Ever since that practically non-existent Mass Effect video at E3, I had pretty much surrendered to our silent fate – we wouldn’t hear anything more about the game until N7 day, aka November 7th. While I still checked the Mass Effect website and social media on a regular basis, I figured our next peek into the game would only come in a couple months’ time. Instead, we got a new snippet at the PS4 reveal last night, and it looks absolutely gorgeous, even in measly 1080p. I highly recommend that you watch the video. Here, let me show you. Then, here are some things you might have missed.
First things first, we had heard rumors of jetpacks and now we got to see one in action. It’s just for jumping in this sequence, but with environments that feature a lot more verticality, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw expanded uses for it.
Here’s a snippet where they showed the player character scanning some life form. I really like the option to scan stuff – it’s a great way for those who care about the environment, world and lore to have options to get greater insight, while those who aren’t so interested can simply skip over it and never feel like they are missing out. Interestingly, though, there’s a new designation on the uniform. Instead of N7, we see what looks like Ai on the shoulder piece. Could this be a different character than the protagonist, or do you take on a new role when you arrive in Andromeda?
Then we get to the cut scene where we get a closer look at the characters. Wait, I thought the protagonist was a woman. Who is this guy?
Also, do you notice that A on the other character’s armor? Perhaps this A designation really will replace the N. Then again, N7 was part of the Systems Alliance military and if Andromeda is really as far away as they keep saying, maybe it’s outside their sphere of influence. N7 would have no meaning then, so maybe they are part of Andromeda exploration unit 1 or something.
Then there is the Asari. She is definitely a major character in the game seeing as we keep seeing her in these snippet reveals. But she looks… different for an Asari. I’m not just talking about her different pigmentation. Her build, her clothing, and her features all differentiate her from “typical” Asari. Could she be some kind of unique character? Or is it simply that viewing characters in higher resolutions than we are used to has changed our perspective? We know Bioware likes to push the envelope when it comes to race, sexual orientation and other questions of diversity. Perhaps this Asari is reflecting some of that.
It’s important to note, I grabbed these screens from my 1080p display. Did you watch it in 4K? Did you see anything intriguing that I missed? Please share and share alike – I’m keen for all your theories and observations. They help pass the seemingly endless time until we know more about the game.
Oh, and one last thing. Anyone else think it’s interesting that an EA game showed off so much at a PlayStation showcase? Could this be a sign that Mass Effect will actually release on PS4 as the lead console? Things have certainly changed from the days it was an Xbox 360 exclusive.
Last Updated: September 8, 2016
Ghost In The Rift
September 8, 2016 at 09:17
For a second i thought heard Mark Meer’s voice, oh the feels, these next few month is gonna be a wait, was counting on NMS keeping me busy until then but yeah.
Dutch Matrix
September 8, 2016 at 09:22
Do what I do. Start your seventh playthrough of Mass Effect 1,2 and 3.
konfab
September 8, 2016 at 09:19
I think Frostbyte allows Bioware to have more fun with character design than Unreal 3.
That and Bioware probably has a larger budget for Andromeda than they had for previous iterations.
Dutch Matrix
September 8, 2016 at 09:21
First, that Assari seems to have stumbled across Male Sheps’ Playgirl spread and spontaneously gave birth to a Krogan. Second: If that is Andromeda’s male commander I foresee a character even more annoying than FarCry 3’s Jason Brody.
Where Shepherd/Shephard/Skaapwagter LOOKED like he might have seen some action in combat and the bedroom, this new guy looks like Stuart from the accounts department…
Admiral Chief
September 8, 2016 at 09:22
*Asari
Or did you mean ASSari?
Dutch Matrix
September 8, 2016 at 09:26
Sorry, For some or other reason I cannot speell these last two weeks…
Admiral Chief
September 8, 2016 at 09:22
Ai
Alliance intelligence?
Dungeon of JJ
September 8, 2016 at 09:23
As someone who missed the ME era and is now struggling to get into it…this is looking pretty awesome.
Dutch Matrix
September 8, 2016 at 09:24
WHAT???? Hand in your gamer card!!!!!
Dungeon of JJ
September 8, 2016 at 10:23
I know 🙁
But I played ME2 recently and I did thoroughly enjoy it. Just remember, since I only played it now, it felt very old as I didn’t have the nostalgia that you guys have.
