• The main character looks at an alien landscape in 'Mass Effect: Andromeda.'

The main character looks at an alien landscape in 'Mass Effect: Andromeda.' (Photo : YouTube/ Mass Effect)

A number of fans were rather surprised when NVIDIA showcased a new gameplay trailer for the upcoming "Mass Effect: Andromeda" during their keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang was joined on stage by BioWare's general manager Aaryn Flynn to talk about the "Mass Effect" franchise as well as to show off how "Andromeda" will look with an NVIDIA graphics card.

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The CES trailer for the game kicks off with the protagonist flying through an asteroid field. The protagonist is then shown landing on what seems to be a deserted planet before leveling up in an in-game menu. After showing off some of the game's beautifully rendered environment, the trailer then cuts to footage of a menu showing how players will acquire and level up different skills throughout the game.

The trailer picks up its pace after this, showcasing how the combat system of the game will work. The video shows the protagonist using a combination of guns and melee attacks to bring down a new enemy known as a "Nullifier."

The new Frostbite Engine by DICE, which will be made use of in "Mass Effect: Andromeda," allows for more verticality as well as more destructible objects in the environment, according to Destructoid. Flynn also confirmed that "Andromeda" will feature what is known as a "dynamic profile system," which will allow players to change the class of their character in real time.

Those who like to keep records of their gameplay and in-game achievements will also be glad to know that "Andromeda" will feature NVIDIA's Ansel screenshot tool at launch, Kotaku reported. This will allow players to capture beautiful screenshots, which they can use as wallpapers.

Despite all of these developments, fans may be disappointed to learn that "Andromeda" will not feature a season pass. There has been no word about DLC for the game so far. However, a sizeable chunk of the game will be made available earlier than the game's full launch through Origin Access.

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" has a confirmed release date of March 21. Flynn has joked about how this could be interpreted as "3, 2, 1, blast off," but it may as well be more of a coincidence. 

Watch the gamepley trailer for "Mass Effect: Andromeda" below: