Mass Effect 3 - The Arrival Thread!

[Master Chief]

Spoiler

That's why I'm so infatuated with the indoctrination theory. It's on the level with all that other good stuff.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Its not that I think its a bad theory, its just that I think we're past the point that we can use that. Making 2/3 endings the wrong one is not a good decision imo.

 

[Master Chief]

That's what makes it even more appealing.

Spoiler

This whole series has been about player choice, and the idea that they inflicted indoctrination on the player in this way would be insanely clever. They don't want to close doors based on decisions, but for the finale why not go all out and have the choice make or break your fight?

I went with control. If that means my canon ending is Shepard indoctrinated, so be it. Oh, and I wanna know wtf was up with the Normandy.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Sure, if they had done it at the time.

 

[Master Chief]

I don't see how that matters to how awesome the idea is. Well, it would have been way more awesome if it was in the game but I figure that goes without saying.

 

[Nathan]

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

I don't see how that matters to how awesome the idea is. Well, it would have been way more awesome if it was in the game but I figure that goes without saying.

Because when ME4 rolls around they need to have a cohesive transition into the next one. What you're proposing creates the following issue:

Spoiler

either

A. They make a DLC ending the real ending in which case it becomes a required add-on that a good portion if not the majority of players will ever see.

or

B. Ignore the DLC endings when it comes time for ME4 which ends up making that all null and void in any case.


Something like Shadowbroker or Arrival are not necessary because the game finds ways around that but making it so 2/3 endings are simply Indoctrination induced illusions is not something that BW can just write around. Its clear that the galaxy in ME4 will be a fundamentally different place because of what happened at the end.

There is going to be a ME4, that is obvious. The game was financially a hit and was critically so within the gaming press. Most fans agree the game is fantastic aside from a less than stellar ending. Creating this disconnect is either going to end up screwing their retail consumers who did not fork out the extra cash for DLC (and creates a rather disturbing precedence) or the people who did buy DLC's for alternate endings that they will not be able to take into ME4.

 

[Havok83]

LOL...I was actually dissapointed in their encounter this time around as

Spoiler

Shep didnt punch her quite as good in the first game. I have to admit, I was shocked when she dodged my first attempt. I was like oh, someone finally learned a lesson....lol

Here's another image but Im putting it in spoiler warnings bc its pretty big

Spoiler

 

[Master Chief]

lol more like 95%.

Because when ME4 rolls around they need to have a cohesive transition into the next one. What you're proposing creates the following issue:

Spoiler

either

A. They make a DLC ending the real ending in which case it becomes a required add-on that a good portion if not the majority of players will ever see.

or

B. Ignore the DLC endings when it comes time for ME4 which ends up making that all null and void in any case.


Something like Shadowbroker or Arrival are not necessary because the game finds ways around that but making it so 2/3 endings are simply Indoctrination induced illusions is not something that BW can just write around. Its clear that the galaxy in ME4 will be a fundamentally different place because of what happened at the end.

There is going to be a ME4, that is obvious. The game was financially a hit and was critically so within the gaming press. Most fans agree the game is fantastic aside from a less than stellar ending. Creating this disconnect is either going to end up screwing their retail consumers who did not fork out the extra cash for DLC (and creates a rather disturbing precedence) or the people who did buy DLC's for alternate endings that they will not be able to take into ME4.

lol how is the ending as it is now a good transition for ME4?

Spoiler

Having all that tech destroyed, and thus leaving galactic civilization boned on that front for who knows how long, is just as good a transition as Shepard being indoctrinated, the Reapers winning and setting things up for the next cycle to begin. Instead of everybody having to rebuild mass relays and junk, civilization has to be rebuilt. Tada!

While I'm not a fan of it having to be a piece of DLC, free or not, it's still a lot better than what was given.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

While I'm not a fan of it having to be a piece of DLC, free or not, it's still a lot better than what was given.

Spoiler

I think the ending proposed there - the Reapers winning and playing during the next cycle - is actually worse than what we currently have.

I also don't really see the difference here between this and what we already have.

Instead of everybody having to rebuild mass relays and junk, civilization has to be rebuilt. Tada!

Except now we have to deal with the Reapers AGAIN.

 

[Master Chief]

Spoiler

Yeah, it's a s**tty ending. But it would have happened because I was persuaded by the Reapers. By taking control and preserving organic AND synthetic life I felt like I was doing the right thing, when I was really doing what the Reapers wanted me to do: Not destroy them.

