[Megathread] Mass Effect Andromeda

[corebit]

Okay, fair enough. What I initially got from the concept, is that pathfinders are born and raised (or just raised?) to guide more than one expedition? Every Arc has its own pathfinder (?) I basically observe them more like almost religious titles, than something practical, especially when you observe how you're being treated in-game. It's as if a demigod walks among mere mortals. The fact that you happen to be slightly more than average, due to SAM, doesn't seem to be a result of you being the pathfinder, it's just a result of your dad happening to be that one pathfinder with mad skillz(?)

Yeah, I kind of liked the way they portrayed the Ryder twins as inexperienced kids as stark contrast to the grizzled combat veteran Shepard. Theoretically it would have been a fresh take with lots of potential. But then they ruin it with everyone treating the Pathfinder title in such high regard that you cannot question their decision, especially early when the protagonist has yet to prove he/she did things to earn that title.

[Deleted]

I find inconsistencies everywhere, so I try not to think too hard. For example;The Remnants is a title that was first presented by Peebee. Not by the species in that galaxy. She also presented it as HER idea. But when you get to other races, they all know what Remnants are!? Good storytelling would talk the local interpretation and make that the default for our team. In MEA, it's visa versa.

I rather look at the implication that PeeBee knows what they are remnants of.

[Deleted]

Yeah, I kind of liked the way they portrayed the Ryder twins as inexperienced kids as stark contrast to the grizzled combat veteran Shepard.

From a story perspective, sure. From a gameplay perspective, the Ryder twins are super soldiers. They have more access to more abilities than Shepard (from a combat, tech or biotic perspective), can handle a larger variety of weapons in combat and know perfectly well how to fight with a jetpack.

Not saying Shepard couldn't do the latter, but the "inexperienced kids" narrative doesn't add up to what they are actually capable of ingame. In ME1/2/3 we never really saw anyone who was a more accomplished soldier than the Ryder kids (who are supposedly only 22yo).

Closed off my session this morning after discovering the Nexus (I expected some really creepy shit to happen, kind of disappointed we didn't have a Dead Space thing going on ). I'm not too annoyed by the animations, but the Nexus leader (can't recall her name yet) her dead eyes, and the "Alec is...dead" scene is beyond terrible. I'm primed for this because of the memes, but even in a vacuum it's still horrible.
The lack of emotion about Alec his death (not going to spoiler this, I assume everyone knows) kind of breaks immersion as well.

What also surprised me personally is how I myself didn't feel much for Alec his death. It's not really a surprise, there's no way we could get attached to him, but if I compare it to Moridin his death in ME3 (spoiler tagging it to be safe) I'm amazed how the latter had such an effect on me.

[Deleted]

From a story perspective, sure. From a gameplay perspective, the Ryder twins are super soldiers. They have more access to more abilities than Shepard (from a combat, tech or biotic perspective), can handle a larger variety of weapons in combat and know perfectly well how to fight with a jetpack.

Not saying Shepard couldn't do the latter, but the "inexperienced kids" narrative doesn't add up to what they are actually capable of ingame. In ME1/2/3 we never really saw anyone who was a more accomplished soldier than the Ryder kids (who are supposedly only 22yo).

Main character is skilled as the player. If someone is noob of no skill who hit 1 shot out of 5 then Ryder is aswell. Or Ryder can be walking dead machine.

[MrTharne]

Main character is skilled as the player. If someone is noob of no skill who hit 1 shot out of 5 then Ryder is aswell. Or Ryder can be walking dead machine.

In the skill menu you can see your stats and how many mobs the entire squad killed (you + squad members) and your own kill count. So you can see how much you killed compare to the 2 squad members.

For some people it was like : 2500 kills = 1000 for them + 1500 for squad members. And I'm here with 2500 kills = 2000 for me + 500 for my mates.

[Deleted]

In the skill menu you can see your stats and how many mobs the entire squad killed (you + squad members) and your own kill count. So you can see how much you killed compare to the 2 squad members.

For some people it was like : 2500 kills = 1000 for them + 1500 for squad members. And I'm here with 2500 kills = 2000 for me + 500 for my mates.

Have to check it out when i will be at home.

[Deleted]

Main character is skilled as the player. If someone is noob of no skill who hit 1 shot out of 5 then Ryder is aswell. Or Ryder can be walking dead machine.

