"Mass Effect: Andromeda" is going to bring back several key features from the original trilogy while adding new mechanics. The developers at BioWare have now confirmed that the game will expand on side missions and how they are dealt with in the new game.
Speaking to Game Informer magazine (via IGN), BioWare confirmed there would be at least six types of side missions in "Mass Effect: Andromeda." One of these is the Loyalty Mission, a returning mission from "Mass Effect 2." These side missions will focus on relationship building and will let the player learn more about their allies.
There will also be numerous biohazard obstacles found in the numerous planets that can be explored. Using the Nomad will become a necessity to fully explore these locations. For this reason, BioWare refined the Nomad and ensured that controlling it would be a far better experience compared to how the Mako was controlled in the first title.
Another big part of the game will be discovering drop zones for forward-stations. These drop zones will establish fast travel spots on the map and will reveal main points of interest.
Each planet has a different set of enemy bases, and another type of side mission is to find and destroy these bases. Each base has an "epic but optional" boss battle waiting for players to encounter. Another detailed side mission involves scanning items and locations.
The report states that the mechanics of scanning and capturing enemy bases is somewhat similar to the camp mechanics in "Dragon Age: Inquisition," another game developed by BioWare.
It is further explained that the game features non-linear cities and hub centrals, guaranteeing that players can freely explore and discover all sorts of different missions and lore. This will be very different compared to the first three games in which certain NPCs and quests were found in linear spots on the map instead of being dynamic to the player's actions.
"Mass Effect: Andromeda" is scheduled to roll out in 2017.
