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[Karak]

Yah you're right. There's no point in expressing an opinion. Discussion's pretty dumb, man.

Wait, is this a forum?

You obviously weren't looking for a discussion. Don't pretend you were. Looking for a discussion is something any idiot can write. So the only assumption is you didn't write that on purpose and instead came in and wrote what you did. Unless you just expected people to goosestep to your orders?

 

[Tess3ract]

shinji sits alone on a wooden chair. he is lit by a spotlight and the rest of the scene is black.

SHINJI: *looking down, hands on head* i. . .i just dont get it

DISEMBODIED VOICE: whats not to get?

SHINJI: the reapers! they. . .i mean. . .

DISEMBODIED VOICE: are you really so full of yourself? you cant just turn off your brain and relax?

SHINJI: *standing up suddenly, tipping over chair, shouting* but it doesnt make sense! why should robots destroy all life to stop robots from destroying all life! its fucking stupid!

DISEMBODIED VOICE: its called fun, shinji, and the fact that you dont understand it is why youll always be alone.

 

[Uriah]

Was the multi-player handled by the same team?

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

Have you read Microserfs? It's basically the early 90s version of Jpod. It's a wonderful postmodern story.

Not yet, but I'll put it on the reading list. I have a gigantic backlog though, so that might take a while. Years, probably.

 

[neojubei]

So sad Anderson died. kind of teared me up since we knew him from the very beginning.

 

[Psychoward]

So sad Anderson died. kind of teared me up since we knew him from the very beginning.

oh please

it was obvious he would die before I even started the game

 

[Karak]

But how does this clusterfuck of an ending help higher-ups? How does this result in more copies sold (I asumme that's what managers/higher-ups are interested in)?

Games sold upfront probably.

Had another friend just finish it.

I asked for his response. His email in its entirety.

"I am wondering where the joke is because what I got can not possibly be the ending right?"

 

[PsychoSoldier]

I got to Thane's death a while back and I can't believe people thought that was "awesome".

Dude got fucking Worf'd by some punk ass faux bad ass who's all in all a pretty forgettable character. The way people were talking it up I expected him to go out something like

Spoiler

------Leon-------

did in Leon the Professional. I kept expecting some wicked smile to come across Thane's face as the dude got away because he planted a tracking device on him or something, but lolnope just died for no other reason than to establish that jackass as an antagonistic force.

The last rights scene was pretty touching though.

Kai Leng is pretty terrible, but I think that everything about this game looks better when compared to the shitty ending.

If it weren't for the ending that dude would be the worst part of this game. Fucking Space Ninja with Plot Armor.

 

[Karak]

oh please

it was obvious he would die before I even started the game

I don't know man. It still sort of choked me up because he made it so far into ME3. I also felt a bit like he was going to make it Or hoping at least.

I also wondered if Kai Leng had some clone-like connection to Shepard. Lots of little references to a connection of some kind.

 

[CSX]

Basically in the original you had hammer running to the beam while the Normandy attacks Harbinger.

The 3 outcomes where :

Shepards and Anderson reach the conduit first but a husk grabs Anderson and Shepard is warped alone on the Citadel.

Anderson wakes up Shepard, lends him a shoulder and a gun a both limp to reach the beam.

Shepard wakes up all beaten up and bloodied on the battlefied. No survivor around and Shepard limps to the beam alone.

The Normandy is there in all 3 scenarios so Joker can pick up the others.

In the final game you get the last one without the Normandy over the battlefield.

So endgame DLC is potentially Shepard and his two squad members waking up from the rubble and defeat Harbringer ?

 

[Rebel Leader]

I have not. Link?

Here you go... cry

 

[Daft_Cat]

You obviously weren't looking for a discussion. Don't pretend you were. Looking for a discussion is something any idiot can write. So the only assumption is you didn't write that on purpose and instead came in and wrote what you did. Unless you just expected people to goosestep to your orders?

What the fuck are you talking about? This post is incomprehensible to me.

I argued that synthetics vs. organics has always been a central theme of Mass Effect, and therefore not an out of place element in the ending. This is a discussion thread. That was my contribution. What is it you thought I was trying to "order"?

I just..what?

 

[PsychoSoldier]

I know they're all pretty dumb, but for some reason I found this particular "Hitler finds out" about Mass Effect 3 to be somewhat cathartic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b33tJx8iy0A

 

[hateradio]

Here you go... cry

Since Shep dies (most likely) they didn't want to give you any ideas about giving you future space babies.

That would have really fucked everyone up.

 

[Karak]

What the fuck are you talking about? This post is incomprehensible to me.

I argued that synthetics vs. organics has always been a central theme of Mass Effect, and therefore not an out of place element in the ending. This is a discussion thread. That was my contribution. What is it you thought I was trying to "order"?

