My worry: more freedom, weaker storytelling

The actual story missions themselves could still be pretty on rails. For me personally though, by the time ME3 came around I was happy they opened up the combat arenas a little bit compared to the first 2 games.

I've been wanting more open areas to fight within in ME as well as more mobility besides having to go vanguard....so I was pleasantly surprised to see how the jet pack functions.

projectpatdc, yes I think my fear is that this is not going to feel like a 'Mass Effect' game due to the new largeness and freedom to explore. Of course I'd like to be pleasantly surprised. FF15 left me bored (not to mention the horrible main story) with it's freedom - so maybe I'm transferring some worry from other games like that to ME:A.

I am not a fan of what you would call following rails, I want freedom to move around and explore like open world

Freedom and good story telling are two things that can absolutely go together.

The middle of FFXV was horrendous.  I enjoyed the beginning and end.  They need to keep the monster bounty mechanic and learn how to do more witcher 3 style side quests.  The sidequests were my biggest complaint.  That being said, there are small things that I would love in Mass Effect like the bounty system just to give is a reason to keep adventuring out into the open areas.  I also want that portable MP3 player for our omni tool. And I would like animations for getting into the Nomad.

Back on topic, I think Mass Effect will be in a way a duality.  I don't know if it will be a good thing or bad thing.  I think you will be able to play the story missions much like Mass Effect 1 and that will remain tight and on rails with a few open areas for the Nomad as well as some tutorials for the side quests.  I don't think they will sacrifice the story telling of ME 2, 3, and really ME1 if you just stuck to the story.  Mainly because everything is still separated in individual worlds, maps,and HUBs like the previous games.  The flip side to that is there will also be large open areas like Mass Effect 1 for side quests, mining, exploring, establishing settlements, etc.  (but more fleshed out and diverse)  This will cater more to those with that open world-esque desire.  What will make this game a damn near masterpiece is if they can still deliver a story as well crafted as ME2 with loyalty missions to compliment while finding a way to make the side quests have enough excitement and meaning that you don't mind the openness during these parts.  You don't have to play them but they feel important and intriguing enough to get you to explore (and have fun collecting and mining along the way to grow and survive).  The little stuff just needs to have a purpose like being in a very large survival game.  

Good example is The Last of US.  I would spend so much time opening cabinets and search/exploring every bit of the small linear map because even finding something like a pair of scissors had a purpose to it that fit the narrative.  I also don't mind the quirky stuff too like from the past Mass Effects like "Hey can you go deliver this for no reason or convince this person to do this?"

Does calling it Galactic Effect help?

Numerous inane chores and plotlines where trying to help people ruins their lives in a way that the player couldn't have possibly known would happen because "dark fantasy"?

Nah, games don't need to be like Witcher 3, no matter how much people who want to whine about other games ignore the same things they complain about when those things are in Witcher 3.

It means the side quests to need be like their own fleshed out quests with a storyline.  It doesn't need to be like the witcher at all.  Side content should be more than deliver something or picking flowers for no reason.  Having a side quest that starts from a random conversation with an alien at bar that turns into some kind of murder mystery or its own storyline to save a colony has more value.  It's also more organic to have a small quest or favor to escalate into something much bigger and fleshed out.  Even something as simple as a bounty turning into a quest that leads you to saving a colony.   

Same goes for most Zelda games and Horizon Zero Dawn.  Bioware has the capability.  They just need to go bigger.  Deliver on the story like the old games and add to that.  They don't need to reinvent how they tell stories.

I've noticed you've been regularly making "doom" threads about your fears of MEA. Whether it's because it might be a "DAI clone," or now "too much exploration is bad," I think it's best you wait for release and look at reviews or gameplay.

I, personally, find all of your fears unwarranted and likely an overreaction due to being excited for the game.

I did enjoy Arkham Knight overall myself and thought the batmobile was a lot of fun. Yeah there was definitely a problem with too much filler quests and not enough proper side missions to waste away some hours but I'm be hoping BioWare paid a little more attention to that.