So I just finished Mass Effect 3 (Spoilers everywhere, you have been warned)

[MortisLegio]

I think they were trying for something "meaningful" and didn't want a standard ending, so they tried to be different and have a twist. What Bioware didn't know is that most twist endings suck and have to make some sort of logical sense. I would have preferred the ending where I chose to control or destroy the reapers then depending on what I did determines the ending. With what we got, I'm ok with the indoctrination theory but I wish Bioware would have gone with the traditional ending and not the "god-kid" BS we actually got.

 

[JWRosser]

I've argued my point in numerous other threads similar to this over the last couple of months so I'm just going to sum it up:


The Mass Effect series is great. There is a reason it gets 8/9/10 reviews everywhere.
As soon as I completed ME3, I instantly started a new game. Yes, the ending was bad, but I think that the rest of the game(s) made up for it. There was a hell of a lot wrong with it (such as the emphasis on decision making not really meaning anything, or the galactic readiness etc), but at the end of the day, I loved playing through the games, so I can forgive them for the bad ending, or, at least, not going OH MY GAWD EA SUCKS I WILL NEVER PLAY ANOTHER BIOWARE GAME EVER AGAIN!!!!!!11
These guys sum up my feelings:

If I had a lot of fun along the way, who am I to care if the ending blows? I had a lot of fun, therefore the game achieved its goal. When I saw the ending, I was a bit PO'd, but looking back, it was fun as hell.

I had a great time along the way too - I'm ever so slowly edging towards the end in my second playthrough at the moment and for the most part it's still been very enjoyable.

The fact that the ending is horrible doesn't invalidate the fun that I had along the way, but it definitely detracts from the overall experience.

Interesting to note that while some of the frothing at the mouth has died down (don't worry, I'm definitely including myself in that category) time doesn't seem to have actually changed anyone's opinions on how bad it was...

This is extremely interesting:

I AM HERE WITH THE MEDICINE! STAND BACK GUYS!

Watch this video, it potentially makes the ending awesome, but that all depends on what Bioware does this summer.

Spoiler: The Indoctrination Theory

Better? Good. Now wait for that DLC.

Calumon: The fans will always rebel against it's creators. : (

 

[Angry_squirrel]

I thought the whole synthesis thing was absolutely retarded.

The other two endings, I thought were perfectly reasonable, just presented awfully.

That kid was a stupid idea.

Also, how the fuck did my squadmates get to the Normandy, and where the hell was that jungle planet at the end?

It was also a little irritating that those three endings were exactly the same despite all of the choices you'd made over the past 3 games

 

[Jaeke]

Congrats, you now get to be in the "Crushed Soul Society" with the rest of us!

You obviously missed out on the huge flame war on this site for about 2 months after the game came out.

But yeah, we all feel for you, because we're all still thinking the same thing.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Mass Effect 3 is a great game if you play it to live the journey, and not to reach a destination. The destination is a letdown for most people, but it's not so bad if you play for the adventure.

If I went on a fun hiking holiday with my fiends and at the end they all got mauled to death by bears, I'd be more likely to remember the bears part.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

But I liked the ME3 ending. Does that make me a bad person?

No it makes us jealous of you.

Genuine curiosity, not flamebait: Could you tell me what you liked about it? I have yet to meet someone who actually can.

 

[tippy2k2]

But I liked the ME3 ending. Does that make me a bad person?

Fear not young prince, for you are not alone in your non-hatred!

I personally...loved it a strong word so I'll go with didn't hate (which is practically LOVED IT TO DEATH <3 compared to everyone's response).

Was it the best ending? Nopers but I found it good (not great, but good). I actually had a fascinating conversation with Zeel (yes...THAT Zeel) and once I got him to stop blindly insulting my position, I got down to figuring out why people hated it. I can understand the hatred and am well aware that the way I interpreted it is probably incorrect, but because of my view and understanding of the ending, I really did like it.

EDIT: I see Miracle right above me asking for a "why" before I posted but I am on my way to work : (

DOUBLE EDIT: Well, got back from work last night and The Escapist exploded. The thread has basically died but if you REALLY want to know why I liked it (or if you just want to hear me type, I understand; People love my opinions ; Did I also mention how awesome at being humble I am?), just quote this and I will go ahead and type out my interpretation.

 

[Cabisco]

Bioware really did drop the ball with this and I hope they use it as a learning experience for whatever game they make next.

Saying all this, in spite of the ending I still love the mass effect universe and consider it one of the best in gaming and I'd love to go back there. Not entirely sure how that would work now but I like it too much to not revisit. On a side note, I love the multiplayer.

 

[Antonio Torrente]

I got to admit, like everyone of you I was crushed by the shit ending bioware gave us but now the pain has dulled and I don't want to blame EA and Casey Hudson anymore.

