The Andromeda Initiative--The Pathfinder

Sometime this week part four in the Andromeda Initiative was released and introduced us to some of the crew members who will play a role in the upcoming Mass Effect:  Andromeda.  While it's been great to learn details about the galaxy, the vehicles, and a little backstory, I've been anxious to learn about the new characters who will play a key role in the story.  The video clarified a few things I've been wondering, but as always, left me with more questions.  Here is the video if you haven't seen it yet (remember that if you complete all the briefings you get a spiffy helmet!):

1.) Familiar phrasing.  One of the things I noticed in this video segment were some familiar phrases from the past games.  Describing the Pathfinders as the "tip of the spear" reminds me of Shepard and the Normandy referred to in exactly the same way.  The "first in" approach seems much more apparent in Andromeda as the Pathfinder team will literally be the first to check out these "golden worlds."

2.) Daddy Issues.  You get a Dad!  This may seem like something strange to be excited about, but family connections and stories have been particularly weak parts of the story in previous games.  When designing your Commander Shepard in the original Mass Effect you had the ability to choose a backstory.  Shepard's backstory played a very limited role in the actual story and having living family members depended on which backstory you chose.  Even if you chose one with living family members there was no actual connection (I might vaguely remember that you get a message from them once).  In Andromeda, your Dad is part of the crew and is someone who plays an important role.  I am interested to see how this dynamic works and if there will be more familial connections than in previous games.  I sort of get this weird feeling that Daddy Ryder probably doesn't live long.

3.) Humans!  One of my big questions has been about the actual Andromeda project itself.  Is it a human only project or is it a Council thing?  This question appears to finally be answered as your crew is specifically referred to as the Human branch of the project.  There must be other crews from the Council races--an Asari crew?  A Turian one?  Maybe some Salarians?  The cinematics have all introduced characters from other races so something must happen that brings together a more diverse crew.

4.) Crewmates.  Being introduced to the characters that make up the Pathfinder team is very exciting.  Liam is described as an idealist with a "crisis response" background.  Does "crisis response" mean he's a medic?  A negotiator?  He seems like he's going to be the "good guy" on the crew.  Then there are the Ryder's.  Making your possible character choices a brother, sister combo is interesting.  I've never really thought about who the male and female Shepards would be to each other.  Probably the most interesting crewmate in this video is Cora Harper.  She describes herself as your second in command (kind of like a Miranda?) and is sporting a wicked cool hairdo.  Although I didn't pick up on this, but read about it from a different source (namely this one), the name "Harper" should stick in your mind.  Could she possibly be the offspring (an actual child?  A test tube baby?  A clone?  A Reaper/human hybrid?!!) of the Illusive Man?  The possibility of having some sort of Cerberus link in the mix could add a little pro-Human spice to the story.  Harper is a biotic who specifically mentions spending time serving with Asari commandos.

I have been wondering about the possible presence of an AI on the crew.  After the magical experiences with EDI, I just couldn't see how they could leave one out in Andromeda.  SAM appears to play a role that is similar to EDI's but has a direct link to your character and your entire crew.  Will this link play into talents and abilities?  I have a feeling that there might be some sort of talent-point system that will involve gaining SAM abilities.

5.) Unanswered questions.  It was nice to get a glimpse at some of the new characters.  Mass Effect has one of its biggest strengths in well-written and lovable characters.  I am still left wondering about the non-human characters.  Peebee is an Asari character and Vetra, a female Turian (finally!), both are featured in the most recent cinematic.  How do they wind up as part of your team?  There's also mention of a Krogan in the video.  Even though the Andromeda Initiative detailed the human crew, it's obvious that the team gets significantly less human.

With the March 21st release date (we'll see....) creeping closer and closer, these videos make me feel just a little closer to the next great space experience.