Mass Effect: Andromeda is finally due to touch down this month, and boy are we excited.

We've waited patiently for nearly four years for another Mass Effect game. It might not be the follow-up to Mass Effect 3, but we're still highly anticipating a new arc to the Mass Effect storyline.

Shepard's came to a close with Mass Effect 3 - whether you liked the ending or not - and now it's time for a new hero, or pair of heroes, to shine.

The Ryder twins now sit at the helm of an all-new game, in an all-new galaxy. Some of the footage released by BioWare looks familiar, but it seems the developer is also trying to re-introduce some long-lost complexity into its action-RPG franchise.

With the game only one week away, the launch trailer has finally landed.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Mass Effect Andromeda release date: When's it coming out?

The synchronised worldwide release has become a standard affair, which is why it's surprising to see the UK and US receive separate release dates for Mass Effect: Andromeda.

America will get their first taste of the new galaxy on March 21, whilst excited space-cadets in the UK must suffer for 48 hours and wait till March 23.

What's the deal BioWare?

Mass Effect Andromeda release date: how much will it cost?

Andromeda is releasing simultaneously on PC, Xbox One, and PS4. Pre-orders are priced as the following on Origin, the Xbox Store, and PS Store.

PC - Standard Edition £49.99, Deluxe Edition £54.99, Super-Deluxe Edition £69.99

PS4 - Standard Edition £54.99, Deluxe Edition £64.99, Super Deluxe Edition £79.99

Xbox One - Standard Edition £54.99, Deluxe Edition £69.99. Super Deluxe Edition £89.99 (who are you kidding with this Microsoft?)

These prices have all been undercut by Amazon in the UK, where the standard PC edition costs just £39.99.

Mass Effect Andromeda news: What's happened so far?

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

There's been a bit of a shake-up in the Mass Effect Andromeda camp of late, with two major departures from the development team.

First, BioWare lost Chris Wynn, the senior developer director on Mass Effect Andromeda. But then, the company also lost David Gaider, the man who helped build the entire Dragon Age series.

More recently, the lead writer on Mass Effect Andromeda, Chris Schlerf, revealed on Twitter that he was leaving his position at BioWare to go work for Bungie.

We're hoping that Schlerf's departure was simply because his work on Andromeda is complete, rather than there being any kind of issue.

The storylines in BioWare games have always been top notch, so we're hoping that Mass Effect Andromeda will be more of the same great content.

Post-N7 Day we've got a much clearer idea of what the game looks like and all the signs are, so far, encouraging.

Mass Effect Andromeda story: the Ryders and a new home

BioWare has confirmed that it's done with Shepard, it's time to move on. But, without him/her, whose story is being told in Andromeda?

You play the "Pathfinder". The different races of the Mass Effect galaxy travel to Andromeda aboard vessels known as Arks. Each one is lead by a Pathfinder, including Earth's which is headed up by your character. This is either Scott or Sara Ryder, depending on which sex you choose.

Your sibling will be travelling Andromeda with you, whichever one you decide upon, but won't be joining you in combat.

Unlike Shepherd, the Ryders are inexperienced and fresh, the responsibility of their new role is a recent development.

Earth's Ark, the Hyperion, is separated from the other races and gets into serious trouble when it arrives at the wrong location.

Mass Effect Andromeda setting: an unknown galaxy

The Andromeda galaxy is made up of approximately a trillion stars and is around 2.5 million lightyears from our own. It's a brand-new, hostile setting filled with races we've never seen before and unknown threats.

There will be a bigger focus on exploration in Andromeda than previous games. Planetary environments are many times bigger than before, and allow for open-world exploration in a way the original trilogy never allowed.

Transitions between the planets, and from the ship to the surface, are designed to be more fluid than ever and not broken up by loading screens. Apparently we'll also be exploring planets from their surface all the way down to their belly.

It seems building settlements or outposts will be a major part of gameplay too - perhaps even becoming the locations for multiplayer matches.

