Why are users so upset about the Mass Effect 3 ending? (Spoilers)

[dighn]

Maybe I got this from the leaked script, but the synthesis ending means that in some way, all living things are merged. I guess they become cybernetic. Or everyone just enters the matrix.

they definitely become cybernetic, and perhaps develop a form of consensus, but they still acted like individuals to me. it's not an uncommon concept in sci-fi.

 

[bebopulation]

I think a lot of people who are upset at the ending need to take a breath and a step back and look at it more objectively. The indoctrination theory may or may not be the intended meaning, but you can't deny some basic facts about the ending sequence:

1) You are locked in slow motion with no GUI/HUD available. This is exactly as it is in the dream sequences that haunt Shepard throughout the game. What point are the dream sequences if not to create a precedent for the ultimately confusing ending?

2) Shepard shoots Anderson in the arm -- the same arm that Shepard is bleeding from after Anderson passes. Shepard's arm was not covered in blood before this. The game goes to [not so subtle] lengths to bring attention to this detail by panning the camera IMMEDIATELY after Anderson passes.

3) In the 'good' ending following the destruction of the reapers, Shepard is shown waking up in a pile of rubble on earth. It is completely ridiculous to assume he survived the Citadel blowing up, burning through Earth's atomsphere and then crashing down thousands of miles when he's already bleeding to death and barely able to keep himself upright.

When an incredibly well written story ends on a very confusing sequence of events that don't add up in any kind of logical manner, it's painstakingly obvious that there is a hidden meaning. There are plenty of clues along the way, and likely there are multiple interpretations to be had. I think it's insulting to the writers and developers to dismiss the ending as just a random series of confusing dialogues with no artistic direction intended.

 

[ramj70]

I don't understand the ending. Can anyone take the time to explain the following...

1) Who is this ghost kid? Is he part of the first sentient species? Or a god? Is he some AI? It just screams Deus Ex Machina to me. Literally.

2) How did the Normandy get away? Did Joker cut and run? Seems to go against his personality.

3) Liara was on my assault team, yet in the ending she walks off the crashed ship. How...how did she get there???

4) Mass Relays destroy the entire system when they detonate do they not?? So Shepard effectively just destroyed half the galaxy??

Do people never do happy endings anymore?

1. space magic

2. space magic

3. space magic

4. space magic

 

[StinkyPinky]

I think a lot of people who are upset at the ending need to take a breath and a step back and look at it more objectively. The indoctrination theory may or may not be the intended meaning, but you can't deny some basic facts about the ending sequence:

1) You are locked in slow motion with no GUI/HUD available. This is exactly as it is in the dream sequences that haunt Shepard throughout the game. What point are the dream sequences if not to create a precedent for the ultimately confusing ending?

2) Shepard shoots Anderson in the arm -- the same arm that Shepard is bleeding from after Anderson passes. Shepard's arm was not covered in blood before this. The game goes to [not so subtle] lengths to bring attention to this detail by panning the camera IMMEDIATELY after Anderson passes.

3) In the 'good' ending following the destruction of the reapers, Shepard is shown waking up in a pile of rubble on earth. It is completely ridiculous to assume he survived the Citadel blowing up, burning through Earth's atomsphere and then crashing down thousands of miles when he's already bleeding to death and barely able to keep himself upright.

When an incredibly well written story ends on a very confusing sequence of events that don't add up in any kind of logical manner, it's painstakingly obvious that there is a hidden meaning. There are plenty of clues along the way, and likely there are multiple interpretations to be had. I think it's insulting to the writers and developers to dismiss the ending as just a random series of confusing dialogues with no artistic direction intended.

I looked at that theory on You Tube and it's quite convincing but it very quickly glosses over the fact that two separate VI's that can detect Indoctrination both stated no one present was indoctrinated.

Bioware must know what the ending means. Why not just tell us.

 

[bebopulation]

I'm inclined to believe that Shepard wouldn't have been susceptible to indoctrination until after the Thessia mission which absolutely crushes his spirits. Once he returns to Earth we are told that Harbinger has come after him. Makes sense that Harbinger would be attempting to indoctrinate him when Shepard is at his worst.

