[LuchaShaq]

How did you feel after the new, updated endings in ME3?


Sold my copy right when I finished because I knew despite playing ME1-2 multiple times I was never coming back to this due to the ending.

After watching the "new" endings? Still just as bad just with some less stinky shit piled on top.

Take the best video game lore/world and completely destroy it in 5 min instead of potentially awesome side/future stuff. Fucking Madness.


Space kid might be the worst thing in any video game story ever. That says alot. You mean the ugly little kid I wanted to shoot in the intro of the game is an explanation dump at the end in his ghost alien catalyst form? FANTASTIC

Will never buy anything ME related or video game related or even a vending machine they own where either Hudson or Waiters are in the credits considering that Penny Arcade post detailing how 95% of the game had the whole writing team and the end was just those 2 bafoons with notes about SPECULATION DERPA HERP



How did you feel after the ME1 and ME2 endings?


ME1: Holy shit why did I wait so long to play this? Glad the sequel is in a few months. (pre orders ME2:CE) Then I made a 2nd character and went through it again almost immediately.


ME2: Noone died?! At the time figured ME3 would be one of those crossover 360/720 titles and was insanely excited at the prospect. Was hoping they could do a side game in the mean time rachni wars, first contact stuff, wrex/thane past kills as a linear shooter? Would have bought ANYTHING. One of my 2-3 favorite games of all time. Played through it again with my 2nd ME1 character.

[Reese-015]

all u ppl so angry

[Gui_PT]

all u ppl so angry

at least we kno how 2 spel werds

[Galactic Fork]

The reason behind the Salarian uplift is irrelevant in the point I was making. The Krogan were 'created' by the Salarians. Thorian is irrelevant as well. It's not an example of the creator-created conflict. It was a plot device for providing the cipher to Shepard to decode the beacon. And the Dark Energy subplot was only mentioned twice, and in passing conversation, so that's not even an issue. Not to mention it was cut from the script, so I don't know why folks keep bringing that into the argument. I never claimed I wasn't stretching, as I said (and as you so judiciously edited out) they aren't front and center, and the ending of ME3 would have been better served if they had emphasized these more throughout the series. I've already been called out as an inductive skeptic, and the one time peace was brokered between synthetics and organics in over 1 billion years is not enough evidence to convince me that the catalyst is proven wrong. (Just as the 1 time a Relay is destroyed was not enough to convince me that the Milky Way would have been obliterated) If anything, it foreshadows the catalyst saying that the Reaper solution is no longer viable and thus giving Shepard the choices at the end.

No, seriously the Star Child is BS. Even if themes of rebellion are suggested, it doesn't suggest any foreshadowing for some weird ethereal thingie in the Citadel. And the message of the Star Child is silly and childish (something a bad writer will come up with). It puts this emphasis on synthetics vs organics. This only makes sense if it's only organics vs synthetics. But the truth of the matter is that people fight. There. They do. Not always, and things can be resolved peacefully sometimes, but there's war. If a new kind of person is created, they'll eventually find a reason to fight as well. Wars will break out. Peace will happen, wars will break out again. Organic, synthetic, it doesn't matter.

Quarians created the Geth, Geth became people and had the motivation of not wanting to be slaves, Quarians wanted slaves. Conflict breaks out. Congrats Geth, you're now people! And then the humans show up too and first thing they do is have a war with the Turians. It's part of being people. People have motives and motives will lead to conflict.

[Reese-015]

at least we kno how 2 spel werds

no u

[beat]

No, seriously the Star Child is BS. Even if themes of rebellion are suggested, it doesn't suggest any foreshadowing for some weird ethereal thingie in the Citadel. And the message of the Star Child is silly and childish (something a bad writer will come up with). It puts this emphasis on synthetics vs organics. This only makes sense if it's only organics vs synthetics. But the truth of the matter is that people fight. There. They do. Not always, and things can be resolved peacefully sometimes, but there's war. If a new kind of person is created, they'll eventually find a reason to fight as well. Wars will break out. Peace will happen, wars will break out again. Organic, synthetic, it doesn't matter.

This, so much.

[dokish]

GAFers, I have a important question: I finished ME2 on Xbox 360 at launch and never bothered with ME3 because of the fuzz about the ending. But today I have a great PC and I bought ME3 for PC. But ONLY NOW I discovered that you have to play a fucking DLC on ME2 to understand what is happening in the beginning of ME3 (what the fuck, Bioware?).

But I sold my ME2 copy!! Is possible to borrow ME2 from a friend (PC), and ONLY buy the DLC without playing the whole game?

[Crewnh]

The dlc opens up after the first disc swap in the 360 version (Horizon).

