! This link has a summary and all the articles about it:
http://social.bioware.com/forum/Mass-Effect-3/Mass-Effect-3-Story-and-Campaign-Discussion-Spoilers-Allowed/The-Data-Cache-A-Comprehensive-list-of-ending-grievances-media-articles-and-other-fan-goodies-Please-keep-discussions-CIVIL-UNDER-CONSTRUCTION-321-9851623-1.html
! Or just watch Angry Joe:
Mass Effect 3
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! I definitely believe its a case of them simply running out of time. The ending of a game is unfortunately almost always the last part to be taken care of. I also remember hearing Martin Sheen didn't even finish recording lines until December….and then they have to send copies out for certification to Microsoft and Sony about 2-3 months ahead of release, so the ending definitely didn't get as much time into it as it should have. The problem is, is that even though EA put it on a deadline, EA's always going to own Bioware now, so this isn't a problem that's going away. Even though ME3 had a longer development time than DA2, both could have used more time.
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I think the problem is bioware had too many projects going on at once.
In the last 2 years they've released
Mass effect 2 dlc
Dragon Age 2 and dlc
Mass effect 3 and dlc
The Old republicNo matter how big bioware is that's just way too many games for one company to be making in such a short time.
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I think the problem is bioware had too many projects going on at once.
In the last 2 years they've released
Mass effect 2 dlc
Dragon Age 2 and dlc
Mass effect 3 and dlc
The Old republicNo matter how big bioware is that's just way too many games for one company to be making in such a short time.
how so? each of these franchises had a seperate team assigned to it. Money shouldn't be a problem either with their reputation and ea backing them up.
If anything the reason might be unforgiving deadlines or limited budgets, but that's just wild guessing and probably wrong too. -
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/mass-effect-mega64/728611
You did it, guys! :)
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@Schwerer:
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/mass-effect-mega64/728611
You did it, guys! :)
They should've done cupcakes.
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…I kept waiting for it to be funny.
Tho now that I think about it, this debacle could be a blessing for future games being developped.
Game Maker: Yeah, we're almost done but we'll need an extra 2 months to make sure everything is just perfect!
Producer-man: No! Deadlines are deadlines, I don't care what it looks like, get the game out ON TIME!\
Game Maker: looks him dead in the eye Mass Effect 3
Producer-man:….......one and a half months!
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Speaking of cupcakes:
! http://puresophistry.com/2012/03/29/and-then-bioware-said-let-them-eat-cake/
! So, yeah, all the cupcakes were donated to a shelter, which I kind of suspected would happen, but it's fine since they're feeding someone who needs it.
! What's really funny is not only is Bioware being a little hissy about it (didn't eat them because it didn't "celebrate the work or accomplishment of the team"), but they essentially CHOSE A FOURTH OPTION.
! They didn't pick a red, blue, or green cupcake, they chose DONATE instead. How funny is that?
! But whatever. The message has been sent. -
I took the cupcakes to mean "we appreciate what you've done. We know this really isn't all your fault, have some sweetness with a comically ironic design".
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I think a few devs commented in the thread about actually wanting one, but really, there's no way the higher-ups would have let that happen. Also, it's good the cupcakes went somewhere nice though I bet they'll be wondering what the letters represent.
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! This baffles me more than anything else seen in any endings. It's so fiercely, horrendously out of character for anyone to be hightailing it out of there
! Not when you remember that the Normandy is specifically designed for stealth purposes and not prolonged space combat. But to agree they do need to explain when and why Joker found the time to do a Mass Relay jump coincidentally at the same time Shepard activated the crucible.
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! Not when you remember that the Normandy is specifically designed for stealth purposes and not prolonged space combat. But to agree they do need to explain when and why Joker found the time to do a Mass Relay jump coincidentally at the same time Shepard activated the crucible.
! and had time to pick up his two squadmates. In the leaked script, they were supposed to die.
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! What is this leaked script you speak of? I'm intrigued.
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! Not when you remember that the Normandy is specifically designed for stealth purposes and not prolonged space combat. But to agree they do need to explain when and why Joker found the time to do a Mass Relay jump coincidentally at the same time Shepard activated the crucible.
