We finally have an official date for the much anticipated sequel Mass Effect: Andromeda. The Mass Effect Twitter account have announced the date for March 21 in North America. Europe will have to wait a bit longer as the game will launch there on March 23.
Mass Effect: Andromeda launches on 3/21/2017. Are you ready to explore a new galaxy? https://t.co/jQvvzKz7U6 pic.twitter.com/EZ6ttjqX6s
— Mass Effect (@masseffect) January 4, 2017
The announcement comes just ahead of the unveiling of new footage for the title. If the latest Mass Effect: Andromeda trailer is to be believed, this is going to be one huge sequel. Also, there are scenes featuring wrist-mounted flamethrowers. Either one is reason enough to be excited.
Still, considering that we only got our first look at gameplay for Mass Effect: Andromeda a month ago at the Game Awards. We wouldn’t have been shocked to see the game pushed back to later in the year. Instead, it would seem that the game was just as far along as they wanted us to believe. They simply decided to wait longer than usual to really show us anything about it. Here’s everything we know so far.
The Story
https://youtu.be/MjfIPkv4WDY
The trailer debuted during N7 Day gave us a few new story details about Mass Effect: Andromeda. The game teases a 600-year voyage to the edges of the Andromeda galaxy on four giant arks. “It’s a one way trip,” says the narrator of the orientation video. Each ark is led by a Pathfinder, who is a “a blend of elite soldier, scientist, and guide.” These arks are headed towards “the Golden Worlds” located in Andromeda‘s Helios Cluster.
The game’s adventure will be unrelated to everything you’ve played thus far with Commander Shepard. The first trilogy’s hero, and takes place in another galaxy. Fittingly, a trailer was released on N7 Day 2015 and it’s all about Shepard saying goodbye.
The Characters
Ryder, the main protagonist of the game, is one of the Pathfinders leading these pilgrims to find a new home for humanity. In the cinematic trailer we get our first look at the new crew, which includes a new Asari character. As well as a quick glimpse at a Salarian. It was also revealed that the two characters you can play as are brother and sister.
BioWare creative director Mac Walters “We’re seeing our male character, at E3 we got to see our female character. A little surprise here: These two are actually brother and sister. They both exist in the game world at the same time. If you’re playing as the female Ryder, your brother is out there somewhere in the universe.”
The new villain also debuted in the trailer. It’s unclear if he’s the character doing the narration in the trailer, but his physique isn’t unlike Saren‘s from the first Mass Effect. It’s been a long time since the Normandy was around, it does look like the game will feature a new ship. Also, featured in the trailer are giant mechanized monstrosities that I hope aren’t Reapers.
Gameplay
EA debuted Mass Effect: Andromeda‘s first gameplay trailer during a tech demo at the PlayStation 4 Pro unveiling in New York City. The trailer gives us our first real glimpse at gameplay, running in 4K. As well as introduces to Ryder, the game’s protagonist. We also get a look at an alien species called the Remnant.
That’s all we know so far but in the words of our brave Commander.
“We are travelers, constantly moving forward, and looking back. Alone and as one,” she says. “We have no choice but to try for our insatiable curiosity, for our fear in what should happen if we don’t. You are the explorer now. We will say goodbye, and you will look back one last time, and know that wherever you go, we will be with you. This is Commander Shepard, signing off.”