 

[Gheris]

Here's my issue with the indoctrination theory. It's very simple too. Why would the writers go there without making it obvious enough? Let's be honest, the majority of the people who play the game are not going to run through the endings multiple times to try to get it. Therefore why alienate your user base. Is the writer just being snarky and trying to put it out there so only the super observant can get it? If the indoctrination theory is true than without a doubt Bioware needs to review all future scripts by the author of the endings. You can make it smart, but make it "too smart" and you just end up looking like an arse.

 

[Beev]

Also, part of the point is this: Hidden meaning or not, if Bioware had done a better job there wouldn't have been any confusion.

 

[Gooberlx2]

If any of that turns out to be true, then Bioware did a shitty job pushing it to us.

Agreed. I think there's little hope that it would be Bioware's original intention...I also doubt they would/will co-opt it as part of their story. It's great detective work and very convenient that so many pieces fit together so well but, as other have mentioned, it likely gives Bioware way too much credit.

But yeah, if a huge swath of the fan base has to resort to piecing things together like that in order to justify an "it was all a dream" ending...then your ending failed.

If they can provide some closure to the story, and explanation for some of the nonsensical things, like Joker/Normandy/Crew, then I think that'll satisfy most people. I don't really care that the relays blew up. I'm sure there are ways to rebuild. Hell, it could even be a good basis for the next ME installment. I'm also willing to accept starchild if I have to. But the terrible lack of closure (and reaction to Shep's death) regarding ANY of the major supporting cast is an abomination.

 

[thespyder]

When an incredibly well written story ends on a very confusing sequence of events that don't add up in any kind of logical manner, it's painstakingly obvious that there is a hidden meaning. There are plenty of clues along the way, and likely there are multiple interpretations to be had. I think it's insulting to the writers and developers to dismiss the ending as just a random series of confusing dialogues with no artistic direction intended.

I agree with the last statement. I think the ending (holistically) was artistic and ended in the manner that was always intended. I am re-playing ME1 and can see a lot of pre-cursors pointing directly to the ending of ME3.

The actual execution (three different color explosions) might have been handled better, or at least explained better, but that is to my mind the teeniest of tiny issues. And i think people demanding a change need to sit down and take a pill.

With that having said, there might have been continuity issues with it that might have been done better. But I don't see these as anything unusual for video games, nor anything meriting the uproar that has happend here.

 

[DrunkenSano]

It is suppose to be insulting to the writer who wrote the ending, and after reading the inside scoop, it's obvious that it was the shit writer who took it upon himself to create such a crappy ending without conferring with others like he was suppose to. It's also obvious that he should have his ass fired and replaced by better writers.

 

[Gheris]

I agree with the last statement. I think the ending (holistically) was artistic and ended in the manner that was always intended. I am re-playing ME1 and can see a lot of pre-cursors pointing directly to the ending of ME3.

The actual execution (three different color explosions) might have been handled better, or at least explained better, but that is to my mind the teeniest of tiny issues. And i think people demanding a change need to sit down and take a pill.

With that having said, there might have been continuity issues with it that might have been done better. But I don't see these as anything unusual for video games, nor anything meriting the uproar that has happend here.

I see your point but respectfully disagree. I think this uproar is the best thing that could happen to Bioware. After DA2 and this the quality of their work has been somewhat lacking. ME3 is an excellent game but the ending(s) are horrid in my opinion. After three games and X amount of hours in the ME universe I would at the very least expect some type of explanation of the universe and the characters I have interacted with at the end. Is that a lame view? Perhaps, but I didn't makes sure I did everything possible to keep all members of my team and crew alive in ME2 just for a few cameos in ME3. Not too mention all of the choices I made in ME1....on multiple characters. I don't care if Garrus becomes a goat herder it would be nice to know what they are up to. Then again we might get stuck with a EA App featuring Garrus herding goats.....so I take that back.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I agree with the last statement. I think the ending (holistically) was artistic and ended in the manner that was always intended. I am re-playing ME1 and can see a lot of pre-cursors pointing directly to the ending of ME3.

