# Mass Effect: Andromeda

8 Hacker News commenters recommended Mass Effect: Andromeda and 10 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 1 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended for its gunplay, exploration and classic Mass Effect feel, though critics agree the story and characters are weak.

## Why people recommend it

- Strong exploration, like the first game (2 comments): "I liked the fresh reset because it was good excuse to get back to the "Exploration" roots of Mass Effect 1" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50189806)) "I thought it most captured the "Exploration" side of Mass Effect better than any but the first one" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50189607))

## What people warn about

- Poor reputation, unpopular with fans (3 comments): "unpopular with fans but found a fairly solid cult following" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50189427)) "it can't be as bad as Andromeda, right?" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50187053)) "Don't forget ME:Andromeda (2017)." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50185677))
- Clichéd, weak story and plot (2 comments): "graphically more polished though the storyline lacks the impact of the first trilogy" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50190122)) "it was stuck in classing BioWare cliches with companions loyalty quests and romances, the main character being weird chosen one, the main plot was dumb" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50186865))
- Characters fail to engage players (2 comments): "Mechanically it was solid but I just… didn’t care." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50185823)) "The combat as I said was the most interesting iteration. I loved the gun play, I just didn't give a fuck about the characters." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50189493))
- Did not live up to expectations (2 comments): "could not live up to the expectations" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50186035)) "it didn't inspire any enthusiasm" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50186230))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Elden Ring](https://hackerapproved.com/p/elden-ring.md): 25 recommend
- [Dark Souls](https://hackerapproved.com/p/dark-souls.md): 23 recommend
- [Diablo II: Resurrected](https://hackerapproved.com/p/diablo-2.md): 19 recommend
- [Mass Effect](https://hackerapproved.com/p/mass-effect.md): 19 recommend
- [Path of Exile](https://hackerapproved.com/p/path-of-exile.md): 15 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Mass Effect: Andromeda", https://hackerapproved.com/p/mass-effect-andromeda/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).