A new gameplay trailer for Mass Effect: Andromeda debuted at The Game Awards on Thursday. Not only does it serve as an overview of the Andromeda story, set 600 years after Shepard’s adventures, but the new trailer also offers a comprehensive look at combat.
Set in the Andromeda galaxy (as opposed to our Milky Way), you’ll play as the Pathfinder, Sara or Scott Ryder, on a search for new home planet for the human race. In addition to a taste of familiar Mass Effect storytelling, the trailer dives into exploring, scanning, crafting and combat mechanics.
Give it a watch:
Despite 600 years of new developments, the combat in Mass Effect: Andromeda looks surprisingly similar to Mass Effect 3, with Sara bolting across the field of combat with a power similar to the Charge biotic. The radial menu pop-up reveals some expected weapons classes, with both Disruptor and Incendiary ammo classes. Combat looks smooth and varied, but its a bit disappointing how much like Mass Effect 3 Andromeda’s gunplay looks.
The Andromeda gameplay trailer suggests more of a focus on survival and exploration than in more recent entries. This has both intriguing aspects, such as native wildlife attacks, and some tedium potential. Hopefully Andromeda’s survival mechanics won’t feel like menu managing. The environments on display in the new Andromeda trailer are massive. Players will have a six-wheeled Nomad, similar to the Mako from the original Mass Effect, to get around.
Also, scanning. Lots of scanning. So sick of scanning.
This new trailer for Mass Effect: Andromeda gives the most comprehensive sense of gameplay yet. It looks very much like a Mass Effect game. Since Mass Effect games are some of the best sci-fi experiences possible, it’s too bad that this familiarity feels a little disappointing. Still, who’s going to say ‘No’ to more of a good thing? Mass Effect: Andromeda will be out in spring 2017.