But honestly, don't bother. The dlc is terrible and isnt necessary for understanding what's happening.

[CorrisD]

The dlc opens up after the first disc swap in the 360 version (Horizon). But honestly, don't bother. The dlc is terrible and isnt necessary for understanding what's happening.

Indeed, it is a tiny part that is mentioned once at the beginning and then once later one, and that is if you played it, I think it is only mentioned once if you haven't at a later point, though I could be remembering wrong.

If the DLC didn't happen I would have jus assumed that Shepard went back to the alliance after the events of ME2 because he ha always been an alliance soldier, and they put him on house arrest because he ran off with Cerberus and came back with a ship full of tech and specs they weren't suppose to have, lol.

[lastflowers]

Does anyone have some save files? I lost my computer [and thus my save-data], and I really don't feel like playing the whole game again to see the extended cut.

[An-Det]

Finally got around to replaying it and seeing the EC changes. I didn't really mind the original endings, so I appreciated the additional dialogue and cutscenes fleshing things out. Adding the Refusal option was great, I missed a true Reapers Win ending in the original, plus it tied back to Liara's message.

I think I still prefer IT, but seeing the new endings after that full Insanity run was great to decompress. Not perfect, but the added details helps smooth it over.

[DTKT]

Someone needs to write a book about the IT.

Because it's amazing and really disturbing.

[hateradio]

The theory itself or that people even believed it?

I'm assuming it's the latter. :p

[Gui_PT]

I don't know



Therefore IT

[TheExorzist]

Finished the game incl. the Extended Cut last weekend.

While I too was kind of disapointed of the ending I can't quite understand the extreme amount of hate it gets. Yeah, alright, it is kind of lame but it could have been a lot worse. Also, the ending itself was quite epic.

ME3 had a lot of aspects that are more worth to criticize than the ending.

[Bisnic]

Finished the game incl. the Extended Cut last weekend. While I too was kind of disapointed of the ending I can't quite understand the extreme amount of hate it gets. Yeah, alright, it is kind of lame but it could have been a lot worse. Also, the ending itself was quite epic. ME3 had a lot of aspects that are more worth to criticize than the ending.

Did you originally beat the game before the Extended Cut was released? It was much worse back then. I agree it's not as bad now, but the damage has already been done for some.

[Tess3ract]

The ending sucks for one main reason:

They hyped us up that our choices matter and would matter.

We played the game and it was just the same as any other game, where our choices never mattered.

[Gui_PT]

"It could have been worse"

The quality standards gamers have nowadays.

[Canis lupus]

Finished the game incl. the Extended Cut last weekend. While I too was kind of disapointed of the ending I can't quite understand the extreme amount of hate it gets. Yeah, alright, it is kind of lame but it could have been a lot worse. Also, the ending itself was quite epic. ME3 had a lot of aspects that are more worth to criticize than the ending.

Angry Joe has a couple of reasons why the ending sucked. Look up his video on YT.

[Tess3ract]

Angry Joe has a couple of reasons why the ending sucked. Look up his video on YT.

Angry Joe's video stinks because half of it he's complaining about lore, when if you ask me I'm complaining about the mechanics which are more important.

[TheExorzist]

Did you originally beat the game before the Extended Cut was released? It was much worse back then. I agree it's not as bad now, but the damage has already been done for some.

I finished it without the Extended Cut first because for some reason I thought that it would include some additional gameplay sections (lol). I downloaded the EC immediately after I've finished the game and then finished it again with the additional dialogs and sequences.

As said, the explanation for the Reapers is kinda lame and I wished BioWare would have chosen something else (that other Dark Energy theory that was originally planned sounded neat), but it is ok. What bothered me more is the shit with the Illusive Man before that. His motives were understandable but the lack of explanation on how he ended up there, why he was able to control both Anderson and Shepard AND why Shepard suddenly was able to shoot him.... well, that was far worse than the conversation with the catalyst.

However, I also have to put that aside and give BioWare some credit for the ending as a whole. The space battle (although only a video) was great and the build up to the Citadel section amazing. I almost shed a tear after the conversation with Garrus. The final sacrafice of Shepard was very neat and touching (especially because of the great soundtrack).

Although a bit disapointed, I thought about the ending for quite some time before falling asleep yesterday. Not every game makes me do that.

[TheExorzist]

"It could have been worse" The quality standards gamers have nowadays.

It's not about standards, it's about being realistic. Mass Effect got really huge since it launched and the build up for the Reapers was insane. Before I even started the game it was clear to me that the ending would not be able to satisfy me. How could it? My expecations were way to high. So I rather have a lame "ok" ending than mindblowing one that end up to be stupid beyond imagination --> see Metal Gear Solid.

