7052 réponses à ce sujet

[RedMosquito51]

I believe the Reapers should not reveal their true motivations, nor should they be explained. As Sovereign said, "There is a realm of existence so far beyond your own you cannot even imagine it. I am beyond your comprehension." This is what makes the Reapers great. The fact that they are beyond our understanding. I feel it should remain this way.

Also, I like the indoctrination explanation.

[Clifford]

 Hello.
I've had some serious issues with the ending(s) to Mass Effect 3, and the series overall.
It relates to what was promised beforehand and the execution of the ending.
I love Mass Effect and thought, for the most part, that ME3 was a nice experience.

The real issue with the ending starts directly after being hit with the red beam of Harbringer.
From this point I feel there are so many things that are completely off. I will simply explain what happens and hopefully the absurdity of each issue provides itself.

The elevator to the Citadel, why is that there? It does not make sense for the reapers to let an elevator to the only threat to them be active. 
The part of the Citadel you reach is apperently an unknown part, that is not very likely on a space station with so many people living on it. 
You have a gun with unlimited ammo, but you cannot shoot anything (the husks and marauders ofc, but after that point). 
The conversation with Illusive man and later Anderson is nicely executed.

From the point that Shepard is "lifted" up into some light, completely unexplainable by probably even the writers.
Shepard reaches space, without a helmet or intact armor, but remains unharmed.

Some VI-being taking the form of a child from the beginning presents the three choices. Shepard rolls over and accepts one of these poor choices, which result in the immediate destruction of all known worlds, considering how a destroyed Mass Relay also destroys the system.

The Normandy leaves me and Shepard behind for reasons unknown. Feels truly horrible as a player with emotions invested in these characters to just see them strand and some will die on a weird planet to what I would call the worst track of the soundtrack.

What should have been done:
Depending on the Military help you've managed to get, have Shepard fail horribly, succeed maybe but die, or with enough points have Shepard survive like a true hero - and from this point and DLC would be very joyous.

What can be done now:
Either the "indoctrination" theory, which is neat but obviously incorrect. Or just not have the Mass relays destroyed, the Normany stranded and Shepard dead basically. The God Star-Child is such and utter BS-machine.

As if anything will be done. Sad, hurt and SO confused how the writing went from being so nice and exmotionally gripping to such a Deus Ex Machina lazy ending with so many plot holes.

Just my two cents.

[Bellendaine]

I simply want more variety in the endings that take into account the work you put into the game, and the choices that you have made (such as making the War Assets matter for more than just a calculus exam equally red, green, or blue).

I would very much like a happy ending possibility ... after all, the game is dark enough without only dark endings ... lots and lots of people have died in this war, galactic civilization hangs by a thread, and things are gonna be bad for a very long time, it's not like we expect that everyone is going to magically be tossing flowers and skipping bunnies if Shep destroys the Reapers and gets to live happily ever after with his or her LI. It'll be a bittersweet happiness, even if the Mass Relays stay intact (which would be nice).

That said, as a wish list, I would love another scene (or ideally perhaps a DLC mission) with the LI. The LI/Shep stuff is just simply not given enough game-time to really feel complete, especially since they were absent in ME2 except for a cameo. That would help provide closure for a lot of us that grown invested in their story.

[NZGUY]

LoyalHulk wrote...


Parting thought:  Shepard is a legendary hero.  The closure to this series of stories should be legendary, not confusing and something to be debated.  Shepard doesn't deserved the ending in its current format.  He isn't a tragic hero, he is legendary, and deserves a legendary ending.

Exactly!

[Filby08]

Thank you for listening to us the last few weeks have probably been stressful to anyone working in the PR side of this game.

For me, what I want out of this game is the replay value back. The ending gives us nothing to hope for, except death, death and death...with a small scene that says "Oh, maybe not death." Either way, it's a downer. I can't play the series knowing that's all Shep has to look forward to.
The end needs choice, the choice we were promised. I make no apologies for wanting the chance of a happy ending with Shep's LI.

I said in another post that I expected some of my Sheps to die, and some to live (I have alot of Shepards...there's a spreadsheet involved ). Choice for the ending is what I want.

As for the rest of the game, hand on my heart I can't think of anything I would want changed. More missions can be added with DLC, I will pay for them if the end is added to.

::Edit:: Wait! I thought of something else.

Female players got the shaft (or didn't, depending on how you look at it) when it came to LI's. Granted, my philosophy is "Go Garrus, or go home" I get that alot of female players feel cheated by the distinct lack of straight male options (something that exists in SWTOR, but I digress).

It feels like there are more female LI interests available for femshep than there are male in ME3.

Thank you for listening.

Modifié par Filby08, 17 mars 2012 - 10:46 .

[DarkSpiral]

I'm actually good with the events of the endings as they stand. I was fully prepared for the Commander to not survive the final battle. It's the complete lack of denouement that really was jarring to me. Where is my hero's funeral. Shep deserves a hero's send-off, and I want to see it. So, a few questions:

1) How did the squad I took into the final rush to the Citadel get from being right next to me, possibly hit by the Reaper's Red Beam, to inside the Normandy without a scratch on them? I'm usually very forgiving in my suspension of disbelief, but frankly that was jumping the shark.

