One of my favourite films franchises – both as a kid in small town New Zealand, and today as an adult – is Star Wars. There has always been a stigma around Science-Fiction; that it only interests nerds or geeks or social outcasts. As a kid, I was never the most popular or most liked kid, but I was always the most passionate. Something in Star Wars spoke to me then, and still speaks to me now: The story of an unlikely hero, battling an oppressive force, for the betterment of all. Times have changed, and that stigma I mentioned is disappearing, but I think that what those fans of science fiction, and specifically Star Wars, can see better than most, is that the films that George Lucas first created had a purpose beyond just entertainment. The narrative that was started back in 1977 and continues to this day has an underlying moral framework which transcends film, and its inclusion has not only produced a successful franchise, but a way of living as well.
Anyone who has played games on consoles (and especially the Xbox) over the last ten years will have fond memories of Mass Effect, Bioware’s critically acclaimed sci-fi action RPG. It’s expansive story, exciting combat and focus of choice have made it a favourite among gamers who have traditionally taken on the role of galaxy-saving protagonist, Commander Shepard.
This Month, EA published the fourth entry in the series – titled Mass Effect: Andromeda – which takes place hundreds of years after the original trilogy and introduces a new cast of characters. Launching on the Xbox One, PS4 and PC, it promised to be a fresh start to the franchise, with a new engine, a new studio, and a new galaxy to explore.
If you follow the world of gaming at all, you’ll know that despite the goodwill carried over from the three previous titles, Andromeda has experienced a rocky launch, and has become one of Bioware’s most polarizing works to date.
Continue reading “On Mass Effect: Andromeda being Terrible, and Why you should care.”
Hey, Steve Here. 