2338 réponses à ce sujet

[smudboy]

Acero Azul wrote...

 The return of Kaiden Alenko is Inevitable! 

Wait, we need another Jacob?

[glacier1701]

smudboy wrote...

glacier1701 wrote...

All we need for ME3 is Tali and Legion (and they are not my favourite characters). Tali will allow us access to all the Quarian engineers we'll need to modify shuttles. And we'll need Legion to access all the Geth we need to pilot these bomb laden suicide shuttles. No high tech needed, no other squad members needed. And the Reapers die.

Kamikaze Trojan Horse Geth-Quarian shuttles?  That's a little extreme, Commander.

Saves all the messing about with The Council and trying to unite governments. Load up the shuttles with 100kilos of antimatter and watch those Reapers die. The Quarian engineers just boost the wifi signal so  geth can get out before the shuttles impact. Oh and it ONLY takes 1/2 gram of antimatter to equal the Hiroshima bomb..

[Hobosapien]

There will be returning squadmates both ME1/ME2. Maybe not all but some. Maybe some new ones too. It makes little sense to set out to make a game that evolves around choices and team building to scrap it in the climax. It is the return of known characters that add weight and substance to the ME experience. Bioware knew this going in, knew the project would be difficult. That's the point, to make a game like no other. Some of the choices will be made by Bioware, but thats like life too, some choices we live with are made by others, whether we like them or not.

[smudboy]

Hobosapien wrote...

There will be returning squadmates both ME1/ME2. Maybe not all but some. Maybe some new ones too. It makes little sense to set out to make a game that evolves around choices and team building to scrap it in the climax. It is the return of known characters that add weight and substance to the ME experience. Bioware knew this going in, knew the project would be difficult. That's the point, to make a game like no other. Some of the choices will be made by Bioware, but thats like life too, some choices we live with are made by others, whether we like them or not.

Really?  Liara didn't add any weight.  Nor did Wrex.  They were relatively nice to see.  (I still miss the "Vigil"-Star Trek-Bladerunner feeling, but the music was a nice touch.)  Heck, Liara, and Ash/Kaidan, The Council: they were just there to laugh at us.

As for ME2, they were brought together by Shepard for one role, and that role can end in death.  The role, the Suicide Mission, is now over.

Reaper threat?  I keep thinking a prolonged vigil, as opposed to a climactic finale.  The creation of a galactic defense force, or a monastic order of watchers, since we still know nothing about our seemingly impossible enemy.

[Hobosapien]

@smudboy. Wrex added weight for me. In ME1 Shepard speaks to him about helping the krogan vs. being a merc. Shepard can end/spare his life on Virmire. Two years later we see the result of those interactions. It's cool in my book.

ME2 isn't just about the suicide mission and the collectors, it's another step towards to goal of saving the galaxy. Knowing little about the real threat is the point, we countinue to gather more info. We also struggle with trying to convince everyone of the threat. Allies come and go, they evolve, partly based on our actions.

It's scifi, don't get bogged down in how Shepard can be brought back after re-entry. Just accept that in the Mass Effect world it can be done.

[JohnnyBeGood2]

smudboy wrote...

Hobosapien wrote...

There will be returning squadmates both ME1/ME2. Maybe not all but some. Maybe some new ones too. It makes little sense to set out to make a game that evolves around choices and team building to scrap it in the climax. It is the return of known characters that add weight and substance to the ME experience. Bioware knew this going in, knew the project would be difficult. That's the point, to make a game like no other. Some of the choices will be made by Bioware, but thats like life too, some choices we live with are made by others, whether we like them or not.

Really?  Liara didn't add any weight.  Nor did Wrex.  They were relatively nice to see.  (I still miss the "Vigil"-Star Trek-Bladerunner feeling, but the music was a nice touch.)  Heck, Liara, and Ash/Kaidan, The Council: they were just there to laugh at us.

As for ME2, they were brought together by Shepard for one role, and that role can end in death.  The role, the Suicide Mission, is now over.