However, it seems the Pathfinder won't be travelling around on foot. Although we're hearing that our fancy new ship will be called The Tempest, we're also being reunited with an old friend - the Mako.

This super-powered moon buggy from the original Mass Effect is making a comeback in an evolved form. Hopefully it won't be as irritating to move as it was back then.

"We're shooting for a lot more diversity in terms of the planet types, in terms of the types of experiences you can have on these worlds," said BioWare's Mike Gamble during a livestream. "The Mako is important to us, and how we represent the Mako and that exploration experience."

Mass Effect Andromeda combat: what do fights look like now?

In a word: bouncy!

The game is still a cover-based shooter, but BioWare are aiming to make players more mobile and shifting position through each skirmish more than previous games. The jetpack is key here, it features a forward dash and a 'hover' function which allows you to prey on enemies seeking cover behind objects.

Global cooldowns have also been replaced by individual timers.

It's still possible to queue up orders for your squad and then watch the resulting decisions play out.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Customisation of armour from head to toe is far deeper than in the previous games.

The class system has gone the way of the dodo. Players can now select from any of the abilities which were divided among biotics, techs, or soliders. The same is true of weapons, which are accessible to all. This should allow players to experiment in the early stages rather than making a single choice which defines the rest of their playthrough.

However, specialisms are available later in the game which provide bonuses for your particular skillset or playstyle.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

It's possible to respec your abilities throughout the game allowing players to redefine their character's abilities without having to start a new game. There is narrative justification for the option.

New melee weapons including swords and hammers will also be included.

Players will be able to group these abilities into quickfire groups which are easily cycled through. "Long range biotics" and "up-close tech" are the kind of groups that will probably work well, but players are free to mix and match as they please.

Mass Effect Andromeda multiplayer: how will players team up?

On this particular aspect of Andromeda BioWare has been worryingly tight-lipped.

Add to that the recent cancellation of the multiplayer beta and we've become slightly concerned that the feature might be disabled at launch.

Regardless, what we know of Andromeda's multiplayer is sparing. Players will be able to seamlessly move between single and multiplayer through the menus, and money earned through the multiplayer elements can be used in the single player campaign, but other than that, we're in the dark.

BioWare won't be employing dedicated servers for the task, but games will use peer-to-peer hosting to connect and sync.

Mass Effect Andromeda characters: Who else is going to be in it?

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The principle antagonists of Andromeda are called the "Kett".

Squadmates include "Peebee", an Asari with little concern for social norms and Liam, a human ex-cop who adds levity to the game.

A leaked survey also mentioned a biotics user called Cora and a Krogan named Drack.

A female turian (yes, they exist!) called Vetra will also be a potential companion

Squadmates have more lines than ever before. The squaddie with the least number of lines in Andromeda still has more lines than the most verbose of ME3.

The voice acting talent is of the usual caliber we've come to expect from BioWare. Nathalie Dormer was recently announced as the voice of the ship's doctor, Lexi T'Perro.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Mass Effect Andromeda gameplay: What will you be doing?

There will be more relationships available in the game than ever before! More alien sex etc etc

Planets are more open and less linear than they once were and generally contain at least one major base as well as super monsters. Many of the super monsters are too tough to beat at early levels, encouraging players to return later.

There are more environmental obstacles than ever, (like giant acid pools) that can all kill you.

Everything we've heard about Andromeda from BioWare sounds like it's going to use the same formula as the original trilogy in terms of gameplay mechanics. There will be the classic three focus points of weapons, technology and biotics as there were before. Plus, it'll be more like the first game than the cover-based action of Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3.

When not shooting, or ground slamming your way through a fight, the usual role-playing elements apply: decision making. In this regard we only know a little, but we can tell you that the Paragon / Renegade system has been ditched and tones for dialogue choices are now "heart, head, professional and casual."

Mass Effect Andromeda media: show me all the trailers!

BioWare has now dropped a litany of trailers for Andromeda. We've gathered the remainder not featured in the sections above for a little N7 binge.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io