Overview
Mass Effect: Andromeda is a sci-fi third-person action RPG developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on March 21, 2017.
The first game primarily led by the BioWare Montreal team, Andromeda is a spin-off set over 600 years after the original Mass Effect trilogy. The player assumes the role of either Sara or Scott Ryder, two recruits of the Andromeda Initiative (a multi-species plan to colonize the far-away galaxy of Andromeda by massive transport and long cryostasis), as one of them assumes the responsibility of "Pathfinder" and is tasked with finding new habitable worlds, encountering new alien species, and unlocking the secrets of the mysterious Remnant technology.
Unlike the original trilogy, which was built using Epic Games's Unreal Engine, Mass Effect: Andromeda utilizes the EA DICE's Frostbite engine and utilizes more open-world elements (similar to Dragon Age: Inquisition). Other changes including the lack of a shoe-horned class system in single-player (allowing the player to pick-and-choose their abilities), the removal of the Paragon/Renegade system, faster-paced combat (including new boosters for jumping and dashing), and a dedicated crafting system (where players can research and develop new weapons, armor, and special upgrades).
Squad Roster
Similar to previous games in the series, players pick two out of six AI-controlled companions to aid them in their combat missions. Unlike previous games, each companion joins the group automatically early in the story.
Because players no longer have a dedicated Skill menu, players can no longer direct their companions to perform specific powers. Instead, they will use their abilities automatically during combat (provided they have Skill Points set in that ability.
Unlike the previous games, where each squadmate's loyalty mission unlocks new abilities, Andromeda instead has the final level for all active and passive Skills locked until the loyalty mission is complete.
Liam A multi-disciplined human security officer, Liam Kosta was formerly part of a multi-species crisis response unit before being hand-picked as part of the Pathfinder team. He is a potential romance option for Pathfinder Ryder (female only). Active Powers: - Frag Grenade (combat)
- Havoc Strike (combat)
- Overload (tech, unlockable after spending enough Skill Points)
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Cora Formerly an officer with the Systems Alliance and later placed with an elite asari commando unit, Cora Harper is a skilled human biotic and the original second-in-command for Pathfinder Alec Ryder. She is a potential romance option for Pathfinder Ryder (male only). Active Powers: - Charge (biotic)
- Nova (biotic)
- Shield Boost (tech, unlockable after spending enough Skill Points)
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VetraA turian drifter, Vetra Nyx survived the path of smugglers and mercenaries before joining the Nexus with her sister Sidera. She is a potential romance option for Pathfinder Ryder. Active Powers: - Power Armor (tech)
- Concussive Shot (combat)
- Turbocharge (combat, unlockable after spending enough Skill Points)
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PeebeeAn asari academic and lone wolf, Pelessaria B'Sayle (nicknamed "Peebee") signed on to the Nexus for adventure and discovery. She is a potential romance option for Pathfinder Ryder. Active Powers: - Invasion (tech)
- Pull (biotic)
- Shockwave (biotic, unlockable after spending enough Skill Points)
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DrackA grizzled soldier and mercenary, Nakmor Drack is a krogan that spent more than 1,400 years fighting before joining the Nexus with the intention of shooting more stuff. Active Powers: - Blood Rage (combat)
- Incinerate (tech)
- Flak Cannon (combat, unlockable after spending enough Skill Points)
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JaalA high-ranking soldier of the angaran Resistance, Jaal Ama Darav is the only native of the Andromeda galaxy that joins Ryder's squad (to evaluate them). He is a potential romance option for Pathfinder Ryder (female only). Active Powers: - Energy Drain (tech)
- Sticky Grenade (tech)
- Avenger Strike (tech, unlockable after spending enough Skill Points)
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