Mass Effect: Andromeda

 PC
User Score
5.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4468 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,749 out of 4468
  2. Mixed: 712 out of 4468
  3. Negative: 2,007 out of 4468
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  1. Anz
    Apr 19, 2017
    9
    After patch this game is running well and animations are fixed too. Never had any big performance issues or any crashes, but after patch game runs even better.
  2. Yurro
    Jul 6, 2021
    9
    I never played ME before. Recently I've lived several weeks in ME 1,2,3 LE and then Andromeda.
    And assessing the game as a whole with a fresh look without getting hung up on the some details, then as by me - it's the best of all parts - graphics, history, game-play, immersion in the Sci-Fi world - everything is better.
    (I installed some life quality mods like MEA Fixpack)
  3. kinom
    May 29, 2017
    9
    Worth the wait and a fine new starting point. The writing and character development are different enough that you don't feel like they're trying to recreate a new Shepard, which is what I was wanting for this game.
  4. Rasmuth
    Jan 30, 2023
    9
    This game is so much better than many people give it credit for. I've owned it since it was originally release and it was bad at first. But Bioware made it right with subsequent patches. I'm currently on my 4th playthrough after a couple of years since I last completed it and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I adored the original 3 ME games and have nothing but good things to say aboutThis game is so much better than many people give it credit for. I've owned it since it was originally release and it was bad at first. But Bioware made it right with subsequent patches. I'm currently on my 4th playthrough after a couple of years since I last completed it and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I adored the original 3 ME games and have nothing but good things to say about this installment. In my opinion, one of the worst things people had with the game is that the Mass Effect concept was no longer new and fresh. I really hope Bioware revisits the Andromeda story, it's a cool concept and being an explorer attempting to build new worlds is refreshing instead of constantly trying to save the galaxy. My oldest son refused to play this game because of the negative reviews and is currently playing his first playthrough and he really likes it.… Expand
  5. Emphatic
    Mar 21, 2017
    9
    Despite its early flaws, which are minor, this is a mass effect game from start to finish, fans of the series will find a worthwhile game and open minded first timers should enjoy a nice space opera too!
  6. megaspade
    Mar 27, 2017
    9
    Money well spent.

    So ya, animations are a bit wonky? but to be honest... the previous ME games had this issue as well, rest of the game play is also spot on, lots of side quest long and driven main quest Basically has all the game play and story you would expect from a ME game, played for 2 days and still haven't scratched the surface! when did you last buy a single player game    Money well spent.

    So ya, animations are a bit wonky? but to be honest... the previous ME games had this issue as well, rest of the game play is also spot on, lots of side quest long and driven main quest

    Basically has all the game play and story you would expect from a ME game, played for 2 days and still haven't scratched the surface! when did you last buy a single player game that lasted this long?    … Expand
  7. grimsfield
    Apr 9, 2017
    9
    I've played about 110ish hours at this point and I can easily say this game does not deserve a 4.7 user score. There's a lot of obvious anti-EA haters posting negative reviews here. The idea that this game doesn't even merit a 6 is ridiculous. I feel the game is worth probably around an 8 or a high 7. I gave it a 9, however, to try to offset all the ridiculously low and undeserved lowI've played about 110ish hours at this point and I can easily say this game does not deserve a 4.7 user score. There's a lot of obvious anti-EA haters posting negative reviews here. The idea that this game doesn't even merit a 6 is ridiculous. I feel the game is worth probably around an 8 or a high 7. I gave it a 9, however, to try to offset all the ridiculously low and undeserved low scores. Although I know there's already so many negative reviews, my one review won't make a dent. And as for people finding reviews helpful here... Basically if you write a positive review, the haters just mark it unhelpful--when they themselves are people who probably haven't even played the game. I find it ridiculous that people saying the graphics are bad when they're easily the best in the series. And while the animations have their issues, they are not nearly as bad or widespread as people would have you think. Recent update also fixed a lot of the major animation issues.

    Whats good about this game:
    -The gameplay is fun and feels very polished. If you played previous mass effects and dragon age inquisition, you can see this game as the natural successor.
    -It looks beautiful. Some of the best in space graphics I've probably seen in a game. On world, the detail is even higher and the game definitely feels next gen.
    -In general i think the voice acting is pretty good. I like the lead actress who plays sara. And while this games lead female doesn't share the same serious tone as her predecessor, to me it still feels right. This said, there are some questionable casting decision for voice actors. Notably the female krogan in Nexus and your turian tempest crewmate, I think her name is vetra... although its admittedly hard to think of either races as having females.. so maybe thats why they sound weird to me.
    -the leveling and power progression system feels rewarding, diverse and interesting. I also like that it does not lock you into one path and it is very easy to respec.
    -First crafting system in the mass effect franchise

    What I don't like about this game so far.
    -While the animation isn't as bad as most reviewers would have you believe, it could definitely use a layer of polish. I think its unreasonable to expect fully animated faces with expressions for every dialogue interaction in this game considering how many dialogue interaction there are, however I do think more of an attempt should have been made in certain areas. Compared to other games out now though, I don't think this game is too far from the standard. I say this after having just finished horizon zero dawn. Also, I'd love to see zeldas facial animations.... O wait, there aren't any.
    -The UI, while generally fine, has its annoyances. Its definitely better than some of the previous bioware titles though...
    -Decision making throughout the game hasn't felt very impactful so far.
    -A lot of minor little bugs, some of which have already been patched and I would bet most will be almost nonexistent in a couple weeks time with subsequent patches.

