Originally posted by Zack Fair
So....I was big on ME trilogy....is this a buy or a pass?
Depends. Wanting to customize your squad with different weapons and armor like you've done in over six Bioware games in the past? Too bad because you don't get that here in Andromeda. Crafting is mostly pointless now. Sure I can give my Ryder some cool stuff but it's not the same without sharing the spoils. Why would they do this? It's stupid.
I've been playing with Scott, but I did try out Sara for a bit as well. Both seem to have very solid voice acting. Scott's default face is a bit better and doesn't show the weird facial animations quite as much as Sara's does. Either one is a pretty good choice.
Zack, it's difficult to say if you'll like this game. People seem pretty divided, lot of Mass Effect fans like it, a lot don't. Best bet is to play it yourself and see, maybe rent it or try EA Access so you can play the first few hours, see if you enjoy it.
I enjoy it so far.
I'm still getting a handle of the combat but I like how your character is not beholden to a class. It's refreshing that I can have powers that can attack synthetics and use biotics.
The facial animations would be OK if it wasn't for those weird eyes. The lip synch issue shows up every so often but that doesn't really bother me that much due to at least 50% of other games fall into that same category. Considering the amount of dialogue (it's not just your squaddies that talk a lot but it seems everybody has some story that want to tell you) I don't find it outrageous.
Missions are OK so far. Even though the Journal is ****ing brutal (why nested!), at least it's easy to see which quests are important. This game reminds me of the first but with much better combat and scope.
I've been playing it all day today. It's not horrible. The best way I can describe it is 'generic'.
We're in an alien galaxy that doesn't feel all that alien. The remnant technology and sites feels just like the Prothean remnant technology and sites. Cold metal corridors that don't really differentiate themselves.
The Nexus is just Citadel 2.0, which I can kind of forgive since it's from the milky way, but man did running around the place get old quickly.
The Keht are the typical silent evil species that captures, tortures, and kills every other species. Basically Collectors 2.0. Not a fan of how similar they are to Milky Way species either. Bioware should have been more imaginative with the new species. Especially considering the fact that they only introduced 2 new species along with some boring typical robotic enemies.
The quests have also been pretty typical. It's basically all "go here and press Y/triangle to interact with something" mixed up with some shooting. The shooting is damn good though, at least.
On one hand, it's nice to have every ability open to me, but I feel like it will take away from future playthroughs since Ryder can have all the best biotic/tech/combat upgrades whenever he likes. They should have kept the specializations from previous games. This would have done wonders for replayability and made it feel like I was truly customizing my Ryder.
The soundtrack has been passable to non-existant. Some ambient music while exploring would have helped the atmosphere.
The shipmates don't really stand out so far either.
Hardcore Krogan than likes to kill shit? check
Attractive (better than the competition anyway) badass soldier chick who serves as a generic love interest? check
Genius full of himself Salarian? check
A bunch of boring humans we'll never care for in current or future installments?
Weird hyper quirky "lovable" autist? check check
Not all of it is bad though.
Vetra is the only one whos grown on me. She's got a good head on her shoulders. I like her focus, humility, and down-to-earth-ness. She actually comes off as unique. She's still no Garrus, but she would have fit in well among ME1-3 shipmates.
I like how you shape the Nexus/how that manifests as perks and progression of the initiative in that you pick outposts. The idea of exploring the galaxy, and teraforming suitable planets to fit the different species is pretty cool too.
The best part though, is Male Ryder. I played him because a bunch of reviews specifically noted his stand out voice acting. They weren't kidding. His animation also doesn't ever look awkward. Male Ryder is the way to go for sure. It's just a shame about the shitty character creator. It basically forced me to pick default Ryder.
Interesting observation regarding the facial animation.
Once the sequel is decided, I hope Bioware does quality over quantity. There a lot of potential on creating excellent side missions in this universe. For instance, one of the planets you are tasked to find an old ship. Currently, it's just getting there and scanning something. What I would rather have is for you to explore the interior and find out what happened to it, or at least scan items for "lore". The problem is not the scanning itself (every game does this) but how "top down" it feels.
Still having fun though and I don't see the complaints regarding characters and dialogue. It's on par with Mass Effect but the difference is that it's soo ****ing much of it that there is bound to be bad parts of it. If you take a clip of something that is bad without referencing the rest of it in the same clip it's easy to paint a bad picture of it. It's like showcasing a basketball player one bad turnover but not showing his 50 ****ing points he scored.
I'm having a great time with it right now.
The combat is fun. I think that the jump jet/quick dodge elements can be really awesome once you get your timing down, especially if you roll vanguard/shot-gun load out. I also like how you can mix and match powers and profiles to give you buffs to suit your play style.
The graphics are bad overall. No surprise there, but I do think the planets I have visited look good. The Aya planet that looks like Sur'Kesh was gorgeous.
The story so far has me interested. I'm hoping they flesh out the Kett more so we can understand where they are coming from. The characters are hit or miss for me, but that's no different than the previous iterations. I liked how they gave the species so far different personalities than in previous games. Instead of angry, gruff Krogans, we got a couple who are actually pretty chill. Peebee is far more energetic than any Asari I remember in the other games. They were all mother hen or evil. Even Cora has another side to her. She likes gardening. never would have thought that by just looking at her character.
