Mass Effect: Andromeda, released in March 2017, marked a bold but controversial departure from the original Mass Effect trilogy. Set hundreds of years after the events of Mass Effect 3 and in an entirely different galaxy, Andromeda attempted to reboot the franchise with fresh characters, new threats, and an emphasis on exploration. However, despite its ambitions, the game was met with a mixed critical reception and significant backlash from fans, largely due to technical issues, underdeveloped narrative elements, and comparisons to its legendary predecessors.
Nevertheless, Mass Effect: Andromeda is a game of ambition. Beneath its flaws lies a rich science-fiction setting, engaging combat systems, and a foundation that—if better executed—could have launched a new generation of Mass Effect storytelling.
Development Background
BioWare began development of Andromeda shortly after the completion of Mass Effect 3. The goal was to move away from the narrative constraints of the original trilogy and give players a new frontier to explore without being tied to Commander Shepard’s story. The game was developed primarily by BioWare Montreal, a studio with less experience than the Edmonton team responsible for the original trilogy. As development progressed, it faced multiple challenges:
- A switch to the Frostbite engine, which was not well-suited to RPG development.
- Shifting leadership and internal restructuring.
- A tight timeline that resulted in rushed production, especially in the final year before release.
These factors led to a product that, while conceptually strong, lacked the polish and coherence expected from a Mass Effect title.
The Premise: Journey to Andromeda
Set in the year 2819, Mass Effect: Andromeda follows the story of the Andromeda Initiative—a multi-species project to colonize the Andromeda galaxy. This initiative was launched during the events of Mass Effect 2, with several “arks” carrying thousands of citizens from the Milky Way galaxy to Andromeda in cryo-sleep, aiming to settle in the Heleus Cluster.
Players take on the role of Ryder—either Scott or Sara—who becomes the Pathfinder, a leader responsible for finding a new home for humanity. Unlike the seasoned Commander Shepard, Ryder is relatively inexperienced, which offers a more grounded and personal narrative arc. They must explore alien worlds, forge diplomatic relations, and combat the mysterious Kett, an aggressive alien species with a dark secret.
The central narrative revolves around uncovering the secrets of an extinct alien civilization known as the Remnant, whose advanced technology holds the key to terraforming inhospitable worlds. The stakes are high, but they differ from the galaxy-ending apocalypse of the original trilogy—the tone is more about exploration, survival, and the pioneering spirit.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Andromeda’s gameplay evolved significantly from the trilogy:
- Open World Exploration: Each planet offers a semi-open world with quests, environmental hazards, and optional exploration. The Nomad vehicle replaces the Mako from the original Mass Effect, allowing for smoother traversal across terrain.
- Combat Overhaul: The game features real-time action with jetpacks, dynamic cover, and fluid movement. Players can mix and match combat, biotic, and tech abilities without being locked into a class. This flexibility is one of Andromeda’s strongest gameplay features.
- Crafting and Loot Systems: Players can research and build gear using materials gathered throughout the galaxy. This introduces an RPG-lite system reminiscent of action games like Destiny or The Witcher 3.
- Dialogue and Choice: The morality system from the trilogy is replaced with a tone-based system (emotional, logical, casual, professional), offering nuanced responses but less impact on the broader story.
The game supports character customization, squad selection, and loyalty missions reminiscent of Mass Effect 2, though these missions are generally less impactful than their predecessors.
New Characters and Factions
The game introduces an entirely new cast:
- Cora Harper: A disciplined biotic and second-in-command with a deep connection to the asari and the human military.
- Liam Kosta: A former security officer with a lighthearted, idealistic nature.
- Drack: A krogan warrior and grizzled veteran, offering some of the game’s most memorable moments.
- Peebee: An eccentric and curious asari with a passion for Remnant tech.
- Jaal: A member of the Angara, a native species of Andromeda, who becomes a key cultural bridge between the Initiative and his people.
- Vetra Nyx: A turian smuggler with a pragmatic approach and strong protective instincts for her sister.
The antagonist, Archon, the Kett leader, is imposing but lacks the depth and charisma of villains like Saren or the Illusive Man. The Kett as a whole are menacing in concept—their goal to convert other species into their own kind—but are underdeveloped in execution.
Visuals, Sound, and Technical Issues
At launch, Andromeda was marred by technical problems:
- Poor facial animations, particularly during dialogue scenes.
- Bugs and performance issues, especially on PC.
- Lifeless facial expressions and awkward character interactions became viral online, damaging the game’s reputation before many even played it.
Though patches improved some of these issues, first impressions were hard to shake. Despite this, the environments and art design remain visually stunning. Planets like Eos, Kadara, and Havarl are beautifully realized, with unique ecosystems, hazards, and biomes.
The soundtrack, composed by John Paesano, delivers a sweeping and atmospheric score, capturing the wonder of space exploration. While not as iconic as Jack Wall’s work on the trilogy, it fits the tone of the game well.
Reception and Legacy
Upon release, Mass Effect: Andromeda received mixed reviews:
- Critics praised the combat, planetary exploration, and scope.
- Many criticized the writing, pacing, weak villain, and technical problems.
- Fans were divided, with some appreciating the new setting and freedom, while others felt it lacked the soul and depth of the original trilogy.
Due to its reception, BioWare halted all single-player DLC plans, including a rumored Quarian Ark story, and eventually folded BioWare Montreal into other divisions. The game became a cautionary tale about over-ambition, mismanagement, and the difficulty of following a beloved trilogy.
Still, time has been somewhat kind to Andromeda. Later patches stabilized the game, and a number of fans discovered its deeper strengths beneath the rocky surface. The game was included in the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition indirectly through backward compatibility, reigniting interest.
Themes: Hope, Identity, and New Beginnings
Unlike the dire urgency of Mass Effect 3, Andromeda is about hope and rebuilding. It’s about second chances—not just for the characters, but for the species aboard the arks. The game explores ideas of cultural exchange, the difficulty of leadership under pressure, and the legacy of both alien civilizations and personal choices.
Ryder’s journey from a nobody to a respected leader mirrors the colonists’ struggle to build homes in a new, unforgiving galaxy. It emphasizes adaptability, learning from the past without being bound by it, and forging new paths.
Conclusion: A Misstep with Promise
Mass Effect: Andromeda was a bold experiment—one that ultimately stumbled in execution but not in vision. Its reach exceeded its grasp, and while it failed to ignite the same passion as the original trilogy, it laid groundwork for future stories in the Mass Effect universe.
There are moments in Andromeda—deep conversations with Jaal, mysterious Remnant vaults, breathtaking alien vistas—that recapture the awe and wonder of the series. With better pacing, more cohesive writing, and stronger production oversight, it could have been the beginning of something great.
While not the triumphant return fans hoped for, Andromeda is not without merit. For those willing to look past its flaws, it offers a galaxy full of potential, stories waiting to be told, and a reminder that even amidst failure, the frontier always beckons.
