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All sounds good. I also wouldn't mind skipping takeoff & landing animations.. it's cool when you first visit somewhere, but it gets dull going to Eos a lot and hearing Suvi say "Pathis Kong" for the 100th time

Might pick this game up if they keep up fixing it. I like the looks of this first patch a lot.

I hope they add some squad visual customizations. It's a minor feature but for me would be a very missed one. *fingers crossed*

Sounds good and all, but i've already put 60 hours into the game and beat it (also completed nearly every quest). And don't have any intention of starting over for all these little improvements. The story wasn't that amazing to where i'd replay it more than once a year. And its basic enough to where it will stay fresh in my mind for quite a long time. If they release a story dlc about the quarian ark later in the year I might be interested though.

Suvi does indeed look like a chucky doll, I think they need to revamp her entire look. And every Asari in the game has the face of Dr. Lexi...this entire game took a couple steps forward, and a dozen leaps backwards in terms of quality in regards to the OT.

 Compel wrote:
That all reads like... A company listening to concerns and working on improving then

I agree with you. I will be more than happy to pick this up if they patch it up like this.

 Thargrim wrote:

Suvi does indeed look like a chucky doll, I think they need to revamp her entire look. And every Asari in the game has the face of Dr. Lexi...this entire game took a couple steps forward, and a dozen leaps backwards in terms of quality in regards to the OT.

Ridiculous.. Chucky doesn't overuse lip gloss like Suvi! And yet she would have been number one choice for a male Ryder romance option. And to quote femRyder, it's not just the accent but that helps. I also noticed the cut and paste Asari faces as well and was wondering if a Thorian snuck on board the Arc and was popping them out.

Peebee's face looked different than the other asaris.. or maybe the raccoon mask just threw it off for me.

Sorry, I wasn't referring to PB. It was the non-squadmate "second tier" characters like the reporter, bartender, etc. Squadmates obviously got extra attention compared with the other 99% of the characters in the game.

New weekend mission, new character added.

Are these new character (this one and the Morda reskin from before) limited time only or are they permanently added to the potential pool of box reward slots?

 warboss wrote:
Are these new character (this one and the Morda reskin from before) limited time only or are they permanently added to the potential pool of box reward slots?

Permanent additions.

So far they've added:
2 weapons (Ruzad Shotgun as Uncommon and M89 Halberd as Rare)
2 characters (Krogan Gladiator as Ultra Rare and Salarian Architect as Rare)
3 Equipment pieces (Juggernaut Shield for 120 Mission Funds, Thermal Clip Storage for 70 Mission Funds, and Adaptive War Amp for 70 Mission Funds)

Thanks. So does it seem that they're going for a steady drip of new content for multiplayer instead of the discrete semiannual packs of ME3?

 warboss wrote:
Thanks. So does it seem that they're going for a steady drip of new content for multiplayer instead of the discrete semiannual packs of ME3?

From what it seems like, they've got a storyline that they're having "play out" in MP via the Apex teams.

I forgot that we got a new enemy type for the Kett for MP as well; the one that you meet on board of the Archon's ship...

For anyone interested in the art of MEA book I mentioned, this article gives a pretty good preview of the content.

http://kotaku.com/the-art-of-mass-effect-andromeda-1794160906

Got the book myself the other day, definitely worth a look. It is heavy on the location art over character and gear concepts, but there is still plenty of that. Printed and presented at a great quality too.

 Paradigm wrote:
Got the book myself the other day, definitely worth a look. It is heavy on the location art over character and gear concepts, but there is still plenty of that. Printed and presented at a great quality too.

Agreed on the above (and stated earlier). My only quasi-concern was the emphasis on scenery over characters which is why I "warned" the thread about it. On a related note, the Cora concept art is at the link I posted. Hubba hubba!

Is there any concept art of the Hydra mech? Intrigued to see what the thought process was there.

PS--I'm campaigning for a Hydra Operator MP character.

Was told "It's not in the immediate future, but now it's something we're looking into"...

Not very exciting unless the operator's first special skill amounts to "Summon Hydra". Then he may be a tad OP. Having said that, I seriously need one!

Opened my first 100K box the other night and got an ultra-rare character. Downside was it was a human biotic and I generally don't play biotics. Was hoping for a weapon as I am having a string of bad luck with the weapons I get, still I'm having great fun playing the Salarian who can call the remnant VI. Kind of makes up for the weapons by having another gun at your beck and call.

 Conrad Turner wrote:
Not very exciting unless the operator's first special skill amounts to "Summon Hydra". Then he may be a tad OP. Having said that, I seriously need one!