So yes, it COULD have been a LOT worse.

[Gui_PT]

Yeah poor Bioware, it's not their fault.

[Bisnic]

What bothered me more is the shit with the Illusive Man before that. His motives were understandable but the lack of explanation on how he ended up there, why he was able to control both Anderson and Shepard AND why Shepard suddenly was able to shoot him.... well, that was far worse than the conversation with the catalyst.

In my ending, the Illusive Man killed himself after Shepard convinced him of all the bad shit he's done to others and himself. Maybe Bioware made that whole scene according to that... even if some people didn't get to see it. :lol

[TheExorzist]

In my ending, the Illusive Man killed himself after Shepard convinced him of all the bad shit he's done to others and himself. Maybe Bioware made that whole scene according to that... even if some people didn't get to see it. :lol

Ok, so that is what the last choice brings me.... ;-)
I wasn't able to choose the last "good" answer for some reason.

[Syril]

Ok, so that is what the last choice brings me.... ;-) I wasn't able to choose the last "good" answer for some reason.

To get that choice, you have to have tried to persuade him on every previous conversation with him in the game. I think the option to persuade doesn't come up on one of those scenes unless you press him on a detail.

[Slackbladder]

This whole debacle has taught me one thing; never read any games "journalism" again. As they pretty much took sides in this and regarded fans complaints as the spewings of entitled babies, it was the final nail in the coffin for me.
I long questioned the integrity of sites that make their money from advertising the games they are supposed to criticise and there are many stories of dubious business practice and low integrity (or complete lack of) within the industry. So now I don't go to any site and haven't bought a magazine in 6 months. And I'm not changing. Put simply I have no respect for the gaming media.
Ironically I wasn't too put out by the ending in ME3. Sure I thought it was crap but I could take it or leave it. But the media's reaction was pitiful. And I certainly do not feel worse off or lacking in information.

[Clockblockers]

This whole debacle has taught me one thing; never read any games "journalism" again. As they pretty much took sides in this and regarded fans complaints as the spewings of entitled babies, it was the final nail in the coffin for me. I long questioned the integrity of sites that make their money from advertising the games they are supposed to criticise and there are many stories of dubious business practice and low integrity (or complete lack of) within the industry. So now I don't go to any site and haven't bought a magazine in 6 months. And I'm not changing. Put simply I have no respect for the gaming media. Ironically I wasn't too put out by the ending in ME3. Sure I thought it was crap but I could take it or leave it. But the media's reaction was pitiful. And I certainly do not feel worse off or lacking in information.

This was my favorite video; I don't know if I should see it as a joke or take it seriously........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqgRP...eature=related

[Gui_PT]

This was my favorite video; I don't know if I should see it as a joke or take it seriously........ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqgRP...eature=related

I need to find out that guy's twitter.

He's got some "you're an idiot" tweets incoming.

[Darkmakaimura]

This was my favorite video; I don't know if I should see it as a joke or take it seriously........ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqgRP...eature=related

I've never hit the 'dislike' button in all the years I've used YouTube until today.

[nel e nel]

This whole debacle has taught me one thing; never read any games "journalism" again. As they pretty much took sides in this and regarded fans complaints as the spewings of entitled babies, it was the final nail in the coffin for me. I long questioned the integrity of sites that make their money from advertising the games they are supposed to criticise and there are many stories of dubious business practice and low integrity (or complete lack of) within the industry. So now I don't go to any site and haven't bought a magazine in 6 months. And I'm not changing. Put simply I have no respect for the gaming media. Ironically I wasn't too put out by the ending in ME3. Sure I thought it was crap but I could take it or leave it. But the media's reaction was pitiful. And I certainly do not feel worse off or lacking in information.

This is assuming that they are talking about ALL gamers. I don't think that the games writers were doing that when they were making those comments. I don't agree with the way some writers reacted to the fans, but I suspect they were directing those comments at all the wack-a-dos that were taking their disappointment to the extreme. There were plenty of writers who did not like the endings as well, and they also thought some of the fan reactions were overboard.

If you've ever read any of the comments on Joystiq, IGN or G4, it's easy to understand how some of these folks get a bad taste in their mouths regarding the general gaming public.

I have no issue with anyone who didn't like the ending(s), and there are alot of articulate and well thought out arguments as to why. But the folks who were filing complaints with federal watchdogs and calling for people's jobs and trying to buy billboard ads are kinda ridiculous.

In the end, it doesn't really matter since Bioware made a concession and released the EC. Writers are little more than the rest of us posting on forums, they just have more access to developers and publishers.