Reaper threat?  I keep thinking a prolonged vigil, as opposed to a climactic finale.  The creation of a galactic defense force, or a monastic order of watchers, since we still know nothing about our seemingly impossible enemy.

smudgeboy, Liara and Wrex were loved.... there is no greater connection. Better than the music?

And a monastic order of watchers? really?

Modifié par JohnnyBeGood2, 22 août 2010 - 02:35 .

[smudboy]

Hobosapien wrote...

@smudboy. Wrex added weight for me. In ME1 Shepard speaks to him about helping the krogan vs. being a merc. Shepard can end/spare his life on Virmire. Two years later we see the result of those interactions. It's cool in my book.
ME2 isn't just about the suicide mission and the collectors, it's another step towards to goal of saving the galaxy. Knowing little about the real threat is the point, we countinue to gather more info. We also struggle with trying to convince everyone of the threat. Allies come and go, they evolve, partly based on our actions.
It's scifi, don't get bogged down in how Shepard can be brought back after re-entry. Just accept that in the Mass Effect world it can be done.

Where are we trying to convince others of the threat?

[smudboy]

JohnnyBeGood2 wrote...

smudboy wrote...

Hobosapien wrote...

There will be returning squadmates both ME1/ME2. Maybe not all but some. Maybe some new ones too. It makes little sense to set out to make a game that evolves around choices and team building to scrap it in the climax. It is the return of known characters that add weight and substance to the ME experience. Bioware knew this going in, knew the project would be difficult. That's the point, to make a game like no other. Some of the choices will be made by Bioware, but thats like life too, some choices we live with are made by others, whether we like them or not.

Really?  Liara didn't add any weight.  Nor did Wrex.  They were relatively nice to see.  (I still miss the "Vigil"-Star Trek-Bladerunner feeling, but the music was a nice touch.)  Heck, Liara, and Ash/Kaidan, The Council: they were just there to laugh at us.

As for ME2, they were brought together by Shepard for one role, and that role can end in death.  The role, the Suicide Mission, is now over.

Reaper threat?  I keep thinking a prolonged vigil, as opposed to a climactic finale.  The creation of a galactic defense force, or a monastic order of watchers, since we still know nothing about our seemingly impossible enemy.

smudgeboy, Liara and Wrex were loved.... there is no greater connection. Better than the music?

And a monastic order of watchers? really?

@JohnnyBeStupid
I'm not saying they were or were not loved.  I'm saying they had no weight.  I don't care how much I or you liked or disliked them.  Whereas I can say positive things about Wrex, I cannot about Liara, Ashley or Kaidan.

As for the monastic order, since I don't believe we'll be bale to stop all the Reapers, unless it's this massively contrived scenario, so existence will be on constant Vigil of the threat.  Gah.  That almost sounds Grey Warden-ish.

[McBeath]

smudboy wrote...

As for the monastic order, since I don't believe we'll be bale to stop all the Reapers, unless it's this massively contrived scenario, so existence will be on constant Vigil of the threat.  Gah.  That almost sounds Grey Warden-ish.

I think that we can, a few interesting things have occured in the ME universe that will help us.  

- Cerberus has the weapon that defeated the IFF reaper.  It's defunct, but will it stay that way?
- Thanix Cannons, designed by the Turians and based of Soveriegns weapon.  The whole Turian fleet may have these, and even the council fleet.
- Geth have been revealed to be in oposition to the Reapers, I see them as the Solviets of WW2(in that they may not like or trust us, but they trust and like the Reapers less).

I think it sets the stage for some pretty climactic battles, though we certainly are outclassed by the massive Reaper fleet.  Who knows how they will strike, and what technology or weapon that Shepard will discover that will turn the tide.  We may not completely destroy them, but defeating them is possible.

[Hobosapien]

@smudboy. During Tali's trial Shepard has the option to caution against war with the Geth, Saying that the Reapers are the bigger issue/threat. Shepard has been trying to convince the council since, I think, Eden Prime.

[smudboy]

McBeath wrote...

smudboy wrote...

