Mass Effect Andromeda's writing is not acceptable

Mass Effect Andromeda may get several things right, its writing however is unfortunately not one of them. Oliver Rebbeck at GoombaStomp runs through several of the major problems with the games writing and characterisation.

[SaveFerris]

Drew Karpyshyn was probably the best writer at Bioware. But it will be interesting if Bioware and EA decide to make another Mass Effect game with Mac Walters as the lead writer.

[Wakingup]

Drew is definitely a good writer with a strong voice, something very much lacking in Andromeda.

[joab777]

I'm not arguing that this is the best writing out there, but it hasn't been that bad. We have to remember that the last 2 games had the luxury of not having to introduce anything. I was told by reviewers that there is no backstory for characters but there's a ton, even for random npcs. I was told that characters were boring and uninspired but I love a few of them. And the other games had vanilla characters also. Plus I like the banter, the recognition of the world and events taking place around them, like, "I wish we never came back here again."

Also, I prefer this dialogue system to arbitrary renegade/paragon options. It pulled you from the immersion. You can still choose you character.

All in all it's not perfect, but I love rpgs so i am actually enjoying this game more than any ME since 1.

[dohji]

I completely agree.

[Chaosdreams]

Can't argue with this. Well said. I was worried for a bit that it was sheer anger but the points are well rounded. Good read.

[InTheZoneAC]

Hire Halo 4 lead writer! EA/Bioware are beyond stupid. Now bungie hired the same guy to fix their storytelling, LMFAO!

[Paytaa]

The Halo 4 writer left in the middle of production for Andromeda.

Plus, Halo 4 had a good story.

[Rachel_Alucard]

>Halo 4 had a good story

I'll take things you can only say ironically for 300 Alex.

[Paytaa]

The story was good. Level design and the Prometheans in general were the main faults of the campaign imo.

Halo 5 on the other hand...

[Dark_Knightmare2]

Almost every complaint about the writing was from the beginning of the game where it does seem a little rough but it does improve a lot after that. the comedy might not land at all times but damn if I wasn't laughing out loud on Liam's loyalty mission or some of the ambient conversation between Jaal and the crew on the tempest or out and about in the nomad. My favorite part of the game so far is def kadara it has some of the best written sidequests and characters in the game and can easily hold its own with anything from the og trilogy

[Wakingup]

I've played thirty hours so my complaints definitely don't only apply to the beginning. As I said Liam's loyalty mission is the standout in the game, it's the one spot where I found the comedy felt natural and relaxed. Spot on about Kadara, both Sloane and Reyes stand out as interesting characters and that story arch was great.

[sabersmen]

Hmm. Me personally, I really enjoyed MEA. I'm not finished with it yet, but it's definitely going to be a game that I'll play multiple playthroughs. :P

[Derceto]

"Mass Effect Andromeda is not acceptable"

There ya go.

[DeathtoOtakuDJ]

Writing a side, I miss how cutscenes/ character interaction is done. The camera sort of zooms on to the people talking, but isn't too close or too far away from the centre of focus. Also, when you move your character around the camera pulls back a bit too much.