2) Assuming I got one of the endings that require a high EMS, did I just create a multiple Supernova event or not? I've always assumed "no" since I just couldn't understand why Bioware would destroy the future of their IP, but frankly I want it from the horse's mouth.

3) In a related question, if I get the "best" version of the Destroy ending, do I destroy all synthetic life or not? Shep lives in that version. It leaves room for the Geth (or at least some of them) and EDI to do the same. I know some people have claimed that EDI can walk out of the Normandy in that ending, and I want to know if that's a bug or if it us the game working as intended.

4) If the Quarians were in the battle, did they bring their liveships? It's the only way I can think of to explain how all the turians and quarians aren't doomed to starvation. If there are other ways to avoid that problem (advanced super-science genetic food modification is not out of the question, I suppose), then I would like them mentioned.

5) Finally, are any of the endings canon? I assume one of them has to be. This is the end of Shepard's story, I assume you have every intention of moving forward (and by that I mean stories set in the future, not the past) with the franchise, and you no longer need to account for all the variable in previous games.

The end of Mass Effect 3 had almost no resolution, which was the ONE promise I fully expected to be upheld, The bunk (and it was clearly bunk) about 16 or so different endings never mattered to me. Instead there was neither any "show me" or "tell me." That needs to be addressed.

[gearseffect]

I want more Samara! Dag it BW we were told that the near kiss scene would be resolved and yet it wasn't.
I want to have Samara's character back in ME3 and get to see more of who she had been before becoming a Justicar, the Mother that got berried away for "the Code".

There was so many missed opportunities at the Monastery to see more of that person, and than there was so many chances to alow Samara and Shepard's feelings for each other start to get addressed after her Suicide was stopped, and Falere was right there, Asari are more sexually open well how about Asari kids and being more accepting and supportive of their parents finding love and happiness with some one new?
Really this was such a great chance for Falere to point that out to her Mom and there was so many loop holes and easy ways to exploit and bring the romance to the very surface right there in that mission and yet they all got passed by?
"Samara you've been by yourself and strong for so long, the galaxy won't end if you find a little happiness"
"Shepard I believe I could find more than a little Happiness with you, but it can never be, another place another time"
God dang it Samara had lost it due to carry a huge weight and burden on herself and doing it alone for so long, and Shepard save her from herself, it was all there all right there to be exploited, while being a unique and emotionally driven romance sub plot that all just comes right up right there, and was perfect to take to first several next big steps in the romance developing and it was all just passed up and turned into a cameo for what? To say ha look Samara is here we didn't forget about her?

[TNT1991]

 Some things that might help the ending but should still be noted anyway:
(Sorry if these things had been said before)

1) Lack of interest fo ME2 Li(s) in ME3: <I romanced Garrus btw>

While I believe that romance for Garrus was good, it still felt one sided. Throughout the game, it seemed like even though I romanced Garrus, that all the best
romance goodies were saved for Liara (or other ME1 romances). For example, before the last mission on ME3, the love ineterest visits Shepard, comforts him/her then scene fades to black. Meanwhile, Liara (as a Li) gets her own full sex scene with Shepard. Not only that but at the end of the game, Shepard remembers all the important people in his/her life, which should've included their Li. Unfortunatly, it doesn't happen if you romanced an ME2 Li (even if Garrus and Tali were in the first game). Instead putting Liara in their place, which again feels cheap and unsatisfying since it is the last game with Shepard and co.

It would be best, in the ending, to have that become a special moment for Shepard and Li (even an ME2 Li) by having the correct Li in their memories and/or have an epilogue (even a written one like DA:O) stating what happens to them and what the future have in store for them. And if that Li died, then have Shepard express his/her feelings for them (vice-versa),don't ignore it .

2) More talking, more information, and more Consequences:
That's what we like about the first two games. There's no need to stop.

3) Sometimes, a predictable ending is the best:

I understand that some wanted the ending to be "OMG!!ARTSY!!" and not cliched. But that doesn't make it a good ending. An ending needs to make sense. ME3's didn't, unfortunatly. Which was one of the major problems that it had. Sometimes,a simple ending is all is needed. For example: Rockstar's "Red Dead Redemption" had a cliched ending but it turned out to be anything but a failure. Which makes it a bitter-sweet ending. And the main character still dies at the end. And is also done well. 
Ending to Red dead redemption 


A person even commented about the ending under that video:

 
When John dies it is such a punch in my stomach. I mean, i played as him through the whole game. He becomes like a member of the family! It is really hard to see his grave... It makes me so sad... I just cannot stop thinking about him dying!
But it is really cool to see Jack follow his fathers footprints and then become a cowboy. But there is still something who is missing. JOHN MARSTON.

 

4) An Epilgoue (that isn't vague):
Again, what's wrong with an epilgoue like Dragon age Origins.  