The suggestion I've been making is that future maps have abandoned/idle Hydras on them that the Operator can utilize--with the Operator's abilities being more synergistic than damage dealing.
Stuff like Shield Boost, Assault Turret, or Invasion.

Or that we get an "optional objective" wave at 2 that involves securing a zone for a shuttle to drop off a Hydra.

Like I said; they have plans in the works until like November so it would be a long time before we see a Hydra Operator if at all.

Opened my first 100K box the other night and got an ultra-rare character. Downside was it was a human biotic and I generally don't play biotics. Was hoping for a weapon as I am having a string of bad luck with the weapons I get, still I'm having great fun playing the Salarian who can call the remnant VI. Kind of makes up for the weapons by having another gun at your beck and call.

The Human Kineticist is a very good Biotic, so if you get a chance to try her do so.

Especially against Outlaws. Outlaws hate Biotics.

This came up on my youtube suggestions. Thought it was a really good video.

It is a good video and does a good job explaining deeply technical mechanics plain and simple.

Too much to say about Andromeda, the most important thing is it is inconsistent, if it was an objectively bad game like for example Duke Nukem forever were nothign could be said that it was ok let alone good, I would argue its a bad game and move on, it is not, for every bad dialogue its one great, usually hidden in the background chat, missions quality and design are all over the place you may get eh main plot missions and be amazed by sidequests, combat is great, music is good but some really good parts like the ambient music from music pods is not present enouph, exploration is nice many stuff hidden in places you must work to go as a "thank you" for going out of your way to explore the map.

Even the plot is good if you bother to read the ton of text giving you in depth insight of it, else you will wonder basic things like what on earth is the pathfinder and why it is so important... as it is hinted above plot delivery is bad... especially some subjects it touches in background dialogues and minor characters are quite interesting.

Getting rid of paragon/ renegade is another divisive subject I am in favour of it leaving and making the player be a good or a bad guy to whoever they like, but in some cases it needed a bit more strength in actions it does feel a bit mild.

Overall it feels like a 3A MMO at launch, under-budgeted and rushed out to be fixed later with funds incoming from sales and from the first patch and the notes for the subsequent patches it seems that MEA will be quite a different game 3-4 patches down the line a more complete game, as it should be at launch.

Definitely internal politics played a role in the state the game came (and there is a lot of discussion about it), but as Angry Joe said on his review 40M budget for such a game is extremely low it is a wonder they managed to shove it playable out of the door and not get scrapped by EA.

Personally I feel it will be a worthy continuation of the franchise, once patched and have a few DLC added to it and I am wondering if they instead of making MEA2 ectr use a more "MMO" style expansion strategy were they add up to the game with "big expansions" like warcraft.

The biggest problem I thing MEA has is the franchise precedence, Ryder(s) are not Shepard and will never be, he was already a high level hero before Mass Effect even started and he just gone to legend and beyond, a military specialist in a military campaign, in contrast MEA is a civilian campaign thrown in a low level war and the protagonists are just becoming the heroes and it shows, they try to be accepted from their crew, they try to enforce some discipline, the Nexus command does manage to boss them around (a bit), the contrast is telling and this is what makes it so charming a really different perspective.

I was surprised to see all the hate for ME:A because it deals with colonizing new worlds. Apparently there have been a lot of reviews by people who haven't actually played the game decrying it because you play an evil colonialist or something.

Hovering at the last main mission, I find that assessment not ever remotely reminiscent of what happens in the game.

Not surprising at all, depending on the country and political beliefs of the person it can be something irrelevant or a really touchy subject and the internet is quite populated with politically correct people.

I was actually asked several times before MEA was released how I think will bioware deal with the fact "the playes are an invading army on another galaxy" I said they will not deal with it and I was more or less right.

Bioware dodges the issue by making the bad guys of the setting the bad invaders and the Initiative the good invaders (or colonists) and you know what it is entirely fine, games are political by their nature, but they do not have to deal with the issues the "reader" wants them to deal, Andromeda is a setting of new beginnings a fresh start and a contrast to the gritty doomsday Mass Effect trilogy, yes, it could deal with the colonialism, the issues with meeting natives and taking advantage of them ectr ectr as the haters wanted (and hate it for, the theme existing or not) , but it does not. It is a more light hatred theme exploring the nature of adventure creating opportunity where there is none and cooperation of different cultures.

It also helps that the Initiative isn't in a position to exploit the crap out of either the Angara or the Kett, the tech levels aren't completely lopsided in the Milky Way team's favour like they were for the Europeans in real-life history. There's also no empire to run back to to lick your wounds and no cavalry to call in when gak hits the fan, so there's a lot less potential for domineering exploitation.

