Once upon a time, I told a friend of mine, how lucky we were for being able to play games like Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age Origins. The wise guy quickly replied something like; why do you say that? Is Bioware going bankrupt again?
And I answered; No, nothing that drastic, I just believe RPG's will evolve, I also think if you look at Mass Effect 2, Bioware has no idea of why people buy their games, (I really hope that changes),* and last but not the least Bioware staff will change and things will never be the same again.**
Roughly six years later... The RPG genre as evolved massively, and is by this time quite different beast.
Looking at Mass Effect 3, before E.C. (Extended Cut), by early 2012 Bioware still didn't knew why people bought their games, maybe they've learned by now... I hope.
Bioware staff definitely changed over the years and things never were the same again.
Now the "generally feared" Mass Effect Andromeda...*** I actually think Mass Effect Andromeda will be a great game, genuine but different and I'm truly hyped about this one and I will not be surprised if it beats Dragon Age Inquisition numbers with some ease.
That said I believe people should ready themselves if they are waiting for a Mass Effect clone, it will not happen.
Andromeda will be a all new beast, an RPG, with space sim heavy component, in-depth NPC's interactions revamped and bettered, lots of customization, exploration, driving, sprinkled with good old, (maybe new?), fashion Mass Effect action. I haven't seen much but from what I've seen or heard the game only haves one true flaw... Multiplayer**** and I bet a lot of people don't think on that as a flaw. A total new experience with an old familiar feel.
Explaining myself.
To avoid any kind of misinterpretation:
*What I mean when I say "I also think if you look at Mass Effect 2, Bioware has no idea of why people buy their games".
Let's be honest for a moment, Bioware doesn't have the best graphics engine by this moment in time, (early 2010), (now with Frostbite it's a different tune), they also don't have the best combat mechanics and there are tons of RPG's in the market.
Yet people buy their games, why? Because of the great voice acting all around, NPC interactions, driving narrative and a compelling story. That is the reason why I find it strange to leave Liara, Ashley and Kaidan some of the more interesting and the only romanceable NPC's in the first game, out of the main game except for a few cameos.
**At that time I didn't know that Bioware would make a lot of changes as they did. But I know people change, career goals change, times change and in a creative project like a sci-fi franchise, new blood is always a must to keep the creative force at full power.
***"Now the "generally feared" Mass Effect Andromeda..."
My words but surely not my feeling. This is the general portrait I get after perusing Bioware forums. I think this is bit unfair to say the least. I don't think Bioware is perfect but, I do believe they deserve the vote of confidence and trust for all fantastic experiences they have delivered us over the years.
****I haven't seen much but from what I've seen or heard the game only haves one true flaw... Multiplayer
This phrase is more about feeling that rational thinking. Allow me to explain.
When playing a Mass Effect game, I always have an unique feeling of playing a grand, epic game but also a very personal, intimate experience, my world, my decisions my experience, so pardon me but Multiplayer doesn't feel right according to what I feel when playing a Mass Effect game.
That said, Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer is not the best option in the market but, is definitely a funny, competitive experience if you like the action on Mass Effect 3 you will love it.
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