CmdrStJean wrote...
I had no idea this would be such a contentious topic. I only got ME2 recently (and by extension only finished it recently and I found the decision at the end to be relatively easy. Destroying the base fit with my typical paragon behavior and at least to me made sense on a number of logical levels. Reading through this thread certainly reveals that one can just as easily make an argument for the reverse strategy. Though I am surprised that -keeping- the base seems to be the preferred, if not possibly the default decision. I find that intriguing.
My own reasoning was based on a number of factors, not the least of which is I tended to look beyond the Reaper threat and ask what happens afterwords if Cerberus retains the base, the technology and the know-how to implement reaper level technology on a galactic scale. One part of me was concerned that even the Reapers are defeated, it may simply mean exchanging one existential threat for another. By far I'm thinking more of the power of harnessing indoctrination tech against humans and other races, and the more subtle forms of control Cerberus could exert rather than an all out assault or a "Cerberus Reaper" though I suppose nothing could be ruled out either. If the war against the Reapers is massively devastating, a Pyrrhic victory if you will, effective opposition to Cerberus might be far less than what might be assumed here.
There's also the possibility that Cerberus itself could become compromised by the technology they'd find aboard the Collector base. If Cerberus somehow were to become indoctrinated, even if the Illusive Man himself avoids that fate, you could end up with a "doomsday scenario" in which Cerberus works actively with the Reapers to destroy all civilization. In that case, keeping the base would mean adding yet another enemy to the mix that must be defeated. An unacceptable outcome in my mind.
I also think we just can't know if the base is the key to defeating the Reapers, or not. Destroying it could have adverse consequences, but keeping it carries the same risk. It would be, bold, to say the least for Bioware to make ME3 "unwinnable" without the Collector Base intact. I think that's unlikely but you never know. And, let us not forget that the Illusive Man can not and should not be trusted anyway. He's something of a nefarious anti-villain and while I have no doubt he'd protect Earth and Humanity, I could also see him being just fine with any methods employed, including genocide, to achieve that end. Like others have pointed out here, I too see that Cerberus is not a simple black hat operation out to murder everything in sight. Nor are they paragons of virtue standing for the rule of law. It's a complicated matter, and though I chose to destroy the base, it wasn't without full consideration of the possibility that Cerberus might actually gain something useful from it to help defeat the Reapers.
At any rate, sorry to ramble. My point is I felt the base is too dangerous to keep intact as is, scavengers might indeed find information that could be turned to account, good or bad, but at least it will be harder if the whole thing is reduced to a pile of rubble. Oh! And one other important point. I blew up the base because that was what the mission entailed. I carried out the Illusive Man's orders to the letter; I assembled a team, gathered my strength and destroyed the Collectors. I fulfilled my end of the bargain, and I felt no obligation to turn over such a potentially dangerous asset to a man who's true nature is a complete unknown. Anyway, that's how I feel about it. I think both sides have made many good points here, all very valid. So, good job Bioware for dealing in shades of gray.
And all you say is why I too NEVER keep the base. Hell, you even gain Miranda's apparent ABSOLUTE loyalty as she outright disobeys TIM's order to shoot you and basically tells him to f*ck off.
The possible gain, sequestered away for Cerberus alone to play with, of keeping the base outweighed by what Cerberus WOULD do with it: run roughshod over everyone else, including many humans. End of story.
If I could hand the base over to a mixed race group rather than JUST to TIM and Cerberus, then I'd go for it.
Modifié par Getorex, 28 octobre 2010 - 07:03 .





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