'Mass Effect: Andromeda' release date, news: Game will not feature traditional 'Mass Effect' character classes

A promotional image for "Mass Effect: Andromeda" Bioware / EA

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" is already shaping up to be a very different game compared to its predecessors while still possessing similar elements. The developers at Bioware have now released even more details, showcasing how the game ditches the traditional character classes from the original three games.

Speaking to Game Informer (via Games Radar), the developers stated that players can now freely raise the aspects of their character in any way they want. This means players can focus entirely on traditional soldier fighting mechanics, biotics, or tech, or focus on a combination of these aspects.

Later on, the game will unlock specific bonuses catered towards the playstyle that the player had been focusing on. This would indicate that a player focusing on tech would unlock a bonus that grants tech upgrades. Focusing on all three would unlock a bonus that makes the player a jack-of-all-trades.

Games Radar explains that this means the player can freely customize their character and then dive into a "class" that they themselves have unlocked. The developers have also stated that there will be seven bonuses unlockable in total. To ensure players can experience all of them, there will be a plot point in the game that allows gamers to tweak their character.

It is further stated that the game will focus on the story of all the Ryder characters. The playable characters focus on the son and daughter of Alec Ryder but gamers can only choose to play as one at a time. However, while the player will get to experience the adventure through one of the three Ryders, the game will present the events focusing on the other two.

The game will also alter its approach to the Paragon/Renegade moral system, and now, party members can no longer die. By doing so, the game will feature a more dynamic approach in fleshing out the relationship the chosen Ryder has with their companions and the worlds they explore.

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" is scheduled to be released in spring 2017.

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