This is the first Bioware game that not only I haven't pre-ordered but not even bought soon after release date. I actually got it on sale 5 months later and only started to play it after the final Patch to Version 1.10.
I have to say this final version is a good game... the story is interesting and it sort of complement the Mass Effect Trilogy, especially if the Reapers end up annihilating every species in the Milky Way, this expedition becomes vital for the survival of the human race as well as the others.
Similarly to the Interstellar plot the Andromeda Initiative is sending a few Pathfinders to explore habitable planets, closely followed by Arks full of colonists.
It takes over 600 years to reach the destination and in the meanwhile a lot of things change and not for the better....
The story is good, character faces now look the part, voice acting is good, no noticeable glitches, the exploration of the planets is fun although there are only 5 and half planets you can actually explore.... there is a large number of skills that can be leveled up.... tons of armors, customization, weapons and weapon mods as well as the possibility to research and develop more tech yourself.
I did almost all planet side quests as well as friends and teammates quests, I reached 100% Viability on all 5 planets.... I'm a Level 58 Biotic Adept and it sure made a difference in the ending, I was beloved by pretty much everybody and I could definitely see the effect of all the hard work at the end, I'm not sure if there are different endings.... I may play again as a total Butthole and see the repercussions but for now I'm done.
The dumbed down part of the RPG elements as we have seen from recent Bioware products comes from the lack of customization for your team mates armor and weapon as well as limited number of skills (only 5)... but I understand they did this to keep those characters looking and playing as they intended.... but the point of an RPG is playing and messing things up the way YOU want to!
Another problem is that once again you are stuck with being a Human... I can understand Shepard had to be human.... but with this new story we could have had any of the 4 Arks being the main one and giving you the possibility of playing as a Krogan or Turian it sure would have given depth to the franchise.
But that's literally too much to ask from a Company that was rushed to come up with a product 5 months too early....
....well you can only keep hoping that the days of Dragon Age: Origins are not gone forever and Bioware will be once again allowed to take that extra year of development to do things right.
In the meanwhile Mass Effect Andromeda Version 1.10 is a very good game, fun to play.