Mass Effect 3 (Spoilers)

[White Haven]

Yeah, humans are more genetically diverse. And Salarians are more indirect and sneaky, and Krogan are stronger and more durable, and the Asari are fuckloads more biotic, so on and so forth. What would you rather be, 'more genetically diverse' or a Samara-style biotic killing machine? Why shouldn't humans be 'special' for something they happen to have more of, when the same is true in different areas for many other species. Fuck, if the galaxy was all Krogans, wall to wall, humans would be 'special' for being more peaceful than the rest of the galaxy. If it were all Salarians, humans would be the ones who live far longer than the rest of the galaxy's inhabitants. Being 'special' is all about who you're around, and 'genetic diversity' is a pretty crummy way to be special, all things being equal. As much as I can recall, that 'specialty' has resulted in...humans being valued as test subjects for unethical medical experiments because of their genetic diversity. Uh...thanks, I think...

[Galvatron]

Perhaps genetic diversity makes us an ideal candidate for being made into reapers? IIRC, all reapers are unique, with some larger and more powerful than others. Maybe humans are the Anakin Skywalker of candidate species for reaperdom. I dunno.

[Vendetta]

I don't mind it. We're not special because we love one another, make music or any of the other usual bullshit tropes. We're just genetically more diverse, which Mordin pointed out in ME2.

...and this gives us special power to save the universe.

That is the problem, not genetic diversity itself. Diversity might be just a result of not having a global civilization for thousands of years like other Council races.

Apparently all it really means is that we are extra tasty to Reapers.

[Galvatron]

An interesting alternate ending would be the reapers winning and the latest, greatest, biggest reaper ever is named Shepard.

[Anacronian]

I've always thought the "humans are special because we're comparatively diverse" idea was one to be avoided. Not just because humans are rather homogeneous compared to other species on Earth, but because it sounds like code for "humans are special because we haven't been mixing our races for too long unlike all those aliens who've been in space for centuries".

Actually it would mean the opposite, Humans being more diverse would mean that we have been mixing races more than any of the other species.

[PeZook]

Apparently all it really means is that we are extra tasty to Reapers.

Not according to the article's take on the Dark Energy Ending concept, which hinged on the human reaper being salvation of the galaxy or something.

I really have no problem with humans being diverse somehow. I have a problem with this somehow meaning a human harvest = victory over dark energy.

---

In other news: the second hospital scene, the one where you say goodbye to Thane, was incredibly moving.

[Galvatron]

I really have no problem with humans being diverse somehow. I have a problem with this somehow meaning a human harvest = victory over dark energy.

I don't think victory is the intent, simply a continuation of the cycle that has existed for millions of years. They're merely keeping the dark energy at bay to safeguard the vast majority of life in the galaxy. New reapers are supposedly needed every 50,000 years due to either an increase in dark energy or the older reapers somehow dying off; so the older, more advanced species are the ones usually selected to be harvested. Take your pick.

A human reaper would only be preferable to, say, an asari reaper due to humans possessing a certain trait that reapers value.

[streetad]

...You know...that makes a remarkable amount of sense...oh please God let Bioware be doing that...

The entirely separate and unique outburst of rage when players are asked to fork out more money for DLC in order to see the ACTUAL end of the game would be quite amusing to watch...

[Anacronian]

Hmm new tweet.

@masseffect: "Mike Gamble already said on his twitter, if the fans knew what was in store, the reaction would be different."

[Aaron MkII]

Yeah great, maybe should have included that with the disc or said something before.

[PeZook]

I don't think victory is the intent, simply a continuation of the cycle that has existed for millions of years. They're merely keeping the dark energy at bay to safeguard the vast majority of life in the galaxy. New reapers are supposedly needed every 50,000 years due to either an increase in dark energy or the older reapers somehow dying off; so the older, more advanced species are the ones usually selected to be harvested. Take your pick.

A human reaper would only be preferable to, say, an asari reaper due to humans possessing a certain trait that reapers value.

Uhhh...