    Haven't finished the story yet, but it does not seem as epic as the previous titles in the series. At the same time though, it definitely has the Mass Effect feel and sense of exploration and discovery is very good.    … Expand
  8. casualgamer11
    Mar 23, 2017
    9
    Simply put. Don't believe the haters and ignorance currently rampant on the internet; I'm 8 hours in and enjoying it immensely. Honestly the animations aren't bad at all and if you've played the previous mass effects and dragon age games you know what to expect; if it hadn't been made a great deal of in all the recent reviews I wouldn't have noticed.

    Just give it a go; I think a lot of    Simply put. Don't believe the haters and ignorance currently rampant on the internet; I'm 8 hours in and enjoying it immensely. Honestly the animations aren't bad at all and if you've played the previous mass effects and dragon age games you know what to expect; if it hadn't been made a great deal of in all the recent reviews I wouldn't have noticed.

    Just give it a go; I think a lot of the ranting is from fans that no matter what the state of the game would be complaining; bottom line 1) hype is a **** and 2) the act of looking forward to something is always more enjoyable than when that something actually arrives however you slice it.    … Expand
  9. AlteredTomorrow
    Mar 27, 2017
    9
    Doesn't deserve the bad rap it's getting. Gamers continue their trend of being whiny entitled **** Yes, it's rough around the edges due to some bugs, but those will be fixed. Yes, it doesn't quite live up to its predecessors, however, this is still good sci-fi and more than worth playing.

    Once the bugs are taken care of, this becomes a 9. If you like sci-fi, like action RPGs, like    Doesn't deserve the bad rap it's getting. Gamers continue their trend of being whiny entitled **** Yes, it's rough around the edges due to some bugs, but those will be fixed. Yes, it doesn't quite live up to its predecessors, however, this is still good sci-fi and more than worth playing.

    Once the bugs are taken care of, this becomes a 9.

    If you like sci-fi, like action RPGs, like open world space exploration, like building relationships with memorable characters, this is worth the price even in its current form.    … Expand
  10. DrTim
    Jun 9, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. PREFACE: Playtime - 115 hrs - %100 completion of the game
    I played this game after all of its many release issues were resolved at V1.10.

    Story 8/10:
    Having played all of the previous Mass Effect games, and thoroughly enjoying all of them (again I played them all after their patches were applied so I had less of an issue with the ending of ME3 than most), I had had some significant expectations for this ostensibly new entry. Up until now, Mass Effect has been known to have an amazing and exceptionally well-built universe and set of characters and relationships. Andromeda carries on this tradition with a strong lead protagonist in the shape of Ryder and the journey you experience from her perspective. The basic summary of the story is that you are part of a Milky-Way comprised coalition of species who have travelled across the void of dark space to the separate galaxy of Andromeda, in search of a new home and new discoveries (with other motivations for the journey that are revealed later in the game).

    You share the loss of Ryder's father, the shock at your apparently comatose brother and several other major revelations that impact her view of how and why she is on this mission at all. Beyond the personal story of Ryder, you encounter a range of allies and compatriots who team up with to on your quest to save the Milky Way mission and to provide assistance to the apparently native species of Andromeda called the Angarans battle against what appears to be an interloping force called the Kett. This is all with the background setting of an imposing and likely galactic wide “infection” that has been dubbed the scourge - an electromagnetic disturbance that has channeled it's way throughout the region of space you inhabit for the duration of the game (dubbed the “Helius” cluster - a section of the larger Andromeda Galaxy).

    All of these elements play well together in the way that you are never feeling like you are on a linear pathway, but rather exposing and exploring a new frontier of events and characters. The relationships you build help to foster a significant amount of emotionality to the core narrative arc and gives a greater sense of buy-in to the major plot points and story moments in the main quest-line. The narrative itself does rely on several well-worn tropes, and typical hero's journey components, but done so in a way that feels novel and relevant for the context, for the most part. Your companions are also highly likeable and there is only one that I felt was significantly poorly realised in their dialogue and actions (Liam), but otherwise, the full crew you have is well fleshed out.

    Gameplay 8/10:
    The gameplay is a massive change from the previous ME games, which I think is for the better. There Is more freedom of movement in the battle-space, and more options for cover (which feels fluid and natural) and for attack/defensive actions (the full array of powers you can learn and deploy is huge, and gives a good variance to play-style).

