Review: Mass Effect Andromeda

Mass Effect Andromeda

I have a lot of thoughts about this game. First, off it should be clear that the Ryders are not the Shepherds. The twins are less experienced and less well known. They aren't coming into the game already defined as a hero or a villain. As such Bioware allows you the player to define who the character is in a way we never could with Femshep or Manshep... This is not necessarily a bad thing because in many ways we came into the original Mass Effect Trilogy already knowing our Shepherds. In contrast with Andromeda, and any future games in the MEAverse Bioware is allowing us more agency in choosing who our Ryder will be.. they will grow in the series as will we. 

I think that in terms of gameplay MEA is a combination of the best of all three of the games in the first trilogy. Much as in ME2 you can choose to play the game as a straight on story based RPG, a FPS, or a combination of both. You can also play on any difficulty ranging from very easy to nightmare difficulty. The game has 55 achievements ranging from achievements for story mode to multiplayer achievmenets. 

While there were some issues and glitches with the game such as bugged tasks (Angaran Lieutenant Training Quest, Lost Scientists), and shoddy facial animations overall it was a good game. It was by no means the ME that I'm used to and it will take some time for me to get used to Ryder rather than Shepherd but, I feel that over time (granted that Bioware doesn't follow the pattern of Dragon Age II and ditch Andromeda) Ryder is a character I will grow to love.

This is like any game in a new series that is part of a larger series in that some fans will take issue with it not being "their Mass Effect" but I tend to take games at face value and accept them for what they are not what I think they should be.. I get that the games designers who sure as hell know more than me about game design have some kind of vision in mind for these characters as hinted at in the final Victory Party Scene after defeating the main villain in the game... I am going to wait to judge this new ME series until I see where they are taking it in games 2+++  but overall the experience left me satisfied in a way only a Bioware game can.

Fallout Shelter Diary #1

Vault 64 News : June 26, 2097

In today's news we've had 17 days straight of feral ghoul attacks. As Overseer I've asked our scouts currently out in the Wasteland to seek out whatever nest these ferals are coming from and then destroy it since these attacks are putting a strain on supplies. 

In other news we would like to welcome Stephanie Wood, Stephen Foster, and Susan Scott. The newest babies to be born in our vault bringing our resident count up to 58. 

On Tuesday we will be holding a vote on whether to build a Theme Workshop. This will allow Residents interested in interior design to develop their talents in the areas of carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and of course it will allow us to brighten up the vault since we have currently been in operation since October 23, 2077 and have yet to undergo any renovations.

We are also asking for opinions on the possibility of adding a hydroponic garden and a hair salon. These will be costly efforts and will require large crews of Residents to go out scavenging for materials in the Wasteland for salvage and caps.

An intramural baseball game will be held in the field outside the Vault between the Vault 64 Gamer Guards and Vault 333 Perilous Plotters on Tuesday night. The winners will receive a Nuka and Radroach Pizza Party for the entire team. 

There will be a ballet recital from Miss Asheley's School of Song and Dance on Wednesday.

Finally, congratulations to the latest batch of Vault Tec youth to pass their GOAT Exams. We are currently looking for new employees in all areas of the vault including Facilities, the Dining Commons, The Quartermasters Division, and WVTC Radio Station.