While the Mako was famously described as "handling like a fat man on a unicycle" by Ben Crowshaw due to a somewhat off-balance physics engine, the Hammerhead was too smooth in operation, providing almost no skill requirement by the player. On the ground, the development team recognised that there was a gulf in quality between the two previous vehicles granted to the player the M-35 Mako and the M-44 Hammerhead. Certain technology, lifeforms, and natural strata can be scanned, providing useful flavour text and a points bonus to research, which can be spent later.
The player also carries around a portable scanner. The cover system has also been improved, with the player character more intelligently making use of chest-high walls and other formations.
Medi-Gel has also been removed as a way for the player to regenerate health quickly in combat instead, certain resupply crates restore health. Combat is similar, but instead of relying on drops of thermal clips, the player has to rely on resupply crates to top-up their ammunition. These can then be used within the research, development, and crafting systems. Quick-time events make another appearance, and the player gains a functional inventory system, including the ability to salvage components, elements, and compounds from their travels. Gameplay has arguably been refined over Mass Effect 3.