Mass Effect 3 - The Arrival Thread!

[PWN3R]

Endings:

Spoiler

Ultimately I am fine with the whole Catalyst/Shepard dying thing, I just find the way that they completely failed to close the books on characters that we had spent 90 hrs with if not more were not given closure.

This.

[BLACKOUT]I have no problems with Shepard dying. Hell, a full Paragon Shepard sacrificing himself for the galaxy is epic.[/BLACKOUT]

Also, anyone see this? Shouldn't have cut this (spoilers):
[YT]booBmcFw_Lk[/YT]

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Oh man that would have so perfectly fit with my reformed Renegade Shepard.

 

[BrollySupersj]

One thing I don't like about the armor this time, is that despite what color tint you use, or patter, certain parts of the armor will remain one color, grey. I also don't like that several pieces have the N7 banner running down the shoulder and arms. Hey I love N7, but it hinders the customization options that we had in ME2. I hope they change that one day.

 

[TX85]

I'm using the Securitel Helmet too along with the N7 gear with a few changes(chest plate with big black bullets looking stuff and different shoulder gear),I love the helmet cause it reminds me of classic sci-fi helmets like in 60's stuff/Aliens&Terminator 2!!

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Endings:

Spoiler

Ultimately I am fine with the whole Catalyst/Shepard dying thing and the Relays buying it, I just find the way that they completely failed to close the books on characters that we had spent 90 hrs with if not more to be what caused me to get into a bit of fit.

Spoiler

My main problem with the ending is how utterly weird it is. I guess there was some foreshadowing that the Reapers weren't actually real villains; people comment throughout the game about how the Reapers could easily have wiped everyone out in no time while Shepard was scrambling to collect his fleet and build the Crucible, but they don't for some unknown purpose. But the final revelation about how the Reapers are a means of controlling organic life's chaos so that organics and synthetics don't wipe out the whole universe and they're all secretly controlled by this weird, nameless thing in the Citadel is such a massive info-dump. It changes the tone of the story so much, to the extent that Anderson's (and Shepard's, up to that point) endgame seems like a Renegade action and the Illusive Man's idea seems like a Paragon one. It actually sort of feels like the ending to Neon Genesis Evangelion, where they set up certain things throughout the story and then just tossed it all out for a wacky head trip in the final episodes because they ran out of money. I'm not suggesting Bioware did the same or that this wasn't their plan all along, but that indoctrination theory is starting to sound pretty sensible the more I think about the possible endings.

Although, yeah, not getting any follow-up to any of the other characters' stories was a bit of a letdown too.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Spoiler

Having just read the original Dark Energy motive on Something Awful I think AI prefer the Synthetics motive. I think it ties better into the continual concerns in ME about AI's and the future that they represented. Heck in Overlord Cerberus almost actually caused a synthetic-driven apocalypse.


Here's the Dark Energy outline:

The Reapers' goal was to find a way to stop the spread of Dark Energy which would eventually consume everything. That's why there was so much foreshadowing about Dark Energy in ME2.

The Reapers as a whole were 'nations' of people who had fused together in the most horrific way possible to help find a way to stop the spread of the Dark Energy. The real reason for the Human Reaper was supposed to be the Reapers saving throw because they had run out of time. Humanity in Mass Effect is supposedly unique because of it's genetic diversity and represented the universe's best chance at stopping Dark Energy's spread.

The original final choice was going to be "Kill the Reapers and put your faith in the races of the galaxy in finding another way to stop the spread with what little time is left" or "Sacrifice humanity, allowing them to be horrifically processed in hopes that the end result will justify the means."


Its serviceable I find but I don't find the motive for turning humanity into the Reapers to be strong enough and the Dark Energy feels more abstract than Synthetics vs Organics.

If they had just tightened up the presentation, had Shepard argue a bit more with the Catalyst and had proper endings for the squad what we have now would have largely been perfect.

 

[spiderbob]

This.

Also, anyone see this? Shouldn't have cut this (spoilers):
[YT]booBmcFw_Lk[/YT]

That's a great piece, and would have loved to have heard it in the game.

This was apparently cut (according to the all infallible internet) because [BLACKOUT]Anderson actually had a kid. Though I looked it up on the Mass Effect wiki and there's no real mention of him having a kid, just an ex-wife.[/BLACKOUT]

 

[Havok83]

8 hours in and Im only now coming across a ME2 squadmember. Its about time bc I was getting worried there for a second. I miss my old crew

 

[TX85]

IF Mass Effect 4 is a start of a new trilogy with mostly new characters including the main one,How would you want him to look?I mean with this trilogy we can only change Shepard's face features&hair and so IF that remains then I'm not sure for the female But for male I'd like a bigger guy like perhaps Jame Vega's type of muscle body!

