Poll: Poll: Should Mass Effect end?

[happyninja42]

Ok so I did a thread the other day where I wrote my general suggestions about what Bioware should do for their next Mass Effect game. Some of the responses I saw sort of puzzled me, so I thought I'd toss up this poll to see what others thought.

Some of the things mentioned were "Mass Effect is done, they have nowhere to go after a Universe size threat, let the series die." or similar.

Why? I don't get this. I mean, this sounds a lot like the mindset of people around World War II who said "It was the war to end all wars" implying that we would never have any conflict after it. Well obviously that's not true. So, why does the fact that Bioware did a Cyborg Christ story arc, where One Man saved the universe from a major threat, mean that other stories can't be told? It's a vast, rich environment, filled with TONS of potential stories in their own right. The universe will still struggle with problems, there will still be conflict (because sorry I just don't buy the Happily Ever After endings of ME 3). And where there are struggles, conflict and problems, there is drama and story.

So, what do you all think? Should they put this race horse down? Or should they let it loose from the confines of the Shepherd race track, and let it run free through the hills, and see what happens?

 

[Zhukov]

First off, they handicapped themselves in terms of sequels with the ME3 ending business. They can't make a sequel without declaring one of the endings official or mashing them altogether. They're too different (funnily enough) to make a sequel that could fit all of them at once.

They could go the prequel route of course, but that encounters the inevitable problem of we already know how it ends. Plus anything they do now is going to seem like a step back from saving the entire frakking galaxy.

They could go for something small scale. A small personal story that has no bearing on momentous events and is therefor not already spoiled for anyone who knows the setting's history. But do Bioware ever do that? They have a formula and they stick to it like fucking glue. Recent attempts to diverge from that formula (eg DA2) earned them nothing but scorn and death threats. I wouldn't be surprised if they get all cautious and make their next few games as safe as humanly possible. But hey, perhaps I'm misjudging them. That remains to be seen.

Lastly, well, look... I love me some Mass Effect, especially the characters, and I like the setting well enough. Which is why a significant part of me would rather see it end on a... note rather than die a slow death by milking. I don't think it's going to ever come back from that ending. Maybe they'll surprise me, ad that would be nice, but I reeeeally bloody doubt it.

 

[Dendio]

They created a brilliant universe. Im ready to explore it through another's eyes.

Keep the mass effect coming ( just keep tbe quality as high as its been in the past)

 

[Something Amyss]

First off, they handicapped themselves in terms of sequels with the ME3 ending business. They can't make a sequel without declaring one of the endings official or mashing them altogether. They're too different (funnily enough) to make a sequel that could fit all of them at once.

IT really does smack of the question: where do you go from here?

As far as a smaller, personal story, would fans accept a Bioware game without constant fellatio from people who think you're the chosen one of some shade?

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

First off, they handicapped themselves in terms of sequels with the ME3 ending business. They can't make a sequel without declaring one of the endings official or mashing them altogether. They're too different (funnily enough) to make a sequel that could fit all of them at once.

IT really does smack of the question: where do you go from here?

As far as a smaller, personal story, would fans accept a Bioware game without constant fellatio from people who think you're the chosen one of some shade?

I don't know about other fans but I'd love a ME game where I was just some merc or other guy going about my business with some companions.
Don't have to be anything special, just good characters, good character development, interesting locations, more sexy Quarians and maybe some ME1 style uncharted planet exploration.
Story could be about Krogan blackmarket testicle deals and I'd be fine as long as it had the other stuff I mentioned.

 

[dreadedcandiru99]

Yes, it should. It probably won't, not if EA thinks that they can wring a few more bucks out of it, but it should. The shitty endings make a sequel impossible, since they each take the universe in radically different directions. And there's no point in doing a prequel, for the same reason that there's no point in making a prequel to anything: because we already know what happens. ("But what about the First Contact thing with the Turians?", you may be asking. What about it? We know how it went. We don't need a whole game about it.)

Lastly, well, look... I love me some Mass Effect, especially the characters, and I like the setting well enough. Which is why a significant part of me would rather see it end on a... note rather than die a slow death by milking. I don't think it's going to ever come back from that ending. Maybe they'll surprise me, ad that would be nice, but I reeeeally bloody doubt it.

Yeah, pretty much this.

 

[skywolfblue]

I'd be willing to see more Mass Effect games, provided they're good.

I'm a little skeptical and uncertain as to how good it will be, because with ME3's ending I don't see how a sequel could be made, a prequel or side-quel during the ME1/2 era have the potential for interesting things. We'll have to wait and see exactly what it is before I pass more judgment.

 

[MHR]

I just don't see what they're going to do in a sequel that's going to be any good. Does Shephard keep trooping against the next threat? It's going to seem trivial or contrived compared to the reapers. Another perspective on a different hero? Also trivial and contrived and Most of the main companion characters will be missing so you might as well just make a new IP altogether unless you plan on making "Cameos the Game" or just a boring history lesson on the previous Mass Effects.

