A Disappointing Entry in a Legendary Franchise

Mass Effect: Andromeda had the daunting task of continuing the legacy of the beloved Mass Effect trilogy, but unfortunately, it falls short in almost every way. While the Deluxe Edition offers some additional content, it doesn’t fix the fundamental flaws of a game that feels rushed, uninspired, and lacking the magic that made its predecessors so memorable.

The most glaring issue with Andromeda is its weak narrative. The plot is generic and uninspired, lacking the emotional weight and complexity that defined the original trilogy. The characters, once a highlight of the series, are forgettable and poorly written. Ryder, the protagonist, lacks the charisma and depth of Commander Shepard, and the supporting cast fails to leave a lasting impression. Dialogue often feels clunky and awkward, with many conversations coming off as unnatural or forced.

The game’s pacing is another problem. While the promise of exploring a new galaxy is exciting, Andromeda wastes this potential on repetitive fetch quests and tedious resource gathering. The open-world design, while expansive, feels empty and padded with generic tasks that quickly become a chore. Instead of feeling like a pioneer discovering uncharted worlds, you’re stuck scanning rocks, collecting plants, and running errands for unmemorable NPCs.

The combat system is one of the game’s few redeeming qualities. It’s faster and more fluid than in previous games, and the addition of the jetpack adds a fun layer of verticality to encounters. However, the improved combat isn’t enough to save the experience when the missions and enemies themselves are so repetitive.

Technically, Andromeda was infamous at launch for its numerous bugs and laughable facial animations. While some of these issues have been patched, the game still feels unpolished in places. Characters often move awkwardly, environments lack the detail and vibrancy expected of a AAA title, and performance can be inconsistent. For a game released as part of such an iconic franchise, the lack of refinement is disappointing.

Even the Deluxe Edition, with its added bonuses like skins and multiplayer packs, fails to justify the higher price. The multiplayer is passable but uninspired, and the extra content does little to enhance the lackluster core experience.

Overall, Mass Effect: Andromeda is a mediocre game that struggles to live up to the high standards set by its predecessors. While it has moments of potential, the uninspired story, forgettable characters, repetitive gameplay, and technical shortcomings make it hard to recommend—especially to longtime fans of the series.

Did I enjoy it? Yes.

Did it feel more like mass effect fan fiction than a mass effect game? welll.. yes.

it's just not fun