[AlimNassor]

This whole debacle has taught me one thing; never read any games "journalism" again. As they pretty much took sides in this and regarded fans complaints as the spewings of entitled babies, it was the final nail in the coffin for me. I long questioned the integrity of sites that make their money from advertising the games they are supposed to criticise and there are many stories of dubious business practice and low integrity (or complete lack of) within the industry. So now I don't go to any site and haven't bought a magazine in 6 months. And I'm not changing. Put simply I have no respect for the gaming media. Ironically I wasn't too put out by the ending in ME3. Sure I thought it was crap but I could take it or leave it. But the media's reaction was pitiful. And I certainly do not feel worse off or lacking in information.

Tom on Toonami blasted the ending's, but, said the game itself was still good.

[nel e nel]

Tom on Toonami blasted the ending's, but, said the game itself was still good.

Yeah, the Escapist spoiler podcasts were really well done too. They had a variety of opinions on the ending, but they all enjoyed the game as a whole.

[Darkmakaimura]

Has there been any word at all yet when (and if) the Leviathan DLC is going to be released?

[LongMuckDong]

Not yet, I'm looking forward to it though.

After a long hiatus.... then Extended Cut... I now feel like playing the trilogy again : a feeling I am glad to welcome back.

The new MP packs look pretty wicked sweet too... free to boot, BW is half-way to winning a #1 fan back in their camp.



It's kind of like a rape (OG ending debacle), the grief counselling (the IT/wait for answers) and the soothing salve that heals the wound (EC & New DLC)...

Time heals most wounds ;P.

[Rufus]

Uh, not sure the rape analogy is all that appropriate here (or anywhere).

[hateradio]

Well mind rape is a common phrase. I guess there was a mild form of it, which lead to hundreds or thousands of people being depressed.

I mean this was one of the first few things that came out of that. I think it says a lot.





Also this.

[SteeloDMZ]

Finally finished my second run with the Destroy ending. Pretty damn happy with it.

Playing on Insanity reminded me of how amazing Mass Effect games are. GOTY, easiy.

[Blake'sGrave]

Back in the day I wanted to be a writer for Bioware.

I'm off to play KOTOR and weep.

[Mr.Wreckless]

Back in the day I wanted to be a writer for Bioware. I'm off to play KOTOR and weep.

You consider the writing in KOTOR to be good? Id be surprised if English is the first language of the writers of that game.

[universalmind]

You consider the writing in KOTOR to be good? Id be surprised if English is the first language of the writers of that game.

Bawww Baww look at me, I'm on the Internet.

[Replicant]

This whole debacle has taught me one thing; never read any games "journalism" again. As they pretty much took sides in this and regarded fans complaints as the spewings of entitled babies, it was the final nail in the coffin for me. I long questioned the integrity of sites that make their money from advertising the games they are supposed to criticise and there are many stories of dubious business practice and low integrity (or complete lack of) within the industry. So now I don't go to any site and haven't bought a magazine in 6 months. And I'm not changing. Put simply I have no respect for the gaming media. Ironically I wasn't too put out by the ending in ME3. Sure I thought it was crap but I could take it or leave it. But the media's reaction was pitiful. And I certainly do not feel worse off or lacking in information.

This so much. The media's reaction was downright disgusting. I suspected that some of them got money/compensation from their deal with EA/Bioware, especially IGN. But I didn't expect how low their integrity would be when push comes to shove.

[Tess3ract]

KOTOR 1 doesn't really have great writing, he's right

[Moaradin]

And yet KOTOR 2 is a shit game =/

[universalmind]

KOTOR 1 doesn't really have great writing, he's right

So? You know a few joke lines of dialogue isn't the writing anyone means when they talk about a story being trash. There's shitty lines you can take out of context from any great story.

[Tess3ract]

And yet KOTOR 2 is a shit game =/

I couldn't disagree with you more.

[AppleMIX]

I couldn't disagree with you more.

KOTOR 2 had it's ups and downs.

I think the overall story was better in the original KOTOR and KOTOR had more memorable characters. KOTOR 2 was flat out better when it came to pure mechanics. Both are great games but I still think I preferred the original to the squeal.

[UltraMav]

BioWare hate is reaching back in time and retroactively hating their classics now? This is like Tom Cruise circa 2005 all over again.

[Tess3ract]

I didn't say I hated it, I said it didn't have good writing, I say this as a massive fan of the kotor series.

[universalmind]

I didn't say I hated it, I said it didn't have good writing, I say this as a massive fan of the kotor series.

Wait, so if you thought KOTOR's writing was shit, you loved it overall because...