Things you wish would have happened in Andromeda?

The Angara had already encountered the Exiles on Kadara, so we can infer they already cracked the language barrier. This is further backed up by how Angaran and Exiles seem to have no issue understanding each other in places where both reside, such as Kadara and Elaaden.

The Angara on Aya may have been able to perfectly understand Ryder from the moment they opened communications, which might be the reason they were even allowed to land. The only issue then would be whether SAM could make it so that Ryder could understand them in return?

We'd already seen SAM crack the Kett and Remnant languages very quickly, so figuring out the Angaran language with similar swiftness isn't that much of a stretch. SAM was rather quiet throughout the scene leading up to First Contact, so he may begun work immediately and been analysing stray Angaran comm-chatter to build up his language database.

(Or SAM cheated by downloading the Angara-English dictionary directly from their translators)

The game seems to back up that first contact between the Angara and the Exiles happened prior to the game, meaning that Ryder only made first contact between the Angara and the Initiative.

Even if Ryder wasn't the first to encounter them, opening an official dialogue between their governments was still an important milestone. Evfra later reveals that until Ryder showed up, the Angara were unaware that there were others from the Milky Way, or that the people on Kadara were outcasts who's lawless behaviour didn't represent their respective species.

TL;DR, the language barrier being so quickly removed does make sense within context, from information we learn later.

That's one of the issues of only having two new races. If they had 3 or 4 we might have had some variety in first contact.

Sifr YES! This is so much what I would've wanted from the game. Now, I don't often want or expect things from games, but MEA was ripe with possibilities for this scenario, and I was so disappointed that they didn't use any of it. It would've been so great to deal with these things in the game. It would have made everything a lot more tense and exciting for me.

Wonderful idea. If this was in the game, things would've been a lot more interesting than the rather bland climax we received. This also could have set up an interesting plot for a sequel.

This would have been far better IMO.

As in the game, have Alec give up his helmet and transfer SAM to Ryder in the belief he's about to die... only to then subvert the sacrificial mentor cliche by having him actually survive. We learn that breathing in the toxic atmosphere on H7 severely damaged Alec's lungs, meaning that he's now easily winded and no longer able to maintain the level of physical exertion required to be the Pathfinder.

Much like in the game, as Ryder has already been given SAM and it'd be dangerous to remove him for the time being, it's decided that they should continue on in their father's stead. Could even shake things up further by having Alec decide to oversee Ryder's training from onboard the Tempest (further giving Lexi more reason to be there), leading to some tension with Ryder as they begin to chafe under their father's scrutiny, second-guessing of their decisions and occasionally acting like he's still in charge.

(I would have loved to have seen Drack be the one to finally call out Alec on his attitude and demanding parenting/mentoring style. As within the game when he offers advice to Vetra about her sister, Drack has had centuries to learn how not to do things when it comes to family)

Having Alec present could have made for an even better dynamic with Cora.

Regardless of Ryder's relationship with Cora, there might always be a slight undercurrent of jealousy that Cora has a better relationship with their father than they do, something she might eventually confront them on. Maybe there's even the implication that Alec might be aware of this, so might be playing both of them against each other to ensure they're always performing at the highest standard?

Maybe Cora has conflicted feelings, not only that Ryder has taken the job that should have been hers, but that she's finding herself torn in her loyalty between Alec/Ryder.

Even in-canon Cora admitted that Alec could be a very difficult person, despite how much she admired him as both a friend and mentor. Because she wanted to impress him, she never felt she could open up and confide her worries and doubts, something that she finds she can with Ryder. Adding to that, she can develop a close friendship or romantic relationship with Ryder, further complicating things for her when she's caught in the middle, whenever Alec and Ryder disagree on what course of action to take.

Alec's interactions with the rest of the crew (particularly those you romance) could have been great to watch.

I could imagine he's greatly respect Cora, Drack and Jaal, have a good working relationship with Lexi, Vetra and Kallo, be frustrated by Gil's sarcastic backtalk and Liam's reckless streak, distrust Peebee... and oddly enough, I could see him having a soft spot for Suvi (because she might remind him slightly of Ellen).

There's a ton of possibilities they could have explored if they'd had Alec survive for the entire game.

(Plus more Clancy Brown is always a win)