Mass Effect Andromeda release date: Here’s what to expect from BioWare’s space epic this March

11. How do conversations work in Mass Effect: Andromeda?

In Mass Effect: Andromeda BioWare has, essentially, kept the same core conversation system as used previously, albeit with a few tweaks. Now you have more control over the flow of a conversation, allowing you to interrupt characters and change the course of conversations as they happen – rather than simply exhausting all conversation options before moving on.

12. What’s Mass Effect: Andromeda actually about?

Good question – we still don’t really know. So far all we’re aware of in regards to Mass Effect: Andromeda’s story is that humanity is in search of a new home as it avoids the oncoming Reaper onslaught. As part of that, it – and a few other Milky Way races – band together and head on out on an intergalactic mission to the Andromeda Galaxy.

It’s here that they find resistance from an alien society known as the Khet and its Remnant fighters. Remnants could be perceived as a hostile force if it wasn’t for the fact that humanity is actually the invading alien force in this situation. It’s the moral grey zone that BioWare loves to leave players in and may make some American audiences re-think just how amicable the likes of Thanksgiving is…

Here’s what BioWare has to say about Mass Effect: Andromeda’s story:

“Mass Effect: Andromeda takes players to the Andromeda galaxy, far beyond the Milky Way. There, players will lead our fight for a new home in hostile territory as the Pathfinder – a leader of military-trained explorers. This is the story of humanity’s next chapter, and player choices throughout the game will ultimately determine our survival.”

13. How big is Mass Effect: Andromeda?

In terms of sheer gameplay time, expect it to last hundreds of hours as any Mass Effect game should. BioWare hasn’t provided a number for how many explorable planets and sidequests there are, but we do know that even though the Helios Cluster – where Andromeda is set – is only a tiny segment of the whole galaxy, it’s packed with star systems to jump between.

14. What’s this about settlements and resource gathering?

Outside of combat, BioWare has expanded Andromeda’s exploration mechanics to allow for the creation of settlements.

Settlement building seems to work in a similar fashion to traditional real-time strategy games, suggesting recon settlements open up new planetary landing points, while mining settlements provide your ship with resources to help expand your colonisation efforts.

This settlement building links in somewhat neatly into Andromeda’s multiplayer “Strike Team” mode. It’s unclear exactly how it will do that, mind, but we’ll update you when we know more.

15. How does Mass Effect: Andromeda’s multiplayer work?

Mass Effect’s multiplayer mode comes back in Andromeda, although this time around, things are a little bit different.

The main meat of Andromeda’s multiplayer is still unknown. We’ve seen “Horde” mode slip out, detailed as a battle where you and three others work together to take on enemy troops, each wave becoming increasingly difficult as new objectives are dished out. It’s also a way to gain XP and open up new multiplayer-specific weapons, character skins and equipments.

There’s also going to be something called Active Strike Team missions where you can form up with friends and defend one of your single-player settlements. Each Strike Team mission comes with a core objective and difficulty scales depending on how many people you have helping you out.

Both modes, and any others BioWare cares to unveil, all utilise what appears to be an in-game currency known as APEX. It’s not clear what this is going to be used for, but presumably it’s for character customisation and XP boosts rather than power-ups or anything that’ll tip the balance in your favour.

Details around a Mass Effect: Andromeda multiplayer beta have also not yet been revealed. With time closing in between now and Andromeda’s 21 March launch, BioWare should be making an announcement about it soon.