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[Gamer @ Heart]

Just beat it.

Jesus christ was the journey to that end amazing.

Constant call backs to previous events and having a meaningful or not resolution to them, great companion interactions, sidequests that legitimately felt satisfying meaningful (even if it was a just a numbers game). All leading up to a great last hour and a half with some great combat.

While the ending didnt bother me so much watching it, this thread has definitely soured me on it, with it being a paradox and all.

If they hadnt tried to be bold with that ending and went with something safe, they would have avoided so much of the shit storm. That said, i commend them for going the risky route as we dont see that too often. Its too bad that they incredibly misjudged how to tell it, because ending with a shot of two characters we dont know and a moon is not the way to pay off 3 games of investment.

You can have a singularity ending, or questionable reaper motives as long as there is something meaningful at the end of it all! Not 1 or 2 minutes of symbolic fmv. Epilogues are important in a series of this magnitude. Wasted opportunity.

But forget that shit we are talking about a video game and that game was amazing

 

[hateradio]

The real question i had is why the reapers didnt just turn off the teleporter thing in London? I mean that's a instawin for the reapers right?

They used the teleporter to send people up to the Citadel to then turn them into Reapers . . . Somehow they turned the Citadel into a processing plant. Honestly, it should have been a stealth mission to get to the beam, instead of the offensive attack.

 

[Enduin]

I dont understand the Merge ending based on what it really does to prevent conflicts between organics and synthetics and how it really changes things.

Does it suddenly allow organics to process information at the speed of a super quantum computer. Are they now able to just walk in the vacuum of space for how ever long they wish to. Do we need to eat still, and shit? Or do we now need a different form of nutrition or energy source. Does it not matter that Quarians and Turians are Dextro-amino species? How does reproduction work now. Are there female and male Geth? Do they have to bone now to reproduce?

How does all this even prevent a technological singularity? Are vastly superior synthetics all of a sudden going to leave all former organic life alone now because they happen to have some circuitry built into them in some mysterious way? If organics now are hyper intelligent like that of EDI or the Geth, doesnt that fundamentally change what it means to be human, or turian or whatever? Do they still age and die from it? Do organics still suffer from disease, and are they now susceptible to computer viruses? Are the Geth now at risk from the common cold and now have a limited life span? What does this all really do to everyone?

Beyond having glowy eyes and some sparkly veins what does this whole synthesis thing actually entail?

 

[PsychoSoldier]

The real question i had is why the reapers didnt just turn off the teleporter thing in London? I mean that's a instawin for the reapers right?

As someone who's been trying to make sense of all this stuff for a few days now, I don't recommend it. It'll just make your head hurt.

I think a lot of things that people are paying attention to because they're trying to find something there that isn't there weren't really meant to be investigated that deeply and thus weren't thought through very well.

 

[LordCanti]

I dont understand the Merge ending based on what it really does to prevent conflicts between organics and synthetics and how it really changes things.

Does it suddenly allow organics to process information at the speed of a super quantum computer. Are they now able to just walk in the vacuum of space for how ever long they wish to. Do we need to eat still, and shit? Or do we now need a different form of nutrition or energy source. Does it not matter that Quarians and Turians are Dextro-amino species? How does reproduction work now. Are there female and male Geth? Do they have to bone now to reproduce?

How does all this even prevent a technological singularity? Are vastly superior synthetics all of a sudden going to leave all former organic life alone now because they happen to have some circuitry built into them in some mysterious way? If organics now are hyper intelligent like that of EDI or the Geth, doesnt that fundamentally change what it means to be human, or turian or whatever? Do they still age and die from it? Do organics still suffer from disease, and are they now susceptible to computer viruses? Are the Geth now at risk from the common cold and now have a limited life span? What does this all really do to everyone?

Beyond having glowy eyes and some sparkly veins what does this whole synthesis thing actually entail?

Space....

Magic.

 

[Rodney McKay]

I dont understand the Merge ending based on what it really does to prevent conflicts between organics and synthetics and how it really changes things.

Does it suddenly allow organics to process information at the speed of a super quantum computer. Are they now able to just walk in the vacuum of space for how ever long they wish to. Do we need to eat still, and shit? Or do we now need a different form of nutrition or energy source. Does it not matter that Quarians and Turians are Dextro-amino species? How does reproduction work now. Are there female and male Geth? Do they have to bone now to reproduce?

How does all this even prevent a technological singularity? Are vastly superior synthetics all of a sudden going to leave all former organic life alone now because they happen to have some circuitry built into them in some mysterious way? If organics now are hyper intelligent like that of EDI or the Geth, doesnt that fundamentally change what it means to be human, or turian or whatever? Do they still age and die from it? Do organics still suffer from disease, and are they now susceptible to computer viruses? Are the Geth now at risk from the common cold and now have a limited life span? What does this all really do to everyone?

