The latest Mass Effect game, Mass Effect: Andromeda (ME:A) has been bombarded with negative feedbacks, from the facial animations, walk animations and certain dialogues the game has been relentlessly criticized. Not that they were all completely un-called for, but once you get over the disappointing, borderline revolting first impression, the game does have more to offer.
What went wrong?
Ignoring the obvious character aesthetics and animation flaws that has been circling the internet, the writing in ME:A is unnaturally awkward. The character interactions and dialogue just makes you cringe at every line.
Renowned for their interspecies romance, the Mass Effect series had immersive romance dialogues that really puts players in the shoes of Commander Shepard, the protagonist of the original trilogy. Unfortunately, this trait was lost in ME:A which doesn’t make the game feel like a Mass Effect game.
All Mass Effect fans can agree that the Illusive Man was one heck of an antagonist. From his aesthetics to his motives and methods, he’s a villain that really makes the player question their actions throughout the game. The new villains of ME:A just doesn’t have the same sort of allure. The Archon, the new villain has a weak motive which makes the entire story a lot weaker.
Another major problem I had with the game was the lack of thought put in developing the game. In previous games, during conversations, the game would in a sense disconnect the participating characters from the game world to cut off distractions that would affect the conversation. Once again, this was lost in the new game. During conversations, companions, enemies, pretty much everything continues to move. As seen in the image on top, during conversations a monster just creeps up and starts attacking. Even if you’re safely tucked away in a friendly location, your companions with the new jet packs will act like children with new toys, jumping all over the place “oomf-ing” and “oof-ing” as they land, distracting you from the already flawed writing.
What Makes it Playable
As a fan of the first three Mass Effect games, although the game didn’t have the traits of its predecessors, I wanted to power through it. Surprisingly, I’m glad I did.
Despite all the negativity surrounding the game, there are redeeming qualities that make the game surprisingly fun. The new combat is incredibly satisfying. The new open world system really does give a sense of exploration to the game as it promised, the little details spread out in the various worlds occasionally adds a pleasant touch to the game. Each world is uniquely designed and stunning to look at. Unlike the previous games, ME:A has really stepped up in creating atmospheric zones that makes you want to look around.
Majority of the game’s content is hidden and disconnected from the game’s main story. Whether or not this was done on purpose is hard to say, but it does mean that unless you actively go around exploring the new planets. The game keeps its good contents very well hidden.
Unlike the original companions in the Mass Effect trilogy, the new generation of companions aren’t attractive enough both in terms of personality and aesthetics, to make you want to get to know them more out of your own accord.
Will I Recommend it?
To be completely honest, I still wouldn’t recommend buying this game even if it on sale for a dirt price. The game has lost almost all the charms of a Mass Effect game. For newcomers to the Mass Effect series, just play through the first three games and for Mass Effect fans who haven’t already bought this game, just ignore this title completely. It’s just not worth it.