Mass Effect: Andromeda Companion App Revealed
By AJ Caulfield 16 March 2017
From BioWare and EA, Mass Effect: Andromeda is set to hit PC and console systems beginning March 21, and earlier this week the game rolled out a companion app for its multiplayer mode, called Mass Effect: Andromeda APEX HQ. Announced on the APEX HQ website, the app will allow Andromeda players to check in on the game’s multiplayer and stay connected with the title when they’re not at their desk or near their console.
APEX HQ can be used anytime and anywhere a user feels the need to grab an update or make some tweaks in multiplayer mode while AFK. It gives gamers the opportunity to make alterations to their load-outs prior to a match, implement command strikes while out and about, and remain in-the-know on Mass Effect: Andromeda multiplayer missions, progression, and news.
Detailed in the announcement post are tips and information about the app to help players get started. Logging in is quite simple: Players must ensure that they’re using their EA Account linked to their system (PC, Xbox One, or PlayStation 4), and once inside the app, data will begin appearing as soon as they’ve taken Andromeda‘s multiplayer mode for a spin. Characters, rewards, and items can also be unlocked in-app.
There’s a great deal of functionality that comes bundled with Mass Effect: Andromeda‘s APEX HQ app. The home page features a fully customizable layout, and gives users the option to report bugs and make suggestions for improvement. Similarly, Andromeda players can organize and alter their characters (like the new Krogan squadmate, Drack) inside the app by monitoring the one’s they’ve unlocked, adjusting an active character’s load-out pre-match, and equipping and modifying weapons to always be alert and ready for battle.
Within APEX HQ, users can launch Strike Teams on-the-go to gain rewards on successful missions, manage team names, and recruit a fighting squad to perfect for improved rates of success. Cosmetic multiplayer packs can be purchased in the in-app store to make characters that much more special. This feature falls in line with the past announcement that multiplayer would feature microtransactions.
One of the main elements to the Andromeda companion app, however, is its progress monitoring, which can be done in both prestige and missions sub-sections. It allows for tracking of player progress in characters, rewards, and items; features refreshable global leaderboards; includes an achievements center, which also shows the yet-to-be-unlocked goals players will want to strive for; and details the app-exclusive missions and when they will expire.
Mass Effect: Andromeda APEX HQ launched in Canada, Ireland, Romania, and Singapore on March 15, 2017. It is set for a worldwide release a few days later, on March 20, 2017.
There has been a ton of buzz around the upcoming spacefaring game, a level of anticipation only increasing as the wait time dwindles down. The news of the companion app comes just days after the release of the Mass Effect: Andromeda multiplayer trailer, which showed off a Mass Effect 3-inspired “Horde”-style mode based on class and squad. This has helped to clear up questions regarding how multiplayer mode will connect to single-player story.
While, unfortunately, Mass Effect: Andromeda‘s multiplayer beta was cancelled by BioWare, it seems as though the APEX HQ companion app will make the multiplayer experience something quite special. With over 1,200 speaking characters packed inside and the APEX HQ app in hand, buddying up to get the most out of all the space adventure the game has to offer is likely to be quite fun.
Mass Effect: Andromeda releases in North America on March 21, 2017 and in Europe on March 23, 2017. The game will be available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Source: Mass Effect Archives – APEX HQ