That's what makes it such a fitting end for a series that's all about choices. And the difference between this and what we have now? There's an emotional closure to the trilogy, something severely lacking as the game is now.

edit: and by the by, no, we wouldn't have to deal with the Reapers again. They could set the story well before the cycle is coming to an end.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Spoiler

Yeah, it's a s**tty ending. But it would have happened because I was persuaded by the Reapers. By taking control and preserving organic AND synthetic life I felt like I was doing the right thing, when I was really doing what the Reapers wanted me to do: Not destroy them.

That's what makes it such a fitting end for a series that's all about choices. And the difference between this and what we have now? There's an emotional closure to the trilogy, something severely lacking as the game is now.

Spoiler

By making most of those choices flat out wrong retroactively?

 

[Master Chief]

Spoiler

BBy making most of those choices flat out wrong retroactively?

Spoiler

lol I'll say it again, that's the beauty of it! You either stick to your guns and do your job and get the best ending, or you let this ghostly child who has been haunting your dreams convince you to take the alternatives and get the worst endings.

They don't want to punish players by closing doors based on their choices earlier on and that's why so many choices result in tiny cameos and bonuses, but when it comes to the end they have nothing to lose.

It's a hell of a lot better than the bizarre occurrences and insane shift in tone the last 10 minutes of the game brings. And by leaving it out of the game it ensures the writers have every player experience that part of the story the way it was intended. It is a bit of a stretch to say they did it like this to avoid spoiling the end, but hey, stranger things have happened. Generally speaking I mean.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Spoiler

Again if they had done it at the time, I wouldn't really have an issue but as it is now I vehemently oppose the idea. It sends the wrong messages and sets a terrible precedent and is kind of cheap on a fundamental level moreso than the problems with the current ending.

 

[BrollySupersj]

What's the highest Effective Military Strength you guys have had?

For me, the highest I can get is over 3000. I got the Quarians, Geth, Turians, Krogan, Asarai, and some Salarian teams. But I hear for things to go better in the final act (not talking about the endings, but rather the battles that lead up to it) you need 4000-6000 EMS.

 

[Master Chief]

Spoiler

Again if they had done it at the time, I wouldn't really have an issue but as it is now I vehemently oppose the idea. It sends the wrong messages and sets a terrible precedent and is kind of cheap on a fundamental level moreso than the problems with the current ending.

Hahah I'm just trying to make sense of why the ending sucks so much compared to the rest of the game.

 

[Master Chief]

What's the highest Effective Military Strength you guys have had?

For me, the highest I can get is over 3000. I got the Quarians, Geth, Turians, Krogan, Asarai, and some Salarian teams. But I hear for things to go better in the final act (not talking about the endings, but rather the battles that lead up to it) you need 4000-6000 EMS.

I think around 7000? Maybe 8000. Last time I actually checked was around 6800 so probably closer to 7000. I didn't check before I went into battle coz I had 100% galactic readiness and yeah, that was more than enough lmao.

 

[BrollySupersj]

Jesus, how did you get that much?!

 

[Master Chief]

I searched every cluster to 100%, I did every side quest I possibly could, resolved every situation as best I could and played some Mass Effect Infiltrator.

 

[BrollySupersj]

I searched every cluster to 100%, I did every side quest I possibly could, resolved every situation as best I could and played some Mass Effect Infiltrator.

Hm, I did a lot of exploring, but some systems don't seem to have War Assets, I use that pulse thing every square inch of a system, and sometimes there aren't any. I won't be bothering with the IOS games or Multiplayer, but I still haven't done Kasumi's side quest, or was able to finish one other sidequest. Maybe those two together will amp things up. Other than that, I can't think of anything else I'm missing

 

[Master Chief]

I just checked my save before the final charge lol I dunno why I thought 8000, I have 6850ish war assets at 97% strength. The iOS game doesn't really do much anyway so you're all good on that front. :/

 

[Havok83]

Why didnt anyone warn me that Snooki was in this?

 

[jacobed]

Hmmm she looks nothing like Snooki but she does look exactly like Jessica Chobot

 

[iamlegend]

Spoiler

Best analogy I've heard for the ending so far is the white room from the second Matrix. Up to a point everything's going great, and then... WTF?

 

[Havok83]

Hmmm she looks nothing like Snooki but she does look exactly like Jessica Chobot

She looks like Snooki. I instantly thought of that when she came on and I did a google search and not suprisingly, saw that other gamers thought the same exact thing. Surprisingly I think she looks more like Snookie than Jessica Chobot

Oh Ashley. [blackout]I cant beleive she had the nerve to get upset and call me out on my relationship with Miranda. Im glad my Shep called her out on being the one to end things back in ME2. Her attitude towards him in the beginning of this game with the distrust also irked me[/blackout]