Mass Effect 3???

[ComixZone]

I generally don't get all uppity about things...but sweet crap on a stick, the Mass Effect 3 endings are incredibly unsatisfying...

Spoiler!

they widdle away all the choices you've made over the course of the trilogy into one decision, with 3 different options - none of which provide any sort of solid conclusion for Shepard as a character or his team. There's definitely a sense of finality to the endings, but not to "your" Shepard, or his team. These endings do a fantastic job of discrediting all the choices you've made during the trilogy, and that's freaking soul crushing.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

All this talk is why I want to go back and play the other two again first. That way there will be time for them to change the ending if there is enough pushback, as that Forbes article suggests. I can't decide if I just want to plow through since I am half done and then go back or to just go back. I never did finish KOTOR2 because of all the horrible feedback on the ending though.

I'd been warned that the ending was a let-down and to temper my expectations accordingly, but nothing could prepare me for just how terrible it was.

My hope is that BioWare eventually releases a "Mass Effect Ultimate Trilogy Edition" where they remaster ME1 and 2 (plus all DLC) to use the graphics engine and game systems of ME3 and allows you to play the entire series as one seamless game. As part of that edition, they change ME3's ending to be the satisfactory finale we all wanted. Insert TakeMyMoney.gif here.

In my mind, the Mass Effect trilogy should have ended in one of two ways: the "Return of the Jedi" formula (good guys are triumphant, smiles and celebrations all around) or the "Saving Private Ryan" or "Serenity" formula (good guys are triumphant but at a great cost, bittersweet but uplifting ending). Instead, we got...this POS about which I will not say another word so as not to spoil it for those who haven't finished yet.

[Yeah_Baby]

Yeah man. Shut the frell up.

[3 Justin 3]

I do find it annoying that when I have low health the screen is essentially pitch black. I understand you want to go for a "hurt about to die" effect, but I'd actually like to see whats on the screen at least a little bit.

Edit: Apparently since Tali was exiled in ME2 I don't get the option to use both the Quarians and Geth from Rannoch. Either that or something about Legions loyalty mission I did the "wrong" choice.

[Blaster86]

This game is very close to being left unfinished. I never finished playing KotOR 2 or watching Deadwood (last episode remains unwatched) because of the fear of an unsatisfying ending. ME3 has me panicked.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

So you are saying that all support should be free and software made by separate teams should also be free? That's a huge sense of entitlement. Companies exist to make money. The majority of sales (for console games at least) happen at release and then it drops off considerably. Why shouldn't they try to maximize their profit? If this issue bugs people so much, then don't fork over the extra $ for the DLC. Vote with your wallet.

Believe me, I am. And I do buy DLC, albeit typically in bundles and at a discount. Heck some people don't pay for their games at all. I do. EA is doing their best to change that.

But you're missing the point. EA is hurting their revenues by overpricing their stuff and completely avoiding sales. This doesn't benefit them, nor does it benefit consumers. The only satisfactory explanation I can come up with is that they are complete asshats.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

This game is very close to being left unfinished. I never finished playing KotOR 2 or watching Deadwood (last episode remains unwatched) because of the fear of an unsatisfying ending. ME3 has me panicked.

Honestly, there's a point about 5-10 minutes before the actual ending (see spoiler below for the exact spot) that if you stopped playing right there and made up a satisfactory finish in your head, you'd be much happier. This game did so many things so perfectly right; it was easily in the running for not just my game of the year but also my favourite game of all time, but then the finale ruined everything that came before it.

Spoiler!

Shepherd passes out from blood loss and falls down. The platform (s)he collapses on then ascends upward. Stop playing there.

[Yeah_Baby]

I can't wait to see if Shepard is reborn as a Star Child and floats back to Earth.

[Blaster86]

I'm just not sure. I am at work now, but I screwed up ME2 and can't do something I had really wanted to do and am very disheartened, that plus the ending has been bugging me since I heard about it. I may just go home and play Fallout 3 instead .