! Remember, the Sol Mass Relay was located further out from Pluto. He would have had to clear quite a distance that I don't think FTL even accounts for. It just doesn't add up to me
Yeah is there somewhere that cataloged the leaked ending that made them scramble to change it last minute? I had access to it at the time and wisely ignored it, but now I can't seem to find info on it.
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@Schwerer:
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/mass-effect-mega64/728611
You did it, guys! :)
I prefer Penny Arcade's take on this, but the ending of that video made laugh alot.
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! What is this leaked script you speak of? I'm intrigued.
! Yeah is there somewhere that cataloged the leaked ending that made them scramble to change it last minute? I had access to it at the time and wisely ignored it, but now I can't seem to find info on it.
I'll do you two a favor and just put up a video.
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Alright screwheads! You wanted more Mass Effect, well here ya go!
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http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/games/supplydepot/
Blizzard jabbing at ME3 with their aprils fools app, under features:
- Multiple color coded and unfulfilling endings!
- Even more endings via revolutionary _Democratic DLC_!
xD
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[hide][/hide]-.- …..Really EA/Bioware?
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I don't get it. What did they do?
http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/games/supplydepot/
Blizzard jabbing at ME3 with their aprils fools app, under features:
- Multiple color coded and unfulfilling endings!
- Even more endings via revolutionary _Democratic DLC_!
xD
ROFL. Bloody brilliant.
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I don't get it. What did they do?
Well, if that statement's correct, it means you can get banned for simply modding your single player experience. If there's some type of scan involved, I doubt it really differs on what it picks up. This means it could be possible to get banned for armor mods, appearance mods, mods to increase your galactic readiness, difficulty mods, cheat-type mods for single player, and basically mods that would only affect your single-player experience that should be completely limited to how you choose to play. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that people figured out that Javik himself(not the mission) was already in the disk, and you could unlock him simply by tweaking a file.
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Bwahahahahaha. EA is now the Worst Company in America by voters. (ending spoilers)
! http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/04/04/ea-is-the-worst-company-in-america-now-what/
http://consumerist.com/2012/04/congratulations-ea-you-are-the-worst-company-in-america-for-2012.html
! I particularly love the Consumerist's final line:
"Traditionally, the Poo has been delivered on its little red pillow. But this year, we'll give EA three different color options for its pillow, though in the end it's still the same old Poo."
! BURN. -
! As it stands right now, I'm not pleased with the implications of the Mass Effect Universe and am not interested in seeing more of it in it's current state. So anything beyond this DLC will have to be a prequel (ugh) or that DLC better perfrom some fukkin miracles to allow me to continue caring about its inhabitants. So, yes, I do not see myself buying the next game in the series.
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! As it stands right now, I'm not pleased with the implications of the Mass Effect Universe and am not interested in seeing more of it in it's current state. So anything beyond this DLC will have to be a prequel (ugh) or that DLC better perfrom some fukkin miracles to allow me to continue caring about its inhabitants. So, yes, I do not see myself buying the next game in the series.
! That's the general consensus among fans right now. Unless the ending gets revamped (preferable with a Refuse(aka "Fuck You Star Child") option where you let your army destroy the Reapers without destroying the Mass Relays), there is no reason to buy new Mass Effect DLC or a prequel. If they do intend to make a ME4, there had better be a DAMN good explanation of what happens to the galaxy. Even then it would probably be too depressing to play.
! I just hope the Dragon Age team is paying close attention. DA has an advantage of having a new PC every game, but they had better know to tread lightly. Although I'll say this: DA2 had plenty of flaws and lots of fans bitching about how bad it was and how "they'll never buy a DA game again", but they don't have a 60,000 strong fan rebellion in response. -
! That's the general consensus among fans right now. Unless the ending gets revamped (preferable with a Refuse(aka "Fuck You Star Child") option where you let your army destroy the Reapers without destroying the Mass Relays), there is no reason to buy new Mass Effect DLC or a prequel. If they do intend to make a ME4, there had better be a DAMN good explanation of what happens to the galaxy. Even then it would probably be too depressing to play.
! I just hope the Dragon Age team is paying close attention. DA has an advantage of having a new PC every game, but they had better know to tread lightly. Although I'll say this: DA2 had plenty of flaws and lots of fans bitching about how bad it was and how "they'll never buy a DA game again", but they don't have a 60,000 strong fan rebellion in response.! To be fair though it's not like rallying 60000 would have changed DA2, since it's "flaws" weren't as specific as the ending of mass effect and more grounded in its core design. Bioware couldn't have done anything about it, I mean remaking DA2 isn't really a viable option here.
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! No, Bioware couldn't have done much, but they did release two well-received DLC (Legacy and Mark of the Assasin). But DA2's flaws were still not as infuriating as the Mass Effect ending controversy had been. And even if they release any new DLC (that aren't fixes to the ending), it won't help them mend any relations with their fans. Even if they make an awesome new mission DLC, all the fans will say is, "What's the point of playing this!? The galaxy is fucked in the ending anyway!"
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! http://www.gamezone.com/products/mass-effect-3/news/mass-effect-3-extended-cut-to-expand-ending-this-summer
! Fine with me.
But why didn't they just include it in the game? Just glad it's for free, the people would storm BioWare's offices if they had to pay for that. -
! http://www.gamezone.com/products/mass-effect-3/news/mass-effect-3-extended-cut-to-expand-ending-this-summer
! Fine with me.
But why didn't they just include it in the game? Just glad it's for free, the people would storm BioWare's offices if they had to pay for that.! Well, nice that they're providing "clarity" and making it free, but:
! 1. This doesn't sound like a revamping of the ending or adding further choices. It just sounds like they're going to spell things out like we're kindergarteners. It had better be a damn good explanation. Even then I can't see most fans being satisfied, they wanted their choice to freaking matter.
2. Only free until April 12th? Tacky, Bioware/EA, just tacky. And how much are you going to charge after that? Ugh.
! Nice to see a response. But I don't see them as truly working with the fans at all. I just see this as throwing them a bone to keep them quiet. -
! Well, nice that they're providing "clarity" and making it free, but:
! 1. This doesn't sound like a revamping of the ending or adding further choices. It just sounds like they're going to spell things out like we're kindergarteners. It had better be a damn good explanation. Even then I can't see most fans being satisfied, they wanted their choice to freaking matter.
2. Only free until April 12th? Tacky, Bioware/EA, just tacky. And how much are you going to charge after that? Ugh.
! Nice to see a response. But I don't see them as truly working with the fans at all. I just see this as throwing them a bone to keep them quiet.if its going to be free for two years, thats better than nothing
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! Not sure how much this is going to work, but it was a smart move to at least do this before PAX.
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if its going to be free for two years, thats better than nothing
lol. My bad, I misread. Free for two years, okay, that's fine.
! Not sure how much this is going to work, but it was a smart move to at least do this before PAX.
! I'm not so sure. The Bioware forums are exploding right now with angry fans because they basically confirmed that they are not changing the endings, just explaining them more. As said, unless that is one AMAZING explanation, or ended with some space magic that saves the galaxy or something in the epilogue, then the fans are not going to be satisfied.
! I'll save final judgement until the DLC actually comes out. But one thing is for sure: I am not paying a penny for any ME3 DLC. I would like to say that I'd give up Bioware games altogether, but sadly I still love Dragon Age (I didn't hate DA2 like other fans), and am looking forward to DA3. I'm just hoping the DA team pays attention and does a better job. -
! I'm not so sure. The Bioware forums are exploding right now with angry fans because they basically confirmed that they are not changing the endings, just explaining them more. As said, unless that is one AMAZING explanation, or ended with some space magic that saves the galaxy or something in the epilogue, then the fans are not going to be satisfied.
! I'll save final judgement until the DLC actually comes out. But one thing is for sure: I am not paying a penny for any ME3 DLC. I would like to say that I'd give up Bioware games altogether, but sadly I still love Dragon Age (I didn't hate DA2 like other fans), and am looking forward to DA3. I'm just hoping the DA team pays attention and does a better job.! Yeah. I don't expect them to change the ending, so I honestly don't really expect to care for the DLC. Aside from the obvious plotholes, I don't know what they think they can explain that people don't already get. I guess its the same for most other people too. I haven't visited the forums, but since they don't plan on actually changing anything, then I guess this plan isn't going to help cool down the fans nearly as much as they liked. I still haven't bought ME3, so I'm not really in as much of an uproar I suppose.
! I didn't really like DA2 much either, so….once I finally get around to buying ME3, I'm basically in the 'I don't really plan on buying more Bioware games' crowd. It's not that I'm protesting or anything. If they make anything I find to be really good, I'll buy it. I just don't have any more connections to actually buy anymore games now with the Mass Effect trilogy ending and not really being too interested in the DA series now. -
! Yeah. I don't expect them to change the ending, so I honestly don't really expect to care for the DLC. Aside from the obvious plotholes, I don't know what they think they can explain that people don't already get. I guess its the same for most other people too. I haven't visited the forums, but since they don't plan on actually changing anything, then I guess this plan isn't going to help cool down the fans nearly as much as they liked. I still haven't bought ME3, so I'm not really in as much of an uproar I suppose.
! I didn't really like DA2 much either, so….once I finally get around to buying ME3, I'm basically in the 'I don't really plan on buying more Bioware games' crowd. It's not that I'm protesting or anything. If they make anything I find to be really good, I'll buy it. I just don't have any more connections to actually buy anymore games now with the Mass Effect trilogy ending and not really being too interested in the DA series now.! I haven't bought ME3 yet either, and with all this I'm much less likely to buy it. I never liked shooters in general, I'm a swords and sorcery gamer, through and through, the only reason I bought ME2 was because I heard so much praise and because Bioware made it and they did such an awesome job with DAO. And with all this . . . if I want to see scenes or anything I'll just youtube it. Saves me the money/effort.
! DA2 had it's flaws, but I think it overcame them with enough strengths. (combat, lore, party banter, improved graphics, etc.) It didn't leave me feeling GUT-PUNCHED and BETRAYED like ME3 has so far. And more than anything I'm really curious to see what's going to go down in the DA world after the events of DA2. ME's world is, well, destroyed. -
! I'm okay with that because i wouldn't want the ending changed anyway.
My main gripe is that almost everything is unclear and unexplained. I'm not really happy with the ending as it is, but it IS the ending we have to live with.
It's art and it wouldn't feel right if they just changed it because the people say it sucks.
! But this has already been discussed to death … let's just hope the DLC won't suck. -
! I'm okay with that because i wouldn't want the ending changed anyway.
My main gripe is that almost everything is unclear and unexplained. I'm not really happy with the ending as it is, but it IS the ending we have to live with.
It's art and it wouldn't feel right if they just changed it because the people say it sucks.
! But this has already been discussed to death … let's just hope the DLC won't suck.! This is pretty much my take on this. This whole situation feels like a TV show that that set up all this plot and then gets cancelled, so to have a somewhat actual end to the show, the writers scramble to cram as much as possible into whatever they have left to finalize the main story arc. Shit comes out of nowhere, plot points are handwaved away with single lines of dialogue, too much happens at once to be processed regularly. And alot of plot points that were set up get left by the wayside to focus on "the big picture".
! THATS exactly what happened to ME3. This is why the ending is so different when juxtaposed with the rest of the game. The ground work had been laid down, but Bioware simply did not have the time to finalize it all. They slapped together some half assed resolution of the immediate issue and prayed people would except with it until they could finish what they(Bioware) had begun work on and release it as paid DLC later.
! They miscalculated. We know what happened next.
! In all honesty, the only thing I feel the fan fervor really changed was A) the Price (it's now free), B) the title (it was probably less…on the nose before) and C) how soon it's being released. What we're getting is what was intended to be in the game all along. Unless the Indoctrination Theory is correct, then BioWare seems to genuinely want a universe without Mass Relays. As much as I don't like the implications of that, that IS their ending, and as long as the true ending to the game removes the OOC plot holes and inconsistencies, that's really all I could ask for out of them at this point.
! I feel that if they had just excised the inconsistencies in the first place and just ended with a for real "To be concluded in DLC, coming soon" people would be far less upset. Fans would still be furious, deservedly so at such a scummy business practice, but at least they'd have been more upfront about it than the "…no it was always going to be that way, what do you mean you don't like it >> << >_>" canned response we got and everyone would be on the same page.
! Anyone who thinks they're making this from scratch simply to appease the fans is so delusional I don't even know how to respond. With what we're likely to see with this extended content, it couldn't have been just slapped together in a month, that takes time for design work, writing, animation, lighting, coding, debugging and testing. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR IN A MONTH. They're utilizing what they already had planned and fleshing it out now that they "have the time" to do so.
! Also, I just want to point out that I think the fact that the fans are such up in arms is a testament to how much they love what BioWare has done for us and what we expect of them. It's easy to lose sight of that amidst all the gnashing of teeth. -
Whoever is upset with the ME3 ending, look up the Indoctrination theory. Its extremely interesting how so many things line up.
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@Gia:
Whoever is upset with the ME3 ending, look up the Indoctrination theory. Its extremely interesting how so many things line up.
I think one of thing things people are most worried about with this DLC is that it'll debunk that theory.
Also, I just want to point out that I think the fact that the fans are such up in arms is a testament to how much they love what BioWare has done for us and what we expect of them. It's easy to lose sight of that amidst all the gnashing of teeth.
True. The worst type of attitude that an audience can make is the one where they just don't care anymore.
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@Gia:
Whoever is upset with the ME3 ending, look up the Indoctrination theory. Its extremely interesting how so many things line up.
and how many things dont. Theres just as much evidence for as there is against. …and if you DO believe the indoctrination theory then you get even less of an ending
This was already mostly debunked by the revelation most people had about Klencory a few weeks ago as well, so dont go in for it that heavily
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This was already mostly debunked by the revelation most people had about Klencory a few weeks ago as well, so dont go in for it that heavily
Please elaborate , I haven't hear about this.
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and how many things dont. Theres just as much evidence for as there is against. …and if you DO believe the indoctrination theory then you get even less of an ending
This was already mostly debunked by the revelation most people had about Klencory a few weeks ago as well, so dont go in for it that heavily
I don't think Klencory debunks anything as much as it just foreshadows this grand delusion has been used on others.
I'm really interested on this evidence that debunks the indoctrination theory.
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Well, I beat Tuchanka.
! Given that I didn't import save data from Mass Effect 2 (I was playing on a new Xbox), Wreav was in charge and Eve died without Maelon's genophage cure. As such, I chose to talk Mordin out of curing the genophage, as Wreav doesn't seem like he'd be a good leader for the krogan on his own. I'm glad I did; Wreav refused to admit that Mordin was involved in "curing" the genophage, taking credit for it all. When I play through with my save data, with Wrex in charge, I'll try something different; it's clear now that the genophage can't be cured without Mordin dying, but Wrex might take things differently than Wreav did if I don't go through with it.
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So they announced the Resurgence Pack as FREE DLC to be released on April 10th. Containing new Characters: Batarian Soldier & Sentinel, Geth infiltrator & Engineer, Asari Justicar Adept and Krogan Battlemaster Vanguard (yeah, vanguard…lol). 2 new Maps and 3 new guns also.
Video in link:http://blog.bioware.com/2012/04/06/mass-effect-3-resurgence-pack/
Its a nice gesture that reeks of damage control, I honestly never expected content like this to be free.
I'd just really really like to no longer need to re-unlock a character class to get the secondary colors. You know, those random unlocks? Where you keep getting guns and stuff and maybe if you're lucky you get a new character class and not even one you care about? Yeah that. I'm at the point where I'd pay real money to unlock extra colors on my existing character set.
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? Is that Multi-player DLC you're talking about?
If it is I don't give a shit. (no offense)
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Yes it's multiplayer stuff. Likely planned to be released around this stage long before the game was out. Tho very likely not for free.
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I like the Multiplayer side of the game :X Wish they added new type of enemies like mercs or collectors.
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! That's the general consensus among fans right now. Unless the ending gets revamped (preferable with a Refuse(aka "Fuck You Star Child") option where you let your army destroy the Reapers without destroying the Mass Relays), there is no reason to buy new Mass Effect DLC or a prequel. If they do intend to make a ME4, there had better be a DAMN good explanation of what happens to the galaxy. Even then it would probably be too depressing to play.
