Mass Effect: Andromeda – what's changed in the universe?

Andromeda is the first in the galaxy-chasing series for five years, and brings fans new stories and characters. But will it live up to expectations?

Mass Effect: Andromeda is the first new Mass Effect game in five years and the first on the current generation of consoles. Set in the same universe as the original trilogy but in a different galaxy and 600 years later, Andromeda tells a new story with new characters in a new setting. This was BioWare's opportunity to change the formula, no doubt with substantial anxiety over how fans would react. Here are some of the key ways Andromeda has changed the Mass Effect universe, based on the first few hours of the game.

Mild spoilers for the opening two missions lie ahead.