They do touch on some colonial subjects. Will this anger our the native species, was claiming this territory ethical or correct and how do we keep other colonies from attacking each other? It's one of the themes I hope gets explored a little more.

Has anyone else had a problem with multiplayer? I can't seem to get into a single game without being kicked out immediately.

Apparently people do that if they judge your character is not of a high enough level. - Try going into a bronze mission and see if there's still an issue there.

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:
It also helps that the Initiative isn't in a position to exploit the crap out of either the Angara or the Kett, the tech levels aren't completely lopsided in the Milky Way team's favour like they were for the Europeans in real-life history. There's also no empire to run back to to lick your wounds and no cavalry to call in when gak hits the fan, so there's a lot less potential for domineering exploitation.

It is a much different situation. Your also not confined to a single planet. A galaxy is beyond human ubderstanding of large and in no way would the Initiative ever need to resort to British activity. The Initiative isn't exploited the Angara, they are not imposing a new moral upon the Kett. Its such a silly arguement to not like a game so you can appear most virtuous ™ .

It is the fight they chose to fight, arguing how valid that is or if it has a resemblance to the actual game is a ship that has sailed a long time ago, before MEA was published.

@ Mr Nobody not much problem in bronze, haven't tried anything harder, bronze is good enouph for me.

 BrotherGecko wrote:

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:
It also helps that the Initiative isn't in a position to exploit the crap out of either the Angara or the Kett, the tech levels aren't completely lopsided in the Milky Way team's favour like they were for the Europeans in real-life history. There's also no empire to run back to to lick your wounds and no cavalry to call in when gak hits the fan, so there's a lot less potential for domineering exploitation.

It is a much different situation. Your also not confined to a single planet. A galaxy is beyond human ubderstanding of large and in no way would the Initiative ever need to resort to British activity. The Initiative isn't exploited the Angara, they are not imposing a new moral upon the Kett. Its such a silly arguement to not like a game so you can appear most virtuous ™ .

It's also worth noting that while the focus of the Initiative was that each Ark would colonize a different world, there's no reason why they *have* to do that. Many of us here live in cities with more residents than there are members of the Initiative. The entire Initiative could be settled on Eos, for instance, if there was some reason why settling on multiple planets turned out to not be feasible. They would need to be careful about balancing the infrastructure expansion with the population taken out of cryo, but otherwise it would be doable.



On another note, I finished the game last night. Great finish, imo. And there's some definite (albeit minor) post-storyline content, as opposed to the previous games (iirc, Arrival was the only post-storyline content for its game from the original trilogy). And there are lots of potential sequel hooks hanging around. So while it's not yet clear where Bioware will go with the follow-ups (and iirc, Bioware has indicated that they're not even sure whether or not this will be the first game in a proper trilogy), they've got a lot to work with.

@ Mr Nobody.

How people view your character in multiplayer depends a lot on the character level and your MP experience ( Your "Apex Rating")

If you are trying out for the first time, the best advice I got was that Bronze is for anyone, silver for characters level 10 or over, gold for 18+ characters. They cap out at level 20.

The higher your Apex rating, the more you have played on any character, and across all characters. Higher Apex ratings will allow you to move up earlier, as will having higher numbers after your character class.

The first time you gain a card from a box it is, IIRC a <character class> -1, the more times you get that card in the boxes, the higher that number gets, up to <character class> -10. The higher that number, the better that character is overall, and the higher it's level, the more points you will have been able to put into skills.

speaking of skills, I feel it's better to specialise a bit rather than be a 'jack-of-all-trades'

I put my first priorities into the two skills with triangles until they are maxed out at level 6. These skills seem to be more rounded than the others. Then I chose a single skill with round dots and specialise in that.

The only 'class' I found doesn't benefit with that are the Biotics. They seem to be better at having at least reasonable skill in each of the round skills, and possibly specialise in them to the near-exclusion of the others.

So far as boxes are concerned, early game buy the heck out of the basic 5K cost boxes. It is here that you will find all of the basic characters, and the basic weapons. It is much better to be going into a match with a basic <>-10 character equipped with a -10 weapon than that ultra-rare you got from 5 of the Premium 100K boxes who is a -1 character with basic weapons.

But save your other currency. Don't have more than 3 teams on the go, use the rest to buy the various pieces of equipment sold in the store such as Juggernaut Shield, or ammo capacity increase. They can be invaluable and rotate in and out of the store.