That's all I can come up at the moment, but I'm sure others have stated their own views on what needs to be done.
Thank you for your time if you are actually reading this Bioware.

Modifié par TNT1991, 17 mars 2012 - 08:41 .

[nikki191]

id like an ending where the reapers win. but more than that a cut scene where an alien excavation team unearth a box "wow this artefact is asari and its still working after 50,000 years.." cue liaras gift working showing shepard and displaying info on the reapers

[Sydeno]

Hello...

I would be happy if you make a epic final battle with every species you were able to unite at your side...
If, like many many people say, you make multiple ends, with real feeling that choices shepards made meant consequences, I would be happy to.

I would, like many people said, like to see those little "ending" you made meeting some great others with Sheaprd dying, with real emotional overview of the Earth, and with others species crying for shepard who was their savior...

I also want a great ending with shepard living, really taking back earth. With people starting remove a bit of rubble to look for survivors.

Or any ending with shepard rewarded for what he did all this way long to the catalyst... Guess many people want that...

Please give it to us... or something like that... It's constructive ideas...

(PS: Sorry for my english, i'm not english)

[Copperwings]

I enjoyed:

99. 9% of the game including the improved combat, deeper character customisations, moving relationships and thefeeling of being able to make a difference

but I found:

the ending to be hollow, heartbreaking and gutwrenching (with no feeling of victory)

because of:
- the apparent lack of meaningful choice,
- no real explanation of the consequences of the actions taken previously in relation to brokering peace between races,
- no reunion with your love interest, just an apparent stranding of them on a garden world
- the last breath scene giving a glimmer of 'hope' which would be fine IF this was not the end of the trilogy
- no option to succeed against all odds, and while still acknowledging the loss suffered along the way

[Gulkin]

 Pretty sure many said those things but if you take notes of everything I will say my ideas. I will give you the basic nothing else, I know you can do a lot better, that's the reason I preorder ME3. That being said here's imo the most important points (no real order). Oh and sorry for my english it isn't my first language.

- First and most important point in all of this ending mess: DON'T DESTROY the MASS RELAY. Sorry for the caps, but this simple fact is so important if you want to keep your franchise. FTL isn't fast enough to explain how the other races come back to their home without food and fuel. So it creats a huge plot hole nearly impossible to explain if  you want them to survive after the battle. Same goes with the fact they go super nova when they are destroy (wasn't your greatest idea on your part I have to say but it's too late now). I don't say you can't do it in the worst ending though.

You will thanks me later when you will want to do other ME games because without futur prequel will be useless. And maybe one day you will want to go in the futur (30-100 years later). It can become "Star-Wars 2" so pay attention with that. I understand you wanted to remove everything the Reaper build once we finish the game but the problem is the way you build the lore you can't destroy them without dooming the futur of ME. Unless you want to go far away in the futur but it won't have the same value.

- Second point: Halucination or indoctrination is your easy way out to save the most of your stuff you did at the end of the game. It can be really cheese so pay attention how bring it into the game. The VI who didn't detect your indoc can be explain by Javik like you were not indoctrinated enough to be detected even by him.

- Third point: War asset are nearly useless, if possible change a little the battle on earth and/or something with crucible and/or some help you can call agains the "final boss" or anything else better than what we have right now.

- Fourth point: The crucible, I understand the idea behind but it kinda creats a huge problem. How powerful is it and how to use it? Someone said something about "magnetic pulse" who weaken the Reapers (shield or armor) after that it's up to shepard's army to beat them (war asset). The problem with that is what happen to the other Reapers? They back-up on earth to help their friends or crucible shoot in the mass relay (without blowing them). You will need to find this out and yes it will be tricky. Or it's kind of "death star 3" and you can give an option to keep it for the humanity (evil laugh).

- Fifth point: The cataclist, I won't talk about the Stargodkid it will be on the next point. You need a trigger for activating the crucible. Ok find, the citadel was a bad idea btw but we can still keep it or scrap that and finder another one. If you keep the citadel idea (easiest way for you) than I guess the best way to explain it, it's the only thing on the galaxie who have enough energy to active the crucible. The big problem with the citadel is the huge plot hole it creats with the fact the Reapers bring it near the Earth without disactivating the mass relay. I might add too, why the reapers don't attack it earlier. And I don't really like the beam in London but I can deal with it if you don't find a better idea.

- Sixth point: The awful and unfamous Starkid... If you want to go with the indoc theory keep it, it goes perfectly with the dream. But if you won't or after you wake up BURN it like a wish. A kid in a kind of "psychic" endind is like a dwarf in a dream (ref:  ) Even worst he is a "ghost" making it even more psychic and special! meh LAME! (I don't know how to describe correctly the kind of ending we have right now in english so I use the word psychic. Might not be the perfect one though).

- Seventh point: Hanrbinger, where is he? We didn't hear him once or see him the entire game (the few sec near the beam of doom doesn't count). I think everyone here want to fight him a way or another. Use Illusive man or himself weaken by the crucible or a long dialog or the war asset (he can escapt or kill you if not enough) I don't know. I will add some taunting in the game when you are near him like at the beginning and at the end.

- Last point: divided in mini points

       - Shepard don't need to die at the end. Even if you say it's the end of his/her story you don't need to kill it. It's more cliche than a disney ending. I'm not even joking here. Some choices can give you that possibility tho.

       - Closure enough said I don't need to elaborate since there is none. Same for Joker the coward.

       - The last choices are related to your whole story. You said it will be like that I want that no matter what. Ex: you kept the collector base you can ally yourself with Illusive man and control the reaper. Synthetis is the worst idea scrap that (space jesus magic)

        - Boss fight, if you have a good idea. The best one would be harbinger in some way. Don't know how though.

        - Last scene: Stargazar something like that. Scrap it, it's bad, horrible and cliché as hell. The Shepard cmon! 
 Not to mention it creats a huge plot hole.

I'm nearly done, I can add some stuff about the game itself that you can repair at the same time like bugs and being stuck in invisible wall (near Joker seat it's horrible). Joker's face cmon it's so ugly. Tali's face, ssly I don't care but a lot of ppl did so scrap it or take a picture yourself and photoshop it. 

With a good ending you could even creat a post dlc. Like helping to rebuild and chase down some bandits or terrorists who wants to take advantage of this. All the possibilities will be there the opposite of the wall we have right now.

It's longer than what I expected, but I guess it resumes pretty well my suggestions. Keep in mind that all pre-end dlc will have a lot of difficulty to be sell if you don't finish the end correctly. If you make us pay be sure it's huge as expansion otherwise ppl will be ******. That being said I wish all those discussions and suggestions will bring something nice. Oh and sorry again for my english and grammar (it was really late when I finish this post).

Modifié par Gulkin, 17 mars 2012 - 08:45 .

[Talogrungi]

Suggested changes in brief:

1. Increase the value of some neutral war assets (i.e. not linked to specifically Paragon/Renegade choices) to make it possible/reasonable to reach 4000 EMS without multiplayer. I personally enjoy MP, but I'm sympathetic to the people who don't and are angry that BW stated it would not be necessary to ensure the "best" ending.

2. An alternate solution to the above would be to remove the Galactic Readiness decay or introduce a cap so that it can't go below 75% once that level is reached. While I enjoy the MP, I don't want to have to do it every few days (or regrind it from 50%) if I choose to replay the ME series in 6 months time.

3. Tali's face. A unique art-asset to replace the stock photo would assuage the Talimancers somewhat, but this isn't a huge thing for me. You'd have had complaints no matter what you did, you just kinda made a rod for your own backs by choosing a photo that was easily discoverable on google images.

4. The ending. It's the biggee really.

I understand that the entirety of ME3 is the culmination of the Shepard story .. we saw the conclusion of the main story arcs; the geth/quarian conflict, the salarian/krogan genophage and the rachni. Mordin, Legion, Thane .. Everything up to London was absolutely fantastic, and I really can't complain about a minute of it.

But .. starchild, space magic and a complete disregard for the Paragon/Renegade morality system does not a suitable ending make. One can argue the "artistic" angle; and I can see the sense in that .. I can also argue that there is a difference between "good" art and "bad" art .. and I think you know which I would apply to ME3's ending.

From a personal perspective, the best way that the ending could be salvaged would be to have Shepard waking up in the rubble of London after being injured by Harbinger's beam and fighting off the halucination/indoctrination that comprised the entire starchild sequence.

He would then make it to the beam with his squadmates/Anderson, get to the crucible .. have an epic battle (either a boss fight with TIM, or "suicide mission" where squadmates/Anderson can die/live based on choices made throughout the series) and then use the crucible to either destroy the Reapers or claim/control them to ensure galactic dominance for the human race. I'd remove synthesis entirely.

If that requires new art/dialogue/etc and takes a bit of time/money to make, then I would be satisfied with it being paid DLC; just make the announcement that it's in the works before you release any further DLC, 'cos that'll only intensify the resentment the fanbase feels right now.

I can understand why we don't get an epilogue. I imagine that ME4 is already in the works, and we'll either be importing our saves into it (and essentially playing our own epilogue) or it'll be a standalone game based on the events after ME3 and including an epilogue would just be spoilerific.

[Icycle1933]

As musicaleCA said, the article in the following link (especially #1) explains how I feel about the game. http://www.gamefront...ns-are-right/6/

I have spent a lot of time on all three Mass Effect games. I got to connect to so many characters that I became attached to many of them, especially my Love Interest and many crew/squad members.

I also was very curious to see how my decisions and actions throughout all three games would effect the ending. How disappointed I was when I found out the ending basically included none of your choices. I feel that, ultimately, playing the first two games and 99% of the third game was pointless as the "endings" (note the quotation marks) led nowhere. (Again, refer to the excellent GameFront article.)

So many things made no sense in the last ten to fifteen minutes of the game. As mentioned in the article, how did your crew make it back to the Normandy? How would the "God Child" know to take that particular form? Why was Joker already flying away? Why did the mass relays not explode as they did in Mass Effect 2's Arrival DLC? Basically, I am just frustrated, angry, and disappointed that the journey I took with the game ended so badly.

I honestly feel that there is no point in playing Mass Effect 3 anymore or any potential DLC. Why bother? After all, nothing that happens in the DLC would matter because Mass Effect 3's ending would ultimately nullify it. Even playing the first two games of the series seem pointless, because nothing you do will matter. Once again, as stated in the GameFront article, BioWare (through various sources) promised multiple endings based on our choices throughout the series. That promise was obviously broken.

I refer to an excellent picture that I believe was on this poll page, which is also an excellent read. http://social.biowar...6&poll_id=28989



In short, there needs to be DLC that fixes the incredibly convoluted endings. I want the chance to be with my squad mates, and most of all, my Love Interest. I want to see my choices make a difference. Even an ending similar to the epilogue to Dragon Age Origins would be good. (Again, personally I want an ending where I can survive and be with the people I've connected with over the years.) The endings as they stand now are terrible and empty.

[EDIT]:  An excellent ending was mentioned by Talogrungi, just above my post.  I would support that ending entirely.  Here is his post:

...From a personal perspective, the best way that the ending could be salvaged would be to have Shepard waking up in the rubble of London after being injured by Harbinger's beam and fighting off the halucination/indoctrination that comprised the entire starchild sequence.

He would then make it to the beam with his squadmates/Anderson, get to the crucible .. have an epic battle (either a boss fight with TIM, or "suicide mission" where squadmates/Anderson can die/live based on choices made throughout the series) and then use the crucible to either destroy the Reapers or claim/control them to ensure galactic dominance for the human race. I'd remove synthesis entirely...

Modifié par Icycle1933, 17 mars 2012 - 08:45 .

[irokeesi]

If you wish to skip the "introduction", go straight to the paragraph starting with "ME3;"

I never, ever, comment on anything on the internet despite being an avid gamer and movie collector. I always take what I get, but in Bioware's case I want to believe I can be there making a difference.

First of all, I love this series, it is perhaps the best there is. After completing ME1 three times with Shepard's level maxed, making three different choices for ME2 and completing ME2 with most of the "important" DLCs, I must admit I was disappointed with the ending of ME3.

The "love interests" play a rather large role for me, since I believe I can achieve almost anything with the right companion by my side. I am a romantic fool, I know.

ME3; from here on, I wish to add my voice to the crowd. Most of the things have already been stated, and I see a lot of brilliant ideas in this topic.

I feel ME3 was nearly perfect, the emotionally charged moments, the effects, the music... except for the last ~10 minutes. There were different endings, but the differences looked marginal to me. Seeing Shepard alive (?) in one of the endings gave me hope, though.

Like some have said, I too, wish there were more endings. I wish there was a "happy" ending, in which I could re-unite with my loved ones and see the galaxy building back that which was lost.

The "happy" or "perfect" ending should not be made easy, and would require the right decisions and hours more to prepare for the ultimate final.

A possible DLC could carry on from the moment where Shepard and Anderson are sitting on the Citadel, or from the end where Shepard was seen alive (?) in the ruins.

Depending on which of the above (or something else) would be chosen, Bioware could make "happy" ending cutscenes, or a more "aftermath" styled DLC with actual playing involved, or both.

On a more personal note; Rannoch scenery would make a beautiful "happy" cutscene, preferably with Tali AND Shepard, as would the post game "green" Earth with Shepard and ANY "love interest".

Thank you for reading this.

Edit: I just realized; at first I was planning on playing the whole trilogy, or at least ME2 and ME3 through again with different choices, but with the current ending of ME3 it is not a very tempting idea.

Modifié par irokeesi, 17 mars 2012 - 04:45 .

[Virgl]

 Thanks!!!! You have no idea how happy we are that someone is finally asking!!!! I felt that the romance (mostly conversations) were pretty weak. I held a continued love interest with Liara as maleshep and there were only 5 main romance convos, the rest seemed that she forgot you two had been together since me1, Me2, and lotsb. I really cant emphasize enough how much the romance part of the game appeals to us! It would be nice to get an ending where you could settle down, get married, have kids, a house, and instead of scripted hugging and kissing and other forms of embracing, why not simply give the player the choice to do those things whenever??? It has worked in fable 1,2, & 3. With an ending dlc should come that chance to take part in something that is toned down from all of the battle and war, something peaceful, fun, and heart warming.

