Mass Effect Andromeda Screens Highlight Volcanic Planet
By Anthony Taormina 04 January 2017
Ahead of the CES trailer, BioWare releases new Mass Effect: Andromeda screenshots that highlight one of the new planets players will be able to visit as a Ryder twin.
Although the Mass Effect: Andromeda news for today was thought to center around a new gameplay and environment trailer that would debut during CES 2017’s Keynote address, developer BioWare clearly has other plans. Make no mistake, the trailer is still on the way, but BioWare has also confirmed a release date for Mass Effect: Andromeda and released the below screenshots.
Without further detail from BioWare, all gamers have to go on is what can be seen in the screenshots. It’s safe to assume this is one of the many planets players will be able to visit in Mass Effect: Andromeda, either as part of the main story mission or perhaps as a side activity.
In terms of its environment, the planet appears volcanic in nature, and the enemy types, called Nullifiers, look like organic robots. Luckily, Ryder has a few new biotic powers that should make quick work of the imposing baddie.
Since gamers have yet to see the trailer it’s unclear how the screenshots might connect to the forthcoming Mass Effect: Andromeda footage, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the volcanic planet seen in the images is also a focal point of the trailer. The screenshots certainly focus on the environment more than any detail, highlighting a color palette that fits in with the Mass Effect style but doesn’t feel like a retread.
Presumably the type of visuals on display in these Andromeda screens is only possible thanks to the power of current-gen systems. Speculation surrounding that impeding trailer was that it might highlight the PC version of the game, and it’s reasonable to assume these images were rendered on the same platform. If nothing else, the quality of the lighting effects is stunning, and promises that Mass Effect: Andromeda will be no slouch when it comes to environments.
Of course, we would be remiss for not pointing out that the screenshots feature the playable character, either the female or male Ryder twin, facing away from camera. Under normal circumstances that wouldn’t be worth discussing, but with the talk of Mass Effect: Andromeda’s facial animations, and how they didn’t meet players’ expectations, it’s possible BioWare is making a conscious choice to focus on the gameplay and environments and less on the characters for now. But make no mistake, BioWare is well aware of those criticisms and the developers vow to improve the facial animations before the game releases in three months.
Mass Effect: Andromeda releases March 21, 2017 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
