Mass Effect: Andromeda

[DuckThor Evil]

Part of the problem with the original endings were that they just tried to cheaply recycle the one ending video to cover three different scenarios. The original control ending kind of tried to portray that the portals weren't destroyed, Citadel stayed intact in it and they tried to cut the Mass portal explosion part compared to the other two endings, but having made only one video there wasn't much room to maneuver. The video had similar other issues too.

 

[Laa-Yosh]

Well at first I thought the relays should be gone for ever, as it would have had such a big effect on the universe - trade, colonisation, warfare, even communication would have had to change and of course science would have had to come up with faster space travel.

But now that I had time to think about it I think they made the right choice with the slow rebuilding, as it also opens up lots of new possibilities but doesn't change the character of the universe too much.


Imagine Citadel space as a few dozen islands in various sizes, separated by large bodies of ocean that only daring explorers in tiny ships are capable of crossing. Some of the relay network is already restored, some is in repair, some is still abandoned. In a few years or decades it would create radically different societies based on what resources, species, military presence and such were locked into that area. Anarchies, uninhabited islands, tense conflict zones, luxurious planet sized estates, and so on, the variety could be huge. Some systems could still be unaware of the ending of the war.

More importantly they have a decade's worth of stereotypes and tropes and such built by the trilogy that they can now subvert as they like. As a super easy example, Quarians are now settled and living without isolation suits in a resource rich world - however strangers need to be subjected to strict quarantine rules and now they need to wear the suits. The possibilities are endless.

This would also change gameplay significantly, especially if they do not make the player a Spectre or such. It has always been a bit too easy for Shepard with all the resources in his reach; and also kind of silly to engage in trivial side missions as such an important person. Removing that kind of backing could make the story more logical and add some more personal stakes.
Being more of a mercenary type would also allow for greater variety in squad members, mission objectives, and of course moral choices and their consequences. The player could for example help repair a mass relay - or let himself be bribed to sabotage the effort, in order to allow a warlord to keep his power free of Citadel forces. It would also allow for some pretty fun interactions with the Normandy crew - being hunted by Garrus through systems, or helping an undercover Ashley, once again a lot of cool possibilities that were previously impossible.

It could also offer more customization, choosing between various types of ships and introducing gameplay elements from space sims like smuggling, bounty hounting, exploration, and it would also make more sense to look for credits and loot, reintroducing a more complex skill system.

So I do believe that new Mass Effect games could become pretty damn good on next gen consoles, and I suspect that the ending of ME3 was actually set up with something like the above in mind

 

[Ike Turner]

Can we please the ME3 ending talks out of this thread and focus only on ME4?!

 

[dragonelite]

I really hope the ME4 will be like 200~300 years into the future where ME3 left off.
So they can start fresh and new. But the will probably never
capture the might of sovereign he was like a machine god in ME1.

Would be cool to have humans as the oppressing faction.
All that reaper tech that was left behind on earth should give humanity a boost into becoming the apex specie.


Shame they ended this trilogy like that reducing the reapers status nothing.
Uugh the ending still left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[BoardBonobo]

Disregarding peoples individual opinions about how ME3 ended, you can't please all of the people all of the time, ME was (is) in a class of its own. The world would be poorer without ME4 in any shape or form!

 

[anexanhume]

I'll say a few things about the end of ME3. The issue with the ending was not just the narrative choices they made. It was also about the lack of efficacy from player choices, something they heavily touted throughout the series. Personally, I felt they could have lifted the end of the first part of the hyperion series straight from the books and it would have worked well for this universe.

As for ME4, I'm still looking forward to it. My main source of disappointment and feeling of reserve is that it won't be centered on any character or know or already care about. That's what kept me going back to Halo easily. It was still MC and Cortana.

 

[Scott_Arm]

The part of the game that needs the most improvement is the combat. If they're pushing even more towards the action/shooter side, they really need to tighten it up and improve the enemy AI, and provide a wide variety of enemies. Mass Effect 3 was a big improvement over Mass Effect 2 in that regard, but compared to other shooters it is not the best shooter around. I'd love to see more character customization come back into play and a wider array of powers as well. Give me the best of the shooter and the best of the RPG, I suppose.

Oh, and please let me destroy terrain like in Battlefield (if this really is a frostbite game). I'd love to use the Push power to smash people through walls.

