Everyone's (understandably) upset about the ME3 ending, so I won't talk too much about why it was horrible and where Bioware has gone wrong. I would like to add my two cents as to how it could be fixed, however...
Aside from patching the obvious story holes, and lackluster, virtually-choiceless, abstract, nonsensical final scenes, I have a few thoughts on the subject. My first thought is -> the fleets of the galaxy's races have gone to waste. We spend the whole game gathering soldiers from all the major races, and consistently view the war assett terminal (btw, I'm assuming the galactic-balance thing plays out in multiplayer? for shame, bioware...
), only to have everything come down to one all-in battle?Last time I checked, Shepard was one of the most influential people in the galaxy. Why couldn't we see some decision making re - battle strategy? Choose whether to send the krogans or the quarians into a particular fight? I'd like to think a galactic war is fought on a number of fronts (at least 2, right?) and wouldn't it have been cool to be able to make a decision that may potentially kill off a large battle squadron?
For that matter though, what's with none of your squad dying this time around? The whole game harped on about sacrifice, and then everyone comes out smelling like roses (except for Shepard), without a scratch on them? Unless I missed a plotline where someone dies...?
I guess what I'm saying is, more than anything, I would have overlooked the shoddy storytelling of ME3 if I'd seen some consequence for my actions, as in the other games. I mean, why bother protecting the whole crew of the Normandy from death when they've given their lives so readily before? Why only let you use 2 of them during the final battle, when ME2's end-of-game tactical element made you feel like you had so much impact on the game world? Why show so little consequence, when this is the last game in the series?!
The answer is there, but it's not a pretty one:
Bioware are protecting their intellectual property for a sequel or expansion pack, to milk more money from the franchise.
In keeping the crew of the Normandy alive and trapping everyone on Earth (which is OBVIOUSLY implausible for practical survival purposes, but whatever), they are obviously planning additional content. I mean, from a practical standpoint, DLC is a big money spinner for most game companines these days, when distribution is made super easy by XBox and PS3. Why would they invest so much money in a game and NOT make DLC, truthfully?
I just hope they realise that in delivering a sub-par finish, they're undercut themselves 10 years from now for a few short-term bonus bucks. Let's face it, would people still be buying Star Wars merchandise if Return of the Jedi had been as bad as Return of the Sith?
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