Fans of BioWare's space opera Mass Effect surely know today is the studio's official holiday that celebrates their trilogy and forthcoming newest title, Mass Effect: Andromeda. With the latest game just months away from its due date, today shaped up to be one of the more rewarding N7 holidays since the devs and fans alike began recognizing November 7th as their special day.
Game Informer has been granted the exclusive reveal of a wealth of information. Andromeda is their cover story for the December issue of the magazine, which means the next several weeks will pile on more and more news out of GI. That should excite the millions of Mass Effect fans due to BioWare's surprisingly quiet attitude toward the game since it was announced last year at E3.
At the forefront of the N7 Day gifts comes this new cinematic trailer. Story and character hints can be seen and heard throughout, though it doesn't appear as though any gameplay was shown just yet.
Piggy-backing on the trailer are two more exclusives from Game Informer: the cast of voice actors for the central protagonists, the Ryder family, as well as the return of a fan favorite gameplay element — loyalty missions.
Mass Effect: Andromeda offers players the choice between Scott and Sara Ryder, twins whom players can customize cosmetically, but apparently not by name. Both characters are integral to the story, so choosing one just means the other becomes an important NPC, not a non-factor. Their father Alec, voiced by none other than Mr. Krabs himself, is the "Pathfinder" responsible for moving humankind to a new habitable and Reaper-free planet. If the trailer is any indication, it looks like the Ryders will traverse this galaxy and beyond via their ship the Hyperion, though currently that's just an assumption.
It's like a Thresher Maw meets HG Wells' aliens meets your nightmare.
The BioWare store also reveals the inclusion of multiplayer for the game, but doesn't go into much detail regarding how it will play. It's merely referenced within the perks of buying certain editions of the game. Surely, we'll hear much more about the return of online play soon. If you've already heard enough and want to secure your copy of the game, special editions have been fully detailed.
Deluxe Edition - $79.99
Snag the Mass Effect: Andromeda Deluxe Edition today and be prepared for whatever comes your way with multiple additional armor and outfit sets, an elite weapons set, and a new vehicle skin for the Nomad. Plus, receive Multiplayer Booster and Deluxe Launch Packs, ME:A’s digital soundtrack and even a pet space-monkey to hang out with on your ship.
Super Deluxe Edition - $99.99
Mass Effect Andromeda’s Super Deluxe Edition sets you up with all the incredible extra gear and additional benefits of the Deluxe Edition, but piles on even more Multiplayer Booster Packs. Dominate your co-op play with a Premium Pack coming your way every week, for 20 weeks.
For the thickest wallets, there are two versions of the Collector's Edition, too. One comes with a diecast model of the Nomad land vehicle that will be featured in the game, while the other comes with a fully functional RC version of the same vehicle.
NOMAD Diecast Model Collector's Edition - $99.99
Explore the Andromeda Galaxy with the Mass Effect™: Andromeda Collector’s Edition NOMAD ND1, a highly detailed replica vehicle, perfect for fans of the beloved franchise. Featuring a sturdy diecast metal body and a fully detailed interior with doors that open and close to reveal an illuminated control panel, you’ll get an accurate 1:18 scale reproduction of the NOMAD ND1 presented in Mass Effect™: Andromeda. The pop-up drone adds to the authenticity and the included limited edition SteelBook® case takes this replica to the next level.
NOMAD RC Collector's Edition - $199.99
As an explorer of uncharted worlds, take control of your own officially licensed Collector’s Edition NOMAD ND1 with this accurate 1:18 remote controllable vehicle featured in Mass Effect™: Andromeda. This highly detailed 1:18 scale RC vehicle features 6 wheel drive with front and rear steering, is app enabled (available on both iOS and Android devices), and includes a limited edition SteelBook® case. Switch your vehicle’s lights on and off and snap photos or record videos while on-the-go with the integrated camera, all through the downloadable app! The built-in rechargeable battery with included USB charge cable ensures that you’ll never run out of power while you’re navigating the Andromeda Galaxy.
Both of those editions are again available via the game's official website, though take note - they do not come with the game, so you'll need to tack another $60 on top of that. For more on the series, check out today's editorial comparing Mass Effect to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Also, don't miss the news that the whole original trilogy is now backwards compatible. Mass Effect: Andromeda has seen its release day pushed back in the past, but as of now it's still on track for a spring 2017 release.
We've got the full list of Mass Effect: Andromeda achievements - check the list for guides to unlocking them.