As for the monastic order, since I don't believe we'll be bale to stop all the Reapers, unless it's this massively contrived scenario, so existence will be on constant Vigil of the threat.  Gah.  That almost sounds Grey Warden-ish.

I think that we can, a few interesting things have occured in the ME universe that will help us.  

- Cerberus has the weapon that defeated the IFF reaper.  It's defunct, but will it stay that way?
- Thanix Cannons, designed by the Turians and based of Soveriegns weapon.  The whole Turian fleet may have these, and even the council fleet.
- Geth have been revealed to be in oposition to the Reapers, I see them as the Solviets of WW2(in that they may not like or trust us, but they trust and like the Reapers less).

I think it sets the stage for some pretty climactic battles, though we certainly are outclassed by the massive Reaper fleet.  Who knows how they will strike, and what technology or weapon that Shepard will discover that will turn the tide.  We may not completely destroy them, but defeating them is possible.

-We don't even know what we're up against.
-We don't even know how many there are.
-We don't even know where in the universe they are.

It's like saying we'll destroy the Borg, but having almost no information on them.  But this is more than that, it's a Sufficiently Advanced Alien, who are essnetially gods.  I'm not saying we can't defend against them.  Eliminating them?  No.  Maybe if in ME2 we were given some intel on their background, history, forces, armaments, numbers, etc.

[smudboy]

Hobosapien wrote...

@smudboy. During Tali's trial Shepard has the option to caution against war with the Geth, Saying that the Reapers are the bigger issue/threat. Shepard has been trying to convince the council since, I think, Eden Prime.

He could've been recommending they buy one nutrient paste over the other.  "Don't exile Tali because I want you to fight Reapers instead of wanting to fight/make peace/study the Geth."  Right.

[Hobosapien]

smudboy wrote...

Hobosapien wrote...

@smudboy. During Tali's trial Shepard has the option to caution against war with the Geth, Saying that the Reapers are the bigger issue/threat. Shepard has been trying to convince the council since, I think, Eden Prime.

He could've been recommending they buy one nutrient paste over the other.  "Don't exile Tali because I want you to fight Reapers instead of wanting to fight/make peace/study the Geth."  Right.

I'm not sure what you are getting at, can you expand please.

[JohnnyBeGood2]

smudboy wrote...

JohnnyBeGood2 wrote...

smudgeboy, Liara and Wrex were loved.... there is no greater connection. Better than the music?
And a monastic order of watchers? really?

@JohnnyBeStupid
I'm not saying they were or were not loved.  I'm saying they had no weight.  I don't care how much I or you liked or disliked them.  Whereas I can say positive things about Wrex, I cannot about Liara, Ashley or Kaidan.

As for the monastic order, since I don't believe we'll be bale to stop all the Reapers, unless it's this massively contrived scenario, so existence will be on constant Vigil of the threat.  Gah.  That almost sounds Grey Warden-ish.

Smudge... (wow, the venom is boiling to the top no)
I'm saying the weight they have is the affection for them... hmm but then you make a split between Liara and wrex.. what's that about? I didn't raise that.. why are you?

Stopping the Reapers? We rely on Bioware to deliver us an epic no? That's why we fawn their games.

Modifié par JohnnyBeGood2, 22 août 2010 - 04:14 .

[smudboy]

Hobosapien wrote...

smudboy wrote...

Hobosapien wrote...

@smudboy. During Tali's trial Shepard has the option to caution against war with the Geth, Saying that the Reapers are the bigger issue/threat. Shepard has been trying to convince the council since, I think, Eden Prime.

He could've been recommending they buy one nutrient paste over the other.  "Don't exile Tali because I want you to fight Reapers instead of wanting to fight/make peace/study the Geth."  Right.

I'm not sure what you are getting at, can you expand please.

That's an optional statement (top left) of 4, made by Shepard after Shala'Raan gives them gifts.  It is not a topic of conversation, nor is there a showcasing of evidence or argument.  It was a completely optional off the cuff remark that had no bearing on anything.  Admiral Koris takes it as simply a remark by an outsider as an opinion to his favor (peace with the Geth.)  I hardly believe a comment made by an outsider, that had nothing to do with the issue at hand, would be some showcasing of evidence or argument, especially when the agreeing Admiral spins it in his favor.  The Admirals only care about the Geth.