[DarthSyphilis59]

Whatever happens, I want to  emphasize that using the
endoctrination theory, whether intentional or unintentional, is really
the best means of delivering change. It fits the canon of mass effect and is consistent with what the reapers are trying to accomplish. If shepard (in his mind)
chooses NOT to fall into the traps of believing he can control the
reapers (what illusive man wanted), or synthesize organics and machines
(what saren wanted), he could "hold the line" by realizing "I've come to
far. I can't just let the reapers win. I must destroy them." Shepard
wakes up in the rubble from Harbinger's blast, maybe a STG/krogan/turian
squad pulls him out gives him medigel patches him up and gets him ready
to finish the fight. He would still be hurt but able to command.
Squad(s) comes with shepard throught the conduit and help secure the
citadel. They open its arms so the crucible can dock. The real purpose
of the crucible is still unknown. Tali being a tech expert could be sent
with some others to help get it working. While Tali works on
interfacing crucible with catalyst (citadel) shepard is picked up by the
normandy to direct space forces to help protect  the crucible. "Cut the
head off the snake and the body dies". Eventually you have to take on
the leader of the Reapers (Harbinger) in order to have a chance at
scattering the remaining reaper forces. Huge choices can be made here
that will have impact on the outcome of the war. Concentrating all fire
power on Harbinger could result in devastating losses, but could be a
big push in winning the war. (Amount of war assets would play a role in
outcome). Harbinger really needs to have a bigger role in the showdown.
Show more
of the epic spacefight between reapers and your war assets (STG, rachni,
geth, turians, quarians, etc.). Finally the crucible is online and is used to help in weakening the reaper fleet (how? that choice is open for debate). More war assets=greater chance of
success. Low war assets=Reapers destroy fleet, medium assets=reapers
numbers are cut down and are forced to return to dark space, high
assets=Reaper fleet being destroyed. Please make the final battle show
more of the fleet fighting with the reapers. The opening scenes to the
space fight were amazing; build on that if possible. This is a huge
opportunity for mass effect to be enshrined as the greatest story ever
told.

[colateral]

I would like to reiterate that most of us, the fans, are not after a bunnies and rainbows ending—we simply want a complete and resolved ending. To that effect there are several issues in the current endings that would need to be addressed if bioware would actually undertake the task of doing so. I will list the major errors and problems as I see them as well as possible solutions.

1. Choice—put quite simply we are not given any. The end of the trilogy plays out very straight forward with little control on the outcome. In the final conversation with the catalyst on the citadel there is no indication that ANY choices you have made throughout any of the three games has any impact on anything…that is a problem. Regardless of who is alive at that moment, what races you have assembled to aid earth, how you dealt with Cerberus and the collectors you are presented with 3 unilaterally poorly executed endings. You, Bioware, has stated in multiple interviews during the development of the game that you would be able to have the ending diverge heavily due to no necessity of carry-over into another game, but there simply isn’t any difference in most of the endings; the reapers go away or are destroyed, the crucible fires a colorful beam that destroys the only means of interstellar travel and the Normandy inexplicably crash lands on some planet… Regardless of which of the three options you choose victory is simply impossible. I can accept that as the intended outcome with one problem, which will be the next topic
2. Resolution—Throughout the course of the trilogy, Bioware has developed and fleshed out numerous characters, species, planets, and story arcs that we, the fans, have become invested in as surely as you the developers have. A necessary part of an “end” to any story is the resolution of those characters, species etcetera. There is no resolution for any of the characters in the series with the exceptions to those that we know for a fact are dead (i.e Thane, Anderson, Illusive Man, Shepard) and that is assuming that those last three are in fact actually dead, which is suspect. The writers should have control over the direction of their story, its THEIR story, and if they decided that a bleak dystopian like ending was where it had to go then fine but we need some closure on our characters. We need to know what happened to our squad, and I am sorry but if that scene with the Normandy crashing on an alien planet was the attempt at resolution it simply didn’t work. Quite simply we need some form of epilogue.
3. The Catalyst—The entire conversation was one sided, slightly contrived, and overall insulting to the purpose of the enemy that has been totted as unknowable for three consecutive games. The only reason I can justify how this conversation played out is if the indoctrination theory is correct and it all played out in Shepard’s mind as he struggled to fight against Harbinger, but even then the actual justification the catalyst gives for the Reapers actions is cyclical and nonsensical. It needs to be refined and preferably rewritten (no offense intended to the writers, loved the rest of the game).

These are the three issues that I feel ultimately destroy what is otherwise a wonderful story and landmark game series. If the rumors about “The Truth” or other post ending DLC are true, and have been planned all along, then I have to wonder why all of this ‘dog and pony show’ is necessary. If the developers always planned to “finish” the game with post release DLC then say so and give us a release date, if you didn’t then I would ask that you consider our comments and please fix the game. If you don’t you run the risk of alienating your fanbase, your customers, and giving birth to perhaps what might become the most infamous video game idiom ever—pulling a Mass Effect. I apologize if anyone, fan or Bioware employee, takes any offense at any of the above remarks.

[joiner87]

Gotthammer666 wrote...

Jobrill wrote...

In addition to my suggestions earlier in the thread, I would ask you to keep one thing in mind: Happily Ever After is not intrinsically boring or insipid. Some great stories end Happily Ever After. Certainly some ME3-caliber stories. If Frodo and Sam can live happily ever, I don't think it's too much to ask to make that POSSIBLE for Shepard and his/her LI.

