BioWare promised that they would be returning the multiplayer mode to Mass Effect: Andromeda. It went over well enough in Mass Effect 3, but some people felt that aspects of the multiplayer was forced in order to get the best possible ending. Well, BioWare will be addresing some of those issues.
Game Informer managed to get in some game time with the multiplayer build of Mass Effect: Andromeda at the BioWare Montreal studios – yes, the same studio where Maveer Heir works, the same guy who was recently petitioned by some people to be fired for being a racist.
The preview included going through a few of the rounds in the multiplayer, which is similar to the cooperative Horde-esque mode from Mass Effect 3. Maps will be broken down into multi-tiered levels with a new focus on verticality. To scale the levels quickly BioWare has allowed gamers to make use of a short-burst jetpack, not unlike the one that Boba Fett is equipped with.
Players can use the jetpack to quickly ascend levels and reach new cover spots or create new chokepoints for a varied and determined enemy AI.
Winning also no longer a vacuous affair. Previously, gamers would put in time and effort into the mode and come out with experience points and higher levels. BioWare decided to allow players to earn Prestige XP that carries over into certain class types, so players using a certain kit that fits into what could be considered a class will receive Prestige XP for winning the round. If you’re intent on building up a variety of different tank types, this could help speed up the process. It’s a little like gaining XP for all the Pokemon you have on your team even if you don’t bring them out for specific battles.
Lastly, they mentioned that they don’t want people playing the single-player to be dependent on the multiplayer. They will allow you to assign NPCs to carry out side-missions during the single-player campaign mode that can earn you rewards from the multiplayer, or if you’re intent on doing the missions yourself you can hop from the single-player into the multiplayer to complete the tasks. The idea is to make it seamless.
Mass Effect: Andromeda is due for release during the spring of 2017 for the PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One and PC.