It makes you very tired if you think about it everyday and I don't have any hope that the "Extended Cut" will help fix it.

So I moved on and focus my attention to other things that can help me overcome this disappointment.

Well we got The Avengers and it was awesome so it kinda helped relieving the pain from Mass Effect 3
So yeah, that's what I did and now I am waiting for what kinda of screw up the so called "Extended Cut" will do.

(capcha: tall story) what's with the ironic capcha these days?

 

[kiwi_poo]

I finished the game yesterday, and I found myself confused. Partly because of the ending, but mostly because I honestly didn't understand why people hated on it so much. So I talked to some people, and then I went and watched one of the indoctrination theory videos, then I read a couple of the blog posts by The Milkman on the Mass Effect wiki.

That's right, I went out of my way to find a reason to dislike it. It sort of worked. I now understand both sides of the argument, both the reason why people are pissed and why BioWare did what they did.
They could have made it a lot better, IMO, and even saved themselves some time with the writing and stuff. I think that if the game had ended with Shepard dying next to Anderson before the elevator and the starchild thing, it would have been a much better ending. When I got to that part, I actually thought: 'This is the end. And I'm okay with that.'

I don't like the ending. It gave you too big of a choice with too little information to go on and too little feedback at the end. I blame EA for rushing the game, which I think is the reason all of this happened.

 

[Scars Unseen]

I lol'd at the spoiler warning. Anyone who hasn't heard - in excruciating detail - how the ME3 ending was shit must have spent several months in the mountains, deployed by the military, or in a coma. That shit was everywhere.

 

[Woodsey]

Yes, it's weird because he's being indoctrinated. The big black lines, screen distortion, head-clutching and Reaper sounds kinda clue you in on that.

And now let's use this thread for talking about something that didn't become excruciatingly tiring 3 months ago.

So... what did everyone think of the ending to Lost?

 

[Irridium]

Yes, it's weird because he's being indoctrinated. The big black lines, screen distortion, head-clutching and Reaper sounds kinda clue you in on that.

And now let's use this thread for talking about something that didn't become excruciatingly tiring 3 months ago.

So... what did everyone think of the ending to Lost?

Eh, not as good as The Sopranos.

captcha: do more sit-ups

Fuck off captcha. If I want to be a lazy fuck that's MY business.

 

[Z of the Na'vi]

If I had a lot of fun along the way, who am I to care if the ending blows? I had a lot of fun, therefore the game achieved its goal. When I saw the ending, I was a bit PO'd, but looking back, it was fun as hell.

You. I like you. My sentiments exactly.

I wasn't all that hot and bothered by the ending to Mass Effect 3 either. Sure, it wasn't as good as it could have been, but, as you said, who am I to care? The rest of the game was an assload of fun, and I enjoyed seeing my choices from the previous two games reflected throughout the story. For that matter, I'd say that when it comes right down to it, I liked the ending to the game.

Oh yeah, I said it.

 

[The Human Torch]

So I just finished Mass Effect 3, if you don't know I posted a thread about 50% in detailing my thoughts up to that point. Now the next 49% is awesome with plot twists and fighting/Killing Kai Leng. I at the end had 4987 EMS (Effective Military Score) and everyone loved me. After Getting close the Citadel Laser thing and getting blasted, I wondered, "How did I survive that with minimal injury and magically getting a Pistol (I had a Sniper Rifle and a Assualt rifle, the magnificant Mattock)and..HOLY CRAP HUSKS". In the citadel I went and found Cpt Anderson, who was, also magically without injury (Is it just me or does any else think it's silly that Anderson, the guy who held this all together, rush the THE GIANT DOOM LASER!) and we both talk to the Illusive Man about how much he's indoctrinated, Paragoned my way through that except for the final one which I just said "Fuck it" and shot Illusive in the face.

Here's where it gets...silly. After doing all that, me and Anderson sat down and looked into the death filled space. Then Hackett's all like "Shit Sheperd fix everything we need you to fire the plot device!!!" and after taking the lift up and talking to the Kid or whatever the hell it is decide. or as the kid says , Blow us all up resulting in continued cycle, Enslave us making you all powerful but killing you, and be friends forever and ever in Synthesis...

what...
the...
fuck...

Chose Synthesis after deciding that I want friendship and happiness.
Then OH NO GIANT GREEN EXPLOSION RUN JOKER RU- wait you just crashed? Cool hope I get some ending dia-
NOPE and the game ends
I also got the Buzz Alderan ending thing.

Worst...Ending...in...Mass Effect

Finish it again (just reload your last auto-save, provided that you havent saved over it), and choose the red option. If you did everything perfect, the way you said you did, you will get the ending where Sheppard lives. Just do it for chuckles.

All 3 endings suck, so might as well try them all.

