[televator]

Can someone explain the whole Marauder Shields thing to me? I'm assuming its a reference to how you read the name + shield bar tag of a marauder, but what is all this other stuff?

He's the lone marauder that you encounter when you approach the beam toward the ending of the game. It's joked that he actually took it upon himself to save you from the ending --in true reaper fashion -- by killing you. It's an act of mercy and he is a goddam hero for it.

[hateradio]

He's also the final boss.

[Rapstah]

He's also the final boss.

And the fourth to last thing in the game you can die from.

Illusive Man dialogue all bad options, Crucible destroyed, ending killing you.

[Phuturephunk]

Really now? I know GAF have lost all faith in Bioware after ME3 ending, but it's ridiculous to think all of their ending DLC is going to a bunch of jpgs with voices. They're trying to win back some of their fans with it, not lose what's left.

All I know is, they turn up the contrast and add some Gaussian monochromatic noise, I'm sold.

I'm an easy lay like that.

[Zeitgeister]

On the indoctrination theory, Family Guy Season Six Episode Five, Stewie Kills Lois Brian: Hey, Stewie,we got a postcard from Peter and Lois on the cruise. What are you doing? Stewie: Oh, hello, Brian. Well, you recall my complaining about Lois and the fat man not taking me with them? Brian: Yeah. Yes. S: Well, you said I didn't have it in me to kill Lois, so I was just running a simulation to find out exactly how killing her and taking over the world would play out for me. B: Yeah? How did that go? S: Not well, Brian. Not well. I suppose I'm not ready to kill Lois or take over the world... yet. B: So, what you're saying is that what you experienced in the simulation didn't really happen or even matter. S: Yes. That's correct. B: So it was sort of like a dream. S: No. It was a simulation. B: Yes, but theoretically, if someone watched the events of that simulation from start to finish, only to find out that none of it really happened, I mean, you don't think that would be just like a giant middle finger to them? S: Well hopefully, they would have enjoyed the ride. B: I don't know, man. I think you piss a lot of people off that way. Seriously, even if it's true, which it's probably not due to the amount of credit you'd have to give Bioware (the the amount of forgiveness you'd have to give them for not including a pretty important story element), it's still shoddy writing because nothing we did matters. At all.

this is only a cop-out because there is nothing within the established narrative to validate such an ending. However, when it is a part of the narrative that dreams, reality or mind control / whatever may cause 'tricks' on people, it is a legit ending.

consider eXistence (the movie) for instance, or Solaris. Or for that matter video games that play with the issue, say the Darkness, Alan wake, and so on.

It's only a really shitty ending when it isn't a logical conclusion to a set of elements and relationships ('developments', basically). When it's basically a Deus Ex machina or a 'saving face' maneuver on the part of the writers. That still might just be underwhelming, not shitty. I mean: "it was just a dream" is about a quarter or even more of all Star Trek plots, if you include the holodeck.


I honestly would have been fine with it all being played out by an advanced prediction algorithm in the Eden Prime beacon (might even have been Vigil), since that would fit the universe and would be about the best thing the Protheans could have come up with in order to stop the cycle. It's weak-ish, but not unfitting to the narrative.

They could have even made Renegade shep the 'effective shep' past that point: seeking out TIM by choice, convincing the council of the thread by less 'paragon-ish' means, and so on.

What are they supposed to do with the franchise with the ending they made? Landfill all extra copies somewhere in the Nevada dessert with a sign that says: "NEVER AGAIN"?

I wonder if EA wanted to get rid of the franchise, because it doesn't fit their 'needs' with Bioware. (which, looking at the marketing budget, I doubt very much. So then the question becomes: why did they let it happen? Why spend so much money on a future dodo? )

[Aske]

Seriously, even if it's true, which it's probably not due to the amount of credit you'd have to give Bioware (the the amount of forgiveness you'd have to give them for not including a pretty important story element), it's still shoddy writing because nothing we did matters. At all.

On the contrary - it returns meaning to the 60 hours of gameplay that the ending that we currently have renders moot.