    I found myself taking a largely typical “Infiltrator” style build for the most part (sniper, with stealth support), but found that the systems gave me a great amount of flexibility to bend the typical ME rules and limits of this style and mix it up with tech powers and biotics that only made the gameplay more dynamic and interesting (instead of stopping me from exploring various elements of action/gunplay/power deployment etc until the next playthrough).

    When not in combat the interaction you have in the world is simple but effective for the main narrative purposes you are presented with. It, at first, does feel a little jarring going from absolute freedom of the battlespace (with rocket-powered jumping and hovering) to a very restricted movement area and interaction “hot-zones” but this division feels well balanced as you get used to it.

    A/V 9/10:
    By far the most impressive aspect of the game. The quality of the character models, textures, lighting and detail of the environments and space scenes was really inspiring to see. There was a lot of care and time placed into the creation of this world and the inhabitants within, and it feels very satisfying to explore it all and soak up the visuals.

    The audio is just as well crafted with appropriate, and unique feeling space atmospheric, soundtracks and sound effects to bring the whole world together to feel rich and lived in. This goes especially for the sound effects of the weapons, which consistently feel appropriate and give a sense of power and weight to each weapon/power.

    Overall 8.5/10:
    I feel that this is a great continuation of the Mass Effect series and I really do hope that EA/BioWare take up and continue the story of Ryder and of the Andromeda Initiative again, despite all of the negative reactions from some fans on release. I applaud the developers for taking on some new ideas and bringing a freshness to this already very well established universe and game series!    … Expand
  11. bikerdave
    Jun 4, 2018
    9
    Well i have played ME1 three times ME2 twice and ME3 twice and now about half way through Andromeda and i can say it's my favourite. I simply do not understand all the negative reviews very strange ? any way if you enjoy playing Mass Effect then i can really recommend Andromeda it's a ripper.
  12. FabioFisher
    Sep 5, 2019
    9
    Same universe from trilogy, addict game. Amazing caracters. Fantastic playability!!!
  13. Sconesdeep
    Mar 30, 2017
    9
    Let's start with the elephant in the room here; facial and character animations/glitches. Not the quality I would expect for a Bioware release. Great, let’s move on.

    UI: Definitely nothing as bad as say Skyrim when it was first released. It's not as intuitive as The Witcher 3 but you get used to it after playing a few hours. The skills section is well laid out and easy to navigate.    Let's start with the elephant in the room here; facial and character animations/glitches. Not the quality I would expect for a Bioware release. Great, let’s move on.

    UI:
    Definitely nothing as bad as say Skyrim when it was first released. It's not as intuitive as The Witcher 3 but you get used to it after playing a few hours. The skills section is well laid out and easy to navigate. The buy/sell screen is a bit busy but reminds me a lot of the Fallout series. There’s a lack of sorting options and the way the game organizes inventory is a bit ‘meh’ but that’s very minor. The Galaxy Map has very little to scan but lots to read, quest interactions and pretty colours. It does feel like there's something missing though. The UI while in battle is perfect. There’s not too much going on and the pop-up menu for consumables/weapons and favorite set ups is easily accessible with great usability. There’s really nothing frustrating with the menus in this game and no glitches that I have come across.

    Combat:
    I have to say this is probably one of my favourite parts of this game. No longer are you locked into specific rolls. I love the fact that I can switch from Adept to Engineer to Vanguard all in one battle. The powers are really easy to use and using Throw to launch enemies out of sight never gets old. The additions of auto cover (albeit this threw me off at first) and jump jets allows for fast paced and dynamic combat. Your sidekick’s auto-combo alongside your attacks much like ME:2 and 3 but with more explosions and satisfaction. As far as AI is concerned, it’s not horrible and not amazing. It works.

    Story/Questing:
    I think the “rush” factor bleeds into this a little bit as well. One thing I found frustrating was the cutting out of conversations because I was moving too fast or scanning something and new dialogue would override the one that was occurring. I feel I missed out on some witty banter and mission intel because of this. Also, the abruptness of cut scenes was kind of jarring. Other than this, I found the writing and storyline to be pretty much on par with Bioware’s previous titles. I enjoyed the main quest line from meeting the Angara to figuring out what the hell is actually going on in Andromeda. I was satisfied by the ending and the fact that I could go back to exploring after the fact. The side quests for the most part are not the filler fetch quests you get in a large amount of RPG’s we see today. It’s obvious that Bioware took the time and effort to make sure they didn’t make the same mistake they made in Inquisition. That being said I’m pretty sure you can get through the game comfortably without mining at all. The mining is redundant, don’t do it unless you’re really short on minerals.