 

[Woodsey]

Yes, it's weird because he's being indoctrinated. The big black lines, screen distortion, head-clutching and Reaper sounds kinda clue you in on that.

And now let's use this thread for talking about something that didn't become excruciatingly tiring 3 months ago.

So... what did everyone think of the ending to Lost?

Eh, not as good as The Sopranos.

captcha: do more sit-ups

Fuck off captcha. If I want to be a lazy fuck that's MY business.

Well yeah, but what about those two Matrix sequels, eh?

Oh oh OH! And I'm dying to know what everyone thought of KotOR 2's ending.

[sub](And for the record, I really liked Lost's ending.)[/sub]

 

[RJ 17]

So I just finished Mass Effect 3, if you don't know I posted a thread about 50% in detailing my thoughts up to that point. Now the next 49% is awesome with plot twists and fighting/Killing Kai Leng. I at the end had 4987 EMS (Effective Military Score) and everyone loved me. After Getting close the Citadel Laser thing and getting blasted, I wondered, "How did I survive that with minimal injury and magically getting a Pistol (I had a Sniper Rifle and a Assualt rifle, the magnificant Mattock)and..HOLY CRAP HUSKS". In the citadel I went and found Cpt Anderson, who was, also magically without injury (Is it just me or does any else think it's silly that Anderson, the guy who held this all together, rush the THE GIANT DOOM LASER!) and we both talk to the Illusive Man about how much he's indoctrinated, Paragoned my way through that except for the final one which I just said "Fuck it" and shot Illusive in the face.

Here's where it gets...silly. After doing all that, me and Anderson sat down and looked into the death filled space. Then Hackett's all like "Shit Sheperd fix everything we need you to fire the plot device!!!" and after taking the lift up and talking to the Kid or whatever the hell it is decide. or as the kid says , Blow us all up resulting in continued cycle, Enslave us making you all powerful but killing you, and be friends forever and ever in Synthesis...

what...
the...
fuck...

Chose Synthesis after deciding that I want friendship and happiness.
Then OH NO GIANT GREEN EXPLOSION RUN JOKER RU- wait you just crashed? Cool hope I get some ending dia-
NOPE and the game ends
I also got the Buzz Alderan ending thing.

Worst...Ending...in...Mass Effect

Indeed, you're either very, VERY new around here or have done an exceptional job at NOT reading anything ME 3 related until you've beaten the game (something that is commendable, wanting to make your own judgements rather than letting other people's influence yours). Anyhow, you pretty much summed up what everyone thought about the game: fan-frickin'-tastic up until you get blasted by the Harby's Doom Cannon. That's when we take a wrong left turn at Albuquerque and end up lost in the realm of plot-holes and inconsistencies.

Oh, and just so you know, if you can push your EMS up to 5K, you can Paragon-pass that final persuasion check against The Illusive Man and make him blow his own brains out, Saren style.

 

[Irridium]

Yes, it's weird because he's being indoctrinated. The big black lines, screen distortion, head-clutching and Reaper sounds kinda clue you in on that.

And now let's use this thread for talking about something that didn't become excruciatingly tiring 3 months ago.

So... what did everyone think of the ending to Lost?

Eh, not as good as The Sopranos.

captcha: do more sit-ups

Fuck off captcha. If I want to be a lazy fuck that's MY business.

Well yeah, but what about those two Matrix sequels, eh?

Oh oh OH! And I'm dying to know what everyone thought of KotOR 2's ending.

[sub](And for the record, I really liked Lost's ending.)[/sub]

Oh please, KotOR 2 just can't compare to Neverwinter Nights 2's ending.

[sub](also for the record, I really liked KotOR 2's ending)[/sub]

 

[Irridium]

Oh, and just so you know, if you can push your EMS up to 5K, you can Paragon-pass that final persuasion check against The Illusive Man and make him blow his own brains out, Saren style.

Wait what? I had an EMS of 3650 and got him to do that.

 

[Woodsey]

Yes, it's weird because he's being indoctrinated. The big black lines, screen distortion, head-clutching and Reaper sounds kinda clue you in on that.

And now let's use this thread for talking about something that didn't become excruciatingly tiring 3 months ago.

So... what did everyone think of the ending to Lost?

Eh, not as good as The Sopranos.

captcha: do more sit-ups

Fuck off captcha. If I want to be a lazy fuck that's MY business.

Well yeah, but what about those two Matrix sequels, eh?

Oh oh OH! And I'm dying to know what everyone thought of KotOR 2's ending.

[sub](And for the record, I really liked Lost's ending.)[/sub]

[sub](also for the record, I really liked KotOR 2's ending)[/sub]

(also for the record, I really liked KotOR 2's ending)

[HEADING=1](also for the record, I really liked KotOR 2's ending)[/HEADING]