Mass Effect: Andromeda First Impressions Roundup

BioWare recently gave certain video game media companies the opportunity to try the latest installment in the Mass Effect universe. With 3 hours to spend, reviewers eagerly dove into the demos and have been writing about their impressions of the game such as it is. So far, it would seem that aside from a few common issues, Mass Effect: Andromeda is shaping up to be a pretty solid title.

It’s no secret at this point that the upcoming addition to the spacefaring franchise will have quite a few differences when compared to the original trilogy. For one thing, it’s going to be an open-world game, sort of. For another, it’s going to have a re-worked combat style. According to PC Gamer, the latter is particularly welcome change.

One of the most significant features in Andromeda is the jetpack, which provides either of the Ryder siblings considerable freedom of movement when fighting. During combat, players can jump up, hover for a bit, and then launch an attack by either shooting their targets or hitting them with a biotic assault. A forward dash for close-combat is also available for those who prefer simply tanking a firefight.

Players of the original Mass Effect games will find Andromeda both strange and familiar, with the latter being particularly apparent when it comes to the narrative. Of course, venturing into that territory will likely cause some spoilers. As such, let it simply be said that barring a few changes to the dialogue, the story still retains that characteristic BioWare flair that fans love.

IGN goes a little more in-depth with regards to its impressions of the game, listing everything from combat mechanics to character creation. As expected, there was a lot of praise, but no game ever comes out unscathed when it comes to these things.

For some reviewers, the new combat system makes cover shooting a little wonky. Others think that the game’s characters can look a little cartoony at times. Even so, with the freedom to create an entirely unique character and skill-set, exciting firefights, and freedom to choose what type of Ryder the player is going to be, first impressions have been mostly praises.