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[hateradio]

I honestly think that it has nothing to do with marketing. It's all about time. They just didn't have the time or the resources to craft a coherent ending.

You mean intro, but the end did suffer, too.

It would have been cool (well... you know) if you saw the mother/father and the kid run into the vent building and then it blow up when you get there but inside you just see the parent's corpse and the kid hiding in the vent, all scared and confused and then Shepard and Anderson take him with them. The kid would talk along the way, Shep could reassure him or be blunt and at the end of the Earth bit Shep would put him on a shuttle and it'd get blown up. That way, we'd have cared about him more (he'd have a name, a personality) and we'd feel responsible for his death (putting him on the shuttle that gets blown up).

But noooooooooooo we see him for all of 10 seconds in a vent being weird and then wandering around at the end before he stumbles into a shuttle and blows up.

All you outlined would make too much sense.

I imagine we would have seen the kid's mom's death or her corpse somewhere. But the kid says his dad flies a big ship, so he's probably a pilot. I don't think we would be able to have seen him. However, if we had put the kid onto his impending deathbed, it would have affected Shep more than what actually happens.

 

[rdrr gnr]

At first, I felt that they were the same, but that bystander was probably just minding his own business while the repairman knows the dangers of working on a railroad, so I went with A.

As for the rest, I completely agree and it's kind of what I expected how the series would end if there had to be a choice. A good moral quandary where the choices are both right and wrong depending on your perspective. It could have been possible, but with the writing ability displayed at Bioware, I don't think they could have pulled it off.

That's the thing; that's what highlights the brilliance of such a scenario; and, what highlights the insurmountable failure on Bioware's end. Simply switch out the variables in the equation and you have a solid dilemma each time. Instead of railroad workers, it's two pregnant women, and the bystander you need to kill is a doctor. Instead of railroad workers it's two ex-cons who have found God and do charity work, but the bystander you need to kill is a crooked police officer. It's almost impressive that Bioware failed. Shit. Now I'm just getting angry. I wish I could throw Jacob in front a train.

 

[heliosRAzi]

That's the thing; that's what highlights the brilliance of such a scenario; and, what highlights the insurmountable failure on Bioware's end. Simply switch out the variables in the equation and you have a solid dilemma each time. Instead of railroad workers, it's two pregnant women, and the bystander you need to kill is a doctor. Instead of railroad workers it's two ex-cons who have found God and do charity work, but the bystander you need to kill is a crooked police officer. It's almost impressive that Bioware failed. Shit. Now I'm just getting angry.

You know what gets me angry? Seeing how the Genophage cure situation depends on your previous choices and then looking at the ending to ME3. It's literally right there in the game how they should have approached the ending.

 

[LightofRohan]

TOMORROW! We hear "details". If they are not amazing. I'm going to rage so hard.

You will all see. You will see.

 

[Rubezh]

I'm not sure if this has been posted before but there's a quite a funny thread on BSN where users are posting pictures about the endings. Below are two of my favourites.

 

[Dilly]

The whole kill organics to give other organics a chance to thrive making the Reapers the caretakers of organic life in the galaxy sounds quite cool.

I'll just have to replace synthetic with organic in my mind the next time I play the ending. I'll just assume he made a mistake.

 

[hateradio]

TOMORROW! We hear "details". If they are not amazing. I'm going to rage so hard.

You will all see. You will see.

Will it make this thread come back to life?

Community has killed all the speculation.

 

[rdrr gnr]

We need to plug this thread in the inevitable PAX thread.

"Oh, wow. This has huge implications for the ending. Oh, what's that? No open spoilers here? I'll just head on over to the spoiler thread in Community and circlejerk discuss."

 

[def sim]

If we were to use EDI a whole bunch is it possible to get her to appear in the high EMS destroy ending?

 

[HadesGigas]

If we were to use EDI a whole bunch is it possible to get her to appear in the high EMS destroy ending?

I used her probably the most, so no.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Guys, what's better

Telling Mordin about the genophage sabotage right from the start so he sings modern major generalup the elevator

Or

Telling him when you get to the Shroud and bring up how he was for the genophage and against maelons data to get him to yell "I MADE A MISTAKE!" And then letting him go up.

 

[Zen]

Well the signing one is the best, but I ended up arguing with him at the genophage site and then shot him in the back.

 

[Arjen]

Well the signing one is the best, but I ended up arguing with him at the genophage site and then shot him in the back.

You monster!

 

[WrenchNinja]

Well I'm not going to shoot him! Wondering if watching him display some real anger and regret would be better than him singing. I'm torn.

 

[def sim]

I used her probably the most, so no.

Ah

I thought they might have forgotten to turn her check off for the squadron usage criteria.

 

[HadesGigas]

Well I'm not going to shoot him! Wondering if watching him display some real anger and regret would be better than him singing. I'm torn.