The actual execution (three different color explosions) might have been handled better, or at least explained better, but that is to my mind the teeniest of tiny issues. And i think people demanding a change need to sit down and take a pill.

With that having said, there might have been continuity issues with it that might have been done better. But I don't see these as anything unusual for video games, nor anything meriting the uproar that has happend here.

If you believe Patrick Weekes, it was a singular writer, and no amount of critiquing was done. The ending was not what the writers wanted. It's what the guy in charge of ME decided he liked and wrote it himself.

 

[bebopulation]

The Stargazer sequence post credits makes it pretty clear Mass Effect 3 was not the final story about Shepard. And at the end of the "destroy the reapers" option it shows Shepard waking up / coming back to life. How would that make any kind of sense if Shepard was actually inside the Citadel? It blows up and Shepard somehow makes it back to earth in one piece? There's more to the ending than what's being taken at face value. Take your angry hats off and look at it more closely.

 

[RampantAndroid]

The Stargazer sequence post credits makes it pretty clear Mass Effect 3 was not the final story about Shepard. And at the end of the "destroy the reapers" option it shows Shepard waking up / coming back to life. How would that make any kind of sense if Shepard was actually inside the Citadel? It blows up and Shepard somehow makes it back to earth in one piece? There's more to the ending than what's being taken at face value. Take your angry hats off and look at it more closely.

That's ONE ending where he is shown breathing. And you clearly failed to read this thread. Poeple aren't really angry over Shepard dying (I think it's a terrible ending, but that's another story) - they're mad about the ending explaining nothing and making ZERO SENSE.

Please, read before posting.

 

[bebopulation]

That's ONE ending where he is shown breathing. And you clearly failed to read this thread. Poeple aren't really angry over Shepard dying (I think it's a terrible ending, but that's another story) - they're mad about the ending explaining nothing and making ZERO SENSE.

Please, read before posting.

... because the ending is clearly alluding to another game and people fail to read between the lines. Don't you think it's significant that there's only one ending where Shepard returns to life/consciousness? Did you address any of the points I brought up earlier? Please don't chastise me for "not reading" when you haven't at least done the same for my posts.

 

[RampantAndroid]

... because the ending is clearly alluding to another game and people fail to read between the lines. Don't you think it's significant that there's only one ending where Shepard returns to life/consciousness? Did you address any of the points I brought up earlier? Please don't chastise me for "not reading" when you haven't at least done the same for my posts.

Do I need to go find where it's been said by Bioware that while Mass Effect is not done, ME3 is the last game that will be made with Shep?

 

[bebopulation]

Sure. You can also go and find where Bioware said that Mass Effect 3's ending would be a grand combination of all the choices you made throughout the trilogy.

 

[Anubis]

As bad as the endings for Deus Ex HR were, they didn't create some new enemy at the end..

they actually set it up for more if you watch through the credits

 

[RampantAndroid]

they actually set it up for more if you watch through the credits

They set it up for Deus Ex 1. They basically talked about the Dentons. The ONLY way it is set up for more is that there is still a long period of time between HR and DX1. They cannot kill Bob Page.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Sure. You can also go and find where Bioware said that Mass Effect 3's ending would be a grand combination of all the choices you made throughout the trilogy.

And I suspect they killed Shepard to, among other reasons, end his story. There won't be another game. At BEST there will be DLC that comes after the in box ending.

Oops, sorry for double post...

 

[DeathReborn]

I will say this, the guys who have been raising money to pay Bioware to fix the endings should instead find some decent scriptwriters, preferably Sci-Fi & Game based writers and pay them to script say 3/6 endings.

All Bioware would have to do is implement them along with a setting at the beginning of the game (like the story/action settings) to decide whether you want to be satisfied (dies if you made bad "war asset" choices), go all Hollywood (cliche hero endings for console kids) or get left with a bitter taste in your mouth (original endings).

Can't see EA going for it though...

 

[VulgarDisplay]

If they do change the ending and offer it as paid DLC I will probably never buy a video game ever again.