4 réponses à ce sujet

[Trishot]

 Hello,

Well, I have finished quite a few full playthroughs on the pc, all three games including their DLC.
Whilst initially I was with the crowd that totally hated the way the writers chose to end the story of Shepard, since then I've, accepted it, I was extremely grateful for the extended cut DLC, it just explained what happened in the aftermath of my destroying all synthetic life. Which, was by far the hardest decision I had to make in the trilogy, whilst I did not particularly liked having to make the choice between Ashley and Kaiden, at the time, I had not spent so much time with them as to form an emotional connection.

The aforementioned emotional connections really started, for me at least, in part two of the trilogy. Except for maybe Garrus. This is of course a personal thing. Whilst Mass Effect 1 was incredibly awesome, all the way through the game, once you become a Spectre, I felt I had to hurry up, lives were at stake. It did not stop me from visiting all systems and do all the side missions I could find, but there was a constant feel of urgency, this I thought was an amazing accomplishment, for me it was a first. In the second part of the trilogy, whilst the development of the characters was amazing, although the daddy issues were bordering on cliché. Somehow, the collectors collecting Human colonies, I never had a sense of urgency, not until the very last moment. When they took my crew. Sadly this was towards the end of the second part of the trilogy. So, whilst superior in gameplay, mechanics, classes and character development/bonding. The second part was inferior in the overal feel, the inventory system (it felt cleaner, but so much was taken out) and progression. Whilst I thought the classes overal felt better in the second game, it felt as though there were a lot more options in the first one. Even though, to me they mostly felt the same (in the first one).

The way I tend to play these kinds of games (RPG's) is simply doing all missions, side missions first before progressing the main story arc. As a result of this, I had the "perfect" (if there is such a thing) ending in the second series. Throughout the game, if you payed even the smallest bit of attention, one learns what each character is good at. So, I had quite an easy time picking my specialist when assaulting the collector base. Garrus leader of the second team for example. I've always been a huge Garrus fan, in Mass Effect 1 I thought he was good, in Mass Effect 2 he really came alive for me however. So much so that I also made a playthrough with a female Shepard just to romance the guy. As for why I picked him as a leader, the conversations I had with him, he knows how to work in a team, he doesn't much care for the "red tape" and it took a betrayal of one of his own men for three mercenary organisations to take him out. I felt confident with him in charge. And I picked all the other specialist in similar ways. In the end, I lost no one.

Additonally, in the second game, the things I adored, were the little cameo appearances of characters which were quite important in the first game, or completely random (news reporter, Conrad etc.) When I came across them, or even when I received a message from the Rachni queen (Yes, I gave her a second chance.) It were little things like that that made the universe seem as though it really was me writing the story, with the tools given to me by BioWare's writers.

Then part three came, it took parts from Mass Effect one and two, and combined them, and for me it combined them well. Very well, in fact. I had the sense of urgency all throughout the game, I was kind of sad I didn't get to do all side missions, due to the Reapers being in a system. But that also did help with the urgency, I had to prioritize missions, what do I consider important, this was simply an amazing accomplishment I feel. It kept the class system of Mass Effect 2 which as I said I found superior, or at least more unique feeling. It also found a nice middleground for the inventory system, it was between the first and the second, the first was simply tedious at times, the second was too underdeveloped, in the third, whilst not perfect, I felt it was the better of the three. Again, personal preference.