Beyond having glowy eyes and some sparkly veins what does this whole synthesis thing actually entail?

ALL I NEED TO KNOW is whether Joker and EDI can have little green circuit board babies now.

 

[LightofRohan]

Space....

Magic.

ORRRR

Spoiler

Magic space

But guys.. guys... what was the catalyst? I still don't get it

 

[Riposte]

ORRRR

Spoiler

Magic space

But guys.. guys... what was the catalyst? I still don't get it

I'm the catalyst

 

[LordCanti]

ORRRR

Spoiler

Magic space

But guys.. guys... what was the catalyst? I still don't get it

We don't know what the hell the catalyst is. All we know is that the Citadel is a part of it, and that it controls the Reapers.

 

[Dresden]

ORRRR

Spoiler

Magic space

But guys.. guys... what was the catalyst? I still don't get it

we are the catalyst

 

[Pollux]

ORRRR

Spoiler

Magic space

But guys.. guys... what was the catalyst? I still don't get it

ORRRR

I don't know.

Spoiler

Therefore Aliens

 

[hateradio]

The catalyst is the magic to ignite your life.

 

[Jintor]

It's a fucking Deus Ex Machina. It's a God out of nowhere.

 

[Rodney McKay]

ORRRR

Spoiler

Magic space

But guys.. guys... what was the catalyst? I still don't get it

What a great question. If only you had the option to ask, like in a Mass Effect game.

 

[Dresden]

"So who are you and why am I always running in slow motion to you in my dreams?"

 

[Minion101]

Was that a space magic "portal" the Normandy fell into during the relay jump?

 

[obonicus]

Just finished it, and I don't think I mind that Shepard dies. It's been foreshadowed throughout the entire game, and if Bioware wants to go that way, good on them, it's their universe. Likewise for taking out the mass relays.

My biggest problem is that it isn't much of an ending. You sacrifice your character for the galaxy, but you have no idea what happened afterwards, who survived or didn't. A series that spans 3 games really ought to have had at the very least a Fallout-style slideshow.

 

[LightofRohan]

ORRRR

I don't know.

Spoiler

Therefore Aliens

we are the catalyst

We don't know what the hell the catalyst is. All we know is that the Citadel is a part of it, and that it controls the Reapers.

I'm the catalyst

Thanks guys. We are getting nowhere with this.

But I'll accept nanomachines as the answer at this point

Just finished it, and I don't think I mind that Shepard dies. It's been foreshadowed throughout the entire game, and if Bioware wants to go that way, good on them, it's their universe. Likewise for taking out the mass relays.

My biggest problem is that it isn't much of an ending. You sacrifice your character for the galaxy, but you have no idea what happened afterwards, who survived or didn't. A series that spans 3 games really ought to have had at the very least a Fallout-style slideshow.

Yea I'm not that upset about the ending plot wise (although it's dreadful). But the lack of TRUE choice and the ending being 5 minutes long is inexcusable. And then add on that post credits, "PAPA! WAZ SHEPARDS?! MOAR STORY!" "K SON LOL. BUT YA GOTTA PAY FIRST!" was embarassing. It made me laugh now hearing Casey saying, "We left it open for DLC in a smart way to make way for more stories in the mass effect universe". That was your way? A kid asking popop "MOAR STORY!"

 

[Rahxephon91]

Would have been awesome if The Lincoln Park song "The Catalyst" played during the credits.

 

[hao chi]

I think I found a potential issue with the indoctrination theory while replaying the Cerberus Base mission: the Prothean VI asks if you're recovering him from indoctrinated forces, but he never indicates Shepard is indoctrinated.

It's a shame, because other than this, the theory seemed perfect.

I guess it's still possible though, and this is a plot hole... or maybe Shepard just isn't indoctrinated enough to for the VI to detect it.

No idea what to think now.

 

[branny]

Would have been awesome if The Lincoln Park song "The Catalyst" played during the credits.

The lyrics to that would've been fitting, too. It'd be less funny than "In the End," though.

 

[Nexas]

It's a fucking Deus Ex Machina. It's a God out of nowhere.

It is a literal god from a machine.

 

[LumpOfCole]

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

I think I found a potential issue with the indoctrination theory while replaying the Cerberus Base mission: the Prothean VI asks if you're recovering him from indoctrinated forces, but he never indicates Shepard is indoctrinated.

It's a shame, because other than this, the theory seemed perfect.

I guess it's still possible though, and this is a plot hole... or maybe Shepard just isn't indoctrinated enough to for the VI to detect it.

No idea what to think now.

No worries, mate! TIM already destroyed the security, so it probably couldn't tell anymore whether or not you were indoctrinated. Theory saved!

