We got our first legitimate look at the gameplay of Mass Effect: Andromeda last night, and there’s quite a bit to take in. It doesn’t appear to deviate drastically from the Mass Effect formula, as you’ll still be exploring alien planets in third person and making dialogue choices, but the difference is in the details.
Planetary exploration is more robust this time around, thanks to the new all-terrain vehicle, the Nomad, in the Pathfinder’s arsenal. You’ll be able to use a scanning tool to analyze the environment for clues and information as well. Combat is even more fast-paced, with movement options like a warp-dash (are those shades of Final Fantasy XV I see?) and a jetpack that add verticality to encounters. We also got a look at the new conversation system, where responses are tied to an emotional spectrum instead of a binary good/evil dichotomy.
It’s nice to see how development on Mass Effect: Andromeda is progressing, and I’m more hopeful than ever that it will meet its projected “early 2017” release date. I’m just going to pretend like those Collector’s Editions don’t exist.