Regardless of the odds, the human race is almost certainly going to come out victorious. We're resourceful, expanding at a rapid rate, and have a thirst for knowledge that supposedly outranks every other species in the universe. When the universe needs saving, it's a human that's going to do it, even when other species are far more advanced than ourselves. When the endtimes are near, the final battle will of course be on/near our little planet, despite other planets being far more lucrative targets for any threats.
(Yes, I'm thinking mainly about Mass Effect here, but it's by no means the only culprit).
Why do humans always have to fucking win? Why is our potential always beyond that of other species? Why do we constantly find a way to best opponents we have no real chance of doing so? Are we really such a simple audience that we can't enjoy playing the other guys for once?
I know this is a problem in fiction that goes far beyond our little hobby, however. The most ridiculous example I can think of is from Star Trek: TNG... The Q continuum are fearful of our progress and where it can inevitably lead us? Yeah, alright then. Such bollocks.
What (serious) games out there go against this need to paint us as the almighty leaders of the planet/universe? I know things go south in the XCOM games, but you just know if they ever decide to wrap up the series that the humans will just about survive against all odds, only to have to rebuild and zzzzz... So boring. So tired.
Hell, what great works of fantasy fiction result in the hero/humans failing totally at the last second? I'd love a good book recommendation, too.
(Yes, I'm thinking mainly about Mass Effect here, but it's by no means the only culprit).
Why do humans always have to fucking win? Why is our potential always beyond that of other species? Why do we constantly find a way to best opponents we have no real chance of doing so? Are we really such a simple audience that we can't enjoy playing the other guys for once?
I know this is a problem in fiction that goes far beyond our little hobby, however. The most ridiculous example I can think of is from Star Trek: TNG... The Q continuum are fearful of our progress and where it can inevitably lead us? Yeah, alright then. Such bollocks.
What (serious) games out there go against this need to paint us as the almighty leaders of the planet/universe? I know things go south in the XCOM games, but you just know if they ever decide to wrap up the series that the humans will just about survive against all odds, only to have to rebuild and zzzzz... So boring. So tired.
Hell, what great works of fantasy fiction result in the hero/humans failing totally at the last second? I'd love a good book recommendation, too.