So Mass Effect Andromeda happened and goodness it took a beating from fans.  Then we all lost our minds with the Anthem reveal.  Could it be the reason ME was not great is because of Anthem?

Easily the most anticipated game to come out of E3 2017 is Bioware’s Anthem.  If you read my Top 10 favourite games from E3 2017, you’ll know that I put Anthem right at the top spot.  And I’m not alone either, as the game seems to be topping a lot of these obligatory E3 top whatever lists.  The game really looks polished and amazing on every level, so far.  Kind of what you would expect from a Bioware game.  Except for that black mark that sits on the studio’s name.  I’m talking, of cause, about Mass Effect Andromeda.  That got me thinking.  Perhaps Anthem is the reason Mass Effect Andromeda was not that great.  Don’t get me wrong, it a decent game, just not in the calibre of what fans expect from a Bioware title.

My Goodness this game is gorgeous, this is the Bioware we know and love

During the reveal of the game on Microsoft’s Press conference, the first thing that got was…you guessed it, the amazing facial animation.  Wait what?  Why the hell is that so good when Mass Effect Andromeda is so dreadful.  Turns out, Mass Effect Andromeda had a rather troubled development.  With the bulk of the development taking place in the last 18 months of a 5-year development cycle.  That’s crazy crunch right there.  Even worse, the team suffered loss after loss of their talented resources to another Bioware title.  You guessed it again, what was formerly known as Project Dylan.  Everything from writers to ANIMATORS left the Montreal team to join Edmonton team to work on Dylan.  And honestly, the results speak for themselves.

Mass Effect Andromeda shipped as a buggy as hell game.  The animation was horrific in some cases.  The writing was like my 9-year-old daughter trying her luck at writing a Sci-fi story.  “My face is tired”, really?  This was not the Bioware we knew and love, and in all actuality, it wasn’t.  The team that worked on the phenomenal Mass Effect trilogy was hard at work on Dylan.  And whenever they needed so more resources, it was Mass Effect Andromeda that suffered.  They lost good people and they were never replaced.  The end result is a mediocre game at best and the series being put on ice.  It’s a shame really as I’m a huge fan of the series.  I had massive hopes for the game delivering on its ambitions.  So did the team at Montreal, however, they were fighting a losing battle.

“My Face is tired”…really? This is not the Bioware we know and love.

This makes me wonder some more.  What if Dylan was put on ice for a little while so that both teams would work together in bringing out the very best Mass Effect game that Bioware can release.  And then when they were on the home stretch, the core team can splinter off and start work on Dylan.  We could’ve very possibly ended up with an amazing Mass Effect Andromeda.  The reality is we’ll never find out for sure.  Andromeda failed for a number of different reasons including being developed in tandem with this behemoth of a title called Anthem.  Now that Mass Effect is gone, it’s time we move on.  Anthem seems to be the title that will not only out-do Mass Effect, but could possibly be the very best of Bioware.  Shame it came at a cost of a legendary series.

What do you guys think?  Do you agree with my opinion?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.