Which goes for any character in every game ever made. Your remark is irrelevant, the Ryders are clearly extremely capable soldiers, which (again) doesn't fit with the "inexperienced 22 year old kid" narrative. Sure, their dad is an N7 and they do mention they received combat training, but what they are capable of doing goes beyond simple combat training and beyond what a 22 year old should be capable of.

Just like you can absolutely suck ass on your WoW toon, that doesn't stop you from being the hero or leader of your order hall, which doesn't fit with being a horrible player.

It's inconsistent. Necessarily so, but that doesn't change it. I also like playing a character that is more innocent than Shepard, and is discovering new things constantly as opposed to the war veteran who stopped the Collectors (for example). But the Ryders are as much a combat machine as Shepard was, and even more so due to how the combat design progressed (which no one can dislike).

It's a problem that many games have obviously. You're a 'nobody' who suddenly becomes a hero and almost immediately has the power to project your new hero image, but the game doesn't explain where you gained such power that outclasses others in the fictional universe.
The usual explanation is one of memory loss (SW:KOTOR, Revan) or reincarnation (The Wheel of Time, Rand al'Thor). Overused, but at least it closes the loop.

[Soulflayer]

Im really enjoying MP. And SP.

[Deleted]

I really enjoyed that most environments and planets etc. were based on actual science in the previous games. Is Andromeda still like that or have they gone like "eh, space magic" and focused on funky aliens and maybe some techno babble here and there instead?

[Lahis]

I really enjoyed that most environments and planets etc. were based on actual science in the previous games. Is Andromeda still like that or have they gone like "eh, space magic" and focused on funky aliens and maybe some techno babble here and there instead?

I don't think the planets look unbelieveable. Only one really out there is Habitat 7 with its floating mountains.

[WarpedAcorn]

It's a problem that many games have obviously. You're a 'nobody' who suddenly becomes a hero and almost immediately has the power to project your new hero image, but the game doesn't explain where you gained such power that outclasses others in the fictional universe.

It explains it very early on. The answer is simply, SAM. During the prologue mission when you are with your dad, Liam remarks how he is "a machine" and you hear him constantly switching between "Profiles". That is not all Papa-Ryder. Although he was obviously a capably N7 Soldier, SAM allows him to extend his capabilities. Its explained once SAM activates in you, saying that it can alter your internal physiology to adapt to new skills. In short, SAM is a hack program that acts as an Aimbot, Biotic Amplifier, and Tech Proxy.

[Deleted]

In the skill menu you can see your stats and how many mobs the entire squad killed (you + squad members) and your own kill count. So you can see how much you killed compare to the 2 squad members.

For some people it was like : 2500 kills = 1000 for them + 1500 for squad members. And I'm here with 2500 kills = 2000 for me + 500 for my mates.

How is it playing on easy?

[Lahis]

How is it playing on easy?

Play a sniper. You can kill enemies so far away that they don't aggro to you and the squadmates will not engage them.

[Deleted]

Play a sniper. You can kill enemies so far away that they don't aggro to you and the squadmates will not engage them.

Also armor penetration mode is needed for this because F*ck cover.

[MrTharne]

How is it playing on easy?

The more you will up the difficulty, the less your squad members will be useful to be honest.

[Deleted]

It explains it very early on. The answer is simply, SAM. During the prologue mission when you are with your dad, Liam remarks how he is "a machine" and you hear him constantly switching between "Profiles". That is not all Papa-Ryder. Although he was obviously a capably N7 Soldier, SAM allows him to extend his capabilities. Its explained once SAM activates in you, saying that it can alter your internal physiology to adapt to new skills. In short, SAM is a hack program that acts as an Aimbot, Biotic Amplifier, and Tech Proxy.

Doesn't explain combat on Habitat 7 prior to the SAM integration. You're correct, in part, but even on Habitat 7 I'm charging into packs, slashing them with my Omniblade, then Jetpack jumping up, hovering with my Assault Rifle to shoot baddies in the face, after which I jump back into cover.

That's still some highly advanced shit right there.

I'm not looking too much into it, but they could've fixed that simply by saying that the SAM integration through our Omnitool enhances reflexes etc. The neural SAM integration then takes it a step further.

