[Watch] Mass Effect: Andromeda gameplay video details planet exploration, outposts, crafting and more

Exploration and discovery are "the heart of Mass Effect: Andromeda." They open up the rest of the features of the game and ultimately help your progression in the game. BioWare's latest installment in the Andromeda Gameplay Series focuses on these two features and everything associated with them.

The video takes us to a planet called Elaaden to show off how unique the planets can be and how they have their own inhabitants who are all part of their own story. Visiting Elaaden also helps detail the vehicle you will be using to explore planets in Andromeda, the Nomad.

This vehicle is an all-terrain rover that can be enhanced through various upgrades like Turbo Boost, higher jumps, better handling, and more.

The Galaxy map

Navigate star systems with the Tempest's (your ship) galaxy map. The are over 100 planets to discover, with a handful of words to be explored. Each world will have its own challenges,  story, and its own characters to be defeated or made friends with.

While in the ship, planets, moons, to anomalies and starships, everything will be visible in real-time outside of your ship's main windows.

Outposts

Each planet comes with new areas to explore, characters, and storylines. Through your discoveries, improved relationships with characters, and progression through the storylines on each planet, you can set outposts. The outpost facilities can only be set up once the planet's "Viability" is at least 40%, to hit 40% you'll need to get on good terms with the inhabitants, solve "environmental problems," and accomplish the quests given to you.

Establishing outposts and collecting Andromeda Viability Points (AVP) will get you more colonists, which can help you in your progression. In Andromeda, you will be able to choose which colonists to wake up from cryosleep.

Scientists

• Help with research and development (helps with crafting items, may need items from merchants)

Military Personnel

• Gives you "combat prowess"

Merchants

• Help with trading

Vaults

Within the Andromeda Galaxy there is a "vast network of ancient vaults." The act of accessing a single Vault can take you across an entire planet. Once you enter a Vault, "you’ll need to rely on every element of Mass Effect: Andromeda gameplay – including exploration, environmental navigation, puzzle-solving, and combat – to bring them online and make it out alive. "

Augmentations

Augmentations are essentially upgrades to weapons. Each Augmentation is a special device that will embue your weapon/armor with unique properties.

Below you'll find a few of the Augmentations that are available:

• Aerial Stabilizer: If used while crafting a weapon, grants accuracy to weapon damage whenever you’re hovering. If used while crafting armor, improves your biotic powers while hovering.
• Beam Emitter: Replaces the firing mechanism of a gun with an energy beam. Turn your Avenger into a laser rifle!
• Coolant Unit: Increases clip size whenever special ammo is in use, allowing you to get the most out of your cryo, incendiary, or disruptor rounds.
• Shield Disruptor: If used while crafting a weapon, increases the power of your disruptor ammo. If used while crafting leg armor, adds an electrical discharge to your air melee attacks.
• Vintage Heat Sink: Converts any gun to an overheat system (like in the original Mass Effect™), where you’ll never run out of ammo.

More details on the Mass Effect: Andromeda hub.

Mass Effect: Andromeda is set to release on March 21st, for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, and Xbox One