    Characters/Other:
    I think this is the first Mass Effect game that for me, did not have that one character you could care less about. Cora and Liam almost fell into this but give them a chance, they provide good conversation and Liam’s loyalty quest was my fave out of everyone’s but I found them all entertaining. I enjoyed learning about everyone’s past and their views.

    The multiplayer is a fun way to take a break and complete Apex missions in a more interactive fashion than just assigning teams to them. The AVP system is a great way to gain perks and earn credits. Not much to say about these, they’re well thought out and provide an extra touch to the game without feeling like it’s patched on.

    One quick thing about the Nomad (your planet exploring vehicle); upgrade the six wheel drive speed ASAP. Other than that HUGE improvement on the Mako in ME:1.

    I’m sure there are things I missed but honestly, I was let down more by Skyrim than I was this game. Sure there’s some beauty work that needs to be done but after 5 hours that dissipates as you get submersed into the universe. You just have to let yourself get submersed instead of letting other people’s opinions matter. I think this is a situation of ‘love it for what it is; don’t hate for what it isn’t.’ Mass Effect: Andromeda is a great addition to the family and I will replay it. It’s unfortunate that the marketing got messed up on this one and that this game will never get the attention it deserves. It’s a huge game and a lot of work went into it and that does show when you delve deep into the game. I read some reviews that judge the game on factors that get resolved later on in the game. For example, I believe it was someone from PC Gamer that said the open world was hindered by zones you couldn’t go to. If they had played the game enough they would have realized that this was only on one planet and you resolve that issue by completing a quest not too far into the game. Either way, I had a lot of fun playing this game and am looking forward to continued exploration and DLC.    … Expand
  14. Iksbrown
    Mar 22, 2017
    9
    It's good. All the criticism people tend to throw at it could also be applied to the original trilogy, especially the first Mass Effect, yet people have forgotten the bad parts of that and look at it through rose colored glasses. Combat has significantly improved.
  15. pdusen
    Mar 23, 2017
    9
    The combat is the best it's ever been in the series, the planets are large and full of interesting characters and situations, the squadmates are fun, and the story is interesting.

    Basically, it's like ME1, but not ****
  16. heireaper
    Mar 22, 2017
    9
    The game is vary good even with all it bug and animation problem the game is a good departure form the trilogy its a good game the story is good and the gameplay great people don t like change and hate that dare expectation is crush
  17. Achmare
    Apr 8, 2017
    9
    Outstanding game the story can be a bit bland, but what makes this game fun is the gorgeous detailed graphics accept some sync and glitch issues. Combat is smooth and quests are fun - drack is my fav character and i always have him in my party. Feels like being apart of star trek and discovering new worlds where for me baldly go where no bald man has gone before :P.
  18. TheSnarkyShaman
    Jul 21, 2017
    9
    Narrative: I can't say much for spoiler reasons, but there's a cohesion that brings the game together well. Due to the dire circumstances you face, almost everything you're doing has some importance and doesn't feel arbitrary. Side content tends to relate into the main narratives of areas very well. There is a HUGE amount of ambient dialogue in both hub areas and on the move. People moveNarrative: I can't say much for spoiler reasons, but there's a cohesion that brings the game together well. Due to the dire circumstances you face, almost everything you're doing has some importance and doesn't feel arbitrary. Side content tends to relate into the main narratives of areas very well. There is a HUGE amount of ambient dialogue in both hub areas and on the move. People move around your ship and the nexus chatting with each other. Exploring, almost everything results in a response from either your companions, AI or even NPC's from your ship or on-planet (over comms). In terms of the main narrative I'm pleasantly surprised by the tone, which I expected to be wholly goofy but am finding to be appropriately serious when needed (and a certain Asari companion, who pre-release led me to think would be an overthought 'quirky' type, also turned out to be likeable and well-rounded). Essentially, it's a Bioware game. You have a not entirely original plot greatly bolstered by a lively (and, in this instance, EXTREMELY talkative) cast of companions, weighty decisions with foreboding implications and a strong atmosphere that balances humour with dark circumstances. The game feels like Mass Effect meets Firefly.
    Combat: very fun. It took me some time to readjust from the cover-based approach from the original trilogy, as things are much more dynamic now. Enemies are agile, charge and flank you constantly and make use of higher terrain. Luckily, Ryder is just as agile and once you embrace this, combat is great. I focused on trying to build a melee focused biotic and found that Andromeda allowed for this far more than the original trilogy, with charge and nova making a comeback, but also a new biotic shielding skill that allows you to maintain movement as you hold a biotic shield in front of you that reflects bullets back at enemies. Melee attacks also differ based on what you equip, so I assigned my character an Asari sword that swaps melee to a quasi-biotic charge, allowing for further tactical movement. In combination with Ryder's jetpack dodges and jumps (or biotic, if you have a biotic focused character), you have a much more dynamic battlefield.
    Animations: Facial animations must be mentioned, due to the grilling they received pre and post launch. So in regards to that: they really aren't THAT bad. There have been improvements since initial launch and they were only noticeably poor in the first few cutscenes and from then on I've either gotten used to them or they've been fine ever since. Either way, I don't notice them and they haven't hampered my enjoyment. One thing that has been improved that I DID notice is the eye textures. Before they were creepy. The overhaul has removed this issue. In terms of combat animations, they're all solid. Movements have momentum and impact to them and you feel light on your feet or forceful, as appropriate.
    Exploration: Exploration is (bear with me) similar to Inquistion. While this might bring up negative connotations, it's essentially a much more enjoyable version of Inquisitions systems. Collectibles are fewer, easier to gather and have narrative impact. Fetch quests are fewer and have a higher quality to them, with companions and your AI frequently talking about what you're doing. Unlike Inquisition, the camera zooms in for a more narratively strong approach to minor NPC encounters. You travel over areas rapidly with the Nomad. Overall, the exploration reminded me partly of Inquistion (but improved), and partly of Mass Effect 1 (but what I imagine the developers wished exploration of planets COULD have been in Mass Effect 1, had they the resources). It feels satisfying to explore; there is almost always narrative feedback for doing so and any combat encounters along the way are engaging and fast paced (no bullet-sponge fights ala Inquisition).
    Bugs: 35 hours in and in one area I stopped receiving XP from combat; the only bug that comes to mind.
    Much of the criticism of the game stems from the bandwagon of Bioware hate (beware any review that complains about 'SJW pandering') and the huge expectations that Andromeda had to face as a follow-up to the Mass Effect trilogy (note how much lower user scores are compared to critical scores). Had it been released as a new IP from an obscure RPG studio, it probably would've been hailed as an exciting rough gem. Comparing it to ME2/3 is unfair, given that they were building on established plot and characters. Compared to ME1, it holds up very well. Combat is much better, exploration is much better, the cast of characters is comparably strong and a lot more lively on and off the ship, hub areas have much more life to them, the tone is lighter but still has moments of gravitas, roleplay dialogue is slightly more expansive, the character creator is comparable but arguably slightly better, the main narrative is weaker but still enough that I'm interested in more plot content. Ultimately, is it a fun game? Definitely.    … Expand
  19. LeoEspada
    Mar 22, 2017
    9
    Hi! Come on up here sit next to me *points to chair* I see you made it past the troll fields, and cynical castles. Good. Let's real talk for a moment.