[Hobosapien]

smudboy wrote...

Hobosapien wrote...

smudboy wrote...

Hobosapien wrote...

@smudboy. During Tali's trial Shepard has the option to caution against war with the Geth, Saying that the Reapers are the bigger issue/threat. Shepard has been trying to convince the council since, I think, Eden Prime.

He could've been recommending they buy one nutrient paste over the other.  "Don't exile Tali because I want you to fight Reapers instead of wanting to fight/make peace/study the Geth."  Right.

I'm not sure what you are getting at, can you expand please.

That's an optional statement (top left) of 4, made by Shepard after Shala'Raan gives them gifts.  It is not a topic of conversation, nor is there a showcasing of evidence or argument.  It was a completely optional off the cuff remark that had no bearing on anything.  Admiral Koris takes it as simply a remark by an outsider as an opinion to his favor (peace with the Geth.)  I hardly believe a comment made by an outsider, that had nothing to do with the issue at hand, would be some showcasing of evidence or argument, especially when the agreeing Admiral spins it in his favor.  The Admirals only care about the Geth.

I take it as an effort to open the eyes of people who are not considering the Reaper issue.  In a previous post you questioned when Shepard did this.  I gave you 2 examples. 

[smudboy]

Hobosapien wrote...

smudboy wrote...

Hobosapien wrote...

smudboy wrote...

Hobosapien wrote...

@smudboy. During Tali's trial Shepard has the option to caution against war with the Geth, Saying that the Reapers are the bigger issue/threat. Shepard has been trying to convince the council since, I think, Eden Prime.

He could've been recommending they buy one nutrient paste over the other.  "Don't exile Tali because I want you to fight Reapers instead of wanting to fight/make peace/study the Geth."  Right.

I'm not sure what you are getting at, can you expand please.

That's an optional statement (top left) of 4, made by Shepard after Shala'Raan gives them gifts.  It is not a topic of conversation, nor is there a showcasing of evidence or argument.  It was a completely optional off the cuff remark that had no bearing on anything.  Admiral Koris takes it as simply a remark by an outsider as an opinion to his favor (peace with the Geth.)  I hardly believe a comment made by an outsider, that had nothing to do with the issue at hand, would be some showcasing of evidence or argument, especially when the agreeing Admiral spins it in his favor.  The Admirals only care about the Geth.

I take it as an effort to open the eyes of people who are not considering the Reaper issue.  In a previous post you questioned when Shepard did this.  I gave you 2 examples. 

Boy can that guy argue!

[Harley_Dude]

smudboy wrote...

McBeath wrote...

smudboy wrote...

As for the monastic order, since I don't believe we'll be bale to stop all the Reapers, unless it's this massively contrived scenario, so existence will be on constant Vigil of the threat.  Gah.  That almost sounds Grey Warden-ish.

I think that we can, a few interesting things have occured in the ME universe that will help us.  

- Cerberus has the weapon that defeated the IFF reaper.  It's defunct, but will it stay that way?
- Thanix Cannons, designed by the Turians and based of Soveriegns weapon.  The whole Turian fleet may have these, and even the council fleet.
- Geth have been revealed to be in oposition to the Reapers, I see them as the Solviets of WW2(in that they may not like or trust us, but they trust and like the Reapers less).

I think it sets the stage for some pretty climactic battles, though we certainly are outclassed by the massive Reaper fleet.  Who knows how they will strike, and what technology or weapon that Shepard will discover that will turn the tide.  We may not completely destroy them, but defeating them is possible.

-We don't even know what we're up against.
-We don't even know how many there are.
-We don't even know where in the universe they are.