 

[anexanhume]

Oh, and please let me destroy terrain like in Battlefield (if this really is a frostbite game). I'd love to use the Push power to smash people through walls.

I think that has the potential to really elevate the gameplay. I can imagine pushing or pulling scaffolds onto enemies, charging through walls or windows into enemies, throwing singularities to destroy walkways from under enemies, etc. The difficulty would just be placing enemies such that they can still be leveled and not immediately destroyed by such actions.

 

[Scott_Arm]

I think that has the potential to really elevate the gameplay. I can imagine pushing or pulling scaffolds onto enemies, charging through walls or windows into enemies, throwing singularities to destroy walkways from under enemies, etc. The difficulty would just be placing enemies such that they can still be leveled and not immediately destroyed by such actions.

Also, the co-op multiplayer for Mass Effect 3 was surprisingly good. Maybe they're going to venture into more online modes, even competitive. I can see how frostbite physics and some powers could make for very fun competitive play, or at least even more interesting copy. Coordinating your powers could make for some pretty interesting stuff. Not that using Frostbite (if they do) guarantees they'd have destructible terrain.

 

[AlphaWolf]

UE3 had a number of games with destructable terrain, it wasn't an engine limitation.

I don't mind destructable terrain, but I can see how it creates issues in a game that isn't open world. If they can work it in ME4 that'd be fine.

 

[Scott_Arm]

UE3 had a number of games with destructable terrain, it wasn't an engine limitation.

I don't mind destructable terrain, but I can see how it creates issues in a game that isn't open world. If they can work it in ME4 that'd be fine.

Could be pretty awesome if they bring back some of the vehicle segments like in the first game too. Drive the Mako through some buildings, blow crap up.

 

[Kyyla]

I hope it is set after the extinction event. Everything before that feels pretty meaningless compared to Shepard's story. Besides we all want to see what became of the societies after the war. I want to see the Krogan rebuilding etc.

 

[3dcgi]

The part of the game that needs the most improvement is the combat. If they're pushing even more towards the action/shooter side, they really need to tighten it up and improve the enemy AI, and provide a wide variety of enemies. Mass Effect 3 was a big improvement over Mass Effect 2 in that regard, but compared to other shooters it is not the best shooter around. I'd love to see more character customization come back into play and a wider array of powers as well. Give me the best of the shooter and the best of the RPG, I suppose.

Oh, and please let me destroy terrain like in Battlefield (if this really is a frostbite game). I'd love to use the Push power to smash people through walls.

Multiplayer in ME3 has a wide variety of powers. Hopefully this variety finds its way into the campaign for ME4.

 

[MfA]

Disregarding peoples individual opinions about how ME3 ended, you can't please all of the people all of the time, ME was (is) in a class of its own. The world would be poorer without ME4 in any shape or form!

Is the world being enriched with all the pre/mid/interquel content coming out now in DLC/comic/book form?

For all his failings at least Lucas let others move his universe on ... that puts him miles ahead of Mac&Casey, who are entombing the ME universe within a grave they created with their ending.

 

[Prophecy2k]

Is the world being enriched with all the pre/mid/interquel content coming out now in DLC/comic/book form?

For all his failings at least Lucas let others move his universe on ... that puts him miles ahead of Mac&Casey, who are entombing the ME universe within a grave they created with their ending.

I agree with this to an extent. Bioware screwed up ME with ME3 so bad.

After ME3 i'm just not even interested in the lore or universe that much anymore. And even if they do try to move the universe on past ME3, the only way they can fix it is if they basically just set the next game some hundred/thousand years after the first trilogy and re-write the entire universe from the ground up, basically changing everything.

It desperately need a fresh start for any sequel they will do. And if ME4 is just some mid/interquel, then it would hold no value to ME fans given the state of the current fiction.

A prequel, set during the era of the protheans, or even during the time of the

Spoiler

leviathans

might be interesting. But they would never do it because of one single reason... EA. I.e. to do it humans could not even exist yet, and so EA would never allow it because they would never publish a game without a human protagonist, set in a very human relateable world (ME3's senseless shift in focus to earth being my case in point).

 

[Cyan]

Mass Effect 4 details leaked!