    Mass Effect Andromeda is a very good Mass Effect game. It is more akin to Mass Effect 1 with its rover exploration but sans the boring hours of just rolling over cliffs and rocks. In fact the rolling open world exploration actually has    Hi! Come on up here sit next to me *points to chair* I see you made it past the troll fields, and cynical castles. Good. Let's real talk for a moment.

    Mass Effect Andromeda is a very good Mass Effect game. It is more akin to Mass Effect 1 with its rover exploration but sans the boring hours of just rolling over cliffs and rocks. In fact the rolling open world exploration actually has purpose and sense, you're job as Pathfinder is to overcome multiple obstacles to deploy an outpost on a planet. Dispose of a band of Kett, activate an atmospheric filter, deploy a station there and before you know it you'll see a living colony appear on this previously alien and barren planet.

    Like Mass Effect 1, there is a constant suspicion this is leading to something bigger but you wouldn't know it in the opening 10 hours. There is minor build up in plot, instead there is heavy exposition and explanations for what the Andromeda Initiative is. Further, there is a ton of new character introductions that slow the pace down. However, Mass Effect 1 was in its day a near perfect game, brilliant in so many aspects especially the middle to end game. So why the Andromeda hate?

    Completely unfounded.

    Yes SOME facial animations are bad (especially Standard FemShep and Director Addison holy moly those are bad). However its not game breaking, watch the scenes and move on. There are also some goofy sequences that seem unpolished and rough but again not game breaking just a little jarring. These are far and few between. And highly overshadowed by Andromeda's much improved combat. Grenades, biotics, bullets, energy beams, everything sizzles and just comes to life in a smooth and visceral way. It is by far the best executed ME combat ever done, which is far more important than a perfect digital smile.

    Art design, solar system layouts, costumes, aliens, are just GORGEOUS to behold. As far as the writing goes, I am not sure where the complaint comes from with this. Its just like every other Mass Effect game, except I like most of the companion AIs and love interacting with them. There are several laugh out loud moments, not tongue in cheek, I mean HARR HARR out loud soda coming out of my nose moments, which is rare for a game.