Only the very final section of the game is a dream, when Shepard is drawn up into the Citadel. And the theory is only valid if fulfilled with a true ending. Saying "it was just a dream!" is not a better way to view the crap we were given; it's a hope for a proper ending that follows on from what we have. It's more of a prediction than simply an alternative interpretation as it stands.

Some people think the current ending is exactly as it appears, and any extra content will build on the destroyed relays and synthesis/control idea; others believe choosing to destroy the reapers represents more than the current ending presents at face value, and will be a springboard to an ending in which we don't have to fuck up the galaxy to stop the invaders.

[riceandbeans]

What are they supposed to do with the franchise with the ending they made? Landfill all extra copies somewhere in the Nevada dessert with a sign that says: "NEVER AGAIN"? I wonder if EA wanted to get rid of the franchise, because it doesn't fit their 'needs' with Bioware. (which, looking at the marketing budget, I doubt very much. So then the question becomes: why did they let it happen? Why spend so much money on a future dodo? )

There's no way EA would let a multi-million selling franchise with an established fanbase end. Shitty ending or not, fans will still buy another ME game in droves. Possibly Bioware made an ending that was very hard to work around so they could put off making a sequel until EA demands or they ran out of time due to main writers leaving and EA forcing deadlines judging by all the cut content. Were definitely going to see more Mass Effect games with a heavier focus on multiplayer and maybe even a direct sequel following the other squadmates.

[Captain Tuttle]

There's no way EA would let a multi-million selling franchise with an established fanbase end. Shitty ending or not, fans will still buy another ME game in droves.

You know what? This is the strongest argument for the Indoctrination theory that I've seen

[DTKT]

There's no way EA would let a multi-million selling franchise with an established fanbase end. Shitty ending or not, fans will still buy another ME game in droves. Possibly Bioware made an ending that was very hard to work around so they could put off making a sequel until EA demands or they ran out of time due to main writers leaving and EA forcing deadlines judging by all the cut content. Were definitely going to see more Mass Effect games with a heavier focus on multiplayer and maybe even a direct sequel following the other squadmates.

The ending doesn't matter when you are doing prequels and spin-off games. Casey Hudson said as much in the "Final Hours" app.

[HadesGigas]

The ending doesn't matter when you are doing prequels and spin-off games. Casey Hudson said as much in the "Final Hours" app.

It matters in a "everyone in this prequel dies in 2 years, so why bother?" way, I guess.

[Rufus]

You know what? This is the strongest argument for the Indoctrination theory that I've seen

Not ending the franchise doesn't mean that they are going to continue the story past the events of ME3.

[Adam Blade]

Marauder Shields is soooo freaking annoying on Insanity. I'm on like try 15 now. -_-

[Dany M]

Marauder Shields is soooo freaking annoying on Insanity. I'm on like try 15 now. -_-

Hah, yeah, I had to stop and pick it up the next day. He's a serious asshole. The recoil on the pistol I had was shit.

[foladar]

Marauder Shields is soooo freaking annoying on Insanity. I'm on like try 15 now. -_-

I'd probably lose it by then, I was getting irritated after death 2 on Insanity with that guy.

[televator]

It actually makes me happy that Maruder is doing his job so well on insanity. Haha!

[riceandbeans]

It matters in a "everyone in this prequel dies in 2 years, so why bother?" way, I guess.

It's still possible. I haven't beaten Bioshock, but from what I gather, we all know Rapture ends up as a pretty fucked up place and they managed to pull off a prequel. The same can be done with Mass Effect and fly eating Salarians and stock photo, three fingered, human looking Quarians.

[John Harker]

"final bosses" and 'epic last battles' are so damn cliche anyway, I'm glad there wasn't one like that here... I'm totally cool with a narrative driven final encounter like we got with .

Besides, that long ass gauntlet of enemies prior to rushing the Beam was so damn annoying, I didn't even WANT to fight anymore

[Mutanthands]

It's still possible. I haven't beaten Bioshock, but from what I gather, we all know Rapture ends up as a pretty fucked up place and they managed to pull off a prequel.