I just..what?

Your problem sadly.

 

[Karak]

I know they're all pretty dumb, but for some reason I found this particular "Hitler finds out" about Mass Effect 3 to be somewhat cathartic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b33tJx8iy0A

I enjoyed that immensely. And it was spot on! The girls holding themselves in fear And the nervousness of his general delivering the news is EPIC.

"My dream is over."

 

[Lime]

It's probably best you don't. It'll make you hate the ending and Bioware even more for cutting it out.

I have not. Link?

Here you go... cry

Talking about children and so on while the most important war is going on in front of them seems kind of forced and out of place. The thing we got in the final product is better than this audio clip. Brevity is the soul of wit, etc.

 

[firehawk12]

I know they're all pretty dumb, but for some reason I found this particular "Hitler finds out" about Mass Effect 3 to be somewhat cathartic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b33tJx8iy0A

I wish people with the PC version would find the dialogs with femshep and upload those already!

 

[GorillaJu]

So sad Anderson died. kind of teared me up since we knew him from the very beginning.

Errrmmm... He's black. The black guy always has to die in cinema (now video game form too)!

 

[Daft_Cat]

Your problem sadly.

Did I offend you personally or something? Seriously, you're coming off as extremely hurt at my fairly uncontroversial opinion.

 

[Vamphuntr]

So endgame DLC is potentially Shepard and his two squad members waking up from the rubble and defeat Harbringer ?

No? The scene at the end with the kid and the grandfather implies space travel is no longer available (probably because the relays are gone) so the crucible explosion did happen.

 

[Metroidvania]

What the fuck are you talking about? This post is incomprehensible to me.

I argued that synthetics vs. organics has always been a central theme of Mass Effect, and therefore not an out of place element in the ending. This is a discussion thread. That was my contribution. What is it you thought I was trying to "order"?

I just..what?

What part of synthetics versus humans was there besides the Geth in ME1 (which later we find out had been brainwashed by reaper code)?

The rogue VI on the moon and the AI on the presidium were all I can think of, and both of those were completely missable sidequests only.

ME2 has even less, an OPTIONAL dlc, Project Overlord, and a few random N7 missions that included Geth. Legion specifically counters this 'theme' by joining you and being supportive. Also, EDI, when unshackled, specifically states that she does not want to murder the entire normandy crew.

And then we get to ME3, where it is possible to make peace with the quarians and geth, and EDI is all gung-ho.

The reapers are the central antagonists, but they are so far beyond the scope of mere synthetics that for me at least, it's hard to attribute them on the same level as other synthetics. Sovereign states that the reapers are so far above you blah blah blah. The Reapers aren't seen as synthetics, they're seen as the end of the galaxy.

 

[squidyj]

No? The scene at the end with the kid and the grandfather implies space travel is no longer available (probably because the relays are gone) so the crucible explosion did happen.

Are you misunderstanding something? The point of the DLC would be that the ending Shepard experienced was indoctrination or something.

 

[Rebel Leader]

Talking about children and so on while the most important war is going on in front of them seems kind of forced and out of place. The thing we got in the final product is better than this audio clip. Brevity is the soul of wit, etc.

Only because of Magic Child

 

[Derrick01]

Talking about children and so on while the most important war is going on in front of them seems kind of forced and out of place. The thing we got in the final product is better than this audio clip. Brevity is the soul of wit, etc.

But that's the thing they thought it was over at that point. This was before Hackett said the crucible wasn't working so they thought it was finally over and they sat down to rest. They were talking about what they were going to do now that it's over.

 

[firehawk12]

Talking about children and so on while the most important war is going on in front of them seems kind of forced and out of place. The thing we got in the final product is better than this audio clip. Brevity is the soul of wit, etc.

It makes the characters human beings instead of video game characters who have zero personality.

 

[Riposte]

I digged Kai Lang. Liked him in the first novel he appeared in too. Nothing wrong with space ninjas in my book and I like a villain with a presence, much like Saren was.

 

[Daft_Cat]

What part of synthetics versus humans was there besides the Geth in ME1 (which later we find out had been brainwashed by reaper code)?

The rogue VI on the moon and the AI on the presidium were all I can think of, and both of those were completely missable sidequests only.

ME2 has even less, an OPTIONAL dlc, Project Overlord, and a few random N7 missions that included Geth. Legion specifically counters this 'theme' by joining you and being supportive. Also, EDI, when unshackled, specifically states that she does not want to murder the entire normandy crew.

And then we get to ME3, where it is possible to make peace with the quarians and geth, and EDI is all gung-ho.

Are the Reapers not synthetic? I always assumed that was the core dynamic of the plot- machines wiping organic life from the universe every cycle.