! It's not like the destruction of the relays makes it hard on every species that now calls our system home and any of the survivors (potentially) left behind in the other systems. Plus I already explained how "We Beat The Reapers Conventionally" wouldn't really fit.
! Well, nice that they're providing "clarity" and making it free, but:
! 1. This doesn't sound like a revamping of the ending or adding further choices. It just sounds like they're going to spell things out like we're kindergarteners.! Given the way the fans are throwing tantrums like Kindergartenders…
! But that aside I don't know why people (after already doing it once before) jumped to the conclusion as to what Bioware was going to do with the endings beyond giving them the closure they wanted along with explaining things which for once weren't completely explained if at all.! This is pretty much my take on this. This whole situation feels like a TV show that that set up all this plot and then gets cancelled, so to have a somewhat actual end to the show, the writers scramble to cram as much as possible into whatever they have left to finalize the main story arc. Shit comes out of nowhere, plot points are handwaved away with single lines of dialogue, too much happens at once to be processed regularly. And alot of plot points that were set up get left by the wayside to focus on "the big picture".
! THATS exactly what happened to ME3. This is why the ending is so different when juxtaposed with the rest of the game. The ground work had been laid down, but Bioware simply did not have the time to finalize it all. They slapped together some half assed resolution of the immediate issue and prayed people would except with it until they could finish what they(Bioware) had begun work on and release it as paid DLC later.
! They miscalculated. We know what happened next.! I think that's selling them short Bioware had to know in advance people would be upset at the ending it's not like they thought to themselves "everybody's going to like how we tied up the trilogy with this ending". The thing they probably miscalculated on is the huge amount of blowback they wound up getting either because some had other ideas about how the ending(s) should've unfolded or because they didn't fee thel endings had too much closure or clarification to certain details. It is weird though to see people complain more about the endings lacking depth,clarification, & clousure but not the other various instantances that show the game being rushed or Bioware simply thowing things in whether it be Harbinger having no lines or Tali's face or body never being shown outside of photshopped picture
! Unless the Indoctrination Theory is correct, then BioWare seems to genuinely want a universe without Mass Relays.
! I don't they do especially if they would have Aethyta mention how she suggested to the other Asari that they build their own Mass Relays. Though I believe Bioware always intended to destroy the Mass Relays as far back as ME1 I don't think they intended to do away with them on a permanent basis.
! I feel that if they had just excised the inconsistencies in the first place and just ended with a for real "To be concluded in DLC, coming soon" people would be far less upset.
! I can tell you right now people would still be pissed if they did that. Especially if they just paid 60-120 dollars for a game that will have it's story finished up by way of DLC free or paid.
I'd just really really like to no longer need to re-unlock a character class to get the secondary colors. You know, those random unlocks? Where you keep getting guns and stuff and maybe if you're lucky you get a new character class and not even one you care about? Yeah that. I'm at the point where I'd pay real money to unlock extra colors on my existing character set.
Stack up on microsoft point or PSN cards and hope you get lucky.
I like the Multiplayer side of the game :X Wish they added new type of enemies like mercs or collectors.
Well all the prominent merc groups or either busy helping against the reapers as for the collectors Shepard killed them all. It is weird though that there isn't a Geth Soldier Class
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Just beat ME3, and I only really have a few complaints.
1. the lack of squadmates. I realize that it would be difficult to balance the amount of squadmates that were in Mass Effect 2, both in terms of story and gameplay, but I think Grunt, at the very least, could have been brought back. Given that there's been a krogan party member since the first game, it's odd to not have one in the last one - particularly since, unlike the other Mass Effect 2 squadmates, Grunt didn't seem to be doing anything that was keeping him from joining Shepard.
2. I wish the multiplayer wasn't effectively necessary to get the "best" ending. I'm using an Xbox Live Silver account, so I can't actually play the online mode (I'd rather not spend $50 or so to be able to play multiplayer online for one or two games), and despite getting just about everything that was available to me (my Mass Effect 1 and 2 data is on another system), my Military Strength (with the default 50% multiplier) was just under 3000, which locked me out of the better endings.
