Thank you for creating a forum with a concerted and constructive purpose to keep some of us from simply vaulting into another rage-rant.
I'm trying to expand on what has already been stated: we're not looking for "Super-Happy-Fun-Ending," we just want to hear the Mass Effect story. Whether or not it's pretty or cheerful is irrelevant. Many of us feel we just couldn't see the whole picture you were trying to paint.
While I whole-heartedly agree with a great many points already laid out in this thread, I also respect the right of artistic license. If this was indeed how the creators of this incredible series had always planned to conclude it, then more power to the them. It is not my place to demand that the ending be altered to meet my specific preferences. What I will say, however, is that the current ending seems to be a far-cry from what we know the creative team is capable of; in that it appears to be wrought with timeline errors, character inconsistencies, "just go with it" logic, and huge unknowns.
Mass Effect 1 and 2, and the majority of 3 stand out among any narratives, in any media, as being thoughtfully developed, well-rounded, richly researched, and carefully executed. They remained true to the marvelously detailed cannon laid out since the very beginning (with very rare and forgivable discrepencies). The shear volume of the Codex entries included with every game testifies to the effort that goes into the Mass Effect Universe. All those wonderful bits of info seemed to be leading to a singular, inescapable conflict; a culmination that would bring all the colorful tiles together in a vast, beautiful, terrifying mosaic (I hadn't planned on this post sounding so desperate
). And it really looked like it was delivering. I understand the choice to make the last few minutes of the game surreal, frightening, and more than a little confusing. Personally, I rather liked the idea of getting taken out of my comfort zone and playing a character who's had the crap kicked out of him and just keeps limping along until the very end. I liked how the stakes felt grand, and was positive that I would still get to see all the twists and turns in the story manifest themselves in some form or another once Shepard boarded the elevator within the Citadel. Then, not so much. It all became a little too tunnel-visioned, the scope too narrow, and it lost that "epic" feeling that the rest of the franchise excelled at.
If Bioware wants to finish this story with 3 equally grim endings that demonstrate the fact that some problems cannot be solved, no matter how much effort or cooperation goes into it, then OK (cruel, but OK). And if those endings were simply designed to invoke the "mystery and speculation" mentioned in various public statements; well, mission accomplished.
The problem is, many of us assumed the "mystery and speculation" would be presented in the form of the question, "What happens next?" not "WTF just happened?"
To resolve the Reaper threat through such drastic means is the Bioware's and/or EA's call (not how I would have ended Mass Effect, but I would not have been able to create the universe in the first place, so who am I to judge). But I at least hoped to learn
why.
Flesh it out. I am certain that the vivid imaginations behind the rest of the narrative are itching for the opportunity to support their conclusion. If the endings are to be taken at face value, i.e. no "indoctrination theory", then explain why Harbinger/Starchild has never exercised control over the Citadel, before. Since we're delving into Reaper purpose, explain where the Reapers/Catalyst came from. Explain why Harbinger/Starchild thinks synthetics will destroy all organic life. Explain why Harbinger/Starchild cares. Explain why the crew fled the fight and entered the Mass Relay. Explain how the Crucible can change every organism in the galaxy into friendly Husks via the "synthesis" beam. Explain how disrupting the power conduit "destroys" all self-aware synthetic programming. Explain how Shepard's consciousness is supposed to be disseminated into the Reaper network and give him "control." Why do the relays explode? How are any species supposed to survive the energy released by an exploding relay? Will remaining inactive relays also explode? How many non-spacefaring species would also be wiped out by an exploding relay? Would it be better for primitive species if Shepard just let the Reapers do their thing?
I realize that reassembling the voicecast for an over-arching epilogue may be cost-prohibitive, as well as visuals-only cinematics. But if this is the intended conclusion, I could be at least placated with a text screen describing the logic behind the final three choices.
Bioware can end it how they want. But in a story where detail, reasoning, and continuity seemed so important to the storytellers, it seems very out of character to present a plot twist that says, "Flashy Lights! The End!"
I admit, a part of me wants different endings, altogether. Endings that show how every story element falls into place and contributes to a massive finale. A finale filled with sacrifice and heartache and despair, but can still be counted as a victory. Still, it's Bioware's baby, and they have the authority end it with the lose-lose-lose finale where Shepard leaps into the void with an ear-splitting "Meh, alright." I respect the decision, as long as they can clarify and rationalize that decision.
In truth, any out-right changes to the story from here out will no longer carry the weight they otherwise could have. Whether or not there is some secret alternate ending waiting to be downloaded, it will, in my mind, always be tainted by the possibility that it's NOT what the writers had originally intended. That it's nothing more than damage control meant to appease future customers and keep them from giving up on the company, entirely. I would rather know the the original plan, than be pandered to. To accept an alternate ending simply because people asked for one, makes the Mass Effect universe seem less genuine or "legitimate," if that makes any sense at all.
As disappointed as I was with the Grand Opus abruptly ending with a kazoo solo, my greatest fear is that this was not the true ending; that this was an $80 bait-and-switch where fans will be asked to pay additional fees to see what the writers truly intended. If this is the case, I'm less worried about the impact to the fan base (myself included) than I am to the creative team being held hostage by such a scheme.
But as it stands, now, it kinda feels like someone took the Lord of the Rings trilogy and ended it with 10 minutes of a Transformers movie.....
Modifié par clutzo the hopless, 18 mars 2012 - 01:22 .
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