 

[Vamphuntr]

Are you misunderstanding something? The point of the DLC would be that the ending Shepard experienced was indoctrination or something.

The scene with the kid and grandfather is after the credits. The scene with Shepard's corpse in the rubble is before the credits. He's woken up so the scene after the credits isn't a dream.

 

[firehawk12]

Are the Reapers not synthetic? I always assumed that was the core dynamic of the plot- machines wiping organic life from the universe every cycle.

Naw, they're like the Borg in that they suck up organics and incorporate them. Don't forget the human terminator Reaper at the end of ME2.

 

[Karak]

Only because of Magic Child

That is how he will be in my head from now on Magic Child.

 

[Achtius]

I digged Kai Lang. Liked him in the first novel he appeared in too. Nothing wrong with space ninjas in my book and I like a villain with a presence, much like Saren was.

The only time I chose the renegade option in the ME3 series was to kill him with my omni-tool blade, it was so good.

 

[Rebel Leader]

I digged Kai Lang. Liked him in the first novel he appeared in too. Nothing wrong with space ninjas in my book and I like a villain with a presence, much like Saren was.

Saren fought like a boss ... Kari Lang foug- Hahaha I can't even say it

 

[Metroidvania]

Are the Reapers not synthetic? I always assumed that was the core dynamic of the plot- machines wiping organic life from the universe every cycle.

Yeah, I edited a bit.

But to the player, the reapers aren't shown as synthetics, they're shown as the end of the galaxy, who just happen to be in synthetic form. They're more alien than robotic.

The reapers motivation is entirely unknown throughout the first two games. It's not until ME3 that the point is made clear that they're synthetics killing organics to stop space-faring organics from creating future synthetics that will inevitably wipe out all organics.

God that line sounds so dumb reading it out loud.

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

But how does this clusterfuck of an ending help higher-ups? How does this result in more copies sold (I asumme that's what managers/higher-ups are interested in)?

My guess is that the story of the game was too complex, and media executives tend to dislike complexity. Dumbing things down in favor of the lower denominator is not uncommon within the media branches.

Securing the possibility sequel might also sit well with shareholders.

A technical, or game design aspect though, is that the story needs to make sense for everyone, including people who didn't bother to follow the story or who went straight for the ending. This ending does secure that demand, which may have prompted the move to use it instead of a more complex, and thereby too difficult ending for 'most players'.
That is an assumption and there is no way around the fact that it trivializes the invested players experience. But it does make the choose a bit less "let's troll them".

Time and resource restrains are also factors, as the game was delayed for a reason, Deception was an unedited POS, and the former main writer(s) left Bioware.
So I imagine not everyone was too pleased with it, but there are only so many possible designs that solve a range of problems. (the narrative problem is one, but also gameplay, difficulty, and so on).


Still: any attempt to understand why the endings are there will assume rationality of some kind. It is however wise to assume that this is not true, and that the actual reasons will remain unknown until Bioware employees start describing the design process in detail.

 

[Patryn]

What part of synthetics versus humans was there besides the Geth in ME1 (which later we find out had been brainwashed by reaper code)?

The rogue VI on the moon and the AI on the presidium were all I can think of, and both of those were completely missable sidequests only.

ME2 has even less, an OPTIONAL dlc, Project Overlord, and a few random N7 missions that included Geth. Legion specifically counters this 'theme' by joining you and being supportive. Also, EDI, when unshackled, specifically states that she does not want to murder the entire normandy crew.

And then we get to ME3, where it is possible to make peace with the quarians and geth, and EDI is all gung-ho.

The reapers are the central antagonists, but they are so far beyond the scope of mere synthetics that for me at least, it's hard to attribute them on the same level as other synthetics. Sovereign states that the reapers are so far above you blah blah blah. The Reapers aren't seen as synthetics, they're seen as the end of the galaxy.

You mean EDI? Since that's where EDI came from.

Also that's the sidequest that gives you your advanced class in ME1.

My guess is that the story of the game was too complex, and media executives tend to dislike complexity. Dumbing things down in favor of the lower denominator is not uncommon within the media branches.

Securing the possibility sequel might also sit well with shareholders.

A technical, or game design aspect though, is that the story needs to make sense for everyone, including people who didn't bother to follow the story or who went straight for the ending. This ending does secure that demand, which may have prompted the move to use it instead of a more complex, and thereby too difficult ending for 'most players'.
That is an assumption and there is no way around the fact that it trivializes the invested players experience. But it does make the choose a bit less "let's troll them".

Time and resource restrains are also factors, as the game was delayed for a reason, Deception was an unedited POS, and the former main writer(s) left Bioware.
So I imagine not everyone was too pleased with it, but there are only so many possible designs that solve a range of problems. (the narrative problem is one, but also gameplay, difficulty, and so on).


