3 réponses à ce sujet

[Atayla]

After months of waiting, I wiped the dust off my Mass Effect Collector's tin and popped the game into my Xbox for the first time since I finished the game back on March 13th. (Yes, I essentially 'rage quitted') I played through, making note of the minor changes but was still dreading the Space Child and the memorable ABC space magic.  I was pleasantly surprised. The reasoning behind each of these choices were made clear as if Bioware finally realized that there is only so much that can be assumed in storytelling. Each choice mattered and it left me contemplating about the consequences of each.  Dare I say it, I actually cared. 

Control: There is power in control. I felt that this ending was well done, yet it still gave me a sense of unease. Almost a shiver down my spine as I watched it play out. Yes, the world continues but there lies a great danger with that much control. This new Shepard-Catalyst has sworn to be a protector but lines can blur quite easily sometimes when "protection" is involved. It leaves me with a sense of hope that this new world will flourish but I get the feeling humans will be leading the galaxy. The Citadel hovers over Earth and the Reapers stand vigilant. How long will it take before the other races forget and want to reclaim the power they held? Who would dare oppose them?  For now at least…….

Synthesis: The final evolution. This ending felt like the ultimate dream. A dream that many of us have now; a melting pot of all things so there will be no more conflict or war. Nothing to divide us.  Originally this was the ending that angered me the most. I was disappointed that after years as a faithful player, it all ended with "space magic".  While it certainly does push what I can accept in game plots, this ending was explained in more detail. Shepard's LI is in mourning but is comforted. The world will carry on, they are not alone. There's nothing negative about this ending since the worlds not only rebuild but flourish and it's hinted that they will eventually evolve beyond. Shepard is gone but the world they left behind is glorious.

Destroy: My initial ending. I've spent all ME games focused on this one task. The sacrifice for this option isn't as dire as I once believed.  What is destroyed is synthetic life only, not technology. EDI, Reapers, Geth, the Catalyst…all gone. Ships can easily run without VI's and the world will rebuild, albeit extremely slowly. Because now, the only technology they can build upon is their own. It is a future they have earned and will work hard to rebuild. Brick by brick.  And with this ending, comes hope. While Bioware didn't truly commit to Shepard's status, the new ending gives me more hope that they survived. The LI in the other two endings readily placed Shepard's name on the wall but in this ending….they hesitate. And added with the breath at the end, is that enough to  say for sure that Shepard is alive? Perhaps not, but the notion makes me smile.

Extra Ending, Refusal: Now this ending took me by surprise but I respect Bioware for putting it in. if there is anyone that hated the previous choices before and still couldn't stand them after the EC, this is a new option. However, this choice comes with the heaviest price.  All the races were already near defeat and the Crucible was their last desperate attempt for survival. With Shepard's refusal the cycle continues. It gives me a sense of dread knowing that new Reapers are out there, waiting for the next group of races to ascend before it's time to "harvest" them. This, to me, is the worst ending you could have because it means that everything you fought for since ME1 is completely gone. There were complaints about choices not mattering before but this ending truly makes all those countless hours go up in a puff of "going down with fight" smoke. Or does it just represent an opportunity for a brand new adventure? A whole new fight?

These are just my thoughts and musing about the EC that Bioware was provided. While I'm sure there will be mixed reviews (like with everything) I personally feel that the endings have been redeemed. I didn't want perfect endings with fluffy clouds and dancing Elcor, just for the conclusion to make sense. I say "well done" for Bioware sticking to their original endings but expanding upon them so their vision was made clear. With understanding, comes appreciation and now I see Bioware's vision. And I can finally enjoy my Mass Effect once more.

I agree with another poster that the endings are also about how much you're willing to sacrifice. I personally feel that Destroy fits my type of gameplay, but the others were done very well. Now is my faith completely restored? I cannot say for certain but it gives me hope that Bioware is still the company I grew to love back in the Baldur's Gate days. 

Modifié par Atayla, 27 juin 2012 - 05:40 .

[ashwind]

Now... that is more readable =P

[Sweawm]

From the modified Star Gazer scene, which seem to show the same Human and now an Asari, I guess that perhaps the Catalyst choose to restore the Cycle's previous species to begin again, perhaps hoping for the same united response except with a leader who would accept the Catalyst's choices.

Gives Bioware room for a squeal huh? Same aliens from before, just the whole thing all over again.

"The time for our return has come" - Nazara Sovereign

[Cyran127]

I pretty much agree. It still doesn't make sense how Shepard survives and somehow ends up in what looks like the rubble of Earth. And the rationale behind Synthesis is still ridiculous even with the extra explanation. Paraphrasing here, but the kid says "The galaxy wasn't ready before, now they are." Um, ok? And he also makes it seem like all conflict is the result of synthetics and organics fighting each other and that the galaxy will be a peaceful Utopia with Synthesis even though killing and conflict have existed from the very beginning of time.

One thing I'm confused/curious about is why the Refuse ending is the only ending with a female stargazer at the end.

If I were to make a complaint about the extended cut, it would be that you still can't skip the half hour of cutscenes and dialogue for the ending.

But I think they did a lot better job of fixing some of the most glaring plot holes and explaining the results of your actions and the fates of those closest to you. And since it doesn't really matter in the end which ending you pick, then everyone can pick whatever they're most comfortable with and accept it. There's even still room to accept an Indoctrination ending. Even if they make a sequel or some sort of DLC, I doubt it will take place after the events of the ending, and if it does, they'll probably make some canon ending. If they do go through the trouble of importing your choice of ending a creating new content around that, then that's just a nice bonus. I think the ****ing should end now. If anyone still doesn't like it, then great, move on. The only thing I really hated about the original ending was how lazy it seemed to be using the exact same scenes with very very slight alterations, plus all of the blatant plot holes.

Modifié par Cyran127, 27 juin 2012 - 05:59 .