The newest leaked details about the much anticipated Mass Effect game have been revealed by Reddit user benjamin_stone. Of course the details are not sourced so taking this information with a grain of salt is highly recommended, but that doesn't mean that his scoop isn't exciting all the same.

The source for this information claims he had taken a survey that questioned his satisfaction on a number of details regarding the overview of Mass Effect 4. There are many more details within the source provided, but here are some of the most intriguing:

Setting: The Helios Cluster within the Andromeda Galaxy

This isn't the first time we've heard that the new game would take place away from Commander Sheppard's tale, and more fuel is added to that fire with this source. With the game taking place in a different time period and location this could be a great place for newcomers of the series to jump in, without having to put up with the drama surrounding the original trilogy. In addition, you will be playing as a Pathfinder searching for a new home in which the human race may thrive. Within this new corner of space you will discover the remains of a race known as the Remnant, similar to how we discovered Prothean artifacts in the first Mass Effect.

Your Companions: Not Just a Pretty Puppet
Much like previous games, you'll be able to encounter NPCs along the way and build your crew to help you along your path. One example of these crew members listed is Cora, who has a biotic shield bubble that protects you and your crew from incoming fire. You will be able to customize your crew's gear and abilities. Also like previous games, these crew members will have their own personal objectives within your missions, both for their race and for personal gain. You will still be able to explore their back story and do character arc missions for each individual member of your crew. Don't like what your crew is saying? You will have the ability to interrupt what they are saying from time to time with new dialogue options.

More Decisions: Managing A Mini Galaxy
You will be given the power to send AI teams out to areas of the Helios Cluster to go on "Strike Team Missions" which are the new Horde mode. You can also choose to go on these missions yourself. The goal of these missions is to take over or maintain control over certain areas of the map.

Speaking of a new Horde Mode, you'll be able to play with up to three friends and will take on wave after wave of enemies to fight for control of the galaxy.

Establishing Settlements will be another important aspect of managing this new game's world space. These settlements will provide you with resources that can allow you to: Send recon units into the dark to clear the fog of war from the map, Mining teams to recover more crafting materials, and more.

Seamless Space Travel: From Space to Surface

For the first time in a Mass Effect game, you'll be able to take your new ship, known in our source as Tempest, to hundreds of Planetary Systems . You'll be able to fly Tempest from planet to planet and deploy your Mako ( Hell Yeah!) to explore the planets surface, all without encountering any loading screens. The source also claims we will be able to customize our Makos this time around!

If this is true we can expect something like the No Man's Sky preview videos, but in the context of a Mass Effect universe.
Seamless Space Travel, the return of many fans favorite Mass Effect element, the Mako, RTS-like decisions to be made about the fate of an entire galaxy, and a whole new Star System to call home. We have been promised such ambition in the past, but can Bioware pull it off this time?

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/masseffect/comments/32yzxf/last_month_i_took_a_random_survey_about_mass/

 

[Prophecy2k]

A nice breakdown of the leak (courtesy of EatChildren at NeoGaf):

NARRATIVE:
Premise: Set in the Helius Cluster of the Andromeda Galaxy, removed by time and space from the Mass Effect "Commander Shepard" trilogy and its ending. Play as a "Pathfinder" explorer leading expedition with the aim of establishing new home for humanity. Encounter "savage untamed lands", "cut-throat outlaws", and "warring alien races" in an effort to survive and colonies. Andromeda is home to a mysterious alien race, the Remnants, who've left their vaults and ancient technology throughout.
Game Objective: Explore 100s of solar systems (over 4x size of Mass Effect 3) collecting resources, developing your ship, crew, and arsenal, while engaging in diplomacy in order to set up colonies, while discovering the mystery behind the Remnants and racing to secure their technology.
New Species: Remnants, an ancient race who've left ruins and technology throughout the galaxy. And Khet, seemingly antagonistic.
Squadmates: Same as previous games: make friends, take two with you on missions. Cora is able to generate biotic shields you can fire out of. Drack is a Krogan.
Loyalty Missions: Same as previous games: complete to unlock increased loyalty and new skill tree for that character. Example: Krogan colony ship has been stolen by outlaws. Track down the ship and return it to increase loyalty with Drack. Dialogue trees and end game impacted by loyalty status.
Dialogue: "Meaningful choices". Deeper control over responses, such as interrupting conversation. Action based choices are physical choices to shape the course of conversation, such as pulling out a weapon and forcing them to open a door instead of attempting to do so purely via conversation.