It doesn't have to be the only option, but I don't think it's too much to ask to be an option.

this and

Mass Effect was always a story about
your Shepard as it was about the Galactic conflict. Not being able to
see her succeed for herself on a personal level completely rips the
heart out of the trilogy, leaving us confronted with its lifeless corps


Both extremly good points

[NZGUY]

Gulkin wrote...


        - Boss fight, if you have a good idea. The best one would be harbinger in some way. Don't know how though.
     

If you have played the Legion quest (going into the Geth collective) how about going into the mind of Harbinger for the final fight?

[macarius5]

My problem to the ending is that is it ambiguous. so much was left to the imagination that it pained me watching the credits (my character just made a sacrifice.. all those hours spend I have made a connection to that character.. and although I expected him to die.. death is not a pleasant encounter), I was in limbo.. lost when I saw the cutscene where Joker was escaping with the normandy from i guess the exploding relays. feeling & thinking did my actions mattered to the people close to my shepard? His LI, comrads,are they even alive? I was so frustrated that after the old man child cutscene.. there was no explanation/answer to my questions. Questions like what happen to the armada of allied ships stuck in the SOL system when the relays were destroyed? How was earth after the attack? Did shepard's LI moved on after his death? Was he mourned by the galaxy and honoured for his sacrifice? When this is answered I can have that connection to the ending (did my choice mattered, was it worth it?), even if this is fixed, it is already ruined since I already know the intended ending and I can no longer bring back that moment where I was on the edge, feeling so sad for anderson, who just died, after beating the game and making that choice (synthesis) because of the unexpected.. full of unanswered question ending. it was like someone you love and care for was taken away and I do not know what happen to them. Closure gives comfort knowing full well that the outcome was due to my choices which was not established in the ending.

[Esuzu1]

1. This was supposed to be a war that would be won against all odds, not with some magic deus ex machina. I would like to the different fleets I brought to the battle destroying reapers, the destiny ascension firing upon harbinger etc.
On earth I would like to see earth's forces' last stand (including the friends who followed you there.

2. It felt like war, and you still managed to get in some humour. Good job!

3. The ending felt rushed. The devs said that we wouldn't get an ending like lost, now we have one exactly like it.

[SpaceBacon7]

I'll list what I really liked about the game and share why I didn't like the ending.
Thank you for listening and for your time

Pros:

1. The combat system is awesome, it's fast paced and really satisfying. I like being able to dive roll into cover or dodging a mech that's trying to punch me. The cover system turned out really neat also.

2. Multiplayer is fun and addicting. Having a bunch of friends playing with mics is a lot of fun
Having multiplayer tie into the story was a cool idea

3. The story in ME3 was fantastic. (minus the ending)
The dialogue was so well written, it surprised me at times.
The voice acting was also top notch and some lines gave me chills. I got all choked up when Mordin and Legion died. Making video game characters able to do that is a huge achievement I think.

The Negative:

1. I honestly think the indoctrination theory should be picked up. Sadly, it makes more sense than the endings we got. It also allows a clean slate to do some neat stuff for the end.

2. An epilogue, showing my decisions had an impact on the galaxy (good or bad)
Do the geth help quarians rebuild? Do krogans take over everything if I messed something up? Is my LI mourning my death? (my squad looked pretty happy being stranded) Etc.
Let me actually see those outcomes in the end.
The endings as they are now show none of my choices in a meaningful way. I only get to see how the reapers die/leave. Seeing my squad mates show up on the Normandy after being lasered to death is also very jarring.

3. I'm left with more questions than answers. The final game in the trilogy that was supposed to tie up some loose ends somehow manages to bring up even more questions in 15 minutes and answers very few in the end. I wish I didn't have to speculate what happened to squad mates and what exactly happened in the end (see all the theories trying to make sense of it all)
If you guys have to explain the ending outside of the game itself, something isn't right.

4. There was no catharsis in the end. Mass Effect 3 made me hold back manly tears at times, something a game has never done before. I cared so much about the characters from Mass Effect that their deaths actually almost brought me to tears. I laughed out loud at times and felt motivated to save everything. But it all falls apart when the Deus Ex Machina child beams me up, tells me organics and machines can't live together (after I humanized EDI and united the Geth and Quarians) and just speeds me along to choose which of the 3 lasers I want to fire. I don't get to ask any questions, my Shepard says "so, the Illusive Man was right after all." Then I'm given the incomprehensible motivation for reapers in 2-3 lines of dialogue.
In the end I felt nothing after I sacrificed myself. All that build up and my heroic/badass Shepard caves in to the supreme bad guy, sides with the Illusive Man and goes meekly into the night.
As it stands now the 3 endings we received just feel like a cruel trick question
To me, the endings were not "bittersweet". It was a convoluted mess that left me feeling disappointed. I didn't think "That was satisfying! I'm glad I played through all 3 games for that!" which is a bummer to say.