As for the story itself, it was absoletely amazing, I have never been on such an emotional roller coaster in any video game, ever. Wrex calling me brother, Mordin sacrificing himself, speeching and talking to the Geth and Quarians and achieving peace, Thane dying etc. Some of it was downright brutal, and yes I cried at some parts. I really cannot give higher praise then that. It was the first time, for me, that a game actually made me do that. Books have done it before, so have certain movies, but Mass Effect was the first game that managed it for me. There were however, also downsides, I have theories and guesses as to why this occurred, but it is irrelevant, I'll just list the things I thought could have been different. 
The story, it felt incredibly linear, the maps have always been linear, I never really minded, it still felt open, I could go whereever I wanted. There was a lot less of that in the third installment, there wasn't much choice in regards to what to do or where to go next. Another thing I disliked, was my crew, my loyal crew members, gone, spread all over the galaxy. In Mass Effect two, I understand why it happened, Shepard died, he was the glue that kept the crew together, and with the SR-1 gone, it was only natural for the crew to go their own way. I just don't feel like Shepard temporarily "grounded" was enough justification for the likes of Garrus and Tali to leave. But this is a minor thing, having to gather them again was nice. Garrus joining up with me again on Palaven. There were some crew members I not only disliked but found insulting to a degree, insulting they were even put in the game, resources wasted. Diana Allers for example. Again, there might be people who liked her, in which case the resources spent were not a waste. But in my view, they are. 
Another example of a character I felt was unnecesary or not fleshed out enough was Kai-leng. He felt more like a convenient plot device than a real enemy. I simply didn't see him enough to truly hate his guts. I didn't see much of Saren in the first game, but he was still the main enemy, at the time. The reapers were, whilst interesting, not really the main threat yet. We knew little about them. However, with the reapers attacking the galaxy I found myself not giving a rats behind about Kai-leng. 

There is also the thing about choices, whilst the choices made had little impact, overal upon the story line in Mass Effect 2 for example. Having Wrex alive rather than having Wreav. The little message from the Rachni queen.
Most choices I saw back, in one form or another in Mass Effect 3, whilst they ultimately merely changed your warscore in the end (A system I didn't really like all that much) it was quite nice and also made the universe in ME3 seem more personal, which, again, kudos to the writers. However, one major downside I found, one I simply couldn't believe. As I mentioned before, I have done several playthroughs, never a 100 percent Renegade though, as I tend to really connect with my character I feel uncomfortable picking these choices all the time. Which, again is incredible, there are a lot of games that try these things and I wouldn't care. Here I do, again, because of the awesome story. Anyway.....
During one of my playthroughs, one in which I had decided -NOT- to give the Rachni queen her second chance. I expected to find either a different enemy, or a simple lack of that particular breed of enemy in Mass Effect 3. Maybe Grunt would be on a different mission, or fighting a different enemy with basically the same abillities but just...you know different. But to my surprise, it changed -NOTHING- like, at all. I still had to fight of Rachni. I just didn't get the choice (again) to give her a third chance. Which results in either her death or some extra warscore. Most of the choices, whilst minor were disappointed to only be reflected in warscore, though understandable, imagine all the possible story arcs. 

The ending, well when I first played it. I took a week off from work, when I knew I was going to receive my copy of Mass Effect 3 on release. I played for hours on end, I was looking forward to the epic conclusion ever since I picked up Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2 was already out at the time, so I probably didn't wait as long for this as some of you. But anyway.
When I first reached the ending I, like many other people was literally saying to myself. What the *%^& 
I had no answers, instead I only had more questions, I posted several rants about the ending on this very forum no later than two days after release. The extended cut, at the time, did not change my perspective, at all, and I was simply fed up with it. It was just because my expectations were totally unrealistic. The fact that my Shepard had to die, no matter what, it was... well insulting, after all, it was my Shepard. It felt like my Shepard, which is once again a testiment to the excellent story telling throughout the series. Whilst I am not super thrilled about the ending now, I at least am able to accept why it had to be so. (not that I have a choice on the matter) I am also not convinced one can really say there are sixteen (sixteen was it?) endings. I still believe there are only three real endings. Of course, there are minor variations. But there are three distinct differences. Destroy all synthetic life, quite clear, Mass Relays destroyed, but the universe as a whole, lives on, so do the Krogan, if you made the right choices, so there is a form of closure, for which I am grateful, it simply wasn't there for me in the original release ending. Or you can fuse them together, or indeed control the reapers and use them to rebuild. As much as I love legion, and thanks to him the Geth, as much as I feel so sorry for Joker in regards to EDI. I had only one real choice, which was destroy. Controlling the reapers seems to me to be a bad idea, very bad. It is like a time bomb. The fusing, which can only be achieved by a certain warscore. It seems wrong, this was the plan of the Reapers all along, it is, in a sense exactly what you have been fighting against for three whole games. 