The ending ruined it. face it. ME has burned out.

You could go that "brash galactic smuggler" idea set in the ME universe and that might work, but you'd be making a game that doesn't have a huge bearing on the rest of the galaxy. Without a "world" to save people might lose interest.

 

[Olas]

Amazing! It's a poll within a poll, that still somehow lacks a poll. Lol.

I'm going to have to more or less go with what Zhukov said. The splitting paths thing is cool, but it really sabotages the series going forward by making things increasingly complicated with time. This isn't helped by the fact that the events of series are essentially universe shaping, so you can't set a new story somewhere completely unaffected by the events of the previous game.

Really the only option I can think of would be to do a prequel, and have the story be either linear, or insignificant enough to the broad scheme of things that it's different endings wouldn't affect the original games.

Also, I haven't heard much mention of this but they can't easily introduce any new species at this point because then they'd have to answer the question of why we haven't seen these things anywhere before on the citadel. That's the problem with setting your story in a fully settled and fully explored universe. Any new species they introduce would have to be highly isolationist by nature to explain why they didn't participate or show up for any of the events of the first 3 games.

 

[MHR]

Also, I haven't heard much mention of this but they can't easily introduce any new species at this point because then they'd have to answer the question of why we haven't seen these things anywhere before on the citadel. That's the problem with setting your story in a fully settled and fully explored universe. Any new species they introduce would have to be highly isolationist by nature to explain why they didn't participate or show up for any of the events of the first 3 games.

This is very very easily explained. The galaxy is not fully explored. Citadel authorities closed mass relays to uncharted space to avoid disasters like the discovery of the Rachni. The plot could involve the opening of a relay and the shitstorm that develops with some new crazy thing like the fludd from Halo or the borg from Startrek or the Goa'uld/replicators from stargate. Uncharted space is a grab-bag of stuff ready to kill ya.

 

[Roxian]

I don't see why they cant do more games, I was always under the impression that Mass Effect 3 was the end of shepards story. We barely explored the galaxy in all 3 games so there could be heaps of new systems with new races, I am also sure there were mass relays that no one used for fear that it led to somewhere dangerous, or something of the like

I am all for more Mass Effect games, I'd love to play as a Hanar haha plus, depending on how far into the future it is based, id like the chance to see what happens with liara.

 

[Something Amyss]

I don't know about other fans but I'd love a ME game where I was just some merc or other guy going about my business with some companions.
Don't have to be anything special, just good characters, good character development, interesting locations, more sexy Quarians and maybe some ME1 style uncharted planet exploration.
Story could be about Krogan blackmarket testicle deals and I'd be fine as long as it had the other stuff I mentioned.

Hey, don't knock Krogan testicles!

But seriously, All that would be nice. I expect them to instead try and up the stakes. Which gets ridiculous after you've saved the galaxy.

But I've been wrong before, and I certainly wouldn't mind being wrong here.

 

[LongMuckDong]

If you love the universe, I truly cannot understand how/why you would want that said universe to end because you think it's 'done'. It really grinds my gears when people say 'let it die' and 'it's had it's turn' etc... Final Fantasy / Metal Gear Solid / The Elder Scrolls.. these are examples of games that keep going for decades on end within set universes/fictional barriers and rules..: and no-one goes on about how they should 'accept it's over and move on'.

There are only so many good IPs in this world, only so many GREAT game series and even fewer unique AWESOME experiences in game to cherish, why try to cut your nose to spite your face - let the original saga be over (as it is) and let the time passed with tales of heroism and survival echo through the story-lines of the next Mass Effect game, with big emphasis on the effect the Reaper war had on galactic society and the changes it instilled over the period between ME3 and ME4.

The world's a better place without dem Reapers (destroy ending that will no doubt be canon), let's hair tales of our fights on Virmire, tussles on Omega and space battles with Sovereign in song and dance in the next game; that'll be enough of a nod to the original series as I would need.. along with how everything has evolved from where we left it

 

[Warachia]

First off, they handicapped themselves in terms of sequels with the ME3 ending business. They can't make a sequel without declaring one of the endings official or mashing them altogether. They're too different (funnily enough) to make a sequel that could fit all of them at once.

IT really does smack of the question: where do you go from here?

As far as a smaller, personal story, would fans accept a Bioware game without constant fellatio from people who think you're the chosen one of some shade?

I'm glad I saw this because I can answer this question right now: NO.

One of the biggest criticisms people gave DA2 was because it was a smaller story than what you were used to dealing with, what happens in it? You move from one area to another, you get involved in a get rich quick scheme, you defend a city from another race, and you help solve a conflict that had been building for a long time not due to anything you did (there's a lot more but those are the main points).

That's one of the reasons I liked the game so much, you weren't the chosen one, you were an influential civilian, there wasn't any world or country to save, and neither side in the endgame was completely in the right, yet people hated all of these points judging from the feedback they received in terms of its plot.