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

I'm just not sure. I am at work now, but I screwed up ME2 and can't do something I had really wanted to do and am very disheartened, that plus the ending has been bugging me since I heard about it. I may just go home and play Fallout 3 instead .

Heh, unless you bought the "Broken Steel" DLC for Fallout 3, that game has arguably an even worse ending than ME3!

Actually, I take that back. FO3's original ending was awful and completely nonsensical, but it didn't descend to the depth's of ME3's finale.

Also, if you're worried about a screwed up ME2 playthough, you can import a saved game from http://www.masseffect2saves.com. They have hundreds of user-uploaded Shepherds, so it's almost guaranteed there's one there with all the decisions/variables you want.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Also, if you're worried about a screwed up ME2 playthough, you can import a saved game from http://www.masseffect2saves.com. They have hundreds of user-uploaded Shepherds, so it's almost guaranteed there's one there with all the decisions/variables you want.

That's what I was gonna do, but the ending has me totally unwilling to put the effort in now =\.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

That's what I was gonna do, but the ending has me totally unwilling to put the effort in now =\.

I don't know. I loved loved LOVED everything about Mass Effect 3 right up until the last 10-15 minutes. If you can have the discipline to quit where I suggested and convince yourself that the satisfactory ending you're hoping for is how the game really ends, you'll get to enjoy one of the best games ever made.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I don't know. I loved loved LOVED everything about Mass Effect 3 right up until the last 10-15 minutes. If you can have the discipline to quit where I suggested and convince yourself that the satisfactory ending you're hoping for is how the game really ends, you'll get to enjoy one of the best games ever made.

My problem is, I've already restarted once. I don't want to restart twice, especially over such a small quibble (big to me, but in the scheme of things, won't affect the ending I am gonna get and really just a personal choice) especially if the ending is terrible.

I am only 15 hours in though, so it's about three days of play time. I just don't know =\. Tough tough call right now. I've found a couple saves that do what I want, so it's just a matter of deciding if I want to actually play this.

[MarchHare]

What's the issue that's prompting you to consider restarting with a different save? It probably won't affect the ending nearly as much as you might think...

[Yeah_Baby]

Seriously though, can we all talk about how satisfying it was to

Spoiler!

shoot Udina

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

What's the issue that's prompting you to consider restarting with a different save? It probably won't affect the ending nearly as much as you might think...

Oh it won't affect the ending at all. I know this.

Spoiler!

Wanting to keep both the Geth/Quarians alive. It was something I'd hoped to do since ME2. But I pooched it and only have 3/7 when you need 5/7 points. This is a personal thing, not a "OMG NEED THIS" thing. Even before this quest my Effective military strength is 4k Either way I go I'll be within inches of 5k BUT I WANT BOTH.

Like I said, it's minor, but I want to do it dammit!

[SebC]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Heh, unless you bought the "Broken Steel" DLC for Fallout 3, that game has arguably an even worse ending than ME3!

Actually, I take that back. FO3's original ending was awful and completely nonsensical, but it didn't descend to the depth's of ME3's finale.

At least FO3 has DLC sales and GOTY edition.

[MarchHare]

Yeah, I can see that as something worth restarting for. I was fortunate enough to do it the "right way" on my ME1 and 2 save imports, but I'd be inclined to restart if I hadn't knowing what I know now.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Yeah, I can see that as something worth restarting for. I was fortunate enough to do it the "right way" on my ME1 and 2 save imports, but I'd be inclined to restart if I hadn't knowing what I know now.

Guess I am gonna download my chosen save tonight. Only two differences. I dunno if I start playing tonight though. May take a few days here.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Yeah, I can see that as something worth restarting for. I was fortunate enough to do it the "right way" on my ME1 and 2 save imports, but I'd be inclined to restart if I hadn't knowing what I know now.

Now I'm in a conundrum...

I've avoided all spoilers thus far, but what to know what the "right way" is before I finish my ME2 re-play. Feeling free to spoil ME1 & 2 as much as you want, can you tell me what the "right way" to end those games is without spoiling ME3?