It's like saying we'll destroy the Borg, but having almost no information on them.  But this is more than that, it's a Sufficiently Advanced Alien, who are essnetially gods.  I'm not saying we can't defend against them.  Eliminating them?  No.  Maybe if in ME2 we were given some intel on their background, history, forces, armaments, numbers, etc.

And the TIM is like the Borg Queen. If I bet anything it is that he is not what we think. All those close up shots of his eyes at the end are foreshadowing something. I have no idea what but I'm sure we are going to mind f*d.

[Sapienti]

smudboy wrote...

-We don't even know what we're up against.
-We don't even know how many there are.
-We don't even know where in the universe they are.

It's like saying we'll destroy the Borg, but having almost no information on them.  But this is more than that, it's a Sufficiently Advanced Alien, who are essnetially gods.  I'm not saying we can't defend against them.  Eliminating them?  No.  Maybe if in ME2 we were given some intel on their background, history, forces, armaments, numbers, etc.

-We/They do know what they're up against. Kinda. They've encountered Sovereign, seen him maneuver.
-They don't know exactly where they are but they do know they're in dark space.
-We also don't know what info they got off the Collector ship after killing the human Reaper. It could say "We got this many dudes". (Lol)
They've got wiggle room to fill.
But your point stands, I agree, I don't think we'll actually be able to stop the Reapers, They've been doing what they've been doing longer than mankind can fathom, I think this time around the races may be able to put up a better fight. I think we'll probably see some sort of prevention in ME3, an encounter with a Reaper vanguard, a counter attack and then a closing of a door of some kind so they can't get their as fast, then post up stations to watch for them and prepare for a future assualt. Leaving open an easy door for the inevitable ME4 while providing closure for Shepard's trilogy.

What I find so darkly cool about the Reapers is their absolute power. Multiply Sovereign by 1 million maybe more (maybe less?) and you have god-like destructive capabilities. I can see some surprise tech possibly saving the day though, but definitely not from a full on assault. Then again, I don't know what the united races would be capable of so..

[SmokePants]

I think we'll get s0ome degree of closure, but they would have to be fools to give us a mega-happy ending. The ME universe is supposed to live on past this trilogy, and an interesting universe thrives on conflict and history. If you get rid of the Reapers entirely or send the Geth off to their Dyson sphere or give the Quarians back their home planet or cure the Genophage and unite the Krogans, all they'd be doing is completely undoing their fiction and the appeal of the IP. Anything involving those major arcs is going to be a temporary outcome -- all roads leading back to a single path for the next game set in the ME universe.

Modifié par SmokePants, 22 août 2010 - 08:00 .

[smudboy]

Sapienti wrote...

smudboy wrote...

-We don't even know what we're up against.
-We don't even know how many there are.
-We don't even know where in the universe they are.

It's like saying we'll destroy the Borg, but having almost no information on them.  But this is more than that, it's a Sufficiently Advanced Alien, who are essnetially gods.  I'm not saying we can't defend against them.  Eliminating them?  No.  Maybe if in ME2 we were given some intel on their background, history, forces, armaments, numbers, etc.

-We/They do know what they're up against. Kinda. They've encountered Sovereign, seen him maneuver.
-They don't know exactly where they are but they do know they're in dark space.
-We also don't know what info they got off the Collector ship after killing the human Reaper. It could say "We got this many dudes". (Lol)
They've got wiggle room to fill.
But your point stands, I agree, I don't think we'll actually be able to stop the Reapers, They've been doing what they've been doing longer than mankind can fathom, I think this time around the races may be able to put up a better fight. I think we'll probably see some sort of prevention in ME3, an encounter with a Reaper vanguard, a counter attack and then a closing of a door of some kind so they can't get their as fast, then post up stations to watch for them and prepare for a future assualt. Leaving open an easy door for the inevitable ME4 while providing closure for Shepard's trilogy.

What I find so darkly cool about the Reapers is their absolute power. Multiply Sovereign by 1 million maybe more (maybe less?) and you have god-like destructive capabilities. I can see some surprise tech possibly saving the day though, but definitely not from a full on assault. Then again, I don't know what the united races would be capable of so..

