Rework: Mass Effect Andromeda - Part 1

Hello there fans, both new and old. 

This is Gabe signing in to take a swing at a dead horse. I've made no secret about my feelings for the Mass Effect series- in fact, I've uploaded about a dozen episodes to our YouTube channel to that effect. Today isn't going to be all that different. As a writer, I've always looked to other works in various mediums in order to refine my own sensibilities, taste, and style. The original Mass Effect Trilogy, Firefly, Star Wars, and Star Trek (among others) all helped cement my desire to step into the science fiction genre.  

So, like the title says, I'm gonna tear Mass Effect Andromeda up, pick apart the pieces, shuffle them around, insert some possibilities, and see what happens. For science! As a disclaimer, I've played Andromeda twice to completion (Boy Ryder and Girl Ryder/ Pre-patch and Post-patch!) and dabbled in the multiplayer. It's not a bad game, more like an unlucky one that barely represents the best parts of it's source material. Let's get started. 

Premise - A New Hope

Can we fix it?! We can certainly try.

I'll be honest, I've never been a fan leaving to Andromeda. I think the idea is contrived and reeks of a clear reluctance to own up to past failures. That thought offends me more than making one of ME3's endings canon.

To start, I've thought up a premise that could work in Andromeda as well as a secluded section of the Milky Way galaxy (because according to the original codex, only 1% of it was actually explored by modern civilizations. Why we needed to travel such absurd distances, never before possible, in order to feel like explorers is beyond me).

Several centuries after ME3, the galaxy has rebuilt but is a shadow of its former self. Most species lost faith in the old governments and are in the middle of reforming or replacing the old ways of life (not without resistance).They're surviving but not thriving, not many efforts are being made towards grandiose or ambitious advancements. It's a legitimate problem in a society that had boogeymen in their closets for millions of years. And even if the Reapers had been kept in your ending, their technology is difficult to compete with. 

The Geth (Legion) made an astute observation in ME2 that was quickly tossed aside with the kitchen sink in the sequel: following the technological paths of others can blind you to possible alternatives. 

But that aside, in this scenario, species are either unable to thrive again due to resources or too busy trying to restore what once was. Galaxy morale is low with many hurting for change.

In rides the Initiative with Jien Garson (the face of the current Initiative in the game)! Instead of being a private venture, Garson would be coming to the current version of the Citadel Council to propose her idea of colonizing new clusters, star systems, and worlds locked behind dormant relays. The Initiative would serve to inspire and revitalize a disheartened galaxy (there's an obvious meta-meaning to this purpose as well. But Andromeda already has this in spades.).

The Council is appropriately apprehensive (politicians are written pretty poorly in the series overall) as they don't want a potential sovereign power inhabiting unknown territory and kicking some new hornet nest. And the Initiative is openly recruiting so they're not too picky about people (similar to American colonialism where prisoners/convicts were brought on voyages for lack of volunteers).

That's where the mysterious benefactor steps in. This entity already exists in the game as is, but here it'll be serving as a strong and present background element. Upon hearing of the Initiative's stronger backing, the Citadel requests to assign a liaison to monitor events and report back. I have a larger role for the benefactor to play but let's leave at this for now.

Who could it be?!

*Side Note: Cryo sleep is now only necessary for long term housing purposes. The choosing who to unfreeze in Andromeda is genuinely a complex problem. It's just a shame that it's not a bigger story issue or better woven into game mechanics.                              

Now, let's turn to what most Bioware games are known for; the characters. On the next part that is!

- Gabriel A. Franco
Writer, Gamer, and Proud member of Huffle N' Stuff.