    Is it perfect? No. Does it feel like an amazing first chapter? Absolutely! If you liked Mass Effect this is a must purchase, and if you love listening to trolls that repeat the same thing the last guy said and rate 0 then don't check this out. However if you have any inkling towards action rpgs, a good sci fi game, superb combat, and gorgeous landscapes/visuals, then don't hesitate to try ME: Andromeda!    … Expand
  20. AceSeptre
    Mar 26, 2017
    9
    Before I get into my review, I think it's important to recognize the things that Bioware had to overcome to create this game. Creating a new addition to one of the most beloved game franchises of all time is no easy task. How do you placate die hard fans while still creating a game that invites new and more casual players? It was clear from the beginning of my time with Andromeda thatBefore I get into my review, I think it's important to recognize the things that Bioware had to overcome to create this game. Creating a new addition to one of the most beloved game franchises of all time is no easy task. How do you placate die hard fans while still creating a game that invites new and more casual players? It was clear from the beginning of my time with Andromeda that Bioware was attempting to create an amalgamation of gameplay features and mechanics that have been known to work in the past; and I can happily tell you that it comes together well. It was also fairly obvious that Bioware took some pages out of Dragon Age: Inqusition. Both use the same engine, and as we know Inquisition was graphically gorgeous; Andromeda with it's wider range of color palates, effects, and large variance in environment type comes out even more so. The feel of Andromeda in terms of character handling is almost identical Inqusition. Control isn't snappy by any means, but has a flow and a feel that is much more realistic and rewarding that a robotic playable character. Combat for Andromeda is extremely rewarding. The enemy types are not very expansive, however the ways in which combat can occur will vary greatly. It forces the play to be aware of their entire surroundings, not just what is directly in front of them. Numerous times I was focus on a shielded or armored enemy in front of my, just to find that another enemy had managed to sneak his way behind me and was shooting me in the back. Also, the addition of jump jets and climbing/vaulting makes combat much more dimensional and not just for the player. Enemies jump up and down from platforms, constantly changing their positions against you, and the AI does a smart job of making enemy movement feel organic. Of all the things that Andromeda improves on from the original trilogy, the combat is the biggest. Bioware has also done a great job of making Andromeda a deeper RPG experience than the original trilogy. Players are no longer locked into a specific set of skills, abilities, and weapons based on class type. The possibilities for different character build types are massively expansive, and the wide range of weapons, armor, and modifications allows the player to tailor their character to an even greater level of specificity. To this effect, Bioware does some really smart things with how armor, modifications, and attachments can effect gameplay. For example, a pistol barrel attachment that increases weapon damage, but also decreases the clip size for the weapon, or an armor mod that increases shield capacity by 50% but lowers overall health by 50%. This type of stat modification really forces that player to make smart decisions on how they develop their character, and makes the choice of equipment a deeper endeavor than just what looks cool or does the most damage.

    As a Mass Effect game, story is extremely important. I think it's important to recognize that Bioware was in a tough position when trying to create a story for Andromeda. To remain canonical, Andromeda had to let go of a lot of details from the original trilogy, which can be frustrating for die hard Mass Effect fans. Also, creating a protagonist threat on the scale of the Reapers in which the player arrives in a new galaxy that is unaware of the players existence is a tough thing to pull off. Overall, the story for Andromeda falls short of the original trilogy. It's not a bad story by any means, but it's hard to avoid the comparison between the level of writing between the original trilogy and that of Andromeda. I for one am hope that the series will continue and Bioware will have a chance to appeal more to die hard fans with a story more on par with the original trilogy, and possible even with a bit of canonical overlap.

    Outside of the the story, the only other complaint is the quality of the animations. As most of you reading this are probably aware, Andromeda has some serious problems with character animations. The root cause of this is hard to determine, however it's obvious that Bioware made some major slip ups in regards to facial animations. I should clarify that for the most part the animations are on point. Not perfect by any means, but most of the time are perfectly acceptable for a large budget AAA game. I have also noticed that the facial animations seems to get better as the game goes along with only a few strange hiccups later in the game, however none of this effects gameplay in any way.

    In my opinion, Andromeda makes a great addition to the Mass Effect franchise. With a few fixes of some minor issues, the game could garner an even greater response. It's a must play for any Mass Effect fan, or any sci-fi RPG fan in general. Bioware has demonstrated their ability to create amazing worlds that players continue to crave. I look forward to more from Mass Effect in the future and hope that this is not the last offering from the series for years to come.    … Expand
  21. rafaeljpc
    May 16, 2017
    9
    I loved this game.... After 88 hours of a wonderful experience I'm satisfied by what this game showed me. At the beginning the game has a slow pace, but it was predictable as almost every new universe of an RPG game. It had lots little bugs that (most of them in animation, which was fixed later).
  22. squeaky369
    Apr 4, 2017
    9
    Love the game. Finished with 63 hours and 96% completion. A couple quests bugged out, but nothing game breaking. I do feel sorry for people who did have issues with bugs (based on reviews and bug reports, I feel lucky. Then I look at the thousands of people that had no issues, and brush it off), and that couldn't get over the facial animations. If all the people talking crap about the gameLove the game. Finished with 63 hours and 96% completion. A couple quests bugged out, but nothing game breaking. I do feel sorry for people who did have issues with bugs (based on reviews and bug reports, I feel lucky. Then I look at the thousands of people that had no issues, and brush it off), and that couldn't get over the facial animations. If all the people talking crap about the game (since they are obviously amazing at graphic design and animations because they have pretty strong opinions) got together they could probably put a good game together. But I digress, it's a good game, it feels like an open world version of the original trilogy. A few too many "fetch" quests, felt like everyone I talked to needed help with something. But overall, a great game, good story that was engaging and borderline addictive. If you like Mass Effect, you'll like this game.… Expand
  23. KiLLzoNe534
    Mar 29, 2017
    9
    I found the initial problem for a lot of users is that the first dozen hours are slow as you set yourself up and learn the optimal controls/ tactics/ lore

    But when you've invested time you get left with a beautifully slick product that is as much a work of art as it is a game. The combat - which previously seemed slow and boring - is AMAZING. Eventually, when you''re a high enough level    I found the initial problem for a lot of users is that the first dozen hours are slow as you set yourself up and learn the optimal controls/ tactics/ lore

    But when you've invested time you get left with a beautifully slick product that is as much a work of art as it is a game. The combat - which previously seemed slow and boring - is AMAZING. Eventually, when you''re a high enough level you can create multiple combat profiles you can swap between depending on which enemies you face - affecting your abilities, powers, ideal weapon choice etc. The movement in this game - initially sluggish - when you master your sprint, jump jet and dash enables you to whip in and out of enemies and to go to scans/loot. Even the NOMAD presenting problems as you learns its capacity and buy its upgrades.

    The beauty of this game is it is a RPG and you're in a new galaxy with no idea what's going on - sounds pretty similar to your current position as a gamer. This actually helped me engage in the game as i wanted to delve into the THOUGHT-PROVOKING storyline/ themes (spoiler - they are amazing and the ideas the story presents might very well soon be real-world issues: automated workforce/ AI?!. I found once i slowed down my gameplay - took time to explore the the various dialogue choices all around our starting position and even reading the codices! When you've got your research, development, leveling, scanning, combat, inventory, looting, dialogue and movement sorted the game is beautiful: it just takes time to get this(and your ship) set up.

    I think the reason this game is getting poor reviews is due to a 'fast food' culture we see ourselves in: Max enjoyment in minimal time. But if you take time to appreciate the game and story and learn the mechanics you're left with the most incredible game I've ever played.

    This game has so much complexity and depth - delivered so well that it's a massive disappointment seeing bad reviews for a AAA game. Opinion: i'm worried this might lead developers away from creating games with such complexity and depth until you are left with dumbed down console ports.    … Expand
  24. BossZW
    Mar 27, 2017
    9
    Ok, so imagine you had to write a sequel to the Lord of the rings and imagine you had potential as an author. You could write what you want, throw in the best of your ideas but what are the odds the crowd out there would be deceived anyway? It's kind of the same with Mass Effect Andromeda... I tried to detach from the orignal trilogy before jumping in and so far, I'm enjoying the game aOk, so imagine you had to write a sequel to the Lord of the rings and imagine you had potential as an author. You could write what you want, throw in the best of your ideas but what are the odds the crowd out there would be deceived anyway? It's kind of the same with Mass Effect Andromeda... I tried to detach from the orignal trilogy before jumping in and so far, I'm enjoying the game a lot. Maybe so patches came since the launch but I don't get so far why people are pissed off by the animations, nor by the story. I love the combat, the characters, the A.I., the ship. Everything is there to get me hooked and to make me want to go on and discover the new worlds lying out there.

    So far, the PC version I'm playing is greatly optimized and I'm running it without hiccups with a gtx 960 and i7 4770. Sure I'm not playing at highest settings but I never cared about it. It's better looking than console counterparts anyway. If you have a gtx 1060 or more, you're in for the full show, the way Bioware wants you to experience their game.

    If you like sci-fi, if you loved Mass Effect and if you're a tad open minded, go ahead and buy this gem. Sure it's a little rough around the edges and there are some distracting bugs but nothing to stop you from enjoying a great sci-fi rpg with a good cast and some sweet ideas. And please... don't listen to the haters out there. Yes, I believe that a new franchise without the Mass Effect label would have helped the game getting more praise, but in the end, the Mass Effect universe merit that you dwelve into it once more and even if some parts are clumsy or not fitting the universe 100%, they really tried to get the serie in another direction and in my book, their work mean a lot and merit to be appreciated, played and enjoyed.    … Expand
  25. barbouse
    Mar 29, 2018
    9
    I purchased the game on sale back in Jan 2018 and I am pleased I did.

    I had fun with the first 3 instalment of Mass Effect and in truth, can't remember which one I preferred and why but in my opinion, it's still as much fun today with mass effect Andromeda. I have sunk tons of hours and now level 46 and soon ready to complete the latest main mission. I'll complete the game for sure    I purchased the game on sale back in Jan 2018 and I am pleased I did.