What happens with Wrex if you don't tell them on the dropship? Does he just never find out you almost didn't cure the genophage?

I liked his reaction when you told them all on the dropship. All "told you we could trust Shepard!"

 

[rdrr gnr]

Another hilarious ME3 video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdPxL3edznc&feature=g-u-u&context=G25c5d0cFUAAAAAAANAA

 

[Freeza Under The Shower]

Sparky Clarkson has another critique up, this time about what he sees as the primary theme of the Mass Effect trilogy, one that on first reading at least I largely agree with. See what you think.

slow clap


but in the end, saying what the end 'should have been' doesn't change that it wasn't that.

 

[CharmingCharlie]

Hmm dunno what to make of this :-

-BioWare, a Label of Electronic Arts Inc. announced Mass Effect™ 3: Extended Cut, a downloadable content pack that will expand upon the events at the end of the critically acclaimed Action RPG. Through additional cinematic sequences and epilogue scenes, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will give fans seeking further clarity to the ending of Mass Effect 3 deeper insights into how their personal journey concludes. Coming this summer, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will be available for download on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC for no extra charge*.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120405005304/en/BioWare-Announces-Mass-Effect-3-Extended-Cut

 

[Turfster]

Soooo... Bioware went totally the wrong way.
Sigh.

 

[Rapstah]

The name "extended cut" seriously implies that they're just adding in removed content, and I really doubt that that ever will fix it to the satisfaction of those who disliked its very concept.

 

[Galactic Fork]

The whole kill organics to give other organics a chance to thrive making the Reapers the caretakers of organic life in the galaxy sounds quite cool.

I'll just have to replace synthetic with organic in my mind the next time I play the ending. I'll just assume he made a mistake.

Sure, it's "cool" if you don't give it a lot of thought, but remember, the Reapers also put the mass relays there so the cultures will develop in a predictable manner. So even if they're thriving, they're still pinned in to the reaper's wishes. Of course that's still ignoring that the Reapers are deciding that ok, you've had your time, now we kill you all, la la la.

Plus if you think about it more, they're pretty much the architects of interstellar travel and culture... It's like building a college, inviting lots of people to the college, and when they reach a certain level of education, deciding it's time to murder them all so more students will come. I really don't see how this is cool.

 

[Blue Ninja]

The name "extended cut" seriously implies that they're just adding in removed content, and I really doubt that that ever will fix it to the satisfaction of those who disliked its very concept.

Honestly, if they can expand on it enough to make it actually coherent, it's fine by me. I like the concept, just not the execution.

 

[Moaradin]

We don't know what they are doing yet.

 

[Deleted member 81567]

So no actual new gameplay? Hahaha, oh Bioware.

 

[Bisnic]

So no actual new gameplay? Hahaha, oh Bioware.

Did anyone ever asked for more gameplay though? They wanted a better ending, not an ending with more gameplay.

 

[Galactic Fork]

Hmm dunno what to make of this :-




http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120405005304/en/BioWare-Announces-Mass-Effect-3-Extended-Cut

This frightens me. It reads of what they think we want vs what we actually want. And considering Bioware's response to the hoopla, I'm not optimistic.

 

[Patryn]

I don't think Bioware's attempt to prevent the ME panel at PAX East from being a bloodbath will succeed.

 

[Dany]

So no actual new gameplay? Hahaha, oh Bioware.

That was not going to happen...

 

[Joe Molotov]

I'm predicting it will still be shit. Something like "Oh, btw Sheperd, I just wanted to let you know that space magic keeps the Mass Relays from killing everyone, also I can teleport all your friends away from Earth and back onto your ship if you want."

 

[firehawk12]

Yeah, I'm expecting nothing good out of this thing.

It's almost as if they planned this in order to get people to keep their games for another few months though. "True ending in a few months, really! You get to see

Spoiler

Tali

naked on the jungle planet now!"

 

[Plasma]

I don't think Bioware's attempt to prevent the ME panel at PAX East from being a bloodbath will succeed.

They'll be able to answer every question on the ending with a vague answer of just wait for the DLC though.

 

[KingItachi]

They'll be able to answer every question on the ending with a vague answer of just wait for the DLC though.

I hope the fans go in on them during the panel.

 

[Patryn]

They'll be able to answer every question on the ending with a vague answer of just wait for the DLC though.

Oh, of that I think you're totally correct.

 

[DTKT]

It's going to be a 14 seconds long bink video.

