New Mass Effect: Andromeda Cinematic Trailer and Briefing Show Villain and Squadmates

EA and BioWare released another pair of videos for Mass Effect: Andromeda today, one being a “briefing” similar to the one posted two weeks ago, and the other a new cinematic trailer that offers a better look at the game’s story setup and apparent villain.

The trailer provides brief glimpses of two new alien races, one looking to be some kind of law enforcement agent or soldier, and the other being the antagonist, who appears to be one of the newly revealed Kett. The audio of his voice isn’t crystal clear, but it sounds like he introduces himself as the “Archon.” The first video also gave us a longer peek at protagonist Ryder’s diverse group of squadmates: a female Turian, the already much-introduced Asari PeeBee, Salarian Tempest pilot Kallo Jath, human companions Cora and Liam, and the Krogan Drack.

The briefing, put online shortly after the trailer, took more time to introduce Cora, Liam, the ship’s AI, “S.A.M.,” and the Ryders, including the twins’ father. Alec Ryder serves as the Hyperion’s Pathfinder at the start of the game, presumably before one of his children (whichever the player picks to play as) takes over for him. Cora, who narrates the briefing, reveals herself to be a biotic who served with Asari commandos, while Liam is described as specializing in “crisis response” and is the team’s “idealist.” Each member has a neural implant linked to S.A.M., allowing them a tactical and communicative advantage in the field.

EA and BioWare have been teasing out more and more info about their new sci-fi RPG lately, having just released a trailer during CES, a quick video briefing on the game’s vehicles, and a host of other details via Twitter on more than one occasion.

For the newest batch of reveals, check out the trailers above and below. Mass Effect: Andromeda will be out for Xbox One, PS4 and PC on March 21 in North America and on March 23 worldwide.