Mass Effect: Andromeda has gone gold! That means the game will release on time and we'll finally be able to start exploring the Andromeda galaxy. However, if you haven't been keeping up with BioWare's latest game you're probably unaware of criticalcal facts. Luckily we've created a list of everything you need to know about Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Summary

Mass Effect: Andromeda takes place during the events of Mass Effect 2 and 3 before jumping 600 years into the future. The Andromeda Initiative seeks to colonize The Andromeda Galaxy with races within The Milky Way. The Ark serves as the vessel to transport the various races to Andromeda in this one-way trip that include Asari, Krogen, Salarian, Turian, and Humans. Once there the goal is to establish a center for government, diplomacy, a living area, and base of operation for the Pathfinders. Pathfinders serve as experts in survival, diplomacy, and combat to aid their race in establishing homes within Andromeda.

Players take control of one of twins' Scott or Sara Ryder, depending on the player's choice, and led by their father, Humanity's Pathfinder Alec Ryder. The Ryder twins are not like Commander Shepard, they've not seasoned warriors with an acclaimed record to stand on.

As new residents of Andromeda you're the invaders and seeing that humanity's first contact with another alien race began with war it's safe to assume the races of Andromeda may not look too kindly to outsiders.

No Familiar Faces

Andromeda is a one-way trip and that means don't expect any familiar faces. BioWare confirmed that the events of Commander Shepard will remain in the Milky Way. 

No Reapers or Mass Relays

The main antagonists of the Mass Effect trilogy will not be featured in the Andromeda galaxy. It makes sense since the Leviathans, creators of the AI that made the Reapers, never mentioned leaving the Milky Way. This also means that the Mass Relays, which were created by the Reapers and used to travel throughout The Milky Way, will not be in Andromeda. How travel will work without these in Andromeda hasn't been explained by BioWare yet.

New Races

Since we're heading to a new galaxy expect to find never before seen races. One race called the Kett looks like a more human Collector with a lot of muscle. This insect-like race has an exoskeleton and is the primary antagonist of Mass Effect: Andromeda. The Angara are another confirmed race that we know little about. In their reveal for your squad, Jaal is labeled as Resistance Fighter. This could mean that the Kett has some sort of dominance in Andromeda and Jaal's race is fighting back.

6 Squad-Mates

Name: Lieutenant Cora Harper
Species: Human
Origin: Spaceborn
Combat: Biotic Commando, Operations Specialist

Name: Jaal
Species: Angara
Origin: NA
Combat: NA

Name: Vetra Nyx
Species: Turian
Born: Palaven
Combat: Custom Armor for Additional Shielding

Name: Liam Kosta
Species: Human
Born: London, England
Combat: Close range

Name: Peebee
Species: Asari
Born: Port Lerama, Hyetiana
Combat: Genslinger, Biotic Destabilizer

Name: Nakmor Drack
Species: Krogen
Born: Tuchanka
Combat: Close Combat

Andromeda Weapons Are Different

BioWare has shown what type of weapons the Andromeda Initiative will be bringing to Andromeda. The Ark houses 4 categories of guns: pistols, sniper rifles, shotguns, and melee weapons. These rely on projectiles while Remnant weapons use energy and don't need to reload, instead they require a cooldown period when overused like in the original Mass Effect. Helius weapons, from the Andromeda Cluster of Andromeda, are plasma based which means slow but powerful. There are no restrictions so use whatever you enjoy.

Skills and Abilities

Like weapons, there are no restrictions on skills. The 3 main categories include combat, tech, and biotics. Combat focuses on weapons and armor. Tech skills focus on improvements for your squad and prototype weapons. Biotics allows you to control Dark Energy and use gravity as a weapon. Everything has upgrade trees that branch out as you progress.

Each of your six squad members will have 3 active and 2 passive skills. 

Profiles and Squads

There are 7 types of profiles that include Solider, Engineer, Adept, Sentinel, Vanguard, Infiltrator, and Explorer. Each profile will benefit your play style and are changeable at any time. Favorites are a quick way to map 3 skills and one profile to 4 slots for immediate use.  

Loyalty Missions and Romance Teammates Return

Like in past Mass Effect games you can romance and enter relationships with your allies. Also returning from Mass Effect 2 is loyalty missions.

Paragon and Renegade Options Are Gone

If you're played a BioWare RPG you'll probably familiar with their "Good" and "Evil" system. Whether in Dragon Age, Jade Empire or Knights of the Odd Republic dialogue options would allow the player to tailor their character into a specific allegiance and effect the story; in this case for Mass Effect Paragon for good and Renegade for bad. Instead of relying on this system BioWare has decided to remove it entirely to make dialogue more personal instead of based on filling a meter.

Multiplayer is Returning

Mass Effect: Andromeda brings back the cooperative horde mode from Mass Effect 3. Teams of 4 composing of any of the races within Andromeda and the Milky Way fend off waves of difficult enemies, complete objectives, and extract from the battlefield.

25 character kits will be available at launch with specific sets of skills and abilities. Weapons from the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxy will be available. 40 weapons will be available with more coming later on. Any character can use any weapon and they can be modified. Boosters can be applied that grant temporary bonuses. 

Five Maps will be available at launch:

Fire BaseSandstorm - Milky Way species outpost
Fire Base Zero - Asteroid Outpost
Fire Base Ice - Frozen Fueling Station
Fire Base Magma - Foundry on a Cooling River of Lava
Fire Base Derelict - Ked Ship

All points earn are given to all players, encouraging cooperative play. Experience can be used to upgrade your character while credits can purchase packs for new items and boosters. 

Strike Teams allow the player to send teams for the Andromeda Initiative. These rewards can earn you new items for the single-player campaign. These can be completed with your strike team or by you in multiplayer.

Exploration

Taking place in the Helius Cluster players use The Tempest to navigate the star system using the galaxy map. Unlike other games, players can see everything from the ship's main windows.

With 100 places to discover and alluring worlds. Each one has its own story, atmosphere, and missions to complete. Planets inhabitants will test the player's loyalty and determine whether to trust Ryder and the rest of the humans. Regardless of all of you being from the same galaxy tensions remain high as resources dwindle.

Your AI will give you helpful hints on where to go and the NOMAD gives you universal travel across many surfaces. The NOMAD can be upgraded with:

Advance Detection Systems
Advance Life Support
Agility Mode
Defensive Fortification
Emergency Shield Discharge
Improved Boost
Improved Shied Regeneration

Forward Stations work as fast travel points, supply stations, and the ability to call in the NOMAD. The NOMAD can assist in protecting against the harsh environment but requires recharges by the Foward Station.

Raising the planet's viability by completing missions allows for the creation of outposts, requires 40% viability, and upgrades for The Tempest. Andromeda viability points will allow you to wake up more residents on the Tempest to increase commerce, science, or military infrastructures.

Alien vaults serve as the primary goal to surviving in Andromeda. These include some of the hardest challenges in the game and require extensive exploration to unlock.

Mass Effect: Andromeda launches on March 21st for Xbox One, PS4, and Origin PC. Those with EA or Origin Access will get to play one week early with a 10-hour trial. 

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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