 

[Warachia]

The world's a better place without dem Reapers (destroy ending that will no doubt be canon), let's hair tales of our fights on Virmire, tussles on Omega and space battles with Sovereign in song and dance in the next game; that'll be enough of a nod to the original series as I would need.. along with how everything has evolved from where we left it

I don't see why they need to pick any specific ending, they could just split it into different universes allowing them the freedom to write whatever story they want, and then nobody needs to cry about their ending not being canon (though they will anyway).

I do wish it would continue, because there's so much more to explore in it, there's that first contact war they mentioned if the want to do a prequel, there's the krogan rebellion, the rachni war, there's no reason you can't make any story you want about the characters who fought in them.

 

[Kingjackl]

There's too much in that series to let it go. Mass Effect 3 didn't leave much room for a direct sequel (plus thanks to next-gen consoles, save imports are likely f'd in the a) but any game set in that universe should be awesome.

 

[The Enquirer]

First off, they handicapped themselves in terms of sequels with the ME3 ending business. They can't make a sequel without declaring one of the endings official or mashing them altogether. They're too different (funnily enough) to make a sequel that could fit all of them at once.

They could go the prequel route of course, but that encounters the inevitable problem of we already know how it ends. Plus anything they do now is going to seem like a step back from saving the entire frakking galaxy.

They could go for something small scale. A small personal story that has no bearing on momentous events and is therefor not already spoiled for anyone who knows the setting's history. But do Bioware ever do that? They have a formula and they stick to it like fucking glue. Recent attempts to diverge from that formula (eg DA2) earned them nothing but scorn and death threats. I wouldn't be surprised if they get all cautious and make their next few games as safe as humanly possible. But hey, perhaps I'm misjudging them. That remains to be seen.

Lastly, well, look... I love me some Mass Effect, especially the characters, and I like the setting well enough. Which is why a significant part of me would rather see it end on a... note rather than die a slow death by milking. I don't think it's going to ever come back from that ending. Maybe they'll surprise me, ad that would be nice, but I reeeeally bloody doubt it.

How did they handicap themselves at the end of Mass Effect 3 exactly? The whole point of the 3 games was how your choices effected the in game universe (granted they screwed it up in the end there) but given how they managed to do that across 3 games a sequel is possible through someone else's eyes. All they would do is transfer over save files from Mass Effect 3 to determine what ending you got. Personally I think making a sequel to that is pretty stupid because what would it be about? You already faced pretty much the biggest threat in the galaxy, so what now? Aside from that given all the possible things that happened in ME3 you would need brilliant writers.

I think a prequel would be the best route. Playing as Javik, or another Prothean (and remember what Javik said, everyone regardless of species living in the Prothean Empire was prothean so there would be species diversion) could be done well. If you work it right and build up sympathy for the characters, even though you know what will happen to them, it can be very effective. I liked how ME3 ended*** despite knowing how it ended before even playing any of the games (I only got into the series after 3 was released) but that didn't take away from the experience I had playing them, growing attached to the characters, major and minor, making the hard choices like what to do about the Rachni Queen, or the easy choices like breaking that stupid anime ninja's sword despite playing paragon. The point being is that if it is done correctly it can be a great game or even series. Hopefully they learn from their mistakes with Mass Effect 3 to some degree though and make it more of an RPG that ME3 was.

***I liked the story of how it ended and I thought that they catalyst was sorta stupid and should have been something... well... better. But I liked the story of the person who after all those battles just finally made the ultimate sacrifice. What I didn't like about it was the mechanics of how it ended. It shouldn't have been another choice you made. It should have been a predetermined choice based on your actions throughout the series.

EDIT: Personally though, for the record, because EA is now involved I think it would turn out to be a crappy game and would rather see it not happen than for it to die slowly and painfully. But it can be done properly.

 

[THEMILKMAN]

I'm hoping for an LA Noir-esque detective game starring Garrus.

 

[LetalisK]

First off, they handicapped themselves in terms of sequels with the ME3 ending business. They can't make a sequel without declaring one of the endings official or mashing them altogether. They're too different (funnily enough) to make a sequel that could fit all of them at once.

IT really does smack of the question: where do you go from here?

As far as a smaller, personal story, would fans accept a Bioware game without constant fellatio from people who think you're the chosen one of some shade?

I'm glad I saw this because I can answer this question right now: NO.

One of the biggest criticisms people gave DA2 was because it was a smaller story than what you were used to dealing with, what happens in it? You move from one area to another, you get involved in a get rich quick scheme, you defend a city from another race, and you help solve a conflict that had been building for a long time not due to anything you did (there's a lot more but those are the main points).

That's one of the reasons I liked the game so much, you weren't the chosen one, you were an influential civilian, there wasn't any world or country to save, and neither side in the endgame was completely in the right, yet people hated all of these points judging from the feedback they received in terms of its plot.

Because if I'm not Mecha Christ with a 14" wang, it's just not worth playing.

On a serious note, I agree and actually prefer the smaller stories. Probably why ME2 is my favorite of the series(it was relatively smaller, anyway).