Mass Effect: Andromeda’s creative director Mac Walters advises fans planning to get BioWare’s forthcoming science fiction title to hold on to their saves after playing.
Although it has been repeatedly confirmed thatMass Effect: Andromedawon’t be the beginning of a new trilogy, it seems as if the developers at BioWare are at least prepared to retain some of the elements from the franchise’s previous installments that caused fans to become so enamored with the series. For instance, the forthcoming science fiction title’s creative director, Mac Walters, recently stated that fans who go on to playMass Effect: Andromedawould do well to hold on to their save files for followup entries, as they could affect followups' content.
This particular statement from Walters came during a rather lengthyspecial edition ofGame Informer’s podcast, where the BioWare creative director also discussed some of the developer’s decisions when it comes to howMass Effect: Andromedawill be influenced by prior entries in the series, such as its a “bold” ending on par with the firstMass Effect, variations in narrative that are inherent inMass Effect 2, and the attempt to avoid a conclusion likeME3’s endingwith a more concrete and satisfying denouement instead. Of course, regarding fans' save files inAndromeda,it’s quite possible that the plot in further sequels down the line could be influenced by decisions made in the franchise’s fourth installment.
“I don’t think it would hurt to keep [saves]. Right now, to be honest, we are focused on this game, and as I’ve said to people before, we very much think ofAndromedaas a series. What we do with that series is TBD at this point. I think right now, we know we don’t want it to be a trilogy, in the sense of, we’re planning this three-part story in three games. But that said, key elements like the Pathfinders, eventhe Ryders themselves, those are things that are going to make another appearance in the next game.”
Not only did Walters addressMass Effect: Andromeda’s story aspects and the necessity for fans to hold on to their save files, but also the creative director touched on other details, such as the PC version’s native controller support and confirmation that there will not be any day-to-night planetary cycles. However, Walters did say that there will be some “different states” that can impact thegameplay in action.
Furthermore,Mass Effect: Andromedais set to contain occasional allusions and references to the original trilogy, but overall, Walters insists that the forthcoming title will be a complete divergence fromCommander Shepard’s tale. Much to fans' discontent, though, the creative director didn’t reveal any information in relation to how Quarians and otheralien raceswill be worked into the narrative, as BioWare remains relatively quiet about the subject.
Bearing all of this in mind, it seems as if BioWare is doing all it can to polishMass Effect: Andromedato the best of its abilities to not only have the game be a unique standalone experience, but also an homage to what made the series so great in the first place. With that being the case, here’s to hoping thatAndromedawill be able to give fans a science fiction adventure that only BioWare can deliver.
Mass Effect: Andromedais set to launch sometime in the first quarter of 2017 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
