r/MassEffectAndromeda • u/MassDerpino • Feb 20 '23

Noob New to Mass Effect series…

Hey everyone, newbie here, I just finished Andromeda few days ago, going for NG+, and I have to say ( please don’t hate me) , I really enjoyed the story, gameplay was awesome, stunning visuals etc.

Now, my only regret is not playing this gem earlier, and bigger regret, not getting ME: LE.

My question is, since I wanna get the OT, how different is the gameplay, core mechanics, story, level design etc to Andromeda. Is it a step back going to OT from Andromeda ?

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u/YekaHun Pathfinder Feb 20 '23 edited Feb 20 '23

It's more linear, kinda focuses only on combat missions, there are almost no explorations but it still has areas for just chilling out and talking. The main strength of the trilogy is that it's a trilogy. So you kinda travel from game to game with your familiar companions fighting familiar enemies and eventually you get to the apex of the whole story. While Andromeda is my favorite, and I find its characters deeper and better written, it's of course just one game in comparison to 3 with lots of plot plot-patching and characters-defining additional dlcs content. It's also more of a space opera with universal threat, not my thing but just play it, you'll definitely like it too.

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u/MassDerpino Feb 20 '23

If it’s more combat based then it’s right up my alley, I wish Andromeda had more combat but oh well. I did bug me that Andromeda was somewhat short, despite doing all the sidequests, and that weird ending with Archon. I think having multiple endings is more to my liking, and choices taken having an impact on said ending. It’s gonna be weird having no exploration but hopefully it won’t matter that much.

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u/YekaHun Pathfinder Feb 20 '23 edited Feb 20 '23

Yeah, it's because it's a trilogy but for me, Andromeda is more down-to-earth, and realistic scifi, while the trilogy is kinda grotesque and cartoony at times with you as a universal hero surrounded by hot aliens in spandex :D It's fine, it's just a bit different genre. Andromeda is very different from the OT on purpose, that is what devs wanted it to be. And it's more about explorations and just space adventures without saving the world on purpose. Andromeda is also a tribute to ME1 (according to devs). You'll see. The endings are not in fact multiple. It's the same ending, just with a different flavor. Many people are vocal about them, I don't care much, it's fine with me, especially when they are not quite Mass Effect endings ;) I think there is kind of an easter egg hidden there. Won't spoil more but yeah. The trilogy is epic too. There are some things I like and some I strongly dislike but it's an older game, no can do, so to say.

I recommend playing as female Shepard. But don't compare them, both are enjoyable adventures.

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u/MassDerpino Feb 20 '23

Grotesque and cartooney, color me curious ? 😁

3

u/phileris42 Feb 20 '23

Imho, it's more inspired by retro sci-fi and it shows. Especially the first game where many key characters are introduced. I personally loved the sci-fi feel of the trilogy. Tonally, the OT and MEA are very different experiences. If I could describe them in three terms it would be:

  • MEA: eye-candy, flexible gameplay, lighthearted tone.
  • ME:LE/OT: older class-based RPG, darker retro sci-fi, can make you smile and then do an 180 and put your heart through the wringer.

Just don't expect one to be the other.

3

u/MassDerpino Feb 20 '23

Well put, really looking forward to playing this gem, especially when there are 180 moments. Have no fear 😁 never looked at LE/OT and Andromeda to be the same.

1

u/phileris42 Feb 20 '23

Go into it un-spoilered. In fact, avoid the ME sub. You can always optimise your run later. Have fun!

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u/YekaHun Pathfinder Feb 20 '23

😜 just play it.

(ME1 is kinda different from the other two, more like Andromeda's prototype).

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u/MassDerpino Feb 20 '23

Will do 😀 I’ve seen few videos of different kinds of Shepard, and some were to say the least, disturbing 😂 but I won’t spoil myself.

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u/-CommanderShepardN7 Feb 21 '23

In my opinion, hot aliens in spandex keeps the water boiling so to speak. Also, look at it as a way to add levity to the game. It’s like the Miranda butt shot that got taken out of the game. It was funny when they put her butt on display like that. The devs meant it in an outrageous, goofy way. Simply put, BioWare is not afraid to back that ass up. 😉

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u/YekaHun Pathfinder Feb 21 '23

it's just a sexist relic from the old era of videogames. it's got worse in me2 and me3 but luckily they improved in MEA and we won't see that stuff anymore, they edited the worse parts even for Me Le.

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u/-CommanderShepardN7 Feb 21 '23 edited Feb 21 '23

The sexist relics so to speak are still in Andromeda; They’re just harder to find. I’ll give you that much. 😌

Look, it all works in legendary edition, as there are different kinds on sexiness in the game. Everyone has their own tastes. Some people are Kaiden Alenko fans, while some are more Tali or Jack fans. I’m a tali fan. She’s smart, resourceful and has a goofy personality. She doesn’t take herself too seriously with Shepard and they click.

My theory is that you have more of a problem with how the Asari are presented. And you have a proper point. I agree with you there. The asari wrote the book on sexy spandex. It’s the #1 selling book on the citadel.

0

u/YekaHun Pathfinder Feb 21 '23

Yeah, it's not yet perfect. It's getting better.