

In 2819, following a 634-year journey aboard the Ark Hyperion, Ryder awakens in the Heleus Cluster of the Andromeda Galaxy. Ryder's crewmates include Kallo Jath (Garett Ross), a salarian pilot Suvi Anwar (Katy Townsend), a human science officer Gil Brodie (Gethin Anthony), a human mechanic Lexi T'Perro (Natalie Dormer), an asari medical doctor and SAM (Alexia Traverse-Healy), an artificial intelligence that can communicate with all members of the team via implants. Squadmates in the game include Alec's second-in-command, Cora Harper (Jules de Jongh), a biotic specialist with intensive commando training Liam Kosta (Gary Carr), a security expert who specializes in crisis response Pelessaria 'Peebee' B'Sayle (Christine Lakin), an asari gunslinger capable of biotic destabilization Nakmor Drack (Stanley Townsend), a veteran krogan warrior of the Nakmor clan specializing in close combat Vetra Nyx (Danielle Rayne), a female turian mercenary who excels in shielding and protection and Jaal Ama Darav (Nyasha Hatendi), a resistance fighter of the newly introduced angara race.

Their father, Alec Ryder (Clancy Brown), is humanity's Pathfinder, tasked with finding a new home for the species. The protagonist of Mass Effect: Andromeda is, depending on player choice, either Scott or Sara Ryder (voiced by Tom Taylorson or Fryda Wolff, respectively).

During both dialogue and quest sequences, the player is sometimes tasked with making moral decisions that do not have a clear good/bad distinction but are intended to be more nuanced, marking a departure from the Paragon/Renegade morality system of prior titles in the series. By conversing with non-player characters, Ryder can develop friendships and, in some cases, romantic relationships with them over time. For example, an on-screen prompt to 'shoot' might appear and be momentarily selectable. During some conversations, the player is prompted with an 'Impulse Action' that offers an additional choice to what is available on the dialogue wheel. In general, conversations are based on agreeing or disagreeing with participants. Around the wheel are four types of responses that shape each conversation: emotional, logical, professional, and casual. Similar to its predecessors, the player can interact with characters in Mass Effect: Andromeda using a radial command menu where the player's dialogue options depend on wheel direction.
