Mass Effect: Andromeda Kicks Off Combat Video Series

The first one focuses on the weapons and skills that will be available in the new universe.

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Mass Effect: Andromeda is about a month away from launch, and to prep players for some of the changes in weapons and biotics coming to the rebooted series, BioWare has launched a new series of combat videos for the game.

The narrated video shows off three classes of weapons–Milky Way (traditional projectile weapons), Remnant (accurate and energy-based) and Helios (plasma-based and heat-seeking)–classified by where they originated. There are four types of weapons: pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles and assault rifles. 

The skills are divided into three categories: combat, which focuses on using different types of weapons; tech, which lends itself more toward experimental weapons; and biotic, which is aimed at gear and augments that defy the laws of physics.

It also goes into the jet pack and cover systems a bit, which allows players to specifically tailor their gameplay to run-and-gun or more conservative approach.

The video offer more than five minutes of actual gameplay, so you can get a good idea of where the game is at right now as it preps for its March 21 launch. There will be more videos in the series before release, and perhaps one of them will go into the game's side quests, which are supposed to be more "meaningful" than in past games, or weapon crafting, with a rather fun ability to name what you create.

The game is coming on PS4, Xbox One and PC, although the later two will get frist crack at it several days early through EA Access and origina Access respectively.

Contributing Editor
From The Chatty
  • reply
    February 17, 2017 10:55 AM

    John Keefer posted a new article, Mass Effect: Andromeda Kicks Off Combat Video Series

    • reply
      February 17, 2017 11:25 AM

      Damn that looks good! The new Mass Effect Andromeda combat video looks massively HOT!

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrWgLMH8yRU

      Man I can't wait for March 21st!

      Also did anyone notice the loot grades are color coded, Mmmmmmm.

    • reply
      February 17, 2017 11:42 AM

      So no predefined classes, and limited to 3 active powers at a time. Interesting.

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        February 17, 2017 12:12 PM

        I think it will work out really well and is the right approach and far superior over pre defined classes.

        Regardless of not having predefined classes your progression and skill points etc that you appoint will make your builds that are certain classes. So multi characters/classes and play throughs will happen and is all that I care about. I think pre defined classes are sort of not needed anymore since the player has to select the points that they distribute anyways. Want to get top tier skill in X class type tree then you basically have to pick a certain class skill tree and commit the majority of your points. But the beauty of it is you can still use other class trees if you want.

        I don't know if pre defined classes is relevant anymore in gaming. Building proper skill tree for class types and categories is a way better approach and allowing the player to pick from all of them. To me this allows the player more flexibility and customization of their class builds. No point to box a player in to a certain design. At them same time it still lets the dev build their ultimate class trees that the player can pick from or invest in all the way.

        I favor this style of class building in ARPG and RPGs.

      • ArB legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        February 17, 2017 2:55 PM

        Sounds awesome. For all the shit I give ME3, I really enjoyed multiplayer and the powers and weapons were great fun.

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      February 17, 2017 12:07 PM

      That looks good. I dunno what's changed with the lore to allow no classes but the freedom to customize is a plus, in my book.

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      February 17, 2017 12:13 PM

      I haven't watched yet but can someone confirm if the shotguns are cool and if you can charge?

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        February 17, 2017 1:47 PM

        Biotic charge is in, shotguns weren't really shown off.

      • reply
        February 17, 2017 1:53 PM

        A Vanguard-type build is definitely in

    • reply
      February 20, 2017 1:50 AM

      Hmmm... it looks pretty but I'm not sure about the easy respec of skills and abilities.
      Part of what I liked in the original trilogy was playing a class or style I enjoyed, then formulating a party of characters that complimented it.

      Also, it was fun watching (or hearing about) a friend's playthrough of an area especially when they played a different class. It made you want to come back and revisit the campaign to experience it differently.
      Somehow I feel this only gives you two options: brother or sister.
      Maybe they got customer feedback and the average was two playthroughs or something?

      Besides, being a jack-of-all-trades kind of negates bringing a specialised fire team.
      Do we know how the team mates are being controlled yet?
      Is there a tactical pause with options, switch between characters or are they A.I. controlled with quick input (a la Final Fantasy XV)? As all the footage I've seen lately looks like it's controlled by the main character.

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