Bioshock 2 was a sequel, set 10 years later. Bioshock Infinite is in a completely different setting, with no shared characters, and likely not even in the same universe. It's about as much a prequel to Bioshock as Bioshock was to System Shock.

[Gazzawa]

"final bosses" and 'epic last battles' are so damn cliche anyway, I'm glad there wasn't one like that here... I'm totally cool with a narrative driven final encounter like we got with . Besides, that long ass gauntlet of enemies prior to rushing the Beam was so damn annoying, I didn't even WANT to fight anymore

Fighting off a whole bunch of ravagers and banshees felt climactic enough for me.

[Bisnic]

Fighting off a whole bunch of ravagers and banshees felt climactic enough for me.

I'd rather fight these with a team of 4 to revive me like in multiplayer matches than a lot of Game Over screens. :P

[Gazzawa]

I'd rather fight these with a team of 4 to revive me like in multiplayer matches than a lot of Game Over screens. :P

haha pro tip: when in doubt- biotic charge it out.
Cleared that last bit on insanity with that trick alone.

[utsavinheaven]

Fighting off a whole bunch of ravagers and banshees felt climactic enough for me.

ya absence of boss was there,but u had an army to worry abt.
They implement the indoctrination theory and give us an epic ending then everything is forgiven.

[Gui_PT]

They implement the indoctrination theory and give us an epic ending then everything is forgiven.

W..why?

[nel e nel]

Rachni Wars
Krogan Rebellion
First Contact War


Boom! The Mass Effect Prequelogy.

[Dresden]

They implement the indoctrination theory and give us an epic ending then everything is forgiven.

How can they implement something that is already there?

[Rufus]

Argh.

Rachni Wars Krogan Rebellion First Contact War Boom! The Mass Effect Prequelogy.

Only the First Contact War features humans, so if anything it's going to be a game about that.

[The Broken Ska Record]

I'd much rather have a story that doesn't focus on Humans again. One of the things I liked about the Mass Effect games were the different races.

[Ogs]

Bloody controversy surrounding the ending, its got my mind going now !

The indoctrination theory would, for me, actually make it a pretty good ending, it would make certain things in the game seem .... smarter. For example the whole, earth boy death thing, when i played the demo i just saw it as a tacky way of slapping some emotion in the players face, but if this was the indoctrination thing, it would have tied very nicely into the whole series.

Then youve also got the Shepherd survives cut scene, where his body looks like its on the ground in the rubble where the teleport beam thing was to the citadel. Doesnt the citadel explode if you go the destroy ending (which is how you get the Shepherd survives thing) ? He would be floating in space not in the middle of some rubble :P Of course, this could just be BioWare throwing it in there as a nice thing and hoping nobody really asked questions.

Probably looking too much into it and ..... hoping, bah.

[Complistic]

the indoctrination theory doesn't make the ending good. if it's true shepard was just taking a nap and the reapers are still there. That ending sucks just as much in a different way.

[Gui_PT]

the indoctrination theory doesn't make the ending good. if it's true shepard was just taking a nap and the reapers are still there. That ending sucks just as much in a different way.

Yeah the indoctrination theory would mean the game has no ending

shepard fell asleep. what happened to the war and everyone else? welp who cares? the indoctrination theory ending would be enough, right?!

Hope bioware doesn't listen to fans like this

[Complistic]

what I would be for is remaking the ending so that what we've played is actually shepard being indoctrinated, then you can wake up and then actually finish the game. Would be a great mind fuck.

[Hellraizer]

shepard fell asleep.

Shepard took a nap on Eden Prime while Saren got a ticket from Nihlus for parking his big-ass Spaceship on the wrong planet. Mission Accomplished, Shepard goes back to Earth/Colony/Spaceship. Three unique endings.

[Crewnh]

Argh. Only the First Contact War features humans, so if anything it's going to be a game about that.

The first contact war wasn't much of a war, most of the galaxy did not give a shit and the turians consider it a minor conflict at best. Its humans who get all up and arms about it because they're whiny babies.

But I'm sure bioware will retcon it into some massive galactic war.

[Rapstah]

The first contact war wasn't much of a war, most of the galaxy did not give a shit and the turians consider it a minor conflict at best. Its humans who get all up and arms about it because they're whiny babies. But I'm sure bioware will retcon it into some massive galactic war.

They'll do that and somehow have the fat Reaper that TIM keeps viewing pictures of be involved.

[The Tofunator]

They'll do that and somehow have the fat Reaper that TIM keeps viewing pictures of be involved.

Wasn't that Harbinger?

[Bornstellar]

what I would be for is remaking the ending so that what we've played is actually shepard being indoctrinated, then you can wake up and then actually finish the game. Would be a great mind ****.

This is what I'm hoping for and why I endorse the IT. The alternative is a crappy nonsensical ending that really happened forever.

[Rapstah]

Wasn't that Harbinger?

No, it's a different design. You get holograms of it in the Firebase White N7 mission. It's to the lower left of Harbinger in the ME2 end cut scene:

[kingkaiser]

Just the DLC-Ending i'm hoping for:

During the meeting with space-boy…
Garrus crashes with a Mako into the Citadel

Garrus: Shepard you gotta come back with me
Shepard: Where?
Garrus: Back to the future!
Shepard: Wait a minute, what are doing Garrus
Garrus: (while cramming space-boy into the flux capacitor) I need fuel Shepard…and now get in the car
Shepard: Hey wait, I just got here, the reapers are still around and I got to stop them…
Garrus: Yeah, with the power of the rainbow…just get in the car
Shepard: What are you talking? What happens to me in the future? Will I become an asshole or something?
Garrus: (silent for a moment) oh no no no, you will turn out fine, just dead…but no it’s about Blasto…something’s gotta been done with Blasto…

Both are in the Mako ready to start…

Shepard: Hey, shouldn’t we fly to a mass relay?
Garrus: Mass relay? Where we are going, we don’t have …mass relays.

While lifting off with the Mako…James Vega suddenly appears…

Vega: Hey Sheppard, I just wanted to show you this cool new tattoo and…a flying Mako? What the hell is going on here?

End Credits

[riceandbeans]

The first contact war wasn't much of a war, most of the galaxy did not give a shit and the turians consider it a minor conflict at best. Its humans who get all up and arms about it because they're whiny babies. But I'm sure bioware will retcon it into some massive galactic war.

Well, the Turians did open fire on them. Not a great first impression when meeting a new intelligent species. It was only a month(?) long conflict so I doubt Bioware could stretch it out that much.

Considering Bioware hadn't fucked up the Illusive Man so much in Mass Effect 3, they could've done an interesting First Contact War story on his background, how he built Cerberus, and delved a bit into Miranda in some sort of spinoff or expansion. Now, I really don't care much for his character.

[Complistic]

Just the DLC-Ending i'm hoping for: During the meeting with space-boy… Garrus crashes with a Mako into the Citadel Garrus: Shepard you gotta come back with me Shepard: Where? Garrus: Back to the future! Shepard: Wait a minute, what are doing Garrus Garrus: (while cramming space-boy into the flux capacitor) I need fuel Shepard…and now get in the car Shepard: Hey wait, I just got here, the reapers are still around and I got to stop them… Garrus: Yeah, with the power of the rainbow…just get in the car Shepard: What are you talking? What happens to me in the future? Will I become an asshole or something? Garrus: (silent for a moment) oh no no no, you will turn out fine, just dead…but no it’s about Blasto…something’s gotta been done with Blasto… Both are in the Mako ready to start… Shepard: Hey, shouldn’t we fly to a mass relay? Garrus: Mass relay? Where we are going, we don’t have …mass relays. While lifting off with the Mako…James Vega suddenly appears… Vega: Hey Sheppard, I just wanted to show you this cool new tattoo and…a flying Mako? What the hell is going on here? End Credits

print it

[Gui_PT]

