progress the story, you need to complete Priority Missions. Priority Missions may require you to fetch objects or talk to certain NPCs, as well as fighting a variety of enemies. Some Priority Missions also require you to go to linear areas for the duration of the mission, and you may also need to make hard decisions that may impact the story later. Your squad members have their own optional quests, which can be done once you have progressed the story enough. Other planet related quests are also available throughout the game, which are scattered in different worlds.
Before you start the game, you can customise your character's appearance, gender and training. You may also customise your twin's appearance as well. As you play the game, you may open containers to obtain new weapon mods, salvage, as well as new equipment. You may customise your character with different armour parts, new weapons and etc. Squad members have fixed loadouts and appearances, so you can't customise them much. Items may also be bought from various merchants in different locations.
Fight against enemies with a variety of powers, and switch your Profile in the midst of combat for combat bonuses.
Combat is done as a third person shooter like previous Mass Effect games. You can use your firearms to fight your enemies or use powers. You also have access to other combat options such as dashing to avoid attacks, taking cover, or hover jump. Enemies come in variety, such as kett soldiers, local aliens, robots, and etc. Killing enemies in an encounter will reward you experience points, as well as possibly dropping loot.
Overall, pretty good gameplay. Great combat, good exploration, decent weapon customisation, good variety of powers, and interesting Profiles feature. However, there are some negative aspects I have with this game, such as not customisation for squad members, lack of squad member control in combat, no power wheel like previous Mass Effect games, weak character creator system, weak choices and consequences system, as well as the short story campaign. It is still worth playing, regardless of the issues I have with this game.
Graphics
Pretty good graphics.
Sound
Good voice acting and fitting soundtrack.
Replay Value
Good replay value.
Conclusion
Pretty good game despite several shortcomings.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 7.5/10 or 30/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Promising start for a new Mass Effect game series.
- Interesting lore.
- Some interesting characters.
- Fun and good combat.
- Good weapons customisation.
- Good variety of powers
- Interesting Profiles feature.
- Good Nomad control.
- Good exploration.
- Loads of side-content.
- Good replay value.
Cons
- Weak and underwhelming main villain.
- Story campaign feels a bit too short.
- Too few new alien species introduced in this game.
- Weak character creator system.
- Mediocre choices and consequence system.
- Some weak romance options.
- Generic side quests.
- Lack of squad members customisation.
- Lack of power wheel like previous games.
- Unable to control squad members' power usage.
- Bugs and glitches are still present after update.
- Several crashing occasions after update.
- Animation issues as well as questionable character model designs.
**Images are from official PlayStation website.
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