Who exactly was this game aimed at?

With respect to the original post, the open world aspect lends itself to people with a lot of time on their hands (like me), so I'm guessing it is not targeting most adults with families. This is the difference between the mission based game of ME1 (most of it), ME2 and ME3, where a mission could be competed within an hour of play. ME2 really targeting this play-style with it's "mission complete" screens.


I think they're squarely targeting the older teen and younger twenty some-thing gamers.

Damn, I am twice as old, and I can totally relate with them.. should I be worried?

Pretty much all political cartoons take serious issues and trivialize them.  Trivializing something serious is a very classic form of humor and political commentary; and occasionally taking a lighthearted look at something serious can alter perspectives that actual solutions become apparent.  If you don't like that sort of thing... that's your prerogative; but it doesn't mean the game was being directed towards 12-year olds.

Actually, Andromeda being an SP game with some cool and easy to get MMO like aspects is perfectly positioned to give those of us who cannot afford the time to grind for gear, outfits and other cosmetics in MMO, or feel a bit silly socializing (or being yelled at) from across the world with/by someone of an age with your fast growing teen/preteen that does not need you 24/7 any longer some of the perks/pleasures of playing a MMO that fits into our routines and you don't fall behind the day you did not put those miserable 3 hrs per day wether you want it or not....

in addition, us, the aging gamers, may have learned not to judge, and not to expect perfection and competence from most humans, are wistful at times for our own youth, so we might even have more warm, fuzzy or maternal feelings towards the young protagonists then the edgy kids of their own age or slightly older...

and the retired crowd has by far more reasons to play than the teens tbh, because among other things, health benefits those games proved are awesome. I fully expect to find a solid twitch and quest rich game to play once I retire to keep my mind active. 

So, honestly, imo, Andromeda works great for the tired professionals over 40, with their lives all arranged to their satisfaction, and beyond into the retirement. Teens, imo has way too much to take on in RL to sink these kind of hours in video games. Honestly, where they get the time, I dunno. I did not have leisure time really till I was well in my twenties.

It's a fucking riot when comments get replies like this. They're stating it, of course it's their opinion. All you are doing is being redundant. 

I never liked political cartoons.  They take complicated issues that require a great deal of thought and nuance and turn them into caricatures to mock anyone who thinks differently.  

At any rate, this still does not answer the question:  How seriously are we supposed to take this game?

I get having lighthearted moments:  Movie Night, Suvi's reminiscing on licking rocks, and the occasional action movie one-liner ("Well scan them back!").  But how seriously are we to take the AI's predicament?  Alec's death and the condition of the sibling?  The danger the kett pose?  Are we playing Halo or Borderlands?  Star Trek: First Contact or Galaxy Quest?

Citadel (and Trespasser) might have had a influcence with how light hearted they are but I think it has more to do with Bioware trying to get away from the OT. 

I REALLY like this point.  I hadn't looked at it that way before.  I think for me that is spot on why I don't like the characters in the game. COMPETENCE, I can understand one or two, but it seems ALL the characters in the game are incompetent, especially emotionally, and that includes Ryder.  They ALL seem lost.  Now maybe some people don't mind playing a game that is based around a cast of sad sacks, I am not one of them.

My Ryders are taking it super serious. Like super-duper-serious. There is no reason for them go around all doom and gloom for that. I, myself, have a life and death serious job. I have to be ready to run any second, drop everything and just save someones life. That does not mean that we punch humour out as soon as we punch ourselves in at work. Why would it?

I always liked silly/stupid humor, even if I'm just laughing at how silly or stupid it is. Silly puns, comics, cute animals, etc. I still get enjoyment out of old Adam Sandler movies like Happy Gilmore or Billy Madison. It may be a matter of personal taste, like you said. I can see how this kind of humor wouldn't appeal to everyone.

My comment was just an answer to the OP's question at who the target audience for this game was, not a prescription for who should be allowed to relate the characters, or a commentary about the maturity of players who do relate. I'm sure there are players in their early twenties who are not as interested in a coming of age story despite being in the target age group, and this thread shows there are plenty of people in my age group (late 40s) who do relate to it just fine. 

And just to be clear, I don't hate this game, or the Ryder twins. I've put a ton of hours into it and I'm having fun with it, despite having some criticisms about bugs and technical issues, and some of the writing. I personally have had trouble connecting to my Ryders the way I connected to my Shepards (and Wardens, Hawkes and Inquisitors), so that was a little disappointing for me. But I can accept that it's not disappointing for others and I certainly am not out to judge anyone for having a different experience than mine.

I like your response. I am of that age group, and I connect to both Ryders by simply viewing them through Ellen Ryders' eyes. If there is a portion of actual "me" in this game, it's her.