-Which tells us next to nothing about them.  The research done on Sovereign gave us a cannon and an EDI.  Nothing about "it" or "them", history, background, etc.  Although I wouldn't be surprised if some random group that acquired Sovereign pieces came out of the woodwork with another revelation.
-And where is dark space?  How big?  How far away?  How many are in dark space?  Are they all coming?
-Which is questionable since it can be destroyed

[Phaelducan]

Wow, another one of these. Smudboy, you were going on about this stuff 6 months ago. What do you want from Bioware? I'm serious, let's stop with the arguing about what ME1/2 was or wasn't, and just ask you what you want from the series.



There is no point debating this topic, you obviously have your opinions and they aren't changing. So... in all seriousness... what do you want from ME3?

[Sapienti]

SmokePants wrote...

I think we'll get s0ome degree of closure, but they would have to be fools to give us a mega-happy ending. The ME universe is supposed to live on past this trilogy, and an interesting universe thrives on conflict and history. If you get rid of the Reapers entirely or send the Geth off to their Dyson sphere or give the Quarians back their home planet or cure the Genophage and unite the Krogans, all they'd be doing is completely undoing their fiction and the appeal of the IP. Anything involving those major arcs is going to be a temporary outcome -- all roads leading back to a single path for the next game set in the ME universe.

So true. They can take big steps in all of those things in the future sure. Strengthening Quarian immune systems/reputation somehow (like helping in a war). Steps that show hope with the Krogan genophage. An embassy for the Geth mayhaps. But other things need to stay relatively as is. Reapers are probably the best villian they've got, after them, everything would seem sub par. Like when I saw a wolf spider in my room for the first time and now I'm not afraid of normal spiders.

@Smud
-I meant know as in what they're made of etc, temporary small stuff. I don't see them learning much about Reaper history except for whatever they might have gotten off the Collector ship. And while it can be destroyed, I think they can slip a "we mined this data while you were away" in there. Maybe. Did it say where he got the data on Harbinger? That source maybe (Can't remember). I'd have to finish the game again to speculate, I'm like 2/3 throug my second playthrough. 
-Dark space is everything at the edge of the galaxy. If you go to the map, just assume everything outside the bright circle of stars is dark space. Reapers be all up in there...apparently lol.

Modifié par Sapienti, 23 août 2010 - 12:28 .

[Flamewielder]

McBeath wrote...
I think that we can, a few interesting things have occured in the ME universe that will help us.  

- Cerberus has the weapon that defeated the IFF reaper.  It's defunct, but will it stay that way?

Most likely: as the core was destroyed, the dead reaper lost mass effect fields and propulsion, its orbit decaying so rapidly Shepard and friends had to run and jump into the Normandy's airlock, instead of walking back to the docking area. The swiftly rising pressure would eventually crush any void space or compartments still pressurized, the outer skin would likely burn off during re-entry, and finally, as the wreck got close to the gas giant core, the extremely high ambient pressure would begin to alter the molecular structure of the wreck at the same time the solid metal became plastic/ductile (between 5-15 kb). No climbing back out for this baby...

Thanix Cannons, designed by the Turians and based of Sovereign's weapons.  The whole Turian fleet may have these, and even the council fleet.

A definite improvement that can be implemented quickly.

- Geth have been revealed to be in oposition to the Reapers, I see them as the Soviets of WW2 (in that they may not like or trust us, but they trust and like the Reapers less).

We are given hints that the Heretics were a minority faction among the Geth. We have no idea what size of fleet and type of platform the Geth have developped beyond the Veil. It may be quite large.

I think it sets the stage for some pretty climactic battles, though we certainly are outclassed by the massive Reaper fleet.  Who knows how they will strike, and what technology or weapon that Shepard will discover that will turn the tide.  We may not completely destroy them, but defeating them is possible.