Hopefully I can get some more time in soon to really rate the story.
Originally posted by Arachnid1
On one hand, it's nice to have every ability open to me, but I feel like it will take away from future playthroughs since Ryder can have all the best biotic/tech/combat upgrades whenever he likes. They should have kept the specializations from previous games. This would have done wonders for replayability and made it feel like I was truly customizing my Ryder.
Also should've kept the power wheel from previous games as well. Without it, no proper squad commands. You still point them where to go, yes, but you can't tell them to use specific powers anymore. It's all randomized. One of the most crucial components for strategic combat in Mass Effect gone. This on top of not being allowed to customize my squad outside of skills is making this experience my own Andromeda to explore. The direction Bioware is going with all this is ****ing bizarre and very unnecessary.
Originally posted by Smasandian
Can't you pause when bringing up the weapon wheel? Unless you can't on PC.I know I can on the Xbox One.
Oh, the weapon wheel does pause the game, but I'm talking about how I used to be able to pause the game and direct orders, line up powers and such.
I get that it's a new combat system, but I didn't expect it to be so different.
It's fun, don't get me wrong, but it has its drawbacks.
Originally posted by -Pr-
Oh, the weapon wheel does pause the game, but I'm talking about how I used to be able to pause the game and direct orders, line up powers and such.I get that it's a new combat system, but I didn't expect it to be so different.
It's fun, don't get me wrong, but it has its drawbacks.
I kinda like how the characters are capable of handling themselves for the most part. Makes me feel like they are carrying their own weight instead of me have to do it for them. Let's me set up my own combos and stuff. I was impressed with Cora using her biotics to wreck stuff while I'm dealing with my own problems.
Originally posted by socool8520
I kinda like how the characters are capable of handling themselves for the most part. Makes me feel like they are carrying their own weight instead of me have to do it for them. Let's me set up my own combos and stuff. I was impressed with Cora using her biotics to wreck stuff while I'm dealing with my own problems.
I'm not gonna rag on you for enjoying it; the combat is still fun. I just prefer to have more control, personally.
Three active powers at a time though... Eesh.
Originally posted by socool8520
I kinda like how the characters are capable of handling themselves for the most part. Makes me feel like they are carrying their own weight instead of me have to do it for them. Let's me set up my own combos and stuff. I was impressed with Cora using her biotics to wreck stuff while I'm dealing with my own problems.
You would hate the original trilogy then. The characters should be relying on you and you on them. That's why they call it squad based. Analyzing the battlefield and making plans with them is what made Mass Effect fun. Andromeda is like playing Overwatch with uncooperative teammates using their super moves all willy nilly.
Originally posted by Nemesis X
You would hate the original trilogy then. The characters should be relying on you and you on them. That's why they call it squad based. Analyzing the battlefield and making plans with them is what made Mass Effect fun. Andromeda is like playing Overwatch with uncooperative teammates using their super moves all willy nilly.
I played the original series. Several times. One of my favorites overall. While it did irk me to have to bail my squad mates out sometimes (especially since people like Wrex boasted of killing several people by themselves), but it was not a deal breaker. the story and exploration were well worth it, and as the 2nd and 3rd game came out, the battle became smoother while you're companions were able to handle themselves a little better. This game just improves upon that quite a bit imo.
Originally posted by -Pr-
I'm not gonna rag on you for enjoying it; the combat is still fun. I just prefer to have more control, personally.Three active powers at a time though... Eesh.
And I can understand the want for that type of control. personal preference. Admittedly, I was never one for RTS type stuff so that's probably why I wasn't as into micromanaging my squad. I just hoped they were competent enough to pull their weight.
You could have three in ME3 iirc. I used to wreck shop as an Engineer rolling Incinerate, Overload, and Turret.
Originally posted by Nemesis X
You would hate the original trilogy then. The characters should be relying on you and you on them. That's why they call it squad based. Analyzing the battlefield and making plans with them is what made Mass Effect fun. Andromeda is like playing Overwatch with uncooperative teammates using their super moves all willy nilly.
Personally, I never used the squad controls for the original trilogy. Never.
I found both teammates to be able handle themselves and in fact, there were more powerful and destructive as I was.
My best guess is that they removed squad controls because the enemies are much more aggressive and having the ability to customize your character as you see fit.
I'm glad they got rid of classes. I hated it and it really didn't make any sense. I'm a SPECTRE, one of the most badass people in the world and for some reason I can't use an assault rifle.
Originally posted by Smasandian
I'm glad they got rid of classes. I hated it and it really didn't make any sense. I'm a SPECTRE, one of the most badass people in the world and for some reason I can't use an assault rifle.
If your a vanguard, you don't need no stinkin assault rifle. lol Nah, I agree. they headed in the right direction in ME3 for that imo. They did dumb down the exploration in 3 though which was definitely a step back. I'm glad exploring is back.
Originally posted by Smasandian
My best guess is that they removed squad controls because the enemies are much more aggressive and having the ability to customize your character as you see fit.
But does it justify your teammates not having custom loadouts? The very least let me swap their default weapons.