Still: any attempt to understand why the endings are there will assume rationality of some kind. It is however wise to assume that this is not true, and that the actual reasons will remain unknown until Bioware employees start describing the design process in detail.

Except that Bioware just managed to blow up two of the most iconic elements of the franchise in the Citadel and the Mass Relays. I don't see how that benefits future sequels.

 

[Rebel Leader]

The only time I chose the renegade option in the ME3 series was to kill him with my omni-tool blade, it was so good.

He dies like that anyways

 

[hateradio]

Did I offend you personally or something? Seriously, you're coming off as extremely hurt at my fairly uncontroversial opinion.

I think he was referring to your condescending tone.

Honestly, this thread is so full of fail. No one's even really talking about the ending. Space wizards! Different coloured lights! so ST00PID! Why no scenes with Shepard, Liara and blue babies? Yes, someone ITT actually said that.

I think the topic has had some discussion about the end, but it's all extrapolation. So why not have some fun while trying to downplay the disillusionment.

The themes in the game are apparent to me, but the end didn't present them in a satisfying manner.

 

[Psychoward]

I know they're all pretty dumb, but for some reason I found this particular "Hitler finds out" about Mass Effect 3 to be somewhat cathartic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b33tJx8iy0A

It was spot on, it made me tear up and laugh at the same time, at about 1 in the morning.

 

[Banana Kid]

I got to Thane's death a while back and I can't believe people thought that was "awesome".

Dude got fucking Worf'd by some punk ass faux bad ass who's all in all a pretty forgettable character. The way people were talking it up I expected him to go out something like

Spoiler

------Leon-------

did in Leon the Professional. I kept expecting some wicked smile to come across Thane's face as the dude got away because he planted a tracking device on him or something, but lolnope just died for no other reason than to establish that jackass as an antagonistic force.

The last rights scene was pretty touching though.

Since Thane held his own against Kai Leng while he was actively dying, I think the implication is that Thane at his best could have taken this guy.

I didn't mind Kai Leng, although I did find him kind of ridiculous when I remembered the Deception stuff and thought about him eating cereal. I thought he worked as a showcase of what Cerberus's Reaper upgrades can do and served as a pretty good recurring antagonist.

 

[Achtius]

He dies like that anyways

so I would still stab him if i didn't choose?

 

[Daft_Cat]

Yeah, I edited a bit.

But to the player, the reapers aren't shown as synthetics, they're shown as the end of the galaxy, who just happen to be in synthetic form. They're more alien than robotic.

The reapers motivation is entirely unknown throughout the first two games. It's not until ME3 that the point is made clear that they're synthetics killing organics to stop space-faring organics from creating future synthetics that will inevitably wipe out all organics.

God that line sounds so dumb reading it out loud.

Well.. at least we've still got stuff to talk about. heh.

I think he was referring to your condescending tone.

I think my tone got lost in translation a bit. Not so much condescending as I was poking fun. Except for the person who said they wanted to see blue babies in the ending. I'm perfectly ok with being condescending towards that.

 

[Rokam]

so I would still stab him if i didn't choose?

Yup. Illusion of choice.

 

[Psychoward]

He dies like that anyways

wut

 

[bigace33]

He dies like that anyways

So you didn't have to choose the renegade option to gut him.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

My fanfic alternate ending:

Ghost boy says Shepard has been indoctrinated from the very beginning of the series (and that his past and personality was decided for him), but only from an outsider Reaper who is working against the others or possibly helping them by making Shepard reckless and irresponsible (based on actions taken). While explaining this he shows you the true form of this Reaper and the physical representation of indoctrination:

http://www.abload.de/img/dw9tkb9.jpg

Spoiler

How mad are you?

So mad.

 

[CSX]

so I would still stab him if i didn't choose?

the difference i think is dodging his sword or breaking his sword

 

[Vire]

But how would Shepard survive an explosion inside the Citadel and then land on Earth in the rubble in the "Destroy" ending.

Answer: He wouldn't. He was on Earth the whole time and experienced indoctrination after the beam hit him.

Spoiler

Therefore aliens.

 

[Psychoward]

But how would Shepard survive an explosion inside the Citadel and then land on the Earth in the rubble in the "Destroy" ending.

Answer: He wouldn't. He was on Earth the whole time and blacked out after the beam hit him.

Spoiler

Therefore aliens.

I said the same thing


they called me crazy, IT WAS A HALLUCINATION

 

[Zomba13]

Yup. Illusion of choice.

XD

That's pretty weak. I didn't expect Shep would get stabbed if you didn't hit the button but did expect something different would have happened.