    I had fun with the first 3 instalment of Mass Effect and in truth, can't remember which one I preferred and why but in my opinion, it's still as much fun today with mass effect Andromeda.

    I have sunk tons of hours and now level 46 and soon ready to complete the latest main mission. I'll complete the game for sure but thought I had enough to write a review and believe it deserves it.

    What I liked is that:
    - it's big and somehow the main story, side missions and fighting keeps me interested all along
    - love the jetpack & various options to dispatch of the enemies, for me it does not get repetitive.
    - lots of choices at various mission with outcome you care and still enjoying the romance options
    - lots ( one could say almost too much ) dialogue & voice over ( though I should mention I went for the French version as I am bilingual) -> I don't listen to it all but I still enjoyed
    - graphic & science fiction setting are as good as ever.

    I decided to purchase it on the PS4 as I was afraid my computer would not run it well and I had to adjust the TV resolution to 720dp and enable the zoom to make it comfortable to read and it's too bad they did not release a patch to allow to increase the font size but after a while I got used to it and it did not bother me as much. ( just zoomed in on occasion)

    You could obviously expect more polish but considering the negative reviews, I was expecting a lot worse and was surprised to have so much fun. The glitch and weird animation that pops up just made me smile instead of Grinch -> no game breaking bug so far.

    All in all, I say give it a chance on sale if you enjoyed the genre or previous mass effect games.    … Expand
  26. eveningstargaze
    Mar 21, 2017
    9
    I'm having a ton of fun so far and really that's all I can ask for. I'm going with a 9/10 because there are some issues with the game but I think it'll all be patched quickly.
  27. themars2011
    Jun 23, 2020
    9
    I played through this game 5 or-so times and always discovered new things. The gameplay is great and a lot of fun and I also liked the story and would've loved to buy the DLC that were originally planned. What a bummer they never got to see the light of day.
  28. Feby
    May 16, 2017
    9
    This is the first game that i've played in the franchise and i loved it.
    The game choices impact the end-game, as a game should be, though the guessing, that what if you do the right or wrong thing is a problem, but hey.. this is life.
    The game took hours and hours over 30 i think, to complete all of it including the side missions, it's really big, worth the cash. You have driving,    This is the first game that i've played in the franchise and i loved it.
    The game choices impact the end-game, as a game should be, though the guessing, that what if you do the right or wrong thing is a problem, but hey.. this is life.

    The game took hours and hours over 30 i think, to complete all of it including the side missions, it's really big, worth the cash.

    You have driving, a shooter game, puzzles ( loved them, it's something different ) and different worlds to explore. The open world game is very nice, graphics are very good, here and there a few bugs, but, i haven't seen a game that doesn't have such things, and let's be real, the game is massive, there are bound to be errors along the way.

    Now the bad... a few bugs here and there, still frustrating, though, missing the crouch function while in battle ( the character crouches when near an object ), and crafting system is not what i've hoped for, also, once established the bases don't offer any upgrades, just side missions, or just completing the main goal....    … Expand
  29. Dakinzo
    Mar 21, 2017
    9
    All the review here are from people that played the Trial. To be honest the trial was a mess, i was really worried with what i was seeing.
    When you get in the actual game: start your questing, discovering the REAL (not like the Trial) first planet, learning game mechanics this game get really good. I've never felt that immersed in a game before.
    Yeah the character animation ( in    All the review here are from people that played the Trial. To be honest the trial was a mess, i was really worried with what i was seeing.
    When you get in the actual game: start your questing, discovering the REAL (not like the Trial) first planet, learning game mechanics this game get really good. I've never felt that immersed in a game before.

    Yeah the character animation ( in cutscene or dialogue) are not the best, the UI cant be frustrating somethime but all in all this game is amazing.

    Its a shame to see how Trial players are bashing on this game without actually trying it.    … Expand
  30. SX5
    Mar 21, 2017
    9
    I've enjoyed my first 8 hours despite a few things here and there that detracted from the experience.

    Many of the user reviewers here have made good points, but giving this game a 0 or a 1 is a bit ridiculous.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed PC Game of 2017
1
#1 Most Shared PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. Riot Pixels
    Jun 5, 2017
    55
    Postcard-pretty landscapes is pretty much all that there is good about Andromeda. They serve as backdrops for a boring, cliche-ridden, somewhat demented story with forgettable characters and even more forgettable missions.
    Read full review
  2. PC PowerPlay
    May 11, 2017
    80
    Enough of the classic Mass Effect, with enough new mechanics to keep the game fresh. [Hollingworth; Issue#261, p.55]
    Read full review
  3. Edge Magazine
    Apr 27, 2017
    70
    An earnest attempt has been made to create a new identity for a series here, but the question of how to best frame Mass Effect's narrative strengths is, once again, left open. [June 2017, p.90]
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