EXPLORATION/CUSTOMISATION:
Tempest Starship: Pilotable ship to discover 100s of solar systems. Customisable with trophies/loot/photos taken through the galaxy. Transition between flying ship, to landing on planet, to driving Mako, to getting out on foot, all seamless with no loading screens. Mako
Vehicle: Upgradeable with turbo boost, shield generator, hostile detector, etc. Customisable paint job.
Planets: 100s of surfaces to explore, for discovering places to colonise, and alien vaults/outputs to conquer.
Colonies: Build settlements on habitable planets. Able to decide what type of settlement for bonuses. EG: Recon Settlements will clear fog of war on space map and offer more strike team missions, meanwhile Mining Settlements will periodically supply crafting materials.
Blueprints: Allow you to craft alien technology using materials for better equipment and weapons, such as a jetpack for jumping, cryo-beam to target enemies, etc. Crew: Customisable skill trees, gear, weapons, etc.

MISSIONS TYPES AND MULTIPLAYER:
Remnant Vault Raids: Ancient ruins in two variants. Standard: Accessed by finding and activating Remnant Monoliths, explored to find a "powerful artefact". Acquiring artefact triggers defence systems: robots, traps, and restructured layout. Rewards with valuable loot, crafting resources, and Star Keys.
Orbital Facilities: Unlocked with Star Keys, provide permanent stat bonuses, and optional higher difficulty vault raids that add Khet patrols and outlaws. Rewards with rare loot and narrative acclaim.
Khet Outposts: Optional wave-based combat challenges that reward with XP, reduced Khet power and additional narrative options in the region if destroyed.
Strike Team: Spend resources to recruit mercenaries and develop AI controlled strike teams to be deployed on randomly generated, time sensitive missions. Include settlement defence and remnant artefact recovery. Strike Teams return 20 - 30 minutes later with XP, currency, and equipment depending on mission outcome. Spend money/resources to train Strike Team, and buy better equipment, to increase success rate and send on dangerous missions.
Active Strike Team: See above, however you can choose to complete the Strike Team mission manually via play using your multiplayer roster of characters. Able to play co-op with friends, more friends increasing difficulty and rewards. Bonus rewards for joining another players strike team mission. XP, loot, and customisation rewards for Strike Team played characters are cohesive with multiplayer specific horde mode.
Horde Mode: Similar to Mass Effect 3: four players against waves of enemies with additional objectives such as disabling a bomb or assassinating a target. Similar XP/loot rewards to Mass Effect 3. APEX funds earned to be used in single player.

So sounds like it's exactly what I'm looking for. Fresh new start with a new galaxy and story void of baggage from the "Shepherd" trilogy. Exploration and actual pilatable ships really makes my mouth drool. Hopefully it's more substantial in terms of content than DA:I was with it's side content. The prospect of hundreds of explorable worlds however sound very much like procedurally generated locations with lots of swap-in-swap-out props and scenarios. Hope they get the balance right and at least afford the "feeling" of variation.

 

[DieH@rd]

All sounds OK [and fully ready for onslaught of SP/MP DLCs and consumable purchases].

I expect unveil at E3, release in late 2016.

 

[Sigfried1977]

Disregarding peoples individual opinions about how ME3 ended, you can't please all of the people all of the time, ME was (is) in a class of its own. The world would be poorer without ME4 in any shape or form!

Not if ME4 followed the DA:I template.

 

[AlNom]

Need a fast travel for every conceivable door transition and allied NPCs/squadmates. I did like ME3's method of having Shepard call up the person to the cabin. Got tired of running around in DA: I. :/ Why there was no fast travel to the war room, I can't fathom.

And... I hope they hired someone to do lots of hair choices.

Sounds like they're going all in with customization/upgrades. I liked the SR-2 upgrade mechanic in ME2. The additions Bioware Montreal made to ME3 MP give some hope to weapon variety, but I'm curious how much they'll expand upon the biotics/tech.

---

Do wonder if there will be some omg intergalactic revelation that relates the Reapers/cycles to this new ancient civilization or if it's just... more of the same, different location.