The Order of the Banana
September 8, 2016 at 14:31
Two is the best one – one is the better rpg and three is a festering boil on the underside of humanity
Matthew Holliday
September 8, 2016 at 09:32
there is no such thing as “missing the mass effect era”
Admiral Chief
September 8, 2016 at 09:48
He couldn’t see it through those massive eyebrows
Dungeon of JJ
September 8, 2016 at 10:24
As I said to Dutch, because I don’t have nostalgia on my side, the games feel very old to me. I did enjoy ME2, don’t get me wrong. Maybe ME3 will increase my interest in it even more.
Matthew Holliday
September 8, 2016 at 12:19
ME1 is a cult classic, sucks you in big time once you get past the initial stages, but yeah, it is starting to show its age now.
ME3 feels alot newer, I wish I could play them for the first time again.
Did you play all the DLC for ME2?
Dungeon of JJ
September 8, 2016 at 14:25
Yea, I think I got the full edition of ME2 on a bundle. I have it on Origin and Steam for some reason. Being a big trekkie I enjoyed the space travel and meeting interesting people/aliens and the side missions a lot.
The Order of the Banana
September 8, 2016 at 14:13
You only need to play mass effect 1 and 2, don’t bother with 3. It’s shite.
Dutch Matrix
September 8, 2016 at 09:24
And is it just me or does that Assari look like she might have had Simon Pegg as a father?
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/wennpic/simon-pegg-premiere-the-world-s-end-06.jpg
Admiral Chief
September 8, 2016 at 09:24
A very awesome father to have, <3 Simon!
Dutch Matrix
September 8, 2016 at 09:27
Oh I love him like a son! But not sure I want my daughter to have a resemblance to the guy…
The Order of the Banana
September 8, 2016 at 10:05
You sir…. wins the internet!
HairyEwok
September 8, 2016 at 09:33
In 2134 CE, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military council for a crime they didn’t commit. These beings promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Exodus cluster. Today, still wanted by the council they survive as explorers with no cause. If you lost something, if no one else can help, and if you can find them….maybe you can hire The A-Team.
Dutch Matrix
September 8, 2016 at 09:36
SHUT.UP! You just won the internet. GO home!
Admiral Chief
September 8, 2016 at 09:47
CUE THE MUSIC!!!!!!!!!
Matthew Holliday
September 8, 2016 at 09:34
“scan complete”
The No Mans Sky we were mean to get?
Admiral Chief
September 8, 2016 at 09:47
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Matthew Holliday
September 8, 2016 at 10:01
Also better than scanning for iridium
Skittle
September 8, 2016 at 09:58
The trailer reminded me of Destiny.
The Order of the Banana
September 8, 2016 at 10:02
This trailer contained too much walking! WHere’s the pew pew pew pew? Where are the Andromedans? I am not impressed!
PS: Brianna Wu’s Revolution 60 is out! Is Darryn going to review it? Please… let Darryn review it! He’s the only reviewer I trust… chuckles!
https://kiwifarms.net/attachments/image-jpeg.132671/
Sageville
September 8, 2016 at 12:23
Dood, there was jumping too!
Viking Of Science
September 8, 2016 at 10:13
Wow, So It’s Like No Man’s Sky with the scanning and like Borderlands with the Vaults.
Go home Bioware, you’re drunk.
Pariah ???
September 8, 2016 at 10:25
“Scan complete”
No Man’s Andromeda?
Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd
September 8, 2016 at 11:03
CANT WAIT!!!
Mark Treloar
September 8, 2016 at 11:36
So i guess i’m the only one who noticed a similarity to the ending of Borderlands 2 in this trailer?
The Order of the Banana
September 8, 2016 at 14:19
I have to be honest after the tripe that was dragon age 2 (utter shit), mass effect 3 (weak sauce cash grab) and dragon age inquisition (tumblr politics edition), I have zero faith in bioware. I’m not trolling, when I say, I have no desire to play mass effect andromeda, because I just know bioware is going to ruin it by either going full retard with the intersectional space justice politics or the story is going to absolutely crap.
chimera_85
September 8, 2016 at 15:53
Oh my fuck I just messed some kids in my pants hahahaha.
I do hope I get a bonus this year cos my 960 is gonna struggle with this beautiful game 🙁
UroBoros
September 8, 2016 at 16:54
I thought that A on the shoulder was a system allience logo