When we look at the number of ships destroyed during Sovereign's attack on the Citadel, it's a fair sized chunk of the Alliance Fleet. While the Geth no doubt contributed, it's obvious each Reaper has firepower and shielding well far superior to any Council dreadnought. Given that there are less than a 100 dreadnought in the combined Citadel Space navies, I doubt the fate of the galaxy will be decided on naval might alone...

smudboy wrote...
As for the monastic order, since I don't believe we'll be bale to stop all the Reapers, unless it's this massively contrived scenario, so existence will be on constant Vigil of the threat.  Gah.  That almost sounds Grey Warden-ish.

ME3 will likely foil another Reaper "shortcut" back to the Milky Way. Some may make it through before Shepard closes the gate, in which case we'll get some nice starship battles. The remaining Reapers will have to "walk" back to the Milky Way, taking decades, centuries (or millenia?); in short: plenty of time to build up fleets and develop new technologies (something the Reapers seem to be afraid of, as evidenced by their desire to keep organic technologies developing along paths they selected and for which they have developped countermeasures).

As for a monastistic order keeping watch against the Reapers, I happen to know of this Justicar Order that's composed of asari babes that live around a thousand years and take a dim view of reaping billions of sentient creatures... And they're sooo much easier on the eyes than most Grey Wardens...

[glacier1701]

Sapienti wrote...

smudboy wrote...

-We don't even know what we're up against.
-We don't even know how many there are.
-We don't even know where in the universe they are.

It's like saying we'll destroy the Borg, but having almost no information on them.  But this is more than that, it's a Sufficiently Advanced Alien, who are essnetially gods.  I'm not saying we can't defend against them.  Eliminating them?  No.  Maybe if in ME2 we were given some intel on their background, history, forces, armaments, numbers, etc.

-We/They do know what they're up against. Kinda. They've encountered Sovereign, seen him maneuver.
-They don't know exactly where they are but they do know they're in dark space.
-We also don't know what info they got off the Collector ship after killing the human Reaper. It could say "We got this many dudes". (Lol)
They've got wiggle room to fill.
But your point stands, I agree, I don't think we'll actually be able to stop the Reapers, They've been doing what they've been doing longer than mankind can fathom, I think this time around the races may be able to put up a better fight. I think we'll probably see some sort of prevention in ME3, an encounter with a Reaper vanguard, a counter attack and then a closing of a door of some kind so they can't get their as fast, then post up stations to watch for them and prepare for a future assualt. Leaving open an easy door for the inevitable ME4 while providing closure for Shepard's trilogy.

What I find so darkly cool about the Reapers is their absolute power. Multiply Sovereign by 1 million maybe more (maybe less?) and you have god-like destructive capabilities. I can see some surprise tech possibly saving the day though, but definitely not from a full on assault. Then again, I don't know what the united races would be capable of so..

We'll be able to stop the Reapers. Boils down to the fact that in the past the Reapers got in by surprise. This time around they do not have that advantage. It is unfortunate that so far as we know most governments do not seem to be prepping for the coming of the Reapers. However even with that against us their is a way. Considering that the price of failure is extinction the way to take on the Reapers is by the use of kamikaze tactics. So what if a million or 2 die in the attacks that is WAY less than trillions of sentient beings. The issue then becomes one of delivering enough power in an attack to kill a Reaper. Without even having to develop high tech that can be done with the use of antimatter. (We can make antimatter now so its not something 'new' though their is the issue of making enough which should be easier with the tech level shown in Mass Effect.) 1/2 gram of antimatter delivers the same wallop as the Hiroshima bomb. The amount loaded onto a kamikaze would be about 100 kilos. This type of attack also has the advantage in that the Reapers HAVE to come to us. We do not have to go after them. After all this is a basic tactic that even Sun Tzu would recognise. For the Reapers to win they need to kill us. If they do not we have time to continually advance our tech making it even easier for us to continue to fight.

 We even have an idea of where they should first appear in our galaxy. So far as the Mass Relays are concerned they are LINE OF SIGHT. That is they point to one another. We just need to run a line through the center of the Citadel out to the rim and that should give us a good idea on where they should first appear. Not saying it will be a small area but it will cut down the area we need to watch. Anyways as things stand we should have an easy time of it.