The real reason for the Human Reaper was supposed to be the Reapers saving throw because they had run out of time. Humanity in Mass Effect is supposedly unique because of it's genetic diversity and represented the universe's best chance at stopping Dark Energy's spread.

So no, the human reaper wouldn't have been just merely another Reaper, but potentially Jesus-reaper because...humans are diverse. Yeah. Makes PERFECT sense!

[Galvatron]

Holding the dark energy at bay is, IMO, the same thing as stopping it from spreading. And I already said that humans would essentially become a super reaper. That doesn't necessarily mean a lasting, final victory against dark energy and an end to the 50,000-year cycle though.

[Vendetta]

Hmm new tweet.

@masseffect: "Mike Gamble already said on his twitter, if the fans knew what was in store, the reaction would be different."

Yeah, if people already knew rather than darkly suspected that Bioware were planning all along to release the real ending for an extra $15 dollars the shitstorm that ensued would make the current bad press look like a fart in a hurricane.

Protip Bioware: You do not rebuild trust in your brand via cryptic messages on twitter.

[Stark]

Twitter marketing is all about being cryptic. There are books written about it and all. Most of the 'outraged' will probably be calmed or turned around by whatever bone Bioware has to throw.

Unless people don't realize these twitter feeds are marketing :v

[Galvatron]

I can't help but wonder if they were going for a xeelee vs. photino birds thing too. It'd be interesting to discover that the reapers are at war with a Type 3 civilization that's intentionally using dark energy to destroy our galaxy.

[dragon]

Is that Uldina prick an ambassador if you chose the good captain as ambassador.

[Zinegata]

Re: Humans are special...

Yes, I'd really hate for it to go that path. If there was something funky about human DNA then it kinda makes sense tied in with the Collectors harvesting humans in ME2, but it's still very annoying to go back to that cliche after all the effort to turn that trope on its head.

That would all make sense and actually be a pretty clever way to surprise everyone...if not for the following scenes with the normandy and the glowing tatoos etc - as I wrote, that's JUST enough closure to make a "hallucination" curveball incredibly lame.

Well, there's a problem with the Normandy scenes as well, actually.

Remember: We see the Normandy running away from the battle. They literally go from Earth to the Charon relay in... what, under 15 minutes? That does not seem to be physically possible without Mass-Relay level FTL.

Moreover, why would Joker abandon Commander Shepard? This is the guy who grabbed a rifle back in ME2 to provide cover fire for Shep's final exit. For that matter, can you really imagine the rest of the crew (i.e. Garrus) going "Fuck it, Shepard is dead! Let's abandon the Combined Fleet and run away NOW!"

Finally, don't forget that all of your squad team members were still on Earth. There was virtually no way for them to have gotten back to the Normandy - your shuttle was blown apart and there's intense ground-to-air fire interedicting any extraction.

Yet somehow, all of your team members will be on the fleeing Normandy... and emerge on that isolated world. Again, this can all be handwaved by "Bioware being lazy", but again: How could the Normandy reach the Charon relay so quickly? Why would Joker abandon his Commander? Why would the TEAM abandon their commander? And how did they teleport off the planet to the ship?

This leads some to believe that the Normandy scene was simply a 4th-wall breaking continuation of the dream sequence. That's the Reaper trying to trick Shepard that all is well (and that his/her crew survived) despite his/her death and that he/she became a legend. And that there is hope for the future because granddaddy is telling grandchild that they'll reach the stars someday...

... When in fact the granddaddy/grandchild are actually just soon-to-be victims of the next cycle. And that the only legend that Shep created was amongst the Reapers.

(Hence, blow the Reapers away, get the "SHEP LIVES!" special ending, and wait for the DLC that will give the Golden Ending)

[Vendetta]

Is that Uldina prick an ambassador if you chose the good captain as ambassador.

Yes. They wanted to have Anderson being the big damn hero back on Earth, so they overrode any decision you made in the last book and offhandedly mention that Anderson got tired of political bullshit and told Udina he could have the job.

