Mass Effect Andromeda trailer, news and UK release date: Watch Mass Effect’s pre-launch trailer

Mass Effect: Andromeda’s release date is on the horizon, and Bioware are squeezing the hype-lemon for all its worth with a new, pre-launch trailer.

From the looks of it, something nasty happens during the opening hours to the Andromeda Initiative – which is supposed to carry colonists from the Milky Way to a new galaxy.

“The entire Initiative is at risk,” one character explains, “none of the Golden Worlds panned out.” Cue drama, and spaceships, and explosions, and a Korgan saying “Nice work kid,” and post-coital cuddles, and a baddie that looks like a bottle opener.

But what does it all mean? We’ll find out on 21 March.

Mass Effect: Andromeda – everything you need to know

1. Mass Effect: Andromeda release date is 21 March

Initially slated for a 2016 launch, back when the world seemed far more optimistic, BioWare pushed Mass Effect: Andromeda to “early 2017”. At the start of 2017, we were finally given a release date of 21 March 2017. Not long to go now….

2. Mass Effect: Andromeda has three editions, one with a car

Alongside the standard edition of Mass Effect: Andromeda – which is £50 at Game – you can also pick up a Collector’s Edition consisting of a remote-control Nomad ND1 buggy and a limited-edition SteelBook case. Doing so will set you back £250, but there is a cheaper set at £55 that comes with a die-cast mini version of the Nomad ND1. Both these editions are exclusive to Game.

There are also digital versions of Mass Effect: Andromeda coming in the form of the “Deluxe” and “Super Deluxe” editions. Deluxe comes with the Deep Space Explorer Armor, Nomad Skin and the Multiplayer Booster Pack that can be obtained through pre-ordering the standard digital edition. You’ll also get the Pathfinder Casual Outfit, Scavenger Armor, Pathfinder Elite Weapon Set, Pet Pyjak, Digital Soundtrack and Multiplayer Deluxe Launch Pack.

The Super Deluxe edition contains absolutely everything found in the “Deluxe” edition, plus “exclusive Multiplayer Super Deluxe Booster Packs”. You’ll pay £70 for the privilege of owning the Super Deluxe edition, whereas the “Deluxe” edition will cost £55.

3. Mass Effect: Andromeda has no season pass

EA has recently started to abandon season passes, and EA and BioWare have announced that Mass Effect: Andromeda will be ditching the model too. Don’t take that to mean it won’t have any DLC – far from it – but it’s clear this model just wasn’t working out well for the team. It’s likely that most DLC for Mass Effect: Andromeda will focus on multiplayer rather than story, suggesting that BioWare didn’t believe a season pass was fair on those who don’t indulge in multiplayer.

4. These are Mass Effect: Andromeda’s PC specifications

Planning to play Mass Effect: Andromeda on your PC but unsure what the specifications are? EA has already listed them on Origin, although doesn’t seem to have promoted this fact – potentially because Andromeda needs a whopping 55GB of free drive space to run.

5. Mass Effect: Andromeda’s five weapon types come in three classes

Having started out as an out-and-out space RPG, Mass Effect has slowly moved into the action shooter space, and Andromeda pushes this even further. This time around you’ll have five weapon types to choose from – melee, pistols, shotguns, assault rifles and sniper rifles – each of which fall into one of three classes – Milky Way, Remnant and Helios.

As the name suggests, Milky Way weapons are not from the Andromeda galaxy and consist of traditional ballistic weaponry. Remnant weapons belong to Andromeda’s main antagonists and are highly accurate, rapid-fire energy weapons with a tendency to overheat. Finally, Helios weapons appear to be plasma-based guns with heat-seeking qualities that can be charged for massive damage.