Spoiler

this is all going to end in tears. You know that, right?

 

[Dresden]

I think I found a potential issue with the indoctrination theory while replaying the Cerberus Base mission: the Prothean VI asks if you're recovering him from indoctrinated forces, but he never indicates Shepard is indoctrinated.

It's a shame, because other than this, the theory seemed perfect.

I guess it's still possible though, and this is a plot hole... or maybe Shepard just isn't indoctrinated enough to for the VI to detect it.

No idea what to think now.

He's so indoctrinated that when the VI mentions this, he tuned it out.

 

[teh_pwn]

Just finished the game, how do I get my readiness higher, its still 50%?

Download a save editor and increase readiness of one entry such that you double your baseline readiness level. Or you do what they want - coerce you to play a MP game that's completely irrelevant to a story driven single player game.

 

[Digoman]

I think I found a potential issue with the indoctrination theory while replaying the Cerberus Base mission: the Prothean VI asks if you're recovering him from indoctrinated forces, but he never indicates Shepard is indoctrinated.

It's a shame, because other than this, the theory seemed perfect.

I guess it's still possible though, and this is a plot hole... or maybe Shepard just isn't indoctrinated enough to for the VI to detect it.

No idea what to think now.

Yes, the VI seems to have the ability to detect indoctrination. I also remember it saying something like "indoctrinated organism detected" when Kai Leng was approaching in Thessia. So... either indoctrination happened a lot faster then the other cases we have seen in the series, or the "dream" theory has another hole in it.

Stop bargaining people, it's just a shitty ending. (but I will be glad to proven wrong on this one)

EDIT: ops, it was "indoctrinated agent".

 

[hateradio]

Would have been awesome if The Lincoln Park song "The Catalyst" played during the credits.

I don't think I've heard of it, but the one that was posted earlier was perfect.

 

[Metroidvania]

He's so indoctrinated that when the VI mentions this, he tuned it out.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, I suppose, the VI on Thessia only says "indoctrinated agent" approaching when Kai Leng shows up. (this also brings up the GIANT plot hole of Prothean sleeper agents somehow ruining the crucible when their own VIs could detect indoctrination, but hey, who's counting at this point)

Could mean that Shep's not that far along yet, who knows. He only got exposed to Harbinger right at the end, at least, on a full-on scale. His unconsciousness could be Harbinger attempting a more quick route to indoctrination.

 

[Jintor]

Unfortunately, or fortunately, I suppose, the VI on Thessia only says "indoctrinated agent" approaching when Kai Leng shows up. (this also brings up the GIANT plot hole of Prothean sleeper agents somehow ruining the crucible when their own VIs could detect indoctrination, but hey, who's counting at this point)

Urgh. Maybe only certain VIs could detect indoctrination. I don't know.

 

[knitoe]

Just finish the game. Been staying away from all ME3 info so I can fully enjoy the last of the trilogy. Really love the first 20 hours. Thought it was GOTY. It started going downhill when I realized many of characters in previous games don't come along instead they have all these lame excuses. What's more important then the whole universal on the brink of destruction. Being the last of the trilogy, every living past characters should be available. At the end, I felt like "horde mode". Waves and waves of same enemies. Then, comes the pathetic endings. Way to end a once promising trilogy.

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

Yes, the VI seems to have the ability to detect indoctrination. I also remember it saying something like "indoctrinated organism detected" when Kai Leng was approaching in Thessia. So... either indoctrination happened a lot faster then the other cases we have seen in the series, or the "dream" theory has another hole in it.

Stop bargaining people, it's just a shitty ending. (but I will be glad to proven wrong on this one)

No! I will not sacrifice the theory. We've made too many compromises already. Too many retreats. They invade our space and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds and we fall back. Not again! The line must be drawn here... THIS far, NO further!

on an unrelated note: there are four lights!

Urgh. Maybe only certain VIs could detect indoctrination. I don't know.

see Vigil in ME1:

"I do not sense the taint of indoctrination on you. Perhaps there is still hope."

 

[LightofRohan]

Maybe Shepard is sooo indoctrinated that he is perceived as a Reaper to most VI's, thus why the first thing the VI said was "Reaper presence detected".

LOOP HOLE SOLVED!

 

[hateradio]

He wasn't indoctrinated.

 

[lastplayed]

I think I found a potential issue with the indoctrination theory while replaying the Cerberus Base mission: the Prothean VI asks if you're recovering him from indoctrinated forces, but he never indicates Shepard is indoctrinated.

It's a shame, because other than this, the theory seemed perfect.

I guess it's still possible though, and this is a plot hole... or maybe Shepard just isn't indoctrinated enough to for the VI to detect it.

No idea what to think now.

