What would an immerse open-world RPG be if it didn't have the option to stray away from your main objective to do your own thing? Definitely not "Mass Effect: Andromeda." As the most anticipated epic sci-fi intergalactic RPG from BioWare draws closer, more details continue to emerge as we get to find more details about the types of mission, worlds, and even enemies we get to encounter as we'll explore the vast unknown reaches of space.
Previously, Gamespot reported that loyalty missions are making return from the previous "Mass Effect" titles, albeit being less involved with the game's main storyline, in which director Mac Walters described them to be "much more optional" now. These loyalty missions are now in line with the side quests in "Mass Effect: Andromeda" even if they do more to add a little flavor in the flow of the game's storyline.
According to Game Informer, BioWare has now shared a little more features in upcoming sci-fi epic. We can get to explore a number of worlds, especially when traversing in alien terrain with "Andromeda's" new Nomad vehicle, as well as the vast variety of hazards one must tread carefully with.
"On most planets there is some level of hostile force," producer Mike Gamble said. "And usually that will be represented by enemy bases or hideouts or whatever you want to call them specific to that planet."
"These bases are pretty lengthy to take out, so if you approach one, you want to be prepared before you into it. It's fun, because there's a combination of systemic and scripted stuff in there. If you tip off too many enemies, the alarms start going off and you have to shut them off. And there's usually narrative tied around it," added Walters.
Some areas in the universe are home to other hazards like alien beasts and other types of encounters. Some of these areas are somewhat indicative that they're too risky and "far over-leveled" for the players. "We have a lot of other things like that," Gamble explained. "Where you'll know that you're not ready for this, but you'll know you want to come back."
But, extraterrestrial hazards aren't the only things we can find in "Andromeda." We can even use the spacecraft's sensors to scan some for resources to obtain. These can be used to craft items such as weapons and armor.
Drop zones are also another feature in the latest title in the franchise. They serve as fast-travel points and where we can configure our loadout before setting out in the field. These drop zones can serve as points of interest in the map and can aid in finding them also. Gamble mentioned, however, that BioWare wouldn't "want to just give [us] map markers to follow."
That just about covers it in the meantime, while more news on "Mass Effect: Andromeda" from BioWare and EA will show up during the Game Awards on Dec. 1. Its release date, on the other hand, would fall sometime on spring next year -- possibly on around March.