[Galvatron]

Would've made better sense if Anderson returned to Earth to give Shepard his support in person and Udina was just filling in for him.

[Zinegata]

It's one of the more minor non-carry over plot points anyway. There's much less "carry-over" stuff from ME1/2-> ME3 than ME1-> ME2. Albeit some of them (i.e. The Loyalty Missions, Quarian-Geth resolution) are pretty significant.

[PREDATOR490]

Christ, I have yet to even complete this game because the constant reviews of the ending have killed my interest and all of the scenes I have watched on Youtube are pathetically limited. The 'romance' scenes are completely lacklustre with the exception of the obvious ME3 pet projects of Ashley + Liara... the former is just a bitch and always has been a bitch while the latter is just weak.

As far as these endings go... I would have considered it more interesting if the forced choices aspect was introduced via Harbringer as a spokesperson for the Reapers.
Alternatively: The return of Soverign as a counter-point to Shepard returning from the dead.

While the Reapers may not have any emotional intrest in Shepard. I can easily see them looking at how one person has effectively roused an entire galaxy to resist and want to turn him into a Reaper / study him. Arrival kinda pushed that idea with Project staff capturing him rather than simply putting a bullet in the brain or Harbringer constantly bitching about wanting Shepards body. I am a bit disappointed that Harbringer hasnt shown up at all or any indication he is in play beyond a codex entry saying he is leading the attack on Earth. This is the same Reaper that went on to great lengths to constanty verbally harass Shepard.

Mordin's death was pretty impressive and so far the highlight of ME3
Thane's death was... pointless
Offing a character just to show "shit got real" in such a disgustingly stupid manner is not effective. Especially since this new guy has no foreshadow at all unless you read the books AND apparantly Shepard and co. just sit back and do fuck all so the ninjas can have their silly fight. Apparantly having Liara around with Stasis dosent mean shit but thats just par for the course with most of Mass Effect cutscenes.

Rachni Queen - Yeah, just fuck off with that one. That choice was rendered effectively worthless. Grunt Scene is the only thing that redeemed it and actually made me happy when he survived.

The addition of allowing every class to equip whatever weapon the like is just awesome. Now I can play an Adept or Vanguard that pack Assualt Rifles. The latter is rather fun if you use the Chakram Launcher or Falcon. The Javelin and Indra are rather amusing as well. The former seems to have X-Ray vision that lets you shoot through walls. The latter is just a sniper rifle that is automatic.

[PeZook]

Thane's death was... pointless
Offing a character just to show "shit got real" in such a disgustingly stupid manner is not effective. Especially since this new guy has no foreshadow at all unless you read the books AND apparantly Shepard and co. just sit back and do fuck all so the ninjas can have their silly fight. Apparantly having Liara around with Stasis dosent mean shit but thats just par for the course with most of Mass Effect cutscenes.

While I agree with you about the dumbass scripted cutscene (I run away in a straight line Shep, but you won't hit me with your gun oh no I'm a ninjah!), Thane's final goodbye was great. It would've worked even if he simply died of his illness though.

That Drell prayer, plus the voice acting was a really emotional moment. Especially when you learn the prayer was intended for you...

There are moments in the series when the voice acting and writing really comes together, creating those great and memorable scenes. Except for Garrus, because everything with Garrus in it is awesome

"You haven't seen Turians swim. It's a lot of trashing and flailing with the occasional bout of drowning."

"Yeah, you're right. I'd just have to save your ass again."

"Well, you owe me for all those times I pulled YOUR ass out of the fire!"

[Zinegata]

Speaking of Garrus... has anyone seen the funny romance scene he gets with Tali if you don't hook up with either of them? Besides me at least? ^___^

[Omeganian]

Yeah,loved it. And the military joke exchange wasn't that bad, either.

[Skywalker_T-65]

Yeah, Garrus is teh awesome. On a serious note though, I really hope that whatever Bioware is planing isn't somehow more stupid than what we already have. Then again, I wouldn't put it past them.