No problem. Shepard never woke up after his first boy in the woods dream. He'll eventually wake up from that and we'll get to play the real game in ME4.

 

[hao chi]

Spoiler

this is all going to end in tears. You know that, right?

Probably, but I can't help but feel there's a reason Shepard is still alive in the Destroy ending. No fucking way Shepard could have survived a fall from that height.

I'm probably being overly-optimistic, which is odd since I'm normally a pessimist, but I have a feeling there's more to the ending (or will be... maybe) than I first thought.

 

[Dresden]

So when will we get a site similar to squallsdead.com ?

 

[LumpOfCole]

Man, the in-game codex entry for indoctrination really does eerily fit into the last 5 minutes of the game.

 

[hateradio]

So when will we get a site similar to squallsdead.com ?

Want to buy the domain?

 

[LightofRohan]

I seriously think the only way they could actually change the ending, would be something I know gamers would not allow.

They'd have to release it as a Mass Effect 3 (Revised Edition) so you'd have to rebuy the game for that. Because realistically, they'd not commit THAT many resources (it would be A LOT) to appease fans. And not even from a Bioware stand point, imagine Bioware going to EA asking for what, 500k more bucks to fix the ending they messed up (admitting incompetency to your publisher). That wouldn't work unless they can clearly state it would actually provide a profit in the long run; requiring repurchase. I'd gladly rebuy it though, I know how crazy expensive this must have been to produce/revise. I'd still have hate for them, but at least they'd recognize the short sidedness and fix it though.

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

Probably, but I can't help but feel there's a reason Shepard is still alive in the Destroy ending. No fucking way Shepard could have survived a fall from that height.

I'm probably being overly-optimistic, which is odd since I'm normally a pessimist, but I have a feeling there's more to the ending (or will be... maybe) than I first thought.

I figure that it's because it's the canon ending, and renegade is all about being badass, so action hank surviving all that on pure badassfullness would make sense.

Diplomatic immunity and all that.

edit: actually, they should just add a line "this one requests that you get up, soldier". Blasto saves the galaxy, F yeah.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

No wonder the VO on the old guy was bad, it was Buzz aldrin.

 

[Metroidvania]

I seriously think the only way they could actually change the ending, would be something I know gamers would not allow.

Or they already have a DLC-ending waiting in the wings that adds something already planned out and certified. Who knows?

Spoiler

Aliens

edit: BTW, didn't Bioware said that for once, Paragon choices could come back to bite you? Did this ever actually happen besides the fake rachni queen?

 

[Jintor]

Or they already have a DLC-ending waiting in the wings that adds something already planned out and certified. Who knows?

Spoiler

Aliens

edit: BTW, didn't Bioware said that for once, Paragon choices could come back to bite you? Did this ever actually happen besides the fake rachni queen?

Kelly dying (off-screen), makes the Geth/Quarian reconcilliation a little harder?

 

[sleeprockss]

Or they already have a DLC-ending waiting in the wings that adds something already planned out and certified. Who knows?

Spoiler

Aliens

edit: BTW, didn't Bioware said that for once, Paragon choices could come back to bite you? Did this ever actually happen besides the fake rachni queen?

Re-writing the Geth in ME 2 does.

 

[hao chi]

I figure that it's because it's the canon ending, and renegade is all about being badass, so action hank surviving all that on pure badassfullness would make sense.

Diplomatic immunity and all that.

edit: actually, they should just add a line "this one requests that you get up, soldier". Blasto saves the galaxy, F yeah.

Yeah, I'm sure it's the canon ending, but how would Shepard have survived that fall? Even ignoring the indoctrination theory, I don't get that part, unless Project Lazarus removed fall damage for Shepard...

Bioware really needs to hurry up and add some clarity to the ending, either with an explanation or a DLC.

 

[Uriah]

The worse part is the endings taint an otherwise pretty good game. Whenever I think Mass Effect, my first thought will be those shitty endings.

 

[BannedEpisode]

I've said it before, but given the options I don't really view the destruction option as renegade beyond the color assigned to it.

 

[LightofRohan]

The worse part is the endings taint an otherwise pretty good game. Whenever I think Mass Effect, my first thought will be those shitty endings.

Yea it's like having a delicious three course meal, all delicious and at the very end the waiter tells you that you just ate puppy meat and punches your gf in the face.

Or, it's like LOST.

 

[hateradio]

The only DLC that would fix this is full nude mod DLC for sexing your LI.

Tali fans will be #1 in line.

Yea it's like having a delicious three course meal, all delicious and at the very end the waiter tells you that you just ate puppy meat and punches your gf in the face.

Or, it's like LOST.

Didn't you read the article earlier? ME's ending isn't anything like Lost at all. It's guaranteed.