 

[Replicant]

I just replayed the game on Insanity and upon reaching the ending, I get the impression that the Reapers and its controller aka the Catalyst aka SpaceBrat are old relics of machinery/programming that at one point may had the right situation for their use but nowadays, they are like old programming that should have been retired but keep running on like Energizer. I wish that's where Bioware had gone with the direction but they didn't. They had the right setting/framework for it but they missed so much and I kept getting stumped on a few annoying facts:

* The main concept of the Reapers' purpose is fucking ridiculous no matter how I see it. As I said before, it would probably made sense for one civilization (one that doesn't have similar power to fight back against synthetics or synthetics that are not sentient enough to feel attachment to its former master) back then but it certainly is not the solution for all kinds of species.
* Anything post beam attack has a WTF tone to it. The hazy look/near the edge of death thing wasn't a good look (or a good game experience). It just confuses people into wondering if this whole thing is a dream or real.
* To some extent both Destroy and Control endings do make sense within the context of the series and both have been discussed throughout the 3rd game. I just don't like the casualties involved in both, mainly space relays. I understand why it worked the way it is but I'll always think that it's so dumb of all the species for building the Crucible and not know what and where the energy to power it may possibly come from. Also, on the writers' part, it's dumb for them to execute this considering what we know about the consequences of destroying relays. And yes, the relays are definitely destroyed with major impacts here (flying shrapnel, supernova, etc). It'd take a super fanwank to figure out how they do not destroy nearby solar system.
* For a supposedly 'new' solution, synthesis ending is completely not-satisfying because it doesn't offer anything new in terms of repercussion. It offers a different solution but in the end, the consequence still stays the same. What's the point of it being a new solution when the consequence is still the same?
* There's a lot of disconnect between post beam attack scene and the citadel scene.
* There are so many missing opportunities that Bioware didn't use, implying EDI's suggestion of giving synthetics individuality, Liara's time capsule instead of creepy grandpa as epilogue, etc.

 

[Rapstah]

It's going to be a 14 seconds long bink video.

They could troll everyone and just run the non-standard game over video from Arrival. The eight-second one where the Reapers arrive and fuck everything up.

 

[daoster]

"Extended Cut" = I am depressed now.

Nothing is going to change. They're just going to add a scene showing how Anderson got to the central area of the Citadel first before Shepard. MARK MY WORDS.

 

[Bisnic]

"Extended Cut" = I am depressed now.

Nothing is going to change. They're just going to add a scene showing how Anderson got to the central area of the Citadel first before Shepard. MARK MY WORDS.

Really now, if you expect them to just add that... *roll eyes*

Then again, i suppose expecting the worst can only make the real thing looks better.

 

[heliosRAzi]

I knew they would just add cut content. And that still doesn't solve shit.

The gift keeps on giving

 

[Replicant]

They're just going to show Hackett signalling Joker to pick up your crews on Earth once he sees the Citadel's arms open.

 

[heliosRAzi]

We need to bring them here! We need to give this thread more life blood!

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

I knew they would just add cut content. And that still doesn't solve shit.

The gift keeps on giving

Lets at least wait to see what they end up giving us. I'm skeptical as well, but perhaps they can add something in that fills in the gaps and makes the ending at least a little coherent and satisfying.

I'm not holding my breath, just saying.

 

[Tony Redgrave]

Honestly, if they can expand on it enough to make it actually coherent, it's fine by me. I like the concept, just not the execution.

This. I didn't dislike the ending perse, I just felt it was rushed and incoherent, if they actually flesh it out give logical explanations for things and a decent epilogue I'll be satisfied. Still, the fact that choices won't matter will remain, but, alas this is probably the best we're getting.

 

[heliosRAzi]

Lets at least wait to see what they end up giving us. I'm skeptical as well, but perhaps they can add something in that fills in the gaps and makes the ending at least a little coherent and satisfying.

I'm not holding my breath, just saying.

True, but there is an old saying "don't polish a turd."

Anyway, this whole ending controversy sure does bring out the stupids

 

[Lime]

We need to bring them here! We need to give this thread more life blood!

You can just compare Bioware with Picasso, that should get the thread running again.

 

[heliosRAzi]

You can just compare Bioware with Picasso, that should get the thread running again.

Oh God that was so dumb. And he knows he was wrong about that since he was just cherry picking the worst post to respond to.

 

[alysonwheel]

While this announcement has sucked out almost all the enthusiasm I had left for the series (and for continuing the Insanity ME2 run I'm playing right now) I have to admit to being curious about just how they're going to explain and clarify the Xzibit logic and teleporting squadmates.

 

[HollovVpo1nt]

The indoctrination theory is a perfectly applicable theory I don't want an Extended Cut :'(

 

[Patryn]

While this announcement has sucked out almost all the enthusiasm I had left for the series (and for continuing the Insanity ME2 run I'm playing right now) I have to admit to being curious about just how they're going to explain and clarify the Xzibit logic and teleporting squadmates.

I don't think they'll clarify the Reaper's purpose.

I think they'll explain that the Relays did not explode, killing every species that we know about.

I think they'll try to explain the teleporting squadmates.

I think they'll try to show that, no, Tali and Garrus do not die from starvation because.... who the fuck knows.

I think they'll try to walk back the galactic dark age.

I think the Buzz scene will no longer be set 10,000 years in the future.