IF the next one is indeed a new trilogy then I'd like changes for your character,I want different career backgrounds(Military/Scientist/Doctor/Politician/Assassin/Bounty-Hunter/Ex-Cerberus)and perhaps even choose from different species with a different species background(raised by human/etc)

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Spoiler

Having just read the original Dark Energy motive on Something Awful I think AI prefer the Synthetics motive. I think it ties better into the continual concerns in ME about AI's and the future that they represented. Heck in Overlord Cerberus almost actually caused a synthetic-driven apocalypse.


Here's the Dark Energy outline:

The Reapers' goal was to find a way to stop the spread of Dark Energy which would eventually consume everything. That's why there was so much foreshadowing about Dark Energy in ME2.

The Reapers as a whole were 'nations' of people who had fused together in the most horrific way possible to help find a way to stop the spread of the Dark Energy. The real reason for the Human Reaper was supposed to be the Reapers saving throw because they had run out of time. Humanity in Mass Effect is supposedly unique because of it's genetic diversity and represented the universe's best chance at stopping Dark Energy's spread.

The original final choice was going to be "Kill the Reapers and put your faith in the races of the galaxy in finding another way to stop the spread with what little time is left" or "Sacrifice humanity, allowing them to be horrifically processed in hopes that the end result will justify the means."


Its serviceable I find but I don't find the motive for turning humanity into the Reapers to be strong enough and the Dark Energy feels more abstract than Synthetics vs Organics.

If they had just tightened up the presentation, had Shepard argue a bit more with the Catalyst and had proper endings for the squad what we have now would have largely been perfect.

Spoiler

Yeah, that is definitely more abstract. Synthetics vs. organics is definitely a major theme, so the ending as written plays into that, but the true nature of the conflict between synthetics and organics just flew right in from out of nowhere. Besides, what real proof do we have that the Catalyst even knows what it's talking about? I don't know how your game turned out, but in mine, I had just brokered a mutually beneficial peace between the quarians and the geth, the ME cycle's major organic/synthetic conflict, and I had come to regard an AI who began its life by attempting to murder everyone on the moon as a loyal crew member and friend, to the extent that I encouraged my pilot to court her. The lack of an option where Shepard could argue for a balance between synthetics and organics wherein each retains their unique identities was a pretty glaring oversight to me, given the way I played through all 3 games. Granted, I guess you could achieve that via the control option, but that sort of defeats the purpose.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Here's another thing that lends itself to that theory:

Spoiler

Right before the end, I think before the Cerbrus assault, James mentions a buzzing sound and if anyone else hears it. Now go look up Indoctrination in your codex...

...grasping at straws, but it helps.

Spoiler

Thing is...the relays are destroyed in all three of the "choice" endings, doesn't matter what you pick. Did you really find that to be a satisfying conclusion to an otherwise amazing series?

I could write pages why it was a waste, but answer me this: How the hell was Joker flying the Normandy through a relay when minutes before EDI used the Normandy's targeting systems to help Shepard on the ground. EDI herself was in London, too. And your squad mates, the ones running straight towards Harbinger with you? Yeah, they're on the Normandy at the end, too. Really??

Please don't call me a hater or that I'm exaggerating things. The last ten minutes does not feel like it was even thought out regardless of our clashing opinions. I've played this series since the beginning. I complain because I care.

Oh god, I'm being turned into a husk of a disgruntled Bioware fan. If only Spock were here to hold me...

Spoiler

The only thing I had a problem with was the ending was slightly too "open" for a trilogy ending. That's it. I assume the rest of the crew were able to get on to the Normandy while Shepard was activating the crucible, so that didn't bother me at all. I'd of liked to see more of your squad and what happened to them after the destruction of the reapers.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

8 hours in and Im only now coming across a ME2 squadmember. Its about time bc I was getting worried there for a second. I miss my old crew

Did a lot of them get killed in ME 2? I met up with my first old squad member from that game about 3 or 4 hours in--on my first playthrough, no less, which means it'd be about 2 hours or so on any subsequent playthrough where I actually know what I'm doing.

