So I started a new playthrough after taking a break

Heck, if you started a thread complaining about one of the endings back then, people would hijack to complain about the other ones.

The main problem I had with the writing was that it seemed like they wrote the story backwards.  To me it should have been we created this initiative, made pathfinders and pathfinder teams, went to Andromeda, pathfinders scouted and found suitable sites, started settlements, made first contact, and in the process of their main duty, they ran into Kett and discovered these vaults. 

But everything had been done by the time pathfinders got there, first contact with Kett and Angarans, settlements tried and failed, and sites for new settlements already picked out.  Settlements that could only be activated once the planet reached a certain viability.  Which couldn't be done without the vaults the Initiative didn't know were there. So they technically marked sites on planets they had no way of making viable at the time.

Its like they said we have this ancient race, they created vaults, vaults can only be activated by a pathfinder with an AI, Pathfinder gets merged with AI by accident, pathfinders arrive in Andromeda, pathfinders are part of an initiative, Initiative was established.  Pathfinders really have no role in this game other than fighting Kett and activating vaults.

It's like they made the story before the universe instead of making the universe and giving it a story, if that makes sense.

As far as writing is concerned, it's good. Not great. It needed polishing coming into the sound booth. Animations were poorly done and we get a sense into why, but it's still not right. As a matter of fact, the companion stories are really good and actually add a lot of depth. It's execution, though. If it's poorly executed (or bugged to no end) then you can't stay immersed and enjoy the game. In it's current state, I have no complaints except the basic ones like tactical-pausing and game flow. That's it.

An EA suit that sells products and snorts expensive drugs so he can prepare "official" statements.

(still wearing a tinfoil cap)

Because they are worthless and spreading hate about game, which other people like, makes them feel better about themselves.

But not even close to Drew Karpyshyn writing level.

I'd expect that it didn't get the exposure that DAI got because frankly, it wasn't quite ready to expose...

DAI gameplay was shared much earlier.

NEVER SYNTHESIS

I'm joking.
Not really about synthesis, but I don't have any interest in arguing about Me3 endings. Lol.

I never stopped giving the game a chance since I always planned on doing future play throughs of the game but at the same time I will admit that while still being a liker of the game I've gotten a little bit negative which may have something to do with my worries about the future of the franchise and the differences with the game fundamentally compared to the games in the trilogy (not story related)   but the game is fun to play and it even was the first time around.  I think it helps going in letting the game be it's own thing instead of thinking about what is missed about the trilogy.

 and that's subjective. You're right. I like his approach, by the way. Yeah, he plays it safe, but the overall execution is pretty fantastic. All of the new Star Trek movies under his name, I went to see at the IMAX and wanted more. My wife, not a big sci-fi fan, won't fight me on these movies because they're pretty good. Star Wars the Force Awakens sure played it safe, but sure got a lot that's important, to me, right. I want more. 

First time I played the game, I started with the EA Access trial and ended up completing the game at 98% at around 92 hrs

Then, the 2nd PT, I consciously avoided most "Task:" assignments and ended up at 69 hrs

Then, the 3rd PT, I carved a bit more out to see if I could streamline the narrative and ended up 59 HR

Finally, my last last PT, I just did what was essential in terms of 100% viability for all 5 planets, loyalty missions and priority missions, I ended up right at 50 hrs, similar to most of my past ME and DA games.

In the end, its a really good game that has flaws that will not make it universally enjoyed...I really liked sticking to the main plots and hopping planet to planet on my way to face the Archon...I liked Drack, Cora, Peebee, Vetra, and Jaal but never connected with Liam.

That's not to say it's not hard to ignore some obvious flaws:

- Peebee used way too many human idioms (ex: water under bridge) for an Asari that I chocked up to the translator...ultimately, I liked her character as she was essentially an Asari version of Sera (the anti-Asari Asari vs the anti-Elfy Elf) from DA:I but she infinitely more palatable.

- there needed to be more tension on the team. I think there could have been a moment where Ryder's inexperience caused a teammate to be injured or killed leading to doubt within the ranks and a way to ratchet up the stakes.

- Although the final battle was intense and fun, it really needed a "Kai Lang" moment between you and the Archon. That would have felt good.

I am now doing a very casual completest PT in anticipation of a SP DLC as I move to other games.

Three months in the ME:A universe and I definitely got my money's worth