Mass Effect 3

[TheRavenouseD2008]

Raven question are Games Art? or not

[T3hRaven]

BioWare's resume before DAII and ME3 were proof enough that games are art. KOTOR, ME, ME2, and DA:O all advanced games as a legitimate story-telling medium. I was surprised to see them piss away all of that work with ME3's ending.

And it's not that I wanted it to end with Shepherd sipping Mai Tai's on the beach with Garrus. I would have been fine with the bittersweet ending, Shepherd's death, or what have you. That would have been justified and reconcilable with the story leading up to that point. I would have been fine with vagueness in the ending, just giving us a glimpse of what happened afterwards. What I'm not ok with is deus ex machina, which is what this ending is. It's a story-telling cop opt, it's a big no no in the writing community, and it's a terrible way to conclude one of the greatest original stories told in video games. Well that and my choices really didn't matter, no matter what you do that blue skinned punk gives you your options and you have to pick one of the colors and watch the same cut scene no matter which you choose.

Whatever BioWare chooses to do, and they're handling this the wrong way, Indoctrination Theory is my ending. It's the only way I can reconcile the end of that game in my mind.

[CorvusCorax]

I have a feeling that EA and corporate deadlines had a huge hand with this fiasco. I think they pushed a deadline and the story's ending took a back seat. Or they were going to try to push a paid DLC (Again EA) and add bonus content.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

Honestly went back played 1 and 2 with 3 and now the endings make sense , I was actualy able to achieve one of the more rare endings and yes there are more then 3 and each choice has multiple endings in part to it based on your story whether you realize it or not and the one rare I got was great. I have a feeling who the guy and kid are now in the end I won't spoil it but I am guessing you can figure it out

[CorvusCorax]

Replayed the game via extended cut. It was a more complete ending. However do not shoot the kid.

(null)

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='CorvusCorax' timestamp='1340767525' post='1093585']
Replayed the game via extended cut. It was a more complete ending. However do not shoot the kid.

(null)
[/quote]

I really liked how the refusal ending brought up Liara's beacon. It's still not what I would have done, but that was actually a good ending and I'm glad they added that.

But in essence, the ending still sucks. It's not as bad as before, at least Shepherd questions the ridiculous star child, but it still employs deus ex machina and violates the story themes established in the previous games. It's piss poor storytelling, but it's a lot less frustrating now. I dislike the ending, but I don't hate it anymore. EA did respond to some fan concerns with this and they did it for free, so I will give them credit for trying.

[YYZ66]

Watched all of the extended endings on IGN today. They do give a better explanation.

[AwakenTheDemon]

So after playing ME and ME2 like 4 times each... I've decided to go back, create a brand new Shep and play straight through all three. No two year long lags in between installments this time...

[TreTheRaven]

So I beat this game the other day. After beating it, I noticed that is has you save it. When you load up the save point from after beating it, it takes you back to the previous save point that you once had.

Am I supposed to do something else now?

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='TreTheRaven' timestamp='1342322271' post='1098285']
So I beat this game the other day. After beating it, I noticed that is has you save it. When you load up the save point from after beating it, it takes you back to the previous save point that you once had.

Am I supposed to do something else now?
[/quote]

That just gives you the opportunity to see the other endings without having to go through the game again.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1342125775' post='1097678']
So after playing ME and ME2 like 4 times each... I've decided to go back, create a brand new Shep and play straight through all three. No two year long lags in between installments this time...
[/quote]

I'd recommend a female Shep, and shoot for 100% renegade. Ya know, because women are evil.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='YYZ66' timestamp='1342591609' post='1099957']
I'd recommend a female Shep, and shoot for 100% renegade. Ya know, because women are evil.
[/quote]

lollerskates... that's, not only, exactly what I'm doing, but my train of thought behind it as well. Also, because every other Shep of mine is male... and I want romance some new ladies that have no interest in Male Shep lolz

[YYZ66]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1342592024' post='1099959']
lollerskates... that's, not only, exactly what I'm doing, but my train of thought behind it as well. Also, because every other Shep of mine is male... and I want romance some new ladies that have no interest in Male Shep lolz
[/quote]

One of my female Sheps "got with" Liara. Such a nice cut scene. lol

[TreTheRaven]

I don't know about the rest of you, but 2 was my favorite of the series.

Seemed that it had more to offer out of the series.

[berad]

I like the shooting system in 1, where the guns would overheat instead of running out of ammo. You're probably right, 2 was the most in-depth, probably my favorite. I really enjoyed 3 until the ending(s). 3's multiplayer is top-notch, though.

[Corvus]

Hey berad, dunno if you're playing on PS3 or X-Box, but hit me upon PSN if you wanna run through some multiplayer, my ID is NormanOsborn. I still can't get enough of it 5 months later, I keep coming back to earn more credits and unlock new characters and weapon upgrades...

For that matter, anyone feel free to hit me up, I'm always down for wiping out waves of enemies.

[berad]

360, my man, sorry. But I'm still loving the multiplayer, too.

What difficulty do you play on?

[Corvus]

Obviously I started on bronze when I was just playing a bit to get my "galactic readiness" up while I was completing the single player. I play silver almost all of the time now when I'm grinding for credits, I've gotten good enough to where I can usually complete them with less than 4 people if someone leaves the match or something. I've only beaten gold matches maybe 3 or 4 times mbut I still try them a lot. Haven't had the cajones to try the new platinum difficulty yet , haha.

[berad]

Platinum difficulty?? Wow! I usually go on silver, too, but it's a struggle. If I want to boost my self-esteem and ball out, I play on bronze and get the top score every time

[Corvus]

Haha, yup been there done that. Get your tail kicked on a harder difficulty, owning bronze difficulty makes you feel better immediately. Apparently they added the "Platinum" difficulty in one of the free DLC packs. From what I understand they start throwing enemies from the other two factions that you aren't currently fighting in with them, not to mention I'm sure they're all physically tougher than on "Gold..."

I might give it whirl when I get off work tonight and see just how ridiculous it is :-D