- - - Updated - - -

I really enjoyed that most environments and planets etc. were based on actual science in the previous games. Is Andromeda still like that or have they gone like "eh, space magic" and focused on funky aliens and maybe some techno babble here and there instead?

The Omnitool scanner adds another scientifical layer that you'll love. It's not exactly 100% correct and they do take creative liberties, but it goes beyond "New lifeform, 41% Unobtanium, 39% Specialogen, 20% Whateveroxide".

I also liked the planet stat sheets in the original trilogy, especially if you're a bit into planetary physics/astrogeology.

[Lahis]

Doesn't explain combat on Habitat 7 prior to the SAM integration. You're correct, in part, but even on Habitat 7 I'm charging into packs, slashing them with my Omniblade, then Jetpack jumping up, hovering with my Assault Rifle to shoot baddies in the face, after which I jump back into cover.

That's still some highly advanced shit right there.

I'm not looking too much into it, but they could've fixed that simply by saying that the SAM integration through our Omnitool enhances reflexes etc. The neural SAM integration then takes it a step further.

Ryder kids have had unofficial combat training long before enlisting age (imagine family bonding time when your dad is first of the N7), then the official Alliance bootcamp and their specialist training, and to top all of that Pathfinder teams also had special training likely focusing on the Jumpjet useage since that's not standart Alliance kit before the Arks left on 2185.

So if they enlisted at 18, they have had 4 years of official specialist training and experience, topped with the family bonding time.

[Derah]

From a story perspective, sure. From a gameplay perspective, the Ryder twins are super soldiers. They have more access to more abilities than Shepard (from a combat, tech or biotic perspective), can handle a larger variety of weapons in combat and know perfectly well how to fight with a jetpack.

Not saying Shepard couldn't do the latter, but the "inexperienced kids" narrative doesn't add up to what they are actually capable of ingame. In ME1/2/3 we never really saw anyone who was a more accomplished soldier than the Ryder kids (who are supposedly only 22yo).

The in-universe explanation for that is that Shepard didn't have SAM.

SAM is more than just a voice in your head. The Pathfinder implants make it so that SAM is directly part of your brain. Having a quantum-processor power Ai regulating your neural pathways can do insane things to your skill, its the only reason why you can be proficient at everything. A normal human brain has limitations that an Ai simply bypasses.

The handling of more weapons is just a gameplay mechanic. In ME1 and 2, shepard could only use very specific weapons depending on class, with only Soldiers being able to use everything. In ME3 however, all classes can use any weapon, even non-shepard classes (See multiplayer characters)

Also the Ryder twins are not entirely unbloodied. At least Sara isn't. She was a peacekeeping soldier in a prothean archeological team, and she saw plenty of action when batarian raiders tried attacking her team. In her own words "nothing crazy but....." Plus they got some informal N7 training from their very strict father.

[Deleted]

Doesn't explain combat on Habitat 7 prior to the SAM integration. You're correct, in part, but even on Habitat 7 I'm charging into packs, slashing them with my Omniblade, then Jetpack jumping up, hovering with my Assault Rifle to shoot baddies in the face, after which I jump back into cover.

That's still some highly advanced shit right there.

Sara Natalie Ryder (born 21 March 2163) is a space explorer and one of the two main protagonists of Mass Effect: Andromeda. A member of the Ryder family, she and her twin brother received informal training under their father Alec Ryder's N7 background.

After serving five years in the Systems Alliance military, Scott signed up with the Andromeda Initiative together with his father and sister

Source: Mass effect wiki


So we have informal N7 Nazi dad training and 5 years in military.

[Derah]

Doesn't explain combat on Habitat 7 prior to the SAM integration. You're correct, in part, but even on Habitat 7 I'm charging into packs, slashing them with my Omniblade, then Jetpack jumping up, hovering with my Assault Rifle to shoot baddies in the face, after which I jump back into cover.

That's still some highly advanced shit right there.

Not really. At that point in the story, you have only one skill, and jetpack aside, all the stuff you do is pretty normal. Easily explained as Andromeda Initiative members received training that shepard did not. Even from a story perspective Ryder explains how s/he's operating basically on instinct on Habitat 7.

It helps that you're not alone in there. Ryder may be a newbie with limited combat experience, but they're traveling with a woman trained by Asari Commandos (Highly known as the deadliest combatants in the milky way except for maybe Krogan Battlemasters) and a guy who used to be part of Space-SWAT.