Mass Effect Andromeda: a mixed reception and EA’s blame

Mass Effect Andromeda, developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts (EA), was released in 2017 as the follow-up to the beloved Mass Effect trilogy. The game introduced a new protagonist, Ryder, and a new cast of companions, aiming to continue the saga that Commander Shepard and the Normandy crew had brought to a close. Despite fans’ high expectations, the response to the game was disappointing, with mixed reviews that fell short of the standards set by the earlier entries.

Development and challenges

Development on Mass Effect Andromeda was led by BioWare Montreal, while the Edmonton studio focused on Anthem. This dual-development setup created a number of challenges, especially as the Montreal team struggled with the Frostbite engine, which was mandated by EA. The earlier Mass Effect games had used Unreal Engine, which may have made development easier.

During Andromeda’s development, the team spent a long time experimenting with procedurally generated planets. That approach was eventually abandoned, and much of the game’s content was produced in the final two years of the development cycle. As a result, the game arrived in an unfinished state, leading to further criticism of its gameplay and story.

Critical and commercial reception

When Mass Effect Andromeda launched in March 2017, critics and players had mixed reactions. While the game was not panned outright, it also failed to meet the high bar set by the original trilogy. Tom Taylorson, the voice actor behind Ryder, later said the game got a “bum rap” and argued that much of the blame lay with EA, which expected too much from the project.

According to Taylorson, Andromeda was forced out too early and the team was not properly prepared for the challenges of the Frostbite engine. That had a negative impact on the game’s story and presentation. The release also landed in a “toxic” online environment, where the game was quickly singled out for its shortcomings.

The legacy of Mass Effect Andromeda

Despite its mixed reception, Mass Effect Andromeda has earned a place in the hearts of some players, who appreciated the game for what it did well. Taylorson noted that there has been a renewed appreciation among fans for the game and its characters, especially for those who found support in it during difficult times.

Although EA ultimately put the franchise on the back burner and did not pursue a sequel to Andromeda, BioWare is now working on Mass Effect 5, with some Andromeda elements potentially set to return in the new story.