So in conclusion of the last part, whilst I am still not totally happy with the way it went, I am content enough. Even knowing the end, no matter what choices I make. The journey towards these choices has been well worth it. Tears were shed, friendships formed (with fake virtual characters, bite me, anthropomorfising ftw) The Mass Effect universe is so vast, rich and full of possibillties, I cannot wait to be a part of it again. Not as Shepard, obviously. 

I know it won't happen, not any time soon whilst SW:ToR is running. But an MMO in the ME universe would be a dream, for me.

PS: There is one last segment I really wanted to give my views on.
The multiplayer, it effects galactic readiness and the singleplayer score, I am not sure I am a huge fan of that. But it was a nice idea nontheless.
The multiplayer itself though, for me it is absolutely dreadful, it was not at all what I expected, it is simply a coop mode. Which is great, when done right. I feel however, it wasn't done right. It would have been enjoyable if your friends could join you in the single player missions, though I am not sure that would work in a game like Mass Effect. The way they went about it is just boring, whilst it was fun at first. Simply fighting wave after wave of computer controlled enemies. It gets repetitive much quicker than a multiplayer should. It is nice that they added it in, do not get me wrong, but it simply wasn't what a multiplayer should be. To me, what keeps multiplayer interesting is fighting against Human opponents, not team up with them against AI.

So yea, what an adventure it has been.

[ioannisdenton]

+1

[Qutayba]

I agree with most of what you said. All three games were truly superb. Each had its weaknesses (I am not a fan of the ME3 endings), but so does everything in this life. The whole trilogy was a great ride in storytelling, artistic composition, combat mechanics, and level design. Few games, let alone series, can boast strong marks in every area. I wouldn't be all that interested in an ME MMO, though. MMO's can be fun, but I don't find them half as immersive as SP games.

[Linkenski]

I believe the Mass Effect trilogy would've been my favorite three games ever if ME3 had been "perfect" like I anticipated it to be (lol)

If its conclusion had been satisfying I think I would've accepted all the flaws in storytelling across the other games and the rest of ME3 but with that ending it's just pretty meh in hindsight.

I did not have an issue with Shepard dying to be honest. The true problem with the ending for me was the lame explanation/retcon of why the reapers were "reaping". This was THE big question I had been looking forward to getting an answer to and now that it was laid out I wish they'd actually just resolved the plot without telling what the goal of the Reapers were, because it just feels underwhelming and does not live up to the "We are beyond your comprehension" at all.

Now they did improve it a bit with the Extended Cut (and for some things only got worse. that's understandable) but in my interpretation and justification it went from being depressing to, ok but slightly underwhelming.

[Trishot]

Qutayba wrote...

 I wouldn't be all that interested in an ME MMO, though. MMO's can be fun, but I don't find them half as immersive as SP games.

Yes, I had not considered that, one can do so much more in a SP game. 
Having said that, the universe of Mass Effect could quite easily accommodate an MMO, I found it to be rich in story telling opportunities.

Linkenski wrote...

I believe the Mass Effect trilogy would've been my favorite three games ever if ME3 had been "perfect" like I anticipated it to be (lol)

If its conclusion had been satisfying I think I would've accepted all the flaws in storytelling across the other games and the rest of ME3 but with that ending it's just pretty meh in hindsight.

I did not have an issue with Shepard dying to be honest. The true problem with the ending for me was the lame explanation/retcon of why the reapers were "reaping". This was THE big question I had been looking forward to getting an answer to and now that it was laid out I wish they'd actually just resolved the plot without telling what the goal of the Reapers were, because it just feels underwhelming and does not live up to the "We are beyond your comprehension" at all.

Now they did improve it a bit with the Extended Cut (and for some things only got worse. that's understandable) but in my interpretation and justification it went from being depressing to, ok but slightly underwhelming.

Well, regardless of the rather unsatisfying ending. Because of the things I described in my original post. Mass Effect to me is amongst the legends. The last part, whilst it would not have been my choice, doesn't make the personal journey of my Shepard any less relevant. In my eyes anyway, we have seen, through the extended cut what some of our choices did in regards to their impact upon the galaxy. The limited choices presented at the end, whilst they did sour the entire experience for me, at first. Upon reflection and a few months away from the series itself (before replaying it again) I simply enjoyed the ride.