The rest of the game was a blast to play.
I was telling friends it was better than Skyrim
It was gaming bliss and I was sucked in by the story
But it just drops you in a really bad way

If I was given control and asked to fix the ending
I would pick up the indoctrination theory so it could just use the endings already in place and add onto them in some kind of dlc. The ghost child was actually Harbinger trying to warp Shepard.
You wake up (already a secret cutscene with you breathing) and have to finish the fight. Maybe a confrontation with Harbinger. After that you could use the 3 ending choices to influence the 'real' ending. Most important of all, bring closure to the mass effect universe. A simple ending cutscene showing your impact and choices have meaning other than just an EMS number. If Shepard absolutely positively has to die it would be nice to show a funeral scene with the characters we've been with for 3 games. Maybe add a happy ending for those who work hard enough to get it, surviving and settling down with his or her LI and riding off into the sunset etc etc.

All in all, I had a blast playing Mass Effect over the years.
I've never taken the time to dig deeper into a universe like I have Mass Effect
Checking the wikia page and reading the novels.
The only thing me and many other fans ask is, don't let the trilogy go out like this.
Shepard deserves better.

[m_elders]

I'm going to describe my impressions of Mass Effect 3 as I progressed through the game.  Rather than tell Bioware/EA to change X by doing A, B, and C, I want Bioware/EA to understand what their fans FELT during those final moments.  I feel that this sort of feedback can help Bioware/EA see the need for change without giving the impression that I think I could do their job better than them, because I most certainly can't.

Soooo.... LOTS OF SPOILERS.

I bought the game with the expectation that it would go down as my favorite game of all time.  My favorite game before March 6 was Mass Effect 2, and I thought 3 would only improve.  The intro (as seen in the demo) was amazing, then it just got better.  The Tuchanka mission's ending was perfect (a great example of something in the game that was sad that the fans still LOVED), and the Quarian missions were touching and left a feeling of closure.  My only complaint with the game going into the final mission was Kai Leng, but that could be tolerated.  I still fully expected to be thinking, "I just beat my favorite game of all time," as the credits rolled across the screen.

But then I actually reached the final mission... and it was EPIC.  Loads of dialogue with party members, saying goodbye for what I was sure would be the last time.  I had a really bad feeling that by the end of the mission, I and both of my party members would die.  Even so, I brought Garrus and Tali with me, because if they had ANY final dialogue, I wanted to hear it.

So I fought, and fought, and fought some more, and finally made it to that final suicide run.  I was fully immersed in the game, running like my life and the lives of everyone else depended on my survival.

And then the Reaper beam hit.

Shepard blacked out, and I heard someone over the radio say that everyone was dead and no one made it to the goal.  When I staggered up, I instantly looked around for the bodies of Garrus and Tali.  If I died, I wouldn't care.  I needed to know what happened to them.

But I couldn't find the bodies, so I went where I was supposed to go.  Stuff happened, but the whole time I was thinking, "I just killed Tali and Garrus, and they didn't even say anything special in the final mission."  I paid attention to everything else, I made the choices, I listened to the characters, but I just wanted to get to the end to see what happened to my beloved party members.

When the child presented me with my three options, I thought, "Based on all that has happened, what he says doesn't make much sense, but these choices are interesting."  Before I made my choice, I thought of Edi and Joker and how much they deserved to be together, so I chose synthesis.  As Shepard staggered forward, I thought of all the physical and emotion pain he was overcoming just to walk, much less make such an important decision.

Then he jumped.  Green light emanated from the Citadel, and the Reapers retreated.  But then some weird stuff started happening.  The Mass Relays blew up, which didn't make any sense to me.  But it was irrelevent, I just wanted to see the fate of my party members.  Then I saw Joker flying away from the blast.... "Wait, why is he doing that?  I want him to be with Edi!  Oh good, it caught him."  Then the ship was down and he walked out with Edi.  "Perfect!  Bioware knew EXACTLY what motivated my decision!"  Then Tali stepped out of the ship -- CREDITS.  "What?!  Tali survived???  Why was she on the Normandy?  That doesn't make any sense!  What about Garrus?  Is he alive too?"

I patiently waited for the credits to roll by, expecting some answers to these questions at the end.  I wanted to see my surviving friends, sitting around a fire on this new planet, telling stories about their favorite commander.  To see drunk Garrus saying I was the best commander the galaxy will ever see.  That would have made up for the weird stuff, 100% in my book.  I just needed to see who was alright.  But instead, I got a cut scene that said, "Buy our future DLC," and it was over.  I had no idea if this was my favorite game of all time any more.

The rest is history.  I went online, found that the choices barely changed anything (e.g. Edi lives if you destroy all synthetic life) and that all sorts of other things were wrong.  These complaints can be found elsewhere.  My goal was to explain what my thoughts were during the game.  Hopefully it helps!

[Gulkin]

NZGUY wrote...

Gulkin wrote...


        - Boss fight, if you have a good idea. The best one would be harbinger in some way. Don't know how though.
     

If you have played the Legion quest (going into the Geth collective) how about going into the mind of Harbinger for the final fight?

not bad not bad