 

[Nightwing 52]

This is mainly what I want to know. Are they BIG differences? Earth shattering? etc...According to the wiki the comic allows you to choose 6 points from ME1 that are important before you pick things up in ME2. And I'm cool with that, I just want to know more about the differences.

Also appreciate the responses.

No man left behind!

 

[spiderbob]

I like the Securitel Helmet, yeah. It looks neato.

I've been using the N7 Defender armor (Gamestop pre-order DLC) for my Soldier.

And for whoever asked, having ME1 does matter. My buddy used the Genesis comic because he was too lazy to replay ME1, and there are some fair differences between his game and mine (which has ME1).

^^^
Answered here Lone Wolf.

 

[TX85]

Spoiler

The only thing I had a problem with was the ending was slightly too "open" for a trilogy ending. That's it. I assume the rest of the crew were able to get on to the Normandy while Shepard was activating the crucible, so that didn't bother me at all. I'd of liked to see more of your squad and what happened to them after the destruction of the reapers.

Spoiler

I didn't think about the possibility that the crew could of gotten on the Normandy and they speed off away from Earth while Anderson&Shepard got up from the beam and activating the crucible,Seems like grasping at straws But perhaps it did happen,Bioware could of confirmed it though By just adding a quick scene that shows Joker picking them up and set the speed as fast as possible

 

[DeGenerate10]

I admit I hated Jack and Zaeed in ME2 but I'm so glad I let them live.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

They're two of the ones who died in ME 2 for the Shep whose playthrough I completed already, along with Thane. I know the broad strokes of their appearances, but I can't wait to actually see them in my next playthrough.

 

[Havok83]

Did a lot of them get killed in ME 2? I met up with my first old squad member from that game about 3 or 4 hours in--on my first playthrough, no less, which means it'd be about 2 hours or so on any subsequent playthrough where I actually know what I'm doing.

No one died in my game.Did you do the From Ashes DLC? That was the first selectable mission I did so that could account for why its taken me longer

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Dang. Whom did you first encounter from ME 2? Spoiler-tag it for me.

Oh, I have an actual game-related question:

Has anyone else experienced a bug where you start a new Shep and find that all of your previous Shep's war assets are still showing up in your war room terminal? That happened to me. It's freaking me out because my current Shep was supposed to be my royal screw-up playthrough, where I see what happens if you only have the bare minimum war assets and as few squad members as possible.

 

[spiderbob]

Did you start fresh or import an ME3 character?

 

[Havok83]

Dang. Whom did you first encounter from ME 2? Spoiler-tag it for me.

Spoiler

Thane. I havent encountered him yet but I got an email message asking for me to meet him on the Citadel. Thats where I last left off before I stopped playing. My squad currently consists of Javik, Liara, Garruss, Vega and EDI

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Spoiler

Thane. I havent encountered him yet but I got an email message asking for me to meet him on the Citadel. Thats where I last left off before I stopped playing. My squad currently consists of Javik, Liara, Garruss, Vega and EDI

Spoiler

Wow, you really did miss people. You should've already encountered Mordin and Wrex in the main quest line and gotten an opportunity to see Jack and Grunt in side missions.

 

[El Bastardo]

This is mainly what I want to know. Are they BIG differences? Earth shattering? etc...According to the wiki the comic allows you to choose 6 points from ME1 that are important before you pick things up in ME2. And I'm cool with that, I just want to know more about the differences.

Also appreciate the responses.

Not big differences, no. Those are accounted for in the comic.

But you lose any possible side-quests that carry over, as well as characters involved in those, I do believe.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I've been content with my Genesis-provided stuff. The thought of replaying ME 1 always seems vaguely appealing until I start remembering all that Mako stuff. So... much... Mako.

It haunts my dreams.

 

[The_Shadow]

A couple of questions from my playthrough, about 13 hours in fyi. Going to spoiler tag this but nothing really spoiler-worth in here.

Spoiler

Looking for Miranda on Citadel, this is the 2nd time I'm going to talk to her, and it says she at the Spectre offices. I've looked everywhere but can't find her, is this a glitch or is she hiding lol?

I decided to import my first playthrough on ME2 as that was the one that I choose options on just how I felt, and I only had Miranda, Grunt, Tali, and Samara make it out alive. But during the Geth vs Quarian mission Shep's talking like Tali's dead, which never happened for me. Another glitch?

Just played the DLC and recruited Javek, loved the conversation going on with him. I swear the voice actor of Javek is the same voice actor of Mustafa or Scar from Lion King lol.