Just the DLC-Ending i'm hoping for: During the meeting with space-boy… Garrus crashes with a Mako into the Citadel Garrus: Shepard you gotta come back with me Shepard: Where? Garrus: Back to the future! Shepard: Wait a minute, what are doing Garrus Garrus: (while cramming space-boy into the flux capacitor) I need fuel Shepard…and now get in the car Shepard: Hey wait, I just got here, the reapers are still around and I got to stop them… Garrus: Yeah, with the power of the rainbow…just get in the car Shepard: What are you talking? What happens to me in the future? Will I become an asshole or something? Garrus: (silent for a moment) oh no no no, you will turn out fine, just dead…but no it’s about Blasto…something’s gotta been done with Blasto… Both are in the Mako ready to start… Shepard: Hey, shouldn’t we fly to a mass relay? Garrus: Mass relay? Where we are going, we don’t have …mass relays. While lifting off with the Mako…James Vega suddenly appears… Vega: Hey Sheppard, I just wanted to show you this cool new tattoo and…a flying Mako? What the hell is going on here? End Credits

Would pay for this

[NHale]

This is what I'm hoping for and why I endorse the IT. The alternative is a crappy nonsensical ending that really happened forever.

But if they go that route it means they deliberately released the game with an incomplete ending because they don't explain what really happened while Shepard was sleeping on a pile of trash.

Quite frankly to me that's even more insulting than the ending we got, because that would mean that they released an incomplete game and those that don't have their console connected to the internet or are aware of a DLC will never know the true ending for the game and will forever believe that Starchild actually exists.

[Bornstellar]

But if they go that route it means they deliberately released the game with an incomplete ending because they don't explain what really happened while Shepard was sleeping on a pile of trash. Quite frankly to me that's even more insulting than the ending we got, because that would mean that they released an incomplete game and those that don't have their console connected to the internet or are aware of a DLC will never know the true ending for the game and will forever believe that Starchild actually exists.

I'm okay with that alternative so long as I get to play the true ending. /selfish

[televator]

I'm okay with that alternative so long as I get to play the true ending. /selfish

I'm actually with you on this. I don't think BW will do it, but I think it's the only thing that could actually remove the suck from the ending we do have. It would be ideal, but IT is not worth getting your hopes up for.

[Gazzawa]

Just the DLC-Ending i'm hoping for: During the meeting with space-boy… Garrus crashes with a Mako into the Citadel Garrus: Shepard you gotta come back with me Shepard: Where? Garrus: Back to the future! Shepard: Wait a minute, what are doing Garrus Garrus: (while cramming space-boy into the flux capacitor) I need fuel Shepard…and now get in the car Shepard: Hey wait, I just got here, the reapers are still around and I got to stop them… Garrus: Yeah, with the power of the rainbow…just get in the car Shepard: What are you talking? What happens to me in the future? Will I become an asshole or something? Garrus: (silent for a moment) oh no no no, you will turn out fine, just dead…but no it’s about Blasto…something’s gotta been done with Blasto… Both are in the Mako ready to start… Shepard: Hey, shouldn’t we fly to a mass relay? Garrus: Mass relay? Where we are going, we don’t have …mass relays. While lifting off with the Mako…James Vega suddenly appears… Vega: Hey Sheppard, I just wanted to show you this cool new tattoo and…a flying Mako? What the hell is going on here? End Credits

Ship it.

[spekkeh]

Just the DLC-Ending i'm hoping for:

I'd pay full price.

[nel e nel]

Argh. Only the First Contact War features humans, so if anything it's going to be a game about that.

Yeah, but they basically prototyped the other species with the MP in 3. Just spitballin...

[PinkCrayon]

Yeah, but they basically prototyped the other species with the MP in 3. Just spitballin...

There's no way EA marketing would let Bioware create a humanless ME. "How can the player connect with the main character if he/she isn't human?!!?"

[hateradio]

There's no way EA marketing would let Bioware create a humanless ME. "How can the player connect with the main character if he/she isn't human?!!?"

I'm pretty sure EA wouldn't care. It's BW that has a problem removing the spotlight that they themselves put on humans.

[rozay]

I'm pretty sure EA wouldn't care. It's BW that has a problem removing the spotlight that they themselves put on humans.

They removed a good portion of the spotlight, though-"humans are special" isn't a huge part of the plot like it was in ME2. Marketing and focus testing will ensure that humans are in the game for the average joe to be able to relate to the game.