3. ENDING SPOILERS
! Unlike a lot of people, I wasn't too pissed off about the ending when I got there. The fact that you couldn't turn down the Catalyst's options was understandable - those were the only things that the Crucible was capable of doing, Shepard was barely conscious or dying, and presumably if you just sat there and waited, the Reapers would take notice and blow up the Crucible while leaving the Citadel intact for the next cycle. Even the lack of a final boss wasn't too bad, seeing as it was a similar problem with Halo 3 - of the two possible final boss candidates, one (the Illusive Man) wouldn't be able to put up much of a fight, and the other (Harbinger) would have been impossible to fight. Knowing that it's possible for Shepard to survive in at least one of the endings helps to soften the blow.
! It was only a few things that annoyed me - Harbinger leaving, for one (it doesn't explain why Harbinger does that, and it doesn't make sense), and the whole ending cinema sequence. A lot of it didn't make sense (Joker fleeing Earth with the rest of the party apparently on board the Normandy somehow, the fact that the only difference your choices make are what colour the beam turns, the lack of any closure on the part of any of the cast or any of the forces that you had built up over the course of the game); I assume some of it will be covered by that Extended Cut DLC, though. The scene at the end, with Buzz Aldrin, seemed to indicate that galactic civilization got back on its feet, so it's not like all possibility for sequels or spin-offs have been destroyed.
! Of the three endings, I have no idea what Synthesis involves, but the other two seem fitting - though they jumble with the Paragon and Renegade options a bit (the colour schemes and who the endings are represented by are completely contradictory), both seem to be rather effective ends to the trilogy. It seems to evoke Legion's loyalty mission in Mass Effect 2, as there isn't really a right answer and the choice is between brainwashing or destruction, and while the Control ending sees Shepard sacrificing himself for the needs of many, the Destroy ending potentially sees Shepard sacrificing many for the needs of a relative few (depending on whether the Catalyst's prediction of a robot uprising that results in the extinction of all life in the universe, technologically advanced or not, comes to pass).All in all, though, I'd say it was on par with the other games in the series, if not surpassing it on some levels (in ME2, I was really only concerned with the fates of the characters at the very end - in ME3, there were multiple points throughout the game where I thought that someone would get killed off, though that wasn't always the case, thankfully)
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2. I wish the multiplayer wasn't effectively necessary to get the "best" ending. I'm using an Xbox Live Silver account, so I can't actually play the online mode (I'd rather not spend $50 or so to be able to play multiplayer online for one or two games), and despite getting just about everything that was available to me (my Mass Effect 1 and 2 data is on another system), my Military Strength (with the default 50% multiplier) was just under 3000, which locked me out of the better endings.
The multiplayer isn't necessary to get the best endings though, if you've been doing missions on the citadel,scanning planets, and doing quests properly across all three games you're Effective Milatary Strength should be at least between 5000-6000+ by the end game.
! It was only a few things that annoyed me - Harbinger leaving, for one (it doesn't explain why Harbinger does that, and it doesn't make sense)
! Harbinger left because he thought he succeeded in killing Shepard and all the ground forces trying to use to beam to get to the Citadel. And because he was leading the Reaper forces in space.
! Of the three endings, I have no idea what Synthesis involves,
! Shepard sacrifices himself to turn all life in the galaxy into a hybrid of sythtic-organic DNA like himself.
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The multiplayer isn't necessary to get the best endings though, if you've been doing missions on the citadel,scanning planets, and doing quests properly across all three games you're Effective Milatary Strength should be at least between 5000-6000+ by the end game.
Is that without playing multiplayer, though? I wound up with almost 6000 in terms of Assets before the Galactic Readiness level was taken into account, but with the 50% multiplier that came from being unable to get to multiplayer, my Effective Military Strength was about 3000. I'd gotten basically everything that I could through scanning (I think what was left was mostly fuel anyways), did as many Citadel sidequests as possible (though the Hanar diplomat sidequest glitched, so I couldn't access one of the terminals and I couldn't complete it), and did the best I could with what I had available to me (seeing as Wrex and half of the ME2 cast were dead by default and I couldn't solve the Geth-Quarian war peacefully).
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Not unless you have the ME3 datapad app, you need to play multiplayer to get the best ending. You can usually get 5-6000 war assests, but without playing MP you'll get a score of about half of that for the endgame.