Status:
Complete and Play Tested
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Mass Effect: Andromeda (PS4) Review
Mass Effect: Andromeda is a standalone entry in BioWares beloved sci-fi RPG series, set hundreds of years after the original trilogy in a brand-new galaxy. While it aims to capture the magic of interstellar exploration and narrative choice, the game struggles with uneven execution, especially at launch. However, updates and patches have improved the experience over time, and beneath its flaws lies a deep, ambitious RPG.
Gameplay & Mechanics
| Feature | Description | Verdict |
|---|
| Combat System | Third-person shooter with jetpack mobility, real-time action, and biotic powers. | Fast, fluid, and more dynamic than past entries. |
| Squad Commands | Customize squad tactics and abilities mid-battle. | Limited control compared to trilogy, but functional. |
| Exploration | Open-world planets with scanning, side quests, and resources. | Somewhat repetitive, but visually diverse. |
| Progression | Deep skill trees for biotics, tech, and combat. | Flexible builds, though balance is inconsistent. |
The combat is Andromedas strongest asset, combining freedom of movement with satisfying action.
Story & Characters
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Plot: You play as Ryder (male or female), tasked with finding new homes for humanity in the Andromeda galaxy after a 600-year journey.
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Tone: A more hopeful and exploratory tone than the original trilogy.
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Companions: Mixed bag some standout personalities (Drack, Peebee), others less memorable.
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Dialogue & Choice: Moral decisions exist, but with less impact than previous games.
The narrative lacks the urgency and emotional depth of the original trilogy but offers moments of intrigue and charm.
Graphics & Presentation
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Visuals: Vast planetary vistas and detailed environments; character models received major improvements after patches.
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Animations: Infamous at launch for stiff facial animations, now moderately improved.
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UI: Clunky and overloaded with menus, especially for inventory management.
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Cutscenes: Often cinematic but occasionally awkward in execution.
Visually ambitious, though still rough in places despite technical updates.
Sound & Music
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Voice Acting: Competent, though less emotionally engaging than past BioWare standards.
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Sound Design: Good atmospheric effects for different planets and combat.
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Music: A solid, space-themed score that captures exploration, but lacks standout themes.
Audio is serviceable but rarely exceptional.
Modes & Features
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Multiplayer: 4-player co-op missions reminiscent of Mass Effect 3, with solid combat but limited variety.
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Crafting: Extensive system for creating weapons and armor; however, it can feel overcomplicated.
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Side Missions: Range from meaningful character moments to generic fetch quests.
Andromeda is content-rich, though quantity sometimes comes at the expense of quality.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Fast-paced, enjoyable combat with verticality
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Large, explorable planets with rich sci-fi environments
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Freedom to customize abilities and builds
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Some engaging characters and world-building
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Major post-launch improvements
Cons
Bland writing compared to trilogy
Repetitive mission structure and fetch quests
Weak animations and facial expressions (especially at launch)
Cluttered UI and cumbersome inventory system
Lack of impactful narrative choices
Final Verdict
Mass Effect: Andromeda is a flawed but ambitious sci-fi RPG. While it lacks the narrative punch and polish of its predecessors, it offers fast combat, deep customization, and massive worlds to explore. For fans of the genre who can look past its rough edges, Andromeda still provides rewarding hours of space-faring adventure.
Score: 7.3 / 10 A decent